January 12, 2005 Minutes


City of Richmond Meeting Minutes

Development Permit Panel

Wednesday, January 12th, 2005

 

Time:

3:30 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Joe Erceg, Chair
Jeff Day, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works
Mike Kirk, General Manager, Human Resources

The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.

 


 

The Chair indicated that a request had been received from the applicant for Item 6 that the item not proceed at this time.  A re-notification process will occur at the time the application is re-submitted to the Development Permit Panel. 

 

 

1.

Minutes

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on Wednesday, December 15th, 2004, be adopted.

 

 

CARRIED

 

 

2.

Development Permit DP 04-271746
(Report: December 14/2004 File No.:  DP 04-271746)   (REDMS No. 1339904)

 

APPLICANT:

Amrik and Mukhtiar Sian

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

8171 No. 2 Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

1.

To permit the construction of ten (10) townhouse units on a site zoned Townhouse District (R2 - 0.7); and

 

2.

To vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to:

 

 

a)

reduce the minimum required front yard setback from 6 m to 4.5 m for enclosed room projections at the second and third storey; and

 

 

b)

provide sixteen (16) tandem parking spaces.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Mr. Patrick Cotter, with the aid of a model and other materials, reviewed the project including – the site context; the dedicated lane; the use of the land and the required open space as a buffer to the single-family residences to the west; the stepping down of the two western units; the articulation of the building ends to reflect single-family homes; the increased separation from the north and south property lines which increased the usable outdoor open space; the porches and step down to the street provided to the east units; and, the Craftsman style.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, said that this application had been in-stream at the time of the review of the Arterial Road Redevelopment and the Lane Establishment Policies, and, that staff, because the project was not consistent with the recommendations that resulted from that review, would encourage an alternate development plan without the lane.

 

In response to a question from the Chair, Mr. Allueva confirmed that this was the first ‘in-stream’ application in the immediate area with a dedicated lane.

 

 

Correspondence

 

P. Lenardon, 8120 Cantley Road – Schedule 1

 

D. Jones, 8251 Cantley Road – Schedule 2

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

Ms. Dorothy Jones, 8251 Cantley Road, expressed concern about the traffic safety at this location, noting that the traffic bollards in the median of No. 2 Road did not extend as far as the pedestrian crosswalk, and that there were many accidents that occurred in this section of #2 Road.

 

 

Panel Discussion

 

The Chair suggested that the application be referred to the February 2nd, 2005 meeting of the Development Permit Panel to allow an opportunity for the Arterial Road Redevelopment and Lane Establishment Policies, which which the application was inconsistent, to be reviewed.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That DP 04-271746 be referred to the February 2nd, 2005 meeting of the Development Permit Panel.

 

CARRIED

 

3.

Development Permit DP 04-272337
(Report: December 14/2004 File No.:  DP 04-272337)   (REDMS No. 1362912)

 

APPLICANT:

William Rhone

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

9251 General Currie Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

To permit the construction of four (4) three-storey townhouses at 9251 General Currie Road on a site zoned Comprehensive Development District (CD/120).

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Mr. William Rhone, with the aid of a model and other materials, provided a brief overview of the project.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, said that this application was associated with the application in Item 10.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

None

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of four (4) three-storey townhouses at 9251 General Currie Road on a site zoned Comprehensive Development District (CD/120).

 

CARRIED

 

4.

Development Permit DP 04-272603
(Report: December 20/2004 File No.:  DP 04-272603)   (REDMS No. 1367280)

 

APPLICANT:

528450 BC Ltd.

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

6440 Garden City Road and 9071, 9111, 9131, 9151, 9171, 9191 and 9211 Alberta Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

1.

To permit 191 apartment units on top of a two level parking structure with 20 work/live townhouses and some commercial retail space along Garden City Road, on this site zoned Comprehensive Development (CD/154); and

 

2.

To vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to permit the following:

 

 

a)

reduce the manoeuvring aisle width in the parking structure from 7.5 m to 6.7 m.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Ms. Amela Brudar, GBL Architects Group Inc., with the aid of a model and other materials, provided a brief summary of the project.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, had no further comments.

 

In response to a question from the Panel, Ms. Brudar identified the loading accesses located on both Cook Road and Katsura Street, which would accommodate full truck access, and a smaller location for moving vans within the visitor parking spaces on Katsura Street.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

Dr. Knapp, Odlin Road, asked about the collection of development fees that would be used to address traffic issues.  The Chair encouraged Dr. Knapp to contact the Director of Development for information in this regard.

 

 

Panel Discussion

 

The Chair said that this was a well designed project and that he appreciated what the developer had accomplished.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That a Development Permit be issued that would:

 

1.

permit 191 apartment units on top of a two level parking structure with 20 work/live townhouses and some commercial retail space along Garden City Road, on this site zoned Comprehensive Development (CD/154); and

 

2.

Vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to permit the following:

 

 

a)

Reduce the manoeuvring aisle width in the parking structure from 7.5 m to 6.7 m.

 

CARRIED

 

5.

Development Permit DP 04-274332
(Report: December 17/2004 File No.:  DP 04-274332)   (REDMS No. 1363360)

 

APPLICANT:

Syeda Huma Shah

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

7660 No. 2 Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

1.

To permit development of four (4) townhouse units at 7660 No. 2 Road on a site zoned Townhouse District (R2 – 0.7); and

 

2.

To vary provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to permit the following:

 

 

a)

reduce the minimum lot size in Townhouse District (R2 – 0.7) from 30 m (98.425 ft.) to 21.34 m (70 ft.); and

 

 

b)

reduce the side yard setback along the south property line from 3.0 m (9.843 ft.) to 2.0 m (6.56 ft.) to accommodate projections for both townhouse buildings, bay windows, enclosed and unenclosed fireplaces and chimneys.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

The designer of the project, Ms. Gauri Virdi, with the aid of a model and other materials, reviewed the site context, the access, the requested 2m setback, and the location of the 2 and 3 storey units on the site.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Mr. Raul Allueva, said that as this property was of only a 21m width a larger land assembly would normally be required, however, both the Planning Committee and Council had approved this site being developed on its own.  Mr. Allueva noted the requested variances, and the location of the building massing closer to the adjacent parking lot.

 

Mr. Allueva responded to questions of the Panel pertaining to the removal of trees from the site, the additional landscaping that would provided in compensation for this, and the location of the permanent access.

 

Mr. Day asked for confirmation that the reference in the resolution for a reduction to the minimum lot size was for a reduction to the minimum lot size width only.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

Mr. Kowarsky, 7640 No. 2 Road, said that he was a representative of the owners of the property at 6480 Chatsworth Road, directly to the rear of the subject property.  While he himself had no concern about the reduced lot width or the townhouse units, Mr. Kowarsky said that Mr. and Mrs. Frisk did object due to a possible affect on their property’s value and also their quality of life.

 

 

Panel Discussion

 

The Chair said that the applicant had done a good job in working on a narrower site.  Mr. Erceg also said that he appreciated the considerable effort undertaken to reduce the massing in favour of the single-family residences to the rear.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That a Development Permit be issued that would:

 

1.

permit development of four (4) townhouse units at 7660 No. 2 Road on a site zoned Townhouse District (R2 – 0.7); and

 

2.

Vary provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to permit the following:

 

 

a)

reduce the minimum lot size width in Townhouse District (R2 – 0.7) from 30 m (98.425 ft.) to 21.34 m (70 ft.); and

 

 

b)

reduce the side yard setback along the south property line from 3.0 m (9.843 ft.) to 2.0 m (6.56 ft.) to accommodate projections for both townhouse buildings, bay windows, enclosed and unenclosed fireplaces and chimneys.

 

CARRIED

 

6.

Development Variance Permit DV 04-274515
(Report: December 15/2004 File No.:  DV 04-274515)   (REDMS No. 1367531)

 

APPLICANT:

Al Rahman Farms

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

15460 Westminster Highway

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

To increase the maximum required setback from a public road in the Agricultural District (AG1) zone from 50 m (164 ft) to 60 m (197 ft) to accommodate a new single-family dwelling at 15460 Westminster Highway.

 

 

Please see Page 1 for action taken on this application.

 

7.

Development Permit DP 04-277201
(Report: December 20/2004 File No.:  DP 04-277201)   (REDMS No. 1373901)

 

APPLICANT:

Integra Architecture Inc.

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

8011 Saba Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

1.

To permit the existing (2) two-storey commercial building (approximately 1,601 m2) to be retained, and the development of two (2) 16- storey residential towers, containing approximately 251 apartments above three (3) storeys of parking, approximately 1,293 m2 of new commercial units on the ground floor, and a free-standing four-storey parkade (connected by a sky walk on the third level) on this site zoned Downtown Commercial District (C7); and

 

2.

To vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to:

 

 

a)

vary the maximum height of the towers from the permitted 45 m to 45.5 m; and

 

 

b)

reduce the manoeuvring aisle width in the parking structure from 7.5 m to 6.7 m; and

 

 

c)

reduce the required residential parking spaces from 377 to 340, in keeping with the accepted practice in City Centre.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Mr. Wayne Siegrist, Integra Architecture Inc., provided a comprehensive powerpoint presentation of the project which included the site context; access; setbacks, the future alignment of No. 3 Road; the challenges of the adjacent conditions; the screening of the rooftop mechanical; the bridge connection; amenity space; materials; the elevations; and, shadow and sun studies.

 

Mr. Masa Ito, the landscape architect, reviewed the landscape plan.

 

Mr. Siegrist and Mr. Ito then responded to questions from the Panel pertaining to the bridge connection, and the landscape elements of the lane.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, said that staff were pleased with the integration of the new development within the existing context.  Mr. Allueva further said that the 3 level walkway was a unique way to achieve the connection; that the outdoor space was of a high-quality plan; and, that the street treatment was more than satisfactory.

 

Mr. Allueva then responded to a question from the Panel regarding liability issues that could be associated with the 2 level walkway across the lane right-of-way.

 

Mr. Siegrist, in response to a question from the Panel, provided information on the presentation of the project to Saba Road in the interim period between the construction of the two phases.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

A gentleman representing the owner of 6040 No. 3 Road, asked if the application before the Panel would impact or preclude another tower being built on the adjacent property if it were amalgamated with 8060 Westminster Highway.

 

A brief discussion ensued among the Panel members, staff and Mr. Siegrist, on several aspects around that possibility.

 

Mr. Patrick Ho, 6191 Buswell Street, expressed concern about the traffic volume in the lane access to Saba Road, and the impact that the two towers would have on views.

 

In response Mr. Allueva said that Transportation staff had reviewed the traffic volume of the lane.  Mr. Allueva noted that there would be a future connection of lane to an east/west lane.

 

 

Panel Discussion

 

The Chair said that he liked the project and that it was obvious that a lot of attention had been given to the design and integration.  Mr. Erceg then said that he would like to see the application referred to the February 2nd, 2005 meeting of the Development Permit Panel in order to allow a definitive answer to the questions raised about liability issues arising from the walkway; and, for more details to be provided regarding the viability of the development of the lands to the north.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That DP 04-277201 be referred to the February 2nd, 2005 meeting of the Development Permit Panel in order to allow the viability of the development of the properties to the north and the liability issues of the walkway to be assessed.

 

CARRIED

 

8.

Development Permit DP 04-279616
(Report: December 14/2004 File No.:  DP 04-279616)   (REDMS No. 1363015)

 

APPLICANT:

Pacific Western Developments Ltd.

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

8271 Francis Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

1.

To permit the construction of seven (7) dwelling units at 8271 Francis Road on a site zoned Townhouse District (R2 – 0.6); and

 

2.

To vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to:

 

 

a)

reduce the minimum required front yard setback from 6 m to 3 m; and

 

 

b)

reduce the minimum required side yard setback from 3 m to 1.7 m for the northwest unit; and

 

 

c)

reduce the minimum required lot width from 30 m to 24.38 m.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Mr. Tom Yamamoto, architect, and Mr. Rocky Sethi were present.  With the aid of a model and other materials, Mr. Yamamoto reviewed the project, and in particular the form and character which was noted to be similar to the existing 2 storey townhouses and single-family homes in the rear.  Mr. Yamamoto also reviewed the requested variances.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, elaborated further on the variances indicating that one the variances existed due to the site being a remnant lot.  Mr. Allueva also said that the plan had been readjusted to improve the sideyards, and that the report included the tree replacement plan for those trees that could not be retained.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

The resident of 8280 Robinson Road said that he had been surprised by the removal of trees from the property.  Further to this he said that the development did not fit well with surrounding developments and he provided pictures to demonstrate this. 

 

In response Mr. Yamamoto identified the existing trees on the site, and spoke about their replacement with trees that would be more suitable for a townhouse site while creating a fair amount of privacy for the neighbours.

 

Mr. Sethi, in response to a question from the Panel regarding the removal of a significant poplar tree, said that an arborist had reviewed the site.  Further to this Mr. Sethi said that they had worked with Planning staff to retain as many trees as possible but that the size of the site was prohibitive.  In addition, the size of the tree and the effect that the excavation would have on its health had also been considered for safety reasons.

 

 

Panel Discussion

 

The Chair said that he understood why the tree had to be removed and that he appreciated that the site plan had been approached with a view to retaining as many trees as possible.  Mr. Erceg also said that as much as possible had been done to minimize privacy issues for the adjacent properties.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That a Development Permit be issued which would:

 

1.

Permit the construction of seven (7) dwelling units at 8271 Francis Road on a site zoned Townhouse District (R2 – 0.6); and

 

2.

Vary the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 to:

 

 

a)

reduce the minimum required front yard setback from 6 m to 3 m;

 

 

b)

reduce the minimum required side yard setback from 3 m to 1.7 m for the northwest unit; and

 

 

c)

reduce the minimum required lot width from 30 m to 24.38 m.

 

CARRIED

 

9.

Development Variance Permit DV 04-285184
(Report: December 9/2004 File No.:  DV04-285184)   (REDMS No. 1363107)

 

APPLICANT:

Rani Takhar

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

4800 Tilton Road

 

 

INTENT OF PERMIT:

 

 

To reduce the Tilton Road setback (front and side yard setback) from 6 m (20 ft.) to 4.23 m (13.88 ft.) in order to permit the construction of a single-family dwelling located at 4800 Tilton Road.

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

Ms. Rani Takhar explained that a surveyor error had resulted in the need for a Development Variance Permit, and that the owners of the neighbouring properties did not object. 

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, had no further comments.

 

 

Correspondence

 

Christoper Kang and Sukvinder Kang – Schedule 3

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

Mr. Derek Barrett, 5751 Easterbrook Road, said that Ms. Takhar had been very forthcoming with answers to any questions that had been asked.  Further to this Mr. Barrett said that he had accompanied Ms. Takhar when she visited seven of the neighbours, and that the only concerns that had been expressed were regarding the length of construction, and, that a brick wall not be constructed along the Tilton Road frontage.  Mr. Barrett said that he was very appreciative of having a neighbour such as Ms. Takhar.

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That a Development Variance Permit be issued to reduce the Tilton Road setback (front and side yard setback) from 6 m (20 ft.) to 4.23 m (13.88 ft.) in order to permit the construction of a single-family dwelling located at 4800 Tilton Road.

 

CARRIED

 

10.

GENERAL COMPLIANCE - REQUEST BY WILLIAM RHONE FOR A GENERAL COMPLIANCE RULING AT 7400 HEATHER STREET
(Report: December 13/04 File No.:  DP 04-010738)   (REDMS No. 1365363)

 

APPLICANT:

William Rhone

 

 

PROPERTY LOCATION:

7400 Heather Street

 

 

Applicant’s Comments

 

The applicant was present.

 

 

Staff Comments

 

The Director of Development, Raul Allueva, said that this item was associated with Item 2, and that the two sites were consolidated and would be developed as a single development.

 

 

Correspondence

 

None

 

 

Gallery Comments

 

None

 

 

Panel Decision

 

It was moved and seconded

 

That the proposed changes be considered in General Compliance with the approved Development Permit (DP 04-010738) drawings for 7400 Heather Street, which covers minor revisions to the site plan and landscaping plan to allow sharing of the drive aisle and driveway access to the lane through the subject site for the neighbouring property to the east at 9251 General Currie Road.

 

CARRIED

 

11.

Adjournment

 

It was moved and seconded

 

 

That the meeting be adjourned at 5:10 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, January 12th, 2005.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Joe Erceg
Chair

Deborah MacLennan
Administrative Assistant