City complies with Bill 47 by reclassifying areas and removing parking requirements.
Coquitlam has begun complying with provincial regulations for housing development near SkyTrain stations, marking a significant adjustment to the city’s zoning and planning policies.
The city’s newly passed bylaws reclassify areas within 800 meters of SkyTrain stations as Transit-Oriented Areas, an action driven by Bill 47 introduced in late 2023. This designation eliminates residential parking requirements in these areas, a move aimed at encouraging higher density and mixed-use development.
Transit-Oriented Development Areas encourage high-density living within walking distance of transit, aimed at reducing car dependency and increasing housing supply. Coquitlam makes maps available online to illustrate these designated zones.
Bill 47 mandates that all B.C. cities, including Coquitlam, allow specified minimum building heights and densities in transit-oriented areas, posing implications for the city’s development revenue, especially impacting Coquitlam’s Density Bonus Program. This program traditionally allowed developers to build taller buildings in exchange for community amenities.
The removal of residential parking requirements, except for disabled parking, signals a push towards greater public transit use. Previously, developers were required to include off-street parking for residential projects.
Coquitlam, a leader in transit-oriented development, initially outlined its strategy in 2012 during the introduction of the Millennium (Evergreen) SkyTrain extension. This included encouraging pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use developments that complement transit services.
The city’s Density Bonus Program has funded key infrastructure and community projects. However, the new provincial guidelines challenge this model, jeopardizing future amenity financing, which could impact property taxes.
Implementation of the new regulations will occur in three stages: designation of transit areas, alignment with existing plans by Spring 2025, and a comprehensive review whose date is yet to be determined.
Coquitlam remains committed to adapting its policies and development finance systems to accommodate these changes, but acknowledges potential challenges in meeting infrastructure and community needs.