June 25, 2014 - Minutes

Time:

3:30 p.m.

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Joe Erceg, Chair
Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works
Dave Semple, General Manager, Community Services

1.

Minutes

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, be adopted.

CARRIED

2.

Development Permit 13-650988
(File Ref. No.:  DP 13-650988)  (REDMS No. 4144693)

APPLICANT:

First Richmond North Shopping Centres Ltd., (SmartCentres)

PROPERTY LOCATION:

4660, 4680, 4700, 4720, 4740 Garden City Road and 9040, 9060, 9080, 9180, 9200, 9260, 9280, 9320, 9340, 9360, 9400, 9420, 9440, 9480, 9500 Alexandra Road

INTENT OF PERMIT:

1.

To permit the construction of a neighbourhood commercial centre at 4660, 4680, 4700, 4720, 4740 Garden City Road and 9040, 9060, 9080, 9180, 9200, 9260, 9280, 9320, 9340, 9360, 9400, 9420, 9440, 9480, 9500 Alexandra Road on a site zoned "Neighbourhood Commercial (ZC32) – West Cambie Area"; and

2.

To vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to reduce the building setback for Building N on May Drive from 5.0 m to 1.5 m.

Applicant’s Comments

With the aid of a visual presentation, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) Christopher Block, Architect, Chandler Associates Architecture Inc., and Mary Chan Yip, Landscape Architect, PMG Landscape Architects, gave a brief overview of the revisions made on the proposed development with respect to (i) urban design; (ii) architectural form and character; and (iii) landscaping and open space design.

Mr. Block spoke of the proposed design enhancements on buildings A, B and L. He commented on the added glazing, improved lighting elements and the upgraded materials that will be incorporated into the design.

Mr. Block then commented on the loading bay and noted of the proposed design enhancements such as increasing the screening wall height and trellis sizing to deflect noise and provide visual screening.

Discussion ensued with regard to the location of the District Energy Utility (DEU) infrastructure to be located on-site. Mr. Block noted that possible locations for the DEU structure could include the edge of the green deck, the roof of building B, or the roof of building C.

Discussion ensued regarding the elevation of the proposed development in relation to other developments in the area.

In reply to queries from the Panel, Mr. Block advised that the location of the DEU structure will be finalized in later stages of the design process.

Discussion ensued about the preferred location for the DEU structure within the proposed development.

Ms. Yip commented on the features of the proposed green deck above the surface parking area. She noted that the proposed green deck will replicate features of a shoreline and will incorporate elements such as logs and boulders. Also, she spoke of incorporating native plant species onto the green deck. She added that thorny plants will be planted along the perimeter of the green deck as a safety feature to encourage children to stay away from the edges.

Ms. Yip then commented on the different native species of plants incorporated in the proposed development and the further refinement of the proposed planting list since the last meeting.

Staff Comments

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, spoke of the potential sites for the DEU structure and noted that a general compliance may be needed in the future, pending on the proposed location and design.

Correspondence

None.

Gallery Comments

None.

Panel Discussion

Panel expressed their appreciation for the revisions made on the proposed development.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued which would:

1.

Permit the construction of a neighbourhood commercial centre at 4660, 4680, 4700, 4720, 4740 Garden City Road and 9040, 9060, 9080, 9180, 9200, 9260, 9280, 9320, 9340, 9360, 9400, 9420, 9440, 9480, 9500 Alexandra Road on a site zoned "Neighbourhood Commercial (ZC32) – West Cambie Area"; and

2.

Vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to reduce the building setback for Building N on May Drive from 5.0 m to 1.5 m.

CARRIED

3.

New Business

None.

4.

Date Of Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 16, 2014

5.

Adjournment

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned at 3:51 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, June 25, 2014.

_________________________________

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Joe Erceg
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk