1.

Minutes

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on Wednesday, March 12, 2003, be adopted.

CARRIED

2.

Development Permit DP 97-121069
(Report: February 24/03 File No.: DP 97-121069) (REDMS No. 961833)

APPLICANT:

MB 628 Ventures Ltd.

PROPERTY LOCATION:

8580 Cambie Road

INTENT OF PERMIT:

To allow the construction of two business park buildings at 8580 Cambie Road (on the Odlin Road extension) on a site zoned Business Park Industrial District (I3).

Applicants Comments

Mr. Paul Leong, architect, provided a brief history of the project that had been initiated four years ago. An original rendering was used to provide a sense of the architectural style of the project, and Mr. Leong noted that the form and character had not changed from the initial concept. The project would complete phases 1 and 2 of a 3 phase project, and would include showroom, warehouse and office space.

Staff Comments

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, said that the revived 1997 application, for a site zoned I3, met the majority of Development Permit guidelines. In addition, the westward extension of Odlin Road and an interim access to Cambie Road would be provided. Mr. Erceg gave advice that the staff recommendation was that the Development Permit be issued.

Mr. Erceg responded to questions from the Chair regarding i) the portion of Odlin Road, and the extension north, that would be built; and ii) the lack of a model.

Mr. Leong said that not providing a model was an oversight. He then referred to an artists rendering that showed the covered walkway, the number of projection details, and, the cantilever over the main floor that provided shadowing and sidewalk cover. Mr. Leong responded to questions from the Chair regarding the lack of current demand for the type of proposed uses; the formula that had been used to determine the parking requirements; the demand for individual unit access; whether the units would be strata titled; and, bicycle amenities.

Correspondence

JTB International (Canada) Ltd. Schedule 1

Richmond International High School and College Schedule 2

Gallery Comments

Mr. Kon Uyeyama, architect and Chair of the Board of Directors for Richmond High School and College, and Mr. Tom Law, Vice-Principal, were present. Mr. Uyeyama said that, in addition to those contained in the letter submitted on behalf of the school, he also shared some of the concerns contained in the letter received from JTB International (Canada) Ltd. Concern was also expressed that the green space be retained.

Mr. Law said that the issues of traffic safety and the proximity of the proposed new road to the portables and the playing field were also of strong concern.

Panel Discussion

Mr. Day said that he was not enthralled with the design of the project as it appeared too harsh. The Chair, Mr. McLellan, said that he would not support the project due to the reservations he had regarding the approach to the construction of the project; the lack of accessibility; the less than impressive architecture; and, the lack of bicycle facilities.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued that would allow the construction of two business park buildings at 8580 Cambie Road (on the Odlin Road extension) on a site zoned Business Park Industrial District (I3).

DEFEATED

Opposed: Mr. McLellan and Mr. Day

It was moved and seconded

That Development Permit DP-97-121069 be referred:

1)

to the Richmond Committee on Disability for their input on the provision of disabled access and the tenancy conditions; and,

2)

to the City Centre North Transit and Transportation Task Force for their comment.

Prior to the question being called stairwell lifts were suggested should elevators not be provided.

The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

3.

Development Permit DP 02-215579
(Report: March 5/2003 File No.: DP 02-215579) (REDMS No. 972094)

APPLICANT:

Ah-Ten Holdings Ltd.

PROPERTY LOCATION:

9180 & 9200 Hemlock Drive and 6233 Katsura Street

INTENT OF PERMIT:

1.

To permit the development of a 4-building high-rise residential complex containing approximately 492 units on a property zoned Comprehensive Development District (CD/67); and to

2.

Vary the regulations in the Zoning and Development Bylaw to:

a)

allow up to 60 vehicles to be parked in tandem; and

b)

reduce the setback from Garden City Road from 10 m (32.808 ft.) to 5.5 m (18 ft.) for a generator room and lockers.

Applicants Comments

Mr. Larry Doyle, Lawrence Doyle Architects, accompanied by Mr. Chris Turcotte, Cressey Developments and Mr. Peter Kreuk, landscape architect, was present.

With the aid of a model, elevations and a site plan, Mr. Doyle reviewed the site plan, the conditions of adjacency, the rezoning and development permit processes that had initiated several years ago, and the project itself. Mr. Doyle said that the project was typical of high rise developments in Richmond with 3 levels of parking located in the centre; that the new road responded to a staff comment that the access be relocated away from the intersection; that landscaped terraces and amenity buildings were located on the 4^th level; that the two southern towers were similar in layout and design, as were the two northern towers; that the towers had been well spaced to provide separation and good views and also views through the site; and, that in order for the project to succeed the landscaping had to be well done.

Staff Comments

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, said that the current plans represented an improvement over the original concept submitted four years ago as new roads would be built and Garden City Road upgraded. Mr. Erceg then gave advice that the notification process that had been undertaken had not included notification of a required height variance and that, as a result, a re-notification was necessary. Mr. Erceg suggested that the project be rescheduled to the April 16, 2003 meeting of the Panel.

Correspondence

None.

Gallery Comments

Mr. Ranson, 9140 Ferndale Road, provided a written submission which is attached as Schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes. Also distributed were a number of photographs. Mr. Ranson indicated that he had spoken to the matter in 1997 when the development was first proposed and that he had received considerable assurances regarding his concerns about the existing trees and that the preload not being located too close to the edge of the property. During construction, however, the preload had reached the property line and all existing trees within 15 ft. of the property line were lost. In spite of Mr. Kreuk and Mr. Turcotte providing assurance that the situation would be remedied, Mr. Ranson said that he was quite offended that the large trees were gone. Further, Mr. Ranson expressed his disappointment that damage such as this could occur with the City's knowledge.

Mr. McLellan explained that the reason for the Development Permit process was to eliminate the type of problems such as those being heard but that the City did not require a permit prior to pre-load of a site nor prior to tree removal, although the
City did aid in the identification and preservation of those trees considered important.

In further response to Mr. Ransons concerns Ms. Volkering-Carlile said that the role of the City regarding trees on private property had been referred by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee, earlier in the week, for a review of what would be involved in addressing the issue. Ms. Volkering-Carlile also said that during the discussion at the Committee meeting the opinion had been expressed that in many cases it was preferable that development restore the site as opposed to preserving existing trees.

Mr. Turcotte said that the loss of trees was not a deliberate attempt on the part of the developer, but that the situation had been caused by a rupture of the soft clay layer underneath the lockblocks. In response to a question from the Chair Mr. Turcotte indicated that Mr. Kreuk was working with Mr. Ranson on the proposed restoration and that a letter would be provided to the Panel confirming this.

Panel Discussion

Mr. McLellan indicated that due to the re-notification requirement the discussion on the matter was concluded.

4.

GENERAL COMPLIANCE - REQUEST BY ROSITCH HEMPHILL AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS FOR A GENERAL COMPLIANCE RULING AT 9333 ALBERTA ROAD

(Report: March 19/2003 File No.: DP 99-169895) (REDMS No. 980277)

APPLICANT:

Rositch Hemphill and Associates Architects

PROPERTY LOCATION:

9333 Alberta Road

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That the attached plans for 9333 Alberta Road be considered to be in general compliance with the approved plans in DP 99-169895.

CARRIED

5.

Adjournment

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, March 26, 2003.

_________________________________

_________________________________

David McLellan
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant