Stop the destruction of the last cedar forest on Burke Mountain
Stop the destruction of the last cedar forest on Burke Mountain
The Issue
24.03.2025
The flagging tape is up in the forest to mark out where to cut more then half of it.
Here is the urgent message to email to people in parks
development and council. Please copy and paste and email.
email adresses here below.
Thank you so much.
The call to action and the emergency at hand
short 2 min30sec video, and the email adresses and letter
to cut and paste and email below, Thank you so much.
thanks so much!!!
DFishman@coquitlam.ca
JTse@coquitlam.ca
cjarvie@coquitlam.ca
devinfo@coquitlam.ca
CHodge@coquitlam.ca
rmazzarolo@coquitlam.ca
mdjonlic@coquitlam.ca
basmundson@coquitlam.ca
skim@coquitlam.ca
tmandewo@coquitlam.ca
dmarsden@coquitlam.ca
ttowner@coquitlam.ca
managersoffice@coquitlam.ca
emaillouatgeemail@gmail.com
Dear Doron, Chris, Jacqueline , Craig, Robert, Matt, Brent, Steve, Trish, Dennis and Teri.
I have signed Lou Okruhlica's petition to reflect my direct involvement in performing a swap of the land use at 3561 Gislason Ave, as it is Zoned as A3, Agricultural/ Resource land.
You are trying to:
rezone it as RM3 for Multi Density. You are planning to Zone RM3 to cut down a 100 year old-plus forest embedded in an ancient flowing aquifer with water flowing hydrology, flowing from the northern edge of the lot at Burke Village blvd from the existing sidewalk, down to every plant, tree , micro and bio organism , supplying water for hundreds of trees that hold the water with their roots for the wet lands and Baycrest creek below, with many land and air based animals by it's side.
This integrated system is functioning only due to every drop of water taken in by the aquifer, stored by those roots and expressed by the cedars through the tree's leaves, while also taken in by the biomass of plants and the biomass in the ground.
This is the very reason to preform a swap of the land use where the proposed 6 story building and underground parking is to be built on top the aquifer, and re-zone it as P3, as the whole area from the very top, from the sidewalk, has water flowing through it, or at the least, zoned to P1, and place a park and park grass from the sidewalk to let the water flow, forming an aquifer from there.
Please rezone to plan the building down below at Dollar crescent where the 2 acre park is planned and swap that land use from P1 to RM3 Multi Density, as a 6 story building can be built there as Lou Okruhlica has proven via measurements. The 1100SQ foot print required for a Multi Density Building in Coquitlam is expressed in those measurements.
I , the under signed trust that the magnitude of destroying the Fragile and biodiverse Last Cedar Forest, and
destroying the ever so important and topographically and hydrologically unique frontage of the forest that is able to house a large park integrated with the forest at its lower edge, far out ways the process of the planning department and council cooperating together.
This landmark master plan opportunity presented to you to truly save one block of untouched green urban forest in the middle of Burke Mountain, where thousands of people will be living all around this green biomass,
for decades and centuries to come,
is a once in a lifetime or once in a term of council ship opportunity. All details below here:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-destruction-of-the-last-cedar-forest-on-burke-mountain
Please contact Lou Okruhlica.
Thank you
26.02.25
Thank you for keeping the future existance of this Jewel a possibility by reading and making your voice heard with your signature.
Love to ALL.
Your are supporting a landmark masterplan posibbility
to intergrate a park and forest, in the heart of Burke Mountian amidsts heavy development.
The new British Columbia provincial legislation
is forcing municipalities to develop land with density.
The fact that this forest is still in the land division of
the City of Coquitlam to be rezoned from Agriculture/
Resource land to mulity density, is the very reason
The City Of Coquitlam Planning department has
the ammunition and the ability to fight the province
via the agriculture zoning as there will never be another
Cedar forest designated and protected as an agriculural
forest on Burke Mountain ever again.
Buildings can be built anywhere, 120 year old forests on agriculture land are finite.
Saving this cedar forest will be realized via a land swap.
The City Council, Mayor and Planning have the life of an intact forest in their hands.
This is and excerpt from my delegation to Council.
A summery holding the key via supportive evidence.
The Last Cedar Forest is located on this plan where you
see The Medium Density apartment arrows, it is on the right
hand side, described as Head Water Zone. On Burke Village promenade.
The Picture below is of
The space below the Last Cedar Forest, where the city planned a 2 acre park. City by-law requires 1100m2
for a medium density 6 story apartment building and
underground parking. The apartment along with it's
concrete underground parking poison foundation
is planned above an intact forest, to cut off the water for the spring for Baycrest creek and the aquifer nourishing the forest from above.
Please note the lower arm of the creek on the left is
a wet spot and a dead creek, cut off via Dollar Cresent road next to it.
The Spring: all the trees you see and more will die,
if we place a 6 story building and underground parking
foundation 20 meters up from here. How many will be cut down during the destructive development practises used on
Burke mountain.
Save this jewel and build the building where the park is planned, plan the park above here and build a boardwalk through this magestic biomass.
City: Apply with Province through the Water Sustainability
Act for placing one boardwalk through SPEA for future generations to connect with 120 years old cedars, 220 and 320 year old cedars then.
A Landmark masterplan. First world thinking adoptable
from other countries, bolstering the City's new green, urban
forest index, A Park and Forest business card, inviting
the world to reverse adopt as The Urban Forest Masterplan
practice.
Park swapped for a Building and Building swapped for park.
The Environmental Study tells us the headwater is
in the middle of the forest, the aquifer comes from above,
with forest in between, We plan underground parking
above the aquifer ?
THE MASTERPLAN: Beauty viewed from above.
Not Destruction and Death!
Remember the planned 2 acre park ?
The evidence of square footage available above the
Last Cedar Forest for a park: 100 000 SQ FT.
This Masterplan is about saving a forest, not one tree.
Youtube link to see the LandSwap Spaces, quickly scan the measurements diagram below here and then watch the video.
Note the position of the aftenoon sun, video is facing south
near the end, when at the top of the forest, this side a refuge for our aged population, all day long in the shade on the north side of the forest, also being very accessible as being
across the street from the planned community center.
Video is 2 minuntes 11 seconds.
I describe what will be lost, loosing the Cedar forest, if we allow the destruction to happen, when you read on down below past this update, in the structure of the First content
on my petition.
The two white rectangles on the following picture are Lower and Upper Freemont park.
Much has been lost on Burke Mountain, more will be lost
in the future. Do you wonder why there is not more buffer
zones between the destruction?.
What has been lost there, is freedom. It may be used infrequently by frightened animals now, that used to use this as a home. There is an abundance of construction noise
all around.
This land was given to the City of Coquitlam by Bob Edwards and another local neigbor.
Mr. Edwards is an important figure from Burke Mountain with extensive family history here.
The City did not create this park.
They managed it to this end, and let scared animals use it as a corridor to no where. It is an island attacked by development. The green space with big trees that is also to the left of Upper Freemont park just below Gislason, above the row of white townhomes, was completely cut down this week for more townhomes.
Freemont park is an absolute island now.
The green hill to the right of it is owned by Wesbild and
that space will be developed in totality within the urban
containment boundary you see outlined, incompasing
the east side of Burke Mountain. The City of Coquitlam
likes to coin this side of the mountain: The Partignton Creek
Neigbourhood Plan. We can coin the green space there as finite. There is a reason to look deep with in and use compassion to consider this land swap.
Members of council will try to convince you there are
enough parks planned for the 60 000 people that are planned to live on Burke in the near and distant future.
The Last Cedar Forest is the last of its kind within the urban
containment boundary and is on flat topography.
It has many many110 to120 year old cedars.
The topography makes it more attractive for the City to recover
funds via a sale for something they actually acquired for almost nothing, only looking at land values may one think
that is what gives the right to destroy a biomass that holds
a micro climate.
We yearn for the elected officials of the City of Coquitlam
to find the compassion with in, and hear their Burke Mountain consitituanct's cries about the overwhelming
development here, and hope they see
the space planned for the 2 acre
park on Dollar crescent, is just as flat and worth the same money to "recover" "their", or our funds.
We also hope they understand we understand development
is here to stay, so why not be more attentive and specific about it?
Shall we have a public vote regarding the land swap?
I will start a petition regarding a vote and will let you all know !.
Will society continue to allow developers to place Council
in power via election funds donations via the new
murky Province of B.C. election donation rules?.
Coucil is forced to feel indebted to
Place hundreds of millions of dollars in profits into
private developer hands.
Not seriously considering only one land swap option that offers us a ONCE in a lifetime opportunity to provide a refuge for people and animals and billions of bio organisms and micro organisms?.
This is about saving a forest not one tree.
Today's delegation to council in committee material and proposal:
(pls note , the land swap proposal #1 will not be discussed as I
was misinformed about Freemont Park.
https://coquitlam.ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1733
DEAR SUPPORTER!
YOUR SIGNATURE IS THE LIFE OF THIS FOREST.
WE HAVE THE 30000 PLUS STRONG VOICES THAT INCLUDE
ABOUT 550 LOCAL COQUITLAM VOTERS THAT WILL VOTE FOR
COUNCIL THAT SAVED THIS FOREST, AND IN TURN, NOT VOTE FOR
COUNCIL THAT PUT THIS FOREST AT JEOPARDY.
AND THEREFORE, I AM NOT STAYING STILL, AND I AM HELPING TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN. ALSO, WE APPRICIATE ALL THE SUPPORT:
WE HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM FIN DONNELLY , OUR MLA
WE HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM LAURA DUPONT, (RUNNING FOR
FUTURE FEDERAL COQUITLAM-PORT COQUITLAM MP RIDING)
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM THESE CITY OF COQUITLAM COUNSELLORS
REGARDING PERFORMING A LAND SWAP:
CRAIG HODGE, ROBERT MAZZAROLO AND MATT DJONLIC
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM ED HALL OF THE KWIKWETLEM FIRST NATION
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM PHIL BUCHAN FROM THE BURKE MOUNTAIN
NATURALISTS AS HE IS HELPING A LOT ALONG THE WAY
WE HAVE POLITICAL SUPPORT AND DIRECTION FROM BEN PERRY
OF FORCE OF NATURE .
I HAVE MET WITH CHRIS JARVIE FROM COQUITLAM CITY PLANNING
TO PROPOSE ALL ALTERNATIVES TO TOUCHING THE FOREST IN ANY WAY
I HAVE ALSO WALKED THE LAND WITH DORON FISHMAN OF
COQUITLAM CITY PARKS TO ADDRESS HOW THE LAST CEDAR FOREST
WILL NOT SURVIVE IF WE PUT UNDERGROUND PARKING FOUNDATIONS
IN FRONT OF IT AND CUT OFF THE AQUIFER.
DECEMBER 11TH IS A BIG DAY FOR THE LAST CEDAR FOREST.
I AM GOING TO PRESENT AS A DELEGATE AT THE CITY OF COQUITLAM
IN FRONT OF COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE, ALONG WITH MANY
FOREST SUPPORTERS TO FILL THE ROOM. COME TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. DEC 11TH AT 2PM.
SEE YOU THERE!
LOVE
THE LAST CEDAR FOREST 3561 Gislason Ave Coquitlam B.C. Canada.
MY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR YOU SUPPORT AND TIME YOU TAKE TO
HELP.
Hectares of forests along with sensitive habitats and fragile eco systems have
been destroyed on Burke Mountain in Coquitlam. Houses and Townhomes
now make up the whole side of the mountain, ending near the very top of it.
The last cedar forest at the low side of the mountain, where all else is, or will
be absolutely densified, now, is the last cedar forest: small, but big enough for
a park, and the city of Coquitlam has it now internally approved as a site for
development, without anyone knowing that this cedar forest is the last one,
that there are 100-150 year and older tall trees in an intact forest with the
mountain draining through it through an aquifer under it, that culminates down
a bit lower at a slight elevation change into two creeks and a wet land.
As the approval process goes, this petition will be considered as the first
reading , when people finally see the size of the trees to be cut down for
a townhouse project for the first time. The rezoning process and readings
where held in 2021 when Covid prevented anyone from knowing about this
precious jewel, and the land was rezoned. No one could see that the cedar
giants could have walking trails amongst them for generations to come, and a
densified area of townhomes will have a place for people to visit and stand in
awe of the grand park that is in their neighborhood. As the east side of Burke
Mountain will be heavily developed, the loss of this grand tall forest and the
habitat loss would be damaging to the local wild life as bears, deer, cougars and
links use this area to pass through and bed down at night, while eagles and
ravens and the resident humming birds along with wood peckers and many
other birds pray on the huge frog population in the wet land just down below.
You can also see the Horned Owl hunt here at dusk and the Pacific Tree Frog
lives and use this old rain forest and its trees as a home. Can we wipe out the
eco systems this forest held for generations ?.This forest is big enough to hold
a micro climate of water, moisture and contribute with a local impact
while holding a microclimate. This forest filters tons of pollutants
and each tall tree sequesters 22 tons of carbon in its life time while
creating oxygen for all near and far. How could we even think about cutting
any of this forest down and not think of the land sales funds and taxes that may
come yearly from this 100 unit or similar size proposed townhouse
complex, to come from another piece of land, that is not as flat for a park
as this forest is, and swap the land for land in
a different place, where land was zoned for houses and can be rezoned for
townhomes to meet the density requirements.
We can save nature that is so important in this forest for generations to come.
And again, think in density numbers, to save this beautiful gem and add density
via townhomes somewhere where single family was proposed....
The compromise here is knowing that another townhouse complex is to be
built on the same property on the south east side very near the wet land and
creek, that will damage just the same there, but saving the old rain forest
and the eco system above, while providing a park is a sound compromise
AS WE KNOW IT.
Please see the maps included.
The triangulation of this property Coquitlam B.C. is Rocklin st. to the east
Burke village blvd to the north and Dollar Crescent to the west.
Physical address is 3561 Gislason Ave.
Lets THINK world class destination, in an urban setting where
animals of all kinds can be them selves as they do not know any different
due to their instincts.
The loss :
The many old trees, the plants, bio and micro organisms and animals,
that would give way to hard surfaces and concrete being poured
into a foundation forest floor that used to be an aquifer, will have irreversible
Damaging consequences to the local in ground water and the two creeks
culminating at the lower edge of this property that drain into a wet land and
continue beyond as a creek, will have a townhouse complex foundations as a
source for its' pristine and crystal clear water?.
We all have the responsibility to designate this as a Central park of
Burke mountain where all people will come to be with giant trees
and with nature for generations to come. While this old forest will become a
world class destination. We could be proud we live in a place where people
from all over the world will visit this grand stand of cedars, while stopping and
vacationing in any part of Vancouver, and realizing URBAN FORESTS
are so "globally utilitarian" , that The City of Coquitlam could apply for
a Unesco Heritage certification from the forest saving actions.
Housing can be built on other land that is already owned by the city to help
to save this Jewel of Burke Mountain.
Can all people concerned about the rate at which forests are being cut down
all around the world, and the People of Coquitlam , please contact the
Mayor of Coquitlam and the local Coquitlam MLA , Fin Donnelly.
Mayor and Council:
mayor_council@coquitlam.ca
fin.donnelly.mla@leg.bc.ca
Also contact the minister for environment, Honourable
George Heyman : env.minister@gov.bc.ca
and the minister of forests , Honourable
Doug Donaldson : flnr.minister@gov.bc.ca
This property is approved for development but does not have
an active development application.
here is a video describing the exact location.
please see the development site link for Coquitlam
zoom in after you enter, to the corner of Burke Village blvd to the North of the property, Rocklin to the East and Dollar crsnt to the West of it.
the map is also in the youtube video with the link down below.
youtube video to get to know the Crown Jewel of Burke Mountain
If we do not act, senseless destruction of an old forest will happen.
Please help.
NEW UPDATE, September 27th , 2023
Video in the forest and facts about SOCIAL JUSTICE and URBAN FORESTS
https://youtu.be/lgvvDVlebQ8?si=4c-EymwdH1QPTIuO
NEW UPDATE HERE, March 28, 2023
Please see new images at the very top of this page.
First image was given to me via the City of Coquitlam Development Planning department at the very beginning, and shows in Brown at top 1/3 of the land, where zoning has been
changed and applied for this land to have possible townhomes.
Second image shows a good look at the real trees in an aerial view.
The third image from top shows the rough plan for the use of this land.
None of that proposal is concrete and is subject to council approval.
You will see the Head Water protection in the middle of the forest and
the light density residential on the North West , top left side of the
land being really close to the biggest trees on the property that are right on the
corner, There are no townhome complexes on Burke Mountain that have big
trees only a few feet away from their buildings!. This means the biggest trees on
the top of the property are not protected, and same case for any of the
trees in the proposed head water, therefore, the City
always leaves the trees at peril in the future development process,
The Head Water protection does not guarantee any protection for any
trees in this fragile ecosystem. The best solution is to press the local
government towards assigning land on the south west side, down
under the planned light residential space, where the park space has been
added along the side of the property, and swap the land from there
for the top corner where the biggest trees are and have the developer
design the townhome complex lower than it is now proposed to be
situated. As this type of land swap is never proposed by the city in mind
to protect trees and zone the land swap into the property first, and design
buildings later. We can not leave these
beautiful cedar trees to be decided upon with developer money, but make a
sound choice to protect all trees now. TOTAL expansion of the head water
protection to the whole width of this land is necessary, as any disruption of
incoming water into the aquafer from side or top of property that travels in the
water table under the trees will cut off the pattern of water
usage by these big trees. They are very sensitive to any change and
as they are also very sensitive to the heat and to the hot summer spells
we are having, these trees will not survive any change in the water table
diversion. It is imperative the aquafer is not altered in any way during the
construction of the light residential housing along the top and side of the trees.
It also important this forest is designated as a park and not fenced as some
sensitive area that no one can access. The case where this may happen
is when the city plans the head water protection with an environmental study
"backing", where the study will only make a head water space very near
the start of the creeks , tens of feet above them only, meaning trees only
near the creeks will be protected and the protected area being fenced
and rest of trees being cut down. This scenario plays out over and over all
over Burke Mountain, around a creek, land is protected but not the trees
near by , That is why a whole mountain of forests is gone.
30,815
The Issue
24.03.2025
The flagging tape is up in the forest to mark out where to cut more then half of it.
Here is the urgent message to email to people in parks
development and council. Please copy and paste and email.
email adresses here below.
Thank you so much.
The call to action and the emergency at hand
short 2 min30sec video, and the email adresses and letter
to cut and paste and email below, Thank you so much.
thanks so much!!!
DFishman@coquitlam.ca
JTse@coquitlam.ca
cjarvie@coquitlam.ca
devinfo@coquitlam.ca
CHodge@coquitlam.ca
rmazzarolo@coquitlam.ca
mdjonlic@coquitlam.ca
basmundson@coquitlam.ca
skim@coquitlam.ca
tmandewo@coquitlam.ca
dmarsden@coquitlam.ca
ttowner@coquitlam.ca
managersoffice@coquitlam.ca
emaillouatgeemail@gmail.com
Dear Doron, Chris, Jacqueline , Craig, Robert, Matt, Brent, Steve, Trish, Dennis and Teri.
I have signed Lou Okruhlica's petition to reflect my direct involvement in performing a swap of the land use at 3561 Gislason Ave, as it is Zoned as A3, Agricultural/ Resource land.
You are trying to:
rezone it as RM3 for Multi Density. You are planning to Zone RM3 to cut down a 100 year old-plus forest embedded in an ancient flowing aquifer with water flowing hydrology, flowing from the northern edge of the lot at Burke Village blvd from the existing sidewalk, down to every plant, tree , micro and bio organism , supplying water for hundreds of trees that hold the water with their roots for the wet lands and Baycrest creek below, with many land and air based animals by it's side.
This integrated system is functioning only due to every drop of water taken in by the aquifer, stored by those roots and expressed by the cedars through the tree's leaves, while also taken in by the biomass of plants and the biomass in the ground.
This is the very reason to preform a swap of the land use where the proposed 6 story building and underground parking is to be built on top the aquifer, and re-zone it as P3, as the whole area from the very top, from the sidewalk, has water flowing through it, or at the least, zoned to P1, and place a park and park grass from the sidewalk to let the water flow, forming an aquifer from there.
Please rezone to plan the building down below at Dollar crescent where the 2 acre park is planned and swap that land use from P1 to RM3 Multi Density, as a 6 story building can be built there as Lou Okruhlica has proven via measurements. The 1100SQ foot print required for a Multi Density Building in Coquitlam is expressed in those measurements.
I , the under signed trust that the magnitude of destroying the Fragile and biodiverse Last Cedar Forest, and
destroying the ever so important and topographically and hydrologically unique frontage of the forest that is able to house a large park integrated with the forest at its lower edge, far out ways the process of the planning department and council cooperating together.
This landmark master plan opportunity presented to you to truly save one block of untouched green urban forest in the middle of Burke Mountain, where thousands of people will be living all around this green biomass,
for decades and centuries to come,
is a once in a lifetime or once in a term of council ship opportunity. All details below here:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-destruction-of-the-last-cedar-forest-on-burke-mountain
Please contact Lou Okruhlica.
Thank you
26.02.25
Thank you for keeping the future existance of this Jewel a possibility by reading and making your voice heard with your signature.
Love to ALL.
Your are supporting a landmark masterplan posibbility
to intergrate a park and forest, in the heart of Burke Mountian amidsts heavy development.
The new British Columbia provincial legislation
is forcing municipalities to develop land with density.
The fact that this forest is still in the land division of
the City of Coquitlam to be rezoned from Agriculture/
Resource land to mulity density, is the very reason
The City Of Coquitlam Planning department has
the ammunition and the ability to fight the province
via the agriculture zoning as there will never be another
Cedar forest designated and protected as an agriculural
forest on Burke Mountain ever again.
Buildings can be built anywhere, 120 year old forests on agriculture land are finite.
Saving this cedar forest will be realized via a land swap.
The City Council, Mayor and Planning have the life of an intact forest in their hands.
This is and excerpt from my delegation to Council.
A summery holding the key via supportive evidence.
The Last Cedar Forest is located on this plan where you
see The Medium Density apartment arrows, it is on the right
hand side, described as Head Water Zone. On Burke Village promenade.
The Picture below is of
The space below the Last Cedar Forest, where the city planned a 2 acre park. City by-law requires 1100m2
for a medium density 6 story apartment building and
underground parking. The apartment along with it's
concrete underground parking poison foundation
is planned above an intact forest, to cut off the water for the spring for Baycrest creek and the aquifer nourishing the forest from above.
Please note the lower arm of the creek on the left is
a wet spot and a dead creek, cut off via Dollar Cresent road next to it.
The Spring: all the trees you see and more will die,
if we place a 6 story building and underground parking
foundation 20 meters up from here. How many will be cut down during the destructive development practises used on
Burke mountain.
Save this jewel and build the building where the park is planned, plan the park above here and build a boardwalk through this magestic biomass.
City: Apply with Province through the Water Sustainability
Act for placing one boardwalk through SPEA for future generations to connect with 120 years old cedars, 220 and 320 year old cedars then.
A Landmark masterplan. First world thinking adoptable
from other countries, bolstering the City's new green, urban
forest index, A Park and Forest business card, inviting
the world to reverse adopt as The Urban Forest Masterplan
practice.
Park swapped for a Building and Building swapped for park.
The Environmental Study tells us the headwater is
in the middle of the forest, the aquifer comes from above,
with forest in between, We plan underground parking
above the aquifer ?
THE MASTERPLAN: Beauty viewed from above.
Not Destruction and Death!
Remember the planned 2 acre park ?
The evidence of square footage available above the
Last Cedar Forest for a park: 100 000 SQ FT.
This Masterplan is about saving a forest, not one tree.
Youtube link to see the LandSwap Spaces, quickly scan the measurements diagram below here and then watch the video.
Note the position of the aftenoon sun, video is facing south
near the end, when at the top of the forest, this side a refuge for our aged population, all day long in the shade on the north side of the forest, also being very accessible as being
across the street from the planned community center.
Video is 2 minuntes 11 seconds.
I describe what will be lost, loosing the Cedar forest, if we allow the destruction to happen, when you read on down below past this update, in the structure of the First content
on my petition.
The two white rectangles on the following picture are Lower and Upper Freemont park.
Much has been lost on Burke Mountain, more will be lost
in the future. Do you wonder why there is not more buffer
zones between the destruction?.
What has been lost there, is freedom. It may be used infrequently by frightened animals now, that used to use this as a home. There is an abundance of construction noise
all around.
This land was given to the City of Coquitlam by Bob Edwards and another local neigbor.
Mr. Edwards is an important figure from Burke Mountain with extensive family history here.
The City did not create this park.
They managed it to this end, and let scared animals use it as a corridor to no where. It is an island attacked by development. The green space with big trees that is also to the left of Upper Freemont park just below Gislason, above the row of white townhomes, was completely cut down this week for more townhomes.
Freemont park is an absolute island now.
The green hill to the right of it is owned by Wesbild and
that space will be developed in totality within the urban
containment boundary you see outlined, incompasing
the east side of Burke Mountain. The City of Coquitlam
likes to coin this side of the mountain: The Partignton Creek
Neigbourhood Plan. We can coin the green space there as finite. There is a reason to look deep with in and use compassion to consider this land swap.
Members of council will try to convince you there are
enough parks planned for the 60 000 people that are planned to live on Burke in the near and distant future.
The Last Cedar Forest is the last of its kind within the urban
containment boundary and is on flat topography.
It has many many110 to120 year old cedars.
The topography makes it more attractive for the City to recover
funds via a sale for something they actually acquired for almost nothing, only looking at land values may one think
that is what gives the right to destroy a biomass that holds
a micro climate.
We yearn for the elected officials of the City of Coquitlam
to find the compassion with in, and hear their Burke Mountain consitituanct's cries about the overwhelming
development here, and hope they see
the space planned for the 2 acre
park on Dollar crescent, is just as flat and worth the same money to "recover" "their", or our funds.
We also hope they understand we understand development
is here to stay, so why not be more attentive and specific about it?
Shall we have a public vote regarding the land swap?
I will start a petition regarding a vote and will let you all know !.
Will society continue to allow developers to place Council
in power via election funds donations via the new
murky Province of B.C. election donation rules?.
Coucil is forced to feel indebted to
Place hundreds of millions of dollars in profits into
private developer hands.
Not seriously considering only one land swap option that offers us a ONCE in a lifetime opportunity to provide a refuge for people and animals and billions of bio organisms and micro organisms?.
This is about saving a forest not one tree.
Today's delegation to council in committee material and proposal:
(pls note , the land swap proposal #1 will not be discussed as I
was misinformed about Freemont Park.
https://coquitlam.ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1733
DEAR SUPPORTER!
YOUR SIGNATURE IS THE LIFE OF THIS FOREST.
WE HAVE THE 30000 PLUS STRONG VOICES THAT INCLUDE
ABOUT 550 LOCAL COQUITLAM VOTERS THAT WILL VOTE FOR
COUNCIL THAT SAVED THIS FOREST, AND IN TURN, NOT VOTE FOR
COUNCIL THAT PUT THIS FOREST AT JEOPARDY.
AND THEREFORE, I AM NOT STAYING STILL, AND I AM HELPING TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN. ALSO, WE APPRICIATE ALL THE SUPPORT:
WE HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM FIN DONNELLY , OUR MLA
WE HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM LAURA DUPONT, (RUNNING FOR
FUTURE FEDERAL COQUITLAM-PORT COQUITLAM MP RIDING)
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM THESE CITY OF COQUITLAM COUNSELLORS
REGARDING PERFORMING A LAND SWAP:
CRAIG HODGE, ROBERT MAZZAROLO AND MATT DJONLIC
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM ED HALL OF THE KWIKWETLEM FIRST NATION
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM PHIL BUCHAN FROM THE BURKE MOUNTAIN
NATURALISTS AS HE IS HELPING A LOT ALONG THE WAY
WE HAVE POLITICAL SUPPORT AND DIRECTION FROM BEN PERRY
OF FORCE OF NATURE .
I HAVE MET WITH CHRIS JARVIE FROM COQUITLAM CITY PLANNING
TO PROPOSE ALL ALTERNATIVES TO TOUCHING THE FOREST IN ANY WAY
I HAVE ALSO WALKED THE LAND WITH DORON FISHMAN OF
COQUITLAM CITY PARKS TO ADDRESS HOW THE LAST CEDAR FOREST
WILL NOT SURVIVE IF WE PUT UNDERGROUND PARKING FOUNDATIONS
IN FRONT OF IT AND CUT OFF THE AQUIFER.
DECEMBER 11TH IS A BIG DAY FOR THE LAST CEDAR FOREST.
I AM GOING TO PRESENT AS A DELEGATE AT THE CITY OF COQUITLAM
IN FRONT OF COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE, ALONG WITH MANY
FOREST SUPPORTERS TO FILL THE ROOM. COME TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. DEC 11TH AT 2PM.
SEE YOU THERE!
LOVE
THE LAST CEDAR FOREST 3561 Gislason Ave Coquitlam B.C. Canada.
MY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR YOU SUPPORT AND TIME YOU TAKE TO
HELP.
Hectares of forests along with sensitive habitats and fragile eco systems have
been destroyed on Burke Mountain in Coquitlam. Houses and Townhomes
now make up the whole side of the mountain, ending near the very top of it.
The last cedar forest at the low side of the mountain, where all else is, or will
be absolutely densified, now, is the last cedar forest: small, but big enough for
a park, and the city of Coquitlam has it now internally approved as a site for
development, without anyone knowing that this cedar forest is the last one,
that there are 100-150 year and older tall trees in an intact forest with the
mountain draining through it through an aquifer under it, that culminates down
a bit lower at a slight elevation change into two creeks and a wet land.
As the approval process goes, this petition will be considered as the first
reading , when people finally see the size of the trees to be cut down for
a townhouse project for the first time. The rezoning process and readings
where held in 2021 when Covid prevented anyone from knowing about this
precious jewel, and the land was rezoned. No one could see that the cedar
giants could have walking trails amongst them for generations to come, and a
densified area of townhomes will have a place for people to visit and stand in
awe of the grand park that is in their neighborhood. As the east side of Burke
Mountain will be heavily developed, the loss of this grand tall forest and the
habitat loss would be damaging to the local wild life as bears, deer, cougars and
links use this area to pass through and bed down at night, while eagles and
ravens and the resident humming birds along with wood peckers and many
other birds pray on the huge frog population in the wet land just down below.
You can also see the Horned Owl hunt here at dusk and the Pacific Tree Frog
lives and use this old rain forest and its trees as a home. Can we wipe out the
eco systems this forest held for generations ?.This forest is big enough to hold
a micro climate of water, moisture and contribute with a local impact
while holding a microclimate. This forest filters tons of pollutants
and each tall tree sequesters 22 tons of carbon in its life time while
creating oxygen for all near and far. How could we even think about cutting
any of this forest down and not think of the land sales funds and taxes that may
come yearly from this 100 unit or similar size proposed townhouse
complex, to come from another piece of land, that is not as flat for a park
as this forest is, and swap the land for land in
a different place, where land was zoned for houses and can be rezoned for
townhomes to meet the density requirements.
We can save nature that is so important in this forest for generations to come.
And again, think in density numbers, to save this beautiful gem and add density
via townhomes somewhere where single family was proposed....
The compromise here is knowing that another townhouse complex is to be
built on the same property on the south east side very near the wet land and
creek, that will damage just the same there, but saving the old rain forest
and the eco system above, while providing a park is a sound compromise
AS WE KNOW IT.
Please see the maps included.
The triangulation of this property Coquitlam B.C. is Rocklin st. to the east
Burke village blvd to the north and Dollar Crescent to the west.
Physical address is 3561 Gislason Ave.
Lets THINK world class destination, in an urban setting where
animals of all kinds can be them selves as they do not know any different
due to their instincts.
The loss :
The many old trees, the plants, bio and micro organisms and animals,
that would give way to hard surfaces and concrete being poured
into a foundation forest floor that used to be an aquifer, will have irreversible
Damaging consequences to the local in ground water and the two creeks
culminating at the lower edge of this property that drain into a wet land and
continue beyond as a creek, will have a townhouse complex foundations as a
source for its' pristine and crystal clear water?.
We all have the responsibility to designate this as a Central park of
Burke mountain where all people will come to be with giant trees
and with nature for generations to come. While this old forest will become a
world class destination. We could be proud we live in a place where people
from all over the world will visit this grand stand of cedars, while stopping and
vacationing in any part of Vancouver, and realizing URBAN FORESTS
are so "globally utilitarian" , that The City of Coquitlam could apply for
a Unesco Heritage certification from the forest saving actions.
Housing can be built on other land that is already owned by the city to help
to save this Jewel of Burke Mountain.
Can all people concerned about the rate at which forests are being cut down
all around the world, and the People of Coquitlam , please contact the
Mayor of Coquitlam and the local Coquitlam MLA , Fin Donnelly.
Mayor and Council:
mayor_council@coquitlam.ca
fin.donnelly.mla@leg.bc.ca
Also contact the minister for environment, Honourable
George Heyman : env.minister@gov.bc.ca
and the minister of forests , Honourable
Doug Donaldson : flnr.minister@gov.bc.ca
This property is approved for development but does not have
an active development application.
here is a video describing the exact location.
please see the development site link for Coquitlam
zoom in after you enter, to the corner of Burke Village blvd to the North of the property, Rocklin to the East and Dollar crsnt to the West of it.
the map is also in the youtube video with the link down below.
youtube video to get to know the Crown Jewel of Burke Mountain
If we do not act, senseless destruction of an old forest will happen.
Please help.
NEW UPDATE, September 27th , 2023
Video in the forest and facts about SOCIAL JUSTICE and URBAN FORESTS
https://youtu.be/lgvvDVlebQ8?si=4c-EymwdH1QPTIuO
NEW UPDATE HERE, March 28, 2023
Please see new images at the very top of this page.
First image was given to me via the City of Coquitlam Development Planning department at the very beginning, and shows in Brown at top 1/3 of the land, where zoning has been
changed and applied for this land to have possible townhomes.
Second image shows a good look at the real trees in an aerial view.
The third image from top shows the rough plan for the use of this land.
None of that proposal is concrete and is subject to council approval.
You will see the Head Water protection in the middle of the forest and
the light density residential on the North West , top left side of the
land being really close to the biggest trees on the property that are right on the
corner, There are no townhome complexes on Burke Mountain that have big
trees only a few feet away from their buildings!. This means the biggest trees on
the top of the property are not protected, and same case for any of the
trees in the proposed head water, therefore, the City
always leaves the trees at peril in the future development process,
The Head Water protection does not guarantee any protection for any
trees in this fragile ecosystem. The best solution is to press the local
government towards assigning land on the south west side, down
under the planned light residential space, where the park space has been
added along the side of the property, and swap the land from there
for the top corner where the biggest trees are and have the developer
design the townhome complex lower than it is now proposed to be
situated. As this type of land swap is never proposed by the city in mind
to protect trees and zone the land swap into the property first, and design
buildings later. We can not leave these
beautiful cedar trees to be decided upon with developer money, but make a
sound choice to protect all trees now. TOTAL expansion of the head water
protection to the whole width of this land is necessary, as any disruption of
incoming water into the aquafer from side or top of property that travels in the
water table under the trees will cut off the pattern of water
usage by these big trees. They are very sensitive to any change and
as they are also very sensitive to the heat and to the hot summer spells
we are having, these trees will not survive any change in the water table
diversion. It is imperative the aquafer is not altered in any way during the
construction of the light residential housing along the top and side of the trees.
It also important this forest is designated as a park and not fenced as some
sensitive area that no one can access. The case where this may happen
is when the city plans the head water protection with an environmental study
"backing", where the study will only make a head water space very near
the start of the creeks , tens of feet above them only, meaning trees only
near the creeks will be protected and the protected area being fenced
and rest of trees being cut down. This scenario plays out over and over all
over Burke Mountain, around a creek, land is protected but not the trees
near by , That is why a whole mountain of forests is gone.
30,815
The Decision Makers
Petition created on March 5, 2023