A planned six‑storey strata development near the Burnaby border will not proceed to construction this year after Coquitlam council approved a second one‑year extension to the project’s development permit.
Developer seeks time to finalise requirements
The 156‑unit project, approved by council in 2024 and sited on six lots in the 500 block of Harrison and Kemsley avenues and a portion of Gardena Drive north of Como Lake Avenue, was due to meet its initial conditions within one year. City staff granted a first extension in 2025 when several conditions remained outstanding. On Monday, developer Quantum Properties requested another 12 months to address remaining matters.
Council voted to grant the extension. City materials said the additional time was required to satisfy a range of outstanding obligations, described by the developer as “servicing and legal requirements.”
“servicing and legal requirements.”
Unit mix and neighbourhood concerns
The proposal’s unit configuration was central to the debate when it first came before council and remains a point of contention. Of the 156 units, 93 are studio and one‑bedroom apartments — including 19 one‑bedroom units with a den — while the remainder consists of 46 two‑bedroom and 17 three‑bedroom units.
That composition drew criticism from some councillors at the time of approval, and opposition persisted when the extension was discussed. Councillor Robert Mazzarolo registered his opposition to the latest delay, noting he had originally opposed the project because he judged it to contain an excessive number of smaller units.
Residents in the area have long raised questions about how new midrise developments will affect traffic, parking and neighbourhood services. The site’s proximity to the Burnaby border places it within a part of the city that has seen steady redevelopment pressure, as municipalities grapple with meeting regional housing targets while protecting established community character.
What the extension means for timelines and approvals
The extension pauses the clock on the developer’s requirement to begin construction within the original prescribed period. Practically, that allows Quantum Properties extra time to secure any outstanding legal documentation and complete servicing works that attach to the development permit — items that can include utility hookups, off‑site improvements and registered agreements on title.
- Project size: 156 units across a six‑storey building.
- Unit breakdown: predominance of studio and one‑bedroom units.
- Council action: second one‑year extension granted in 2026.
| Unit type | Number |
|---|---|
| Studio and one‑bedroom (includes 19 with den) | 93 |
| Two‑bedroom | 46 |
| Three‑bedroom | 17 |
For nearby residents and community advocates, extensions can be double‑edged. They provide a short window for further negotiations and to ensure civic requirements are satisfied, but they also defer the arrival of new housing supply and can prolong uncertainty about neighbourhood change.
Council’s decision to allow additional time reflects the practicalities of development in a region where technical approvals and legal instruments often take longer than the statutory permit windows anticipate. At the same time, councillors who oppose delays argue that extensions should be sparingly used to encourage timely completion and to preserve public confidence in the planning process.
With the second extension now in place, the developer will have until the new deadline next year to deliver the outstanding items before the city considers further action on the permit. The project remains approved in principle, but construction is not yet scheduled.
How this development proceeds will be watched closely by residents in the Como Lake Avenue area and by policymakers concerned with balancing new housing delivery against neighbourhood expectations across Coquitlam.
