Business View Magazine | July 2020

183 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JULY 2020 P I TT MEADOWS , BR I T I SH COLUMB I A estimated $15 million project is being entirely funded by our reserves. Construction is set to begin later this fall with completed expected for 2022.” In other infrastructure news, Mayor Dingwall reports, “As a council, we’re working on a 125- acre project called the North Lougheed Study Area. The Lougheed Highway is a provincial highway that runs through Pitt Meadows and we’re in discussions with the Provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to do substantial improvements to the highway because of the traffic volume. We have one major landowner that owns 65 of the acres and is prepared to invest. We’re looking at medium to high density residential, some commercial, greenspace, and perhaps even some light industrial on that side of the highway. We have exclusions from the Agricultural Land Commission, so that continues to move forward.” Coinciding with that development, Translink recently launched Rapid Bus that runs right down the Lougheed Highway to Coquitlam in front of the development area and has east and west stops in Pitt Meadows. About 80 percent of residents commute outside of the City for work but it’s hoped that will change with the airport, with Onni, and the North Lougheed Study Area providing opportunities for local employment. Work on the Pitt Meadows official Community Plan is nearing completion, and part of that planning process included a review of housing stock – current availability and what is needed to accommodate future growth. Along with North Lougheed, the City is looking at its major corridors for infill and density opportunities; everything from affordable rentals to penthouses. Over the next 20 years, the community’s senior population is forecast to double, so housing and amenities for those residents is a priority. In that light, City Council has embraced a social planning initiative for affordable housing that would see Pitt Meadows partner with the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation. The City would lease land at a nominal figure and Vancouver Housing would build affordable housing for seniors, the disabled, and qualified families. The model is based on 10 percent under market for rental rates or 30 percent of gross income. The project will be a much-needed and welcome addition to the community. Adding additional daycare