Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood Plan

The Northwest Burke Vision (NBV) adopted in 2017 provides a framework for the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process and outlines the need to protect important sloped terrain and fish, wildlife and plant habitat. In developing the 2017 NBV, the City did some high level research in 2015-2017 on environmental features, watercourses, and habitat, and it was estimated that about half of the land in this area could not be built upon - this is because of the rules the city has to follow for things like steep slopes, requirements to protect watercourses, and to reduce risk of wildfires.  

 As part of the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood planning process, the project team is engaging with environmental interest groups and conducting technical work to address environmental considerations. When adopted, the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood Plan would define natural and environmentally sensitive areas, and establish policies to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, support wildlife movement corridors, protect watercourses and mitigate wildfire risk. In addition, the City’s Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) was recently approved and includes a series of actions related to natural areas, wildlife and habitat to support the City’s environmental sustainability goals and objectives.

As of December 2022, we are in Phase 3 of the Hazel Coy planning process. 

There are a number of technical challenges of opening this area up for development, including access and servicing, steep and unstable slopes, watercourse protection, potential loss of wildlife and wildlife movement corridors. As we move forward in the process, we want to make sure we are appropriately addressing these challenges. Technical work has been completed to inform the planning process, including a transportation crossing study and an environmental report. We are currently working closely with the internal review team to identify the servicing requirements (parks, transportation and utilities) and their estimated costs. This information will help to inform the overall land use concept for the neighbourhood as we want to ensure that the plan is realistic and achievable at implementation.

We are targeting bringing forward some of the technical work and a draft land use concept to Council. The exact timing of the next Council report will be largely dependent on the outcomes of staff’s work identifying the servicing requirements for the neighbourhood, which is still underway. Once a report date has been finalized, we will provide an update through our email mailing list and on our project website at letstalkcoquitlam.ca/hazelcoy. 

Thank you,

The Hazel Coy Neighbourhood Planning Team

As of March 2022, we are targeting the development of a draft plan and presentation to stakeholders for input in Spring 2022 (Phase 3). Subsequently, based on feedback on the draft plan, we will be making refinements and are targeting to bring forward a finalized plan for Council's consideration in Fall 2022. 

If there are any changes to this timeline, it will be updated on our project website at letstalkcoquitlam.ca/hazelcoy.

The Northwest Burke Vision (NBV) adopted in 2017 provides a framework for the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process.  Within the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood, the NBV calls for a mix of single family homes and townhouses. While it is indicated there is potential for approximately 950 new homes for the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood in the NBV, this will be further defined through the neighbourhood planning process to be responsive to changing market conditions, tenure, lifestyle preferences and community needs.  The projected population of 2,750 is calculated using an assumed occupancy rate of 3 people per household - this is based on an analysis of previous Census data on the townhousing and single family housing occupancy rates in Coquitlam.

Development within 50 metres of the top-of-bank of a watercourse located within the Northeast Coquitlam Area Plan (which includes the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood) triggers a Watercourse Protection Development Permit.

Furthermore, any development in the City within 30 metres from the high water mark of a stream would typically be subject to a review under the Riparian Areas Protection Regulations (RAPR) of the Zoning Bylaw (Section 523). Under the RAPR, developers can either adopt the “simple assessment” Streamside Protection and Enhancement Area (SPEA) setbacks shown on QtheMap or hire a Qualified Environmental Professional to conduct a “detailed assessment” (which must be reviewed and approved by the Province) to determine the appropriate SPEA setback.  Setbacks derived under the RAPR detailed assessment methodology may incorporate additional setback measures that integrate slope stability setbacks (based on geotechnical engineering reports) and windfirm tree protection setbacks (based on reports provided by professional foresters) on top of the SPEA setback set out under that methodology.  An overview of the City’s Riparian Areas Policy for protecting fish habitat is provided here.  

In addition, the City’s steep slope setbacks under Section 519 of the Zoning Bylaw, which could range from 8m-15m from the ravine top of bank, may also apply. 

The Northwest Burke Vision identified a local community node near Coast Meridian Road in the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood, which may include limited commercial uses such as a daycare facility or a coffee shop.  Through the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process, we will be working with the community to create a vision for this node and identify activities, services and amenities that would be appropriate.

The Northwest Burke Vision (NBV) adopted in 2017 provides a framework for the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process and identifies a Community Node in proximity to Coast Meridian Road.  The specific location of the Community Node will be established through the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process.  

As described in the NBV, the Community Node is intended to serve as a vibrant focal point in the neighbourhood, establish a character or identity for the neighbourhood, and provide opportunities for a range of neighbourhood-oriented activities, services and amenities. The guidelines established in the NBV for the Community Node include encouraging a thoughtful mix of community, commercial, civic, service and residential uses.

The Northwest Burke Vision identified a local community node near Coast Meridian Road in the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood, which may include limited commercial uses such as a daycare facility or a coffee shop.  Through the Hazel-Coy neighbourhood planning process, we will be working with the community to create a vision for this node and identify activities, services and amenities that would be appropriate.

The Port Coquitlam and District Hunting and Fishing Club is currently leasing Crown Land at 5000 Harper Road from the Province. Under the terms of this lease, the Club would be required to obtain Coquitlam City Council support for continuation of the lease every three years beginning in 2019. 

In 2019, Coquitlam City Council supported the continuance of the Club’s lease for three years. However, as outlined in the accompanying Report to Council, the Club was also advised that their current operations (particularly the outdoor shooting range) would not be supportable over the medium to longer term as they are incompatible with the long term land use directions articulated in the Northwest Burke Vision, potential changes resulting from the development of the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood Plan and the Pinecone Burke Provincial Park Management Plan.  

The City recognizes the important role the Club plays as a valuable centre for recreation, leisure and law enforcement training and would, therefore, like to see the Club secure a stable, certain and long term future.  To this end, the City is prepared to support the Club in liaising with the Province to explore suitable alternative locations outside of the Urban Containment Boundary that can support the Club’s operations over the long term.  As part of the ongoing Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood planning process, the project team has also been closely engaging with the Club.

The Port Coquitlam and District Hunting and Fishing Club is currently leasing Crown Land at 5000 Harper Road from the Province. Under the terms of this lease, the Club would be required to obtain Coquitlam City Council support for continuation of the lease every three years beginning in 2019. 

In 2019, Coquitlam City Council supported the continuance of the Club’s lease for three years. However, as outlined in the accompanying Report to Council, the Club was also advised that their current operations (particularly the outdoor shooting range) would not be supportable over the medium to longer term as they are incompatible with the long term land use directions articulated in the Northwest Burke Vision, potential changes resulting from the development of the Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood Plan and the Pinecone Burke Provincial Park Management Plan.  

The City recognizes the important role the Club plays as a valuable centre for recreation, leisure and law enforcement training and would, therefore, like to see the Club secure a stable, certain and long term future.  To this end, the City is prepared to support the Club in liaising with the Province to explore suitable alternative locations outside of the Urban Containment Boundary that can support the Club’s operations over the long term.  As part of the ongoing Hazel-Coy Neighbourhood planning process, the project team has also been closely engaging with the Club.