February 12, 2014 - Minutes

Time:

3:30 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Victor Wei, Chair
Terry Crowe, Manager Policy Planning

Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy

1.

Minutes

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, be adopted.

CARRIED

2.

Development Permit 12-615584
(File Ref. No.:  DP 12-615584)  (REDMS No. 4127633)

APPLICANT:

Jacky Chan

PROPERTY LOCATION:

7180 Gilbert Road

INTENT OF PERMIT:

That the attached plans involving changes to the tree management plan and landscape plans be considered in General Compliance with Development Permit (DP 12-615584)

Applicant’s Comments

Daryl Tyacke, Landscape Architect, Eckford, Tyacke and Associates, briefed the Panel on the relocation of a Monkey Puzzle tree on the site. However, during the relocation process, it was discovered that the tree had dry rot and could no longer be transplanted to the new location. He noted that the applicant is proposing to replace the Monkey Puzzle tree with a specimen Serbian Spruce tree.

Staff Comments

Wayne Craig, Director of Development, advised that the applicant submitted an arborist report detailing the unsuccessful relocation of the Monkey Puzzle tree due to the dry rot. Staff have reviewed the arborist’s report and have no objections with the proposed replacement Serbian Spruce tree.

Panel Discussion

In response to queries, Mr. Tyacke noted that the Serbian Spruce tree species is not indigenous to the area but was selected for its size, columnar shape and its suitability to the local climate. It was further noted that the Serbian Spruce tree is taller compared to the Monkey Puzzle tree and will be a much more prominent feature within the development.

Correspondence

None.

Gallery Comments

None.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That the attached plans involving changes to the tree management plan and landscape plans be considered in General Compliance with Development Permit (DP 12-615584).

CARRIED

3.

Development Permit 13-630413
(File Ref. No.:  DP 13-630413)  (REDMS No. 4130261)

APPLICANT:

Yamamoto Architecture Inc.

PROPERTY LOCATION:

9431, 9451, 9471 and 9491 Williams Road

INTENT OF PERMIT:

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of 20 townhouse units at 9431, 9451, 9471 and 9491 Williams Road on a site zoned “Medium Density Townhouses (RTM2)”.

Applicant’s Comments

Yoshi Mikamo, Yamamoto Architecture Inc., and Denitsa Dimitrova, Landscape Architect, PMG Landscape Architects, gave a brief overview of the proposed townhouse development with respect to (i) urban design, (ii) architectural form and character, (iii) landscaping and open space design, (iv) exterior colour scheme, and (v) the play equipment in the outdoor children’s play area.

Staff Comments

Mr. Craig noted that the applicant is integrating four existing trees into the development. Also, he provided renderings of the outdoor children’s play area (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and further noted that staff are satisfied with the proposed play equipment used for the outdoor children’s play area.

Panel Discussion

Discussion ensued with regards to the exterior colour scheme of the proposed development and it was noted that the revised exterior colour scheme would use lighter colours.

Discussion further ensued and it was noted that the applicant is working with the City on the demolition of the existing buildings and the recycling of the demolition materials.

In reply to queries, Ms. Dimitrova indicated that the newly proposed play equipment has a smaller footprint compared to the previously proposed play equipment and would not overlap the tree protection area. Also, she further noted that the proposed trees planted adjacent to the outdoor amenity area would be small and columnar so that they would not act as a barrier when the amenity area is expanded in the future.

Discussion ensued and in reply to queries, Ms. Dimitrova noted that unit C lacks an additional tree in the front in order to keep the space open and welcoming. However, she indicated that privacy concerns can be addressed by planting an additional tree in front of the unit.

Correspondence

None.

Gallery Comments

None.

Panel Discussion

The Panel supported the development with recommendations to plant an additional tree in front of unit C in order to address potential privacy concerns.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of 20 townhouse units at 9431, 9451, 9471 and 9491 Williams Road on a site zoned “Medium Density Townhouses (RTM2)”.

CARRIED

4.

Development Permit 13-636863
(File Ref. No.:  DP 13-636863)  (REDMS No. 3980127)

APPLICANT:

Matthew Cheng Architect Inc.

PROPERTY LOCATION:

7175 and 7191 Moffatt Road

INTENT OF PERMIT:

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of 10 three-storey townhouse units at 7175 and 7191 Moffatt Road on a site zoned “High Density Townhouses (RTH1)”.

Applicant’s Comments

Matthew Cheng, Matthew Cheng Architecture Inc., and Denitsa Dimitrova, Landscape Architect, PMG Landscape Architects, gave a brief overview of the proposed townhouse development with respect to (i) urban design, (ii) architectural form and character, and (iii) landscaping and open space design.

Staff Comments

Mr. Craig noted that the proposed development addresses the City’s development permit guidelines. Also, he spoke favourably of the applicant retaining all of the trees in the adjacent site and noted that an arborist is monitoring the trees during the construction process.

Gallery Comments

Weihong Chen, 7231 Moffat Road together with realtor, Jenny Xu, Sutton Group West Coast Realty, expressed concerns related to privacy and noise matters due to the proposed setback distance and a lack of proposed trees on the south perimeter of the site adjacent to her property. Also, Ms. Xu expressed her concerns with regard to the potential impact to the property values of the adjacent property if the stated privacy concerns are not addressed.

Panel Discussion

In reply from queries the Panel, Ms. Dimitrova commented that privacy concerns can be addressed by adding additional trees and shrubs and potentially widening the landscape strip along the south perimeter.

Correspondence

None.

Panel Discussion

In response from queries from the Panel, Mr. Cheng noted that the outdoor amenity is positioned so that it can receive sunlight. Also, he noted that the sustainability features list is based on the Built Green Checklist.

In reply to queries, Mr. Craig noted that the main driveway would only serve the residents of the proposed development with no pedestrian access through to the adjacent site on the west side.

The Panel supported the development with recommendations that the applicant work with staff to increase the privacy screening along the south perimeter of the site.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of 10 three-storey townhouse units at 7175 and 7191 Moffatt Road on a site zoned “High Density Townhouses (RTH1)”.

CARRIED

5.

New Business

None.

6.

Date Of Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 26, 2014

7.

Adjournment

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned at 4:21 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, February 12, 2014.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Victor Wei
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk