April 13, 2022 - Minutes

Time:

3:30 p.m.

Place:

Remote (Zoom) Meeting

Present:

Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety, Acting Chair
Milton Chan, Director, Engineering
James Cooper, Director, Building Approvals

Minutes

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on March 16, 2022 be adopted.

CARRIED

1.

DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT 20-918782
(REDMS No. 6860629)

APPLICANT:

Land to Sky Construction Ltd.

PROPERTY LOCATION:

6560 Granville Avenue

INTENT OF DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT:

Issue a Development Variance Permit  which would vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 on proposed Lot B to:

1.

Reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 6.0 m to 1.7 m to facilitate on-site tree retention; and

2.

Permit the required private outdoor space to be located in the front yard instead of the rear yard.

Applicant’s Comments

Ivan Chen, Land to Sky Construction Ltd., with the aid of a visual presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) provided background information on the subject development variance permit application, noting that (i) the subject property is being rezoned to subdivide the existing lot into two new lots, (ii) the two existing trees in the front yard will be retained, (iii) the proposed variances to Lot B would facilitate the retention and protection of the two existing trees, (iv) the footprint of the proposed building on Lot B will be shifted to accommodate the tree protection zone for the existing trees to be retained, and (iv) as a result, the private outdoor space will have to be relocated to the front yard, which is the subject of a proposed variance.

Staff Comments

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, noted that (i) the retention and protection of the two existing trees on the site was identified at the rezoning process, (ii) the two proposed variances are consistent with the information and recommendation at the rezoning and public hearing process, and (iii) staff support the applicant’s efforts to retain the two existing trees.

Panel Discussion

Discussion ensued with regard to redesigning the roof form in the front elevation to provide more visual interest. As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to work with the applicant to investigate opportunities to redesign the lower roof form in the front elevation, e.g. introduce variation in roof height and/or explore a combination of gable and hip roof, prior to the application moving forward for Council consideration.

In reply to queries from the Panel, Mr. Craig noted that (i) the roof of the attached garage could not be converted into a patio in the future as there is no access to the garage roof, (ii) the garage must be constructed in accordance with the plans approved by Council via the Development Variance Permit, and (iii) the proposed setback for the garage from the rear lane is consistent with the existing setbacks of garages of newer developments along the lane.

Gallery Comments

None.

Correspondence

None.

Panel Discussion

The Panel expressed support for the application, noting that (i) it supports the applicant’s efforts to retain the two existing trees on the site, and (ii) the subject development, including the proposed redesign of the roof form in the front elevation, would be a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Variance Permit be issued which would vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 on proposed Lot B to:

1.

reduce the rear yard setback requirement from 6.0 m to 1.7 m to facilitate on-site tree retention; and

2.

permit the required private outdoor space to be located in the front yard instead of the rear yard.

CARRIED

2.

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 20-918785
(REDMS No. 6829767)

APPLICANT:

Sandeep Kaur Sidhu

PROPERTY LOCATION:

10651 Swinton Crescent

INTENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT:

1.

Permit the construction of a granny flat at 10651 Swinton Crescent on a site zoned “Single Detached with Granny Flat or Coach House- Edgemere (RE1)”; and

2.

Vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to reduce the minimum rear yard setback for at least 35% of the rear façade of the granny flat from 3.0 m to 1.2 m.

Applicant’s Comments

Navtej Dhot, Astonish Design and Detailing Ltd., with the aid of a visual presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2), reviewed the granny flat’s site plan, building architecture, floor plan, and  landscaping, highlighting the following:

§   

the proposed single-storey granny flat includes among others, a kitchen, bedroom and full bathroom and is intended for rental or dwelling for a caregiver; 

§   

the entrance to the granny flat is located on the north elevation and not facing the rear lane;

§   

a covered patio is provided at the entrance to the granny flat;

§   

an outdoor surface parking space is provided for residential and visitor parking;

§   

a patio which wraps around the granny flat building provides outdoor private space; and  

§   

proposed landscaping includes among others, permeable pavers, two new trees, and small and large shrubs.

Staff Comments

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, noted that the subject development permit application is specific to the granny flat as a development permit is not required for the principal dwelling. He added that the proposed rear yard variance is supported by staff as (i) the intent to ensure visual interest and relief for the granny flat along the lane frontage has been met given the short length of the building and (ii) the applicant has committed to achieve BC Energy Step Code 4 for the granny flat building, which is higher than the minimum requirement.

Panel Discussion

Discussion ensued with regard to  (i) enhancing the proposed landscaping for the outdoor private space for the granny flat to provide shading, (ii) incorporating architectural elements on the north elevation of the granny flat building to create a front entry feel and welcoming character, (iii) enhancing the landscaping for the front porch/veranda to create an entry space into the granny flat, (iv) consistency between the roof plan and rear/lane elevation drawing, and (v) variation of exterior cladding materials on the west elevation facing the principal dwelling to create visual interest.

As a result of the discussion, staff were directed to work with the applicant to investigate opportunities to (i) incorporate a small tree on the south side of the property, (ii) install a window on the north elevation of the granny flat building, (iii) provide additional landscaping for the front porch/veranda, (iv) ensure consistency between the roof plan on the bay window element and the drawing on the rear/lane elevation, and (v) provide variation of exterior cladding materials on the west elevation of the granny flat building.

Gallery Comments

None.

Correspondence

None.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued which would:

1.

permit the construction of a granny flat at 10651 Swinton Crescent on a site zoned “Single Detached with Granny Flat or Coach House- Edgemere (RE1)”; and

2.

vary the provisions of Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 to reduce the minimum rear yard setback for at least 35% of the rear façade of the granny flat from 3.0 m to 1.2 m.

CARRIED

3.

Date of Next Meeting:       April 27, 2022

4.

Adjournment

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned at 3:54 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, April 13, 2022.

_______________________________

_____________________________

Cecilia Achiam
Acting Chair

Rustico Agawin
Committee Clerk