Public backlash against the growing size of new multiplex homes in Burnaby, British Columbia, has prompted city councillors to revise construction regulations. These changes will result in smaller multiplex homes with increased on-site parking availability.
Last July, Burnaby, a city with approximately 250,000 residents near Vancouver, introduced multiplex housing following a provincial mandate allowing four to six homes on single-family lots. This initiative permitted multiplex homes on all 31,000 previously single-family residential lots in Burnaby.
Initially, builders could have constructed multiplex homes up to four storeys high under Burnaby’s bylaw, which included laneway homes, triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage courts. However, following a recent council decision, future multiplexes will be capped at three storeys, with floor areas reduced by 33 to 60 percent.
Additionally, developers are now required to provide a minimum amount of on-site parking, which has been increased. Concerns raised by Burnaby residents, such as Tim O’Meara and Kathy Corrigan, highlighted worries about property values and the visual impact of oversized multiplex homes in their neighborhoods.
Mayor Mike Hurley acknowledged residents’ concerns and emphasized the city’s responsiveness to feedback, aiming for a balance between accommodating change and preserving neighborhood aesthetics. The city’s revised approach to multiplex housing aligns with residents’ preferences for smaller, more harmonious developments.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing emphasized the need for diverse housing options to address affordability issues, praising Burnaby’s leadership in adopting multiplex housing as a step towards creating more livable communities.
Bryn Davidson, a builder and designer at Lanefab, acknowledged the challenges of introducing new housing concepts but stressed the importance of evolving and adapting to meet changing needs. Burnaby’s adjustments to multiplex regulations aim to strike a balance between innovation and community acceptance, reflecting a broader trend towards more flexible housing policies in the region.