July 8, 2013 - Minutes

Time:

7:00 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Corporate Officer – David Weber

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

RES NO.

ITEM

MINUTES

R13/13-1

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on Monday, June 24, 2013, be adopted as circulated, and

the Metro Vancouver ‘Board in Brief’ dated Friday, June 14, 2013 be received for information.

CARRIED

New and Expanded Coal Shipment Activity in Metro Vancouver

R13/13-2

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide general comments on the potential traffic and the environmental impact on the Fraser River in connection to the new and expanded coal shipment activity in Metro Vancouver.

CARRIED

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

R13/13-3

It was moved and seconded

That under Bylaws for Adoption, Inter-municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw No. 9033, and Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 9040 each be deleted from the Council Agenda.

CARRIED

PRESENTATION

Derek Francis, Director, Lower Mainland, accompanied by Joanne Francis, Provincial Communications Director, BC Seniors Games Society, spoke about the 22^nd BC Senior’s Games which were held in the City of Richmond in 2009, and noted that the Richmond games were the largest ever with over 3800 attendees.  Mr. Francis thanked participants and volunteers for their assistance in organizing the games and presented the City with a commemorative banner. 

Prior to accepting the banner on behalf of the City of Richmond, Mayor Brodie thanked the BC Seniors Games Society, the volunteers and the supporters of the games and noted that the City was grateful for the opportunity to host the BC Seniors Games in 2009, and that the Games were a fine chapter in Richmond’s experience.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

R13/13-4

2.

It was moved and seconded

That Council resolve into Committee of the Whole to hear delegations on agenda items (7:10 p.m.).

CARRIED

3.

Delegations from the floor on Agenda items:

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Rav Bains, 6728 Riverdale Drive, requested Council to give consideration to re-designating the West Cambie Alexandra Neighbourhood area to mixed use residential with ground floor retail and office space.  A copy of Mr. Bains’ presentation is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these minutes.  Mr. Bains also submitted 7 letters on behalf of residents which are attached as Schedule 2, and form part of these minutes.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Vijay Siddhu, 9211 Odlin Road, Chair of West Cambie Residents Association, provided his recollection of the details associated with the implementation of the original West Cambie Area plan, noting that there had been flexibility within the Plan.  Mr. Siddhu stated that the residents in the area are in support of change, and expressed concerns about the current incomplete, undeveloped, abandoned and rundown condition of the neighbourhood.  In conclusion, Mr. Siddhu requested City Council to support changes that would lead to any improvements.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Mohammed Amazi, Strata President, Meridian Development, 9288 Odlin Road, stated that he was present to convey the issues that the residents in the neighbourhood are living with.  He expressed concerns about the old, decrepit, and abandoned homes, and the criminal activity in the area.  Mr. Amazi concluded by sharing his experience in witnessing a stabbing that he stated took place in front of his daughter’s window, and stated that the families in the area are in support of change, and wish to see the area developed and cleaned up.  

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Blaire Chisholm, Brooke Pooni and Associates, accompanied by Howie Charters, Colliers International provided statistical data related to a comprehensive land use and employment market review that was conducted on the West Cambie Area Plan and suggested that a mix-use development form which includes ground floor commercial units with live/work townhouses and residential units up to five storeys be proposed for the area.

Mr. Charters noted that Colliers International had been retained to conduct a land assessment, and review changes in market trends.  He spoke about the trends in office space rentals noting that it was unlikely that office space in the West Cambie neighbourhood would attract business as employers give preference to areas close to town centres with rapid transit and other amenities such as clubs and restaurants.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Mike Master, 9100 Odlin Road, expressed his views about how the West Cambie Area Plan needs to be adapted to allow changes to take place.  He spoke about the creation of more jobs and decongestion, and generally explained the impact of demographics when planning for an area, and how business owners give preference to core locations within the vicinity of mass public transportation.  Mr. Master suggested a change in the West Cambie Area Plan, and expressed concerns related to the run down condition of the neighbourhood, stating that further delay of development will lead to further deterioration.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Kuldip Singh Gill, 4060 Garden City Road, expressed several concerns related to the current condition of the neighbourhood and expressed his hope to see the designation changed to include retail, office and residential zoning.  A copy of Mr. Gill’s submission is attached as Schedule 3 and forms part of these minutes.  

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Patsy Hui, Richmond resident and Real Estate Agent, provided information on the high vacancy rates and very slow sales within the commercial real estate market in Richmond.  Ms. Hui spoke of the difficulties associated with renting and selling commercial property in Richmond and spoke in support of changing the West Cambie Area Plan designation to include residential housing.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Shelly Dubbert, 4420 Garden City Road, expressed numerous concerns in connection to the current state of the West Cambie Alexandra neighbourhood, including criminal activity, illegal dumping, the lack of City sewers, unsightly properties, and squatters in the area.  A copy of Ms. Dubbert’s submission is attached as Schedule 4 and forms part of these minutes.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Robert Dubbert, 4420 Garden City Road, spoke about the decline in the quality of his neighbourhood in recent years and the excess business and commercial space in Richmond.  Mr. Dubbert expressed his wish to see the City make changes to allow the properties along the east side of Garden City Road to be re-developed into multi-family housing or mixed-use.  A copy of Mr. Dubbert’s submission is attached as Schedule 5 and forms part of these minutes.

Item No. 11 – West Cambie – Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review

Stephen Cheung, 10060 Nishi Court, expressed concern about the aesthetics of the West Cambie Alexandra neighbourhood, and spoke about commercial rental trends in Richmond, noting how the rent for his office space was reduced recently without him requesting a decrease. Mr. Cheung expressed his view on how the addition of residential housing in the West Cambie Alexandra Neighbourhood area is a good idea, and that the land owners are having difficulties selling their properties with the current designation.

R13/13-5

4.

It was moved and seconded

That Committee rise and report (8:00 p.m.).

CARRIED

Due to the large audience present to hear the deliberations on Item No. 11, the following motion was introduced:

R13/13-6

It was moved and seconded

That the agenda be varied to consider Item No. 11 at this point in the meeting.

CARRIED

NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

PLANNING COMMITTEE –
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair

11.

west cambie – alexandra neighbourhood business / office area review

(File Ref. No. 08-4045-20-11-WE) (REDMS No. 3897598)

R13/13-7

It was moved and seconded

That the report from the General Manager, Planning and Development, dated June 24, 2013, titled: West Cambie - Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review be received for information.

The question on resolution No. R13/13-7 was not called as the following referral motion was introduced:

R13/13-8

It was moved and seconded

That the report from the General Manager, Planning and Development, dated June 24, 2013, titled: West Cambie - Alexandra Neighbourhood Business / Office Area Review be referred back to staff to further consider mixed use including commercial, residential and office use and the appropriate proportion and numbers of units for each use.

CARRIED

CONSENT AGENDA

R13/13-9

5.

It was moved and seconded

That Items 6 through 10 be adopted by general consent.

CARRIED

6.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

That the minutes of:

(1)

the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013;

(2)

the Special General Purposes Committee meeting held on Monday, June 24, 2013, and the General Purposes Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, and

(3)

the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, July 3, 2013;

be received for information.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

7.

Long Term Financial Management Policy

(File Ref. No. 03-0970-00, XR: 03-0970-03-01) (REDMS No. 3821380 v.4)

That Item 10 of the Long Term Financial Management Strategy (Council Policy 3707) be amended, as follows:

“Utilize a ‘pay as you go’ approach rather than borrowing for financing infrastructure replacement unless unique circumstances exist that support borrowing.”

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

8.

Distribution from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC

(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-MFAU1) (REDMS No. 3890409 v.5)

That Council approve transferring the $1.9M surplus distribution received from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC to the following accounts:

(1)

$1.8M be returned to the Roads DCC program and subsequently transferred to the City’s Surplus Account to repay outstanding internal borrowings;

(2)

$0.1M to the Sanitary Sewer Reserve.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

9.

Creation of a Statutory Reserve Fund for Arts, Culture and Heritage Capital Purposes

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-9032) (REDMS No. 3826496, 3848264)

(1)

That Arts, Culture and Heritage Capital Reserve Fund Establishment Bylaw No. 9032 be introduced and given first, second and third readings; and

(2)

That following adoption of Bylaw No. 9032, $ 4,297,779 together with accrued interest, being the net proceeds realized from the land transactions in conjunction with the Oris Development (Kawaki) at 6160 London Road and 13100, 13120, 13140, 13160 and 13200 No. 2 Road, be deposited to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Capital Reserve Fund.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

10.

Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 9039 to Permit the City of Richmond to Secure Affordable Housing Units located at 5640 Hollybridge Way (Cressey (Gilbert) Development Holdings Ltd.)

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-9039; RZ 12-602449) (REDMS No. 3872810, 3879736)

That Bylaw No. 9039 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings to permit the City, once Bylaw No. 9039 has been adopted, to enter into a Housing Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto, in accordance with the requirements of s. 905 of the Local Government Act, to secure the Affordable Housing Units required by the Rezoning Application 12-602449.

ADOPTED ON CONSENT

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

R13/13-10

It was moved and seconded

That the following bylaws each be adopted:

Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw No. 8820 (9220 No. 3 Road, RZ 10-531707)

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 8821

(9220 No. 3 Road, RZ 10-531707)

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 8804

(7691, 7711 and 7731 Bridge Street, RZ 11-563568)

Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9001

(3531 Bayview, RZ 12-615239)

CARRIED

R13/13-11

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 8998

(16360 River Road, RZ 10-523713) be adopted.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Barnes 

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PANEL

R13/13-12

11.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Chair’s reports for the Development Permit Panel meetings held on September 26, 2012, and May 29, 2013, be received for information; and

(2)

That the recommendations of the Panel to authorize the issuance of:

(a)

a Development Permit (DP 12-597695) for the property at 7691, 7711 and 7731 Bridge Street;  and

(b)

a Development Permit (DP 12–623994) and Heritage Alteration Permit (HA 12-624406) for the property at 3531 Bayview Street;

be endorsed, and the Permits so issued.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

R13/13-13

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:58 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, July 8, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (David Weber)