March 16, 2022 - Minutes
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Development Permit Panel
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
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Time: |
3:30 p.m. |
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Place: |
Remote (Zoom) Meeting |
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Present: |
Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, Chair |
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
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Minutes |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on January 12, 2022 be adopted. |
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CARRIED |
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1. |
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 19-858783 |
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APPLICANT: |
Zhao XD Architect Ltd. |
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PROPERTY LOCATION: |
8231 and 8251 Williams Road |
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INTENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: |
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1. |
Permit the construction of ten townhouse dwellings at 8231 and 8251 Williams Road with vehicle access from 8299 Williams Road on a site zoned “Low Density Townhouses (RTL4)”; and |
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2. |
Vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to increase the permitted small parking spaces from 0 to 6 (i.e. 30%). |
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Applicant’s Comments |
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Xuedong Zhao, Zhao XD Architect Ltd., referenced his submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1). He spoke about the project’s site context, site layout, architectural form and character, proposed materials, and sustainability, accessibility and security strategies. |
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Denitsa Dimitrova, PMG Landscape Architects, provided an overview of the main landscape features of the project, noting that (i) the two on-site trees to be retained are located in the middle of the site and in the southeast corner of the site, (ii) construction works on the site will be done under the supervision of the project arborist to ensure protection of the retained trees, (iii) the proposed shared outdoor amenity area at the rear of the site includes a children’s play equipment providing multiple play opportunities, and (iv) permeable pavers are proposed for the central pathway, visitor parking spaces and the west and east ends of the internal drive aisle. |
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Staff Comments |
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Wayne Craig, Director, Development, noted that (i) the Servicing Agreement associated with the project includes frontage works and site services, (ii) the frontage works include, among others, the installation of a two-meter wide sidewalk along Williams Road, (iii) the proposed small car parking variance is a technical variance and is consistent with parking variances granted to similar townhouse developments, and (iv) the applicant’s efforts to retain the trees along the Williams Road frontage are supported by staff. |
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Panel Discussion |
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In reply to a query from the Panel, Jordan Rockerbie, Planner 1, confirmed that the architectural drawings submitted by the applicant are up-to-date and reflects the removal of one of the windows along the south elevation fronting Williams Road to minimize solar heat gain. |
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In reply to a query from the Panel, Mr. Rockerbie identified that the subject property recently changed ownership, that original applicant met with the adjacent developer regarding use of the shared driveway and that the new owner of the subject site has been advised to meet with the owner of the recently approved townhouse development to the east to discuss business terms for the cross access agreement between the two adjacent properties. |
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Gallery Comments |
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None. |
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Correspondence |
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None. |
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Panel Decision |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a Development Permit be issued which would: |
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1. |
permit the construction of ten townhouse dwellings at 8231 and 8251 Williams Road with vehicle access from 8299 Williams Road on a site zoned “Low Density Townhouses (RTL4)”; and |
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2. |
vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to increase the permitted small parking spaces from 0 to 6 (i.e. 30%). |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT 21-930451 |
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APPLICANT: |
Speera Ventures Incorporated |
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PROPERTY LOCATION: |
10620 Williams Road |
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INTENT OF DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT: |
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Issue a Development Variance Permit which would vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 on proposed Lot 2 to: |
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1. |
Reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 6.0 m to 3.1 m to facilitate on-site tree retention. |
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2. |
Permit the required private outdoor space to be located in the front yard instead of the rear yard. |
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Applicant’s Comments |
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Jeffery Wu, Speera Ventures Incorporated, with the aid of a visual presentation (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 2), noted that the two proposed variances are requested to (i) enable the building footprint to shift towards the rear of the property in order to retain the existing significant Cedar tree in the front yard and (ii) locate the required private outdoor space in the front yard which would consist of a raised wooden deck surrounding the Cedar tree and allow the shared use of the front yard by the single-family home owner and future tenant of the secondary suite. |
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Staff Comments |
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Wayne Craig, Director, Development, commended the applicant’s efforts to retain the existing significant Cedar tree. |
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Panel Discussion |
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In reply to queries from the Panel, Mr. Wu confirmed that the existing Cedar tree will be pruned prior to and after the construction of the proposed wooden deck under the supervision of the project arborist and taking into consideration the health of the tree. |
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Gallery Comments |
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None. |
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Correspondence |
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None. |
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Panel Discussion |
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The Panel expressed support for the application, noting that the applicant’s efforts to retain the existing significant tree on the site are appreciated. |
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Panel Decision |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That a Development Variance Permit be issued which would vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 on proposed Lot 2 to: |
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1. |
reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 6.0 m to 3.1 m to facilitate on-site tree retention. |
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2. |
permit the required private outdoor space to be located in the front yard instead of the rear yard. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
New Business |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Development Permit Panel meeting tentatively scheduled on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 be cancelled. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
Date of Next Meeting: April 13, 2022 |
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5. |
Adjournment |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting be adjourned at 4:07 p.m. |
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CARRIED |
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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 16, 2022. |
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_______________________________ |
_____________________________ |
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Joe Erceg |
Rustico Agawin |