June 29, 2022 - Minutes

Time:

3:30 p.m.

Place:

Remote (Zoom) Meeting

Present:

John Irving, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, Acting Chair
Cecilia Achiam, General Manager, Community Safety
Peter Russell, Director, Sustainability and District Energy

Minutes

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Permit Panel held on April 27, 2022 be adopted.

CARRIED

1.

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 21-931059
(REDMS No. 6894468)

APPLICANT:

Calvin Deng

PROPERTY LOCATION:

8888 No. 6 Road

INTENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT:

Permit the construction of a single detached house at 8888 No. 6 Road on a site zoned “Agriculture (AG1)” and designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

Applicant’s Comments

Calvin Deng, property owner, introduced the application and Richard Borthwick, Senior Biologist, Madrone Environment Services Ltd., with the aid of a visual presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) provided background information on the application, highlighting the following:

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the proposed home plate is a suitable location as it would be advantageous for the property’s intended farm operations in the subject property without disturbing the Riparian Management Area (RMA);  

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the proposed ESA compensation area, which includes the designated RMA on the subject property,  exceeds the City’s requirement; 

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fencing will be installed to ensure the long-term protection of the ESA compensation area in the RMA;

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the proposed ESA compensation plan and restoration strategy would improve the ecological function and wildlife connectivity in the area; and

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the planting plan in the ESA compensation area includes removal of invasive species and replanting of native species of trees and shrubs.

Staff Comments

In reply to a query from the Panel, staff noted that the proposed ESA compensation scheme would compensate for the ESA loss due to proposed residential uses in the subject property and to restore some of the former ecological value. Staff further noted that the proposed ESA enhancement area exceeds the City’s requirement and there is a net gain in habitat function.

In reply to a further query from the Panel, staff advised that (i) a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) will provide monitoring and annual reporting for a period of five years to ensure protection and retention of the ESA compensation area in the RMA, and (ii) there is a landscape security of $47,665 to ensure the survival of plant materials.

Panel Discussion

In reply to a query from the Panel, Mr. Borthwick reviewed the proposed location of fencing within the Riparian Management Area (RMA) on the subject property that is part of the RMA enhancement area where landscape restoration will occur.   

In reply to further queries from the Panel, Mr. Borthwick and Mr. Deng acknowledged that (i) the five-meter strip of enhanced RMA along the southern section of the site will be fenced; however, the area immediately to the north up to the 15-meter RMA setback along the southern section will be seeded with grass and will not be fenced, and (ii) a three- to four-foot high split-rail fence will be installed for the five-meter strip of enhanced RMA to allow for wildlife passage and easier maintenance of the ESA enhancement area in the RMA.  

Discussion ensued regarding the spacing of large trees to be planted in the ESA enhancement area in the RMA and staff were directed to ensure that clustering and spacing of trees will not impede farming and ensure their survivability.  

Gallery Comments

None.

Correspondence

None.

Panel Discussion

The Panel expressed support for the application, noting (i) the proposed extensive planting plan for the ESA compensation area in the RMA, (ii) the need for maintenance of the proposed planting throughout the monitoring period to ensure their survivability, and (iii) the potential for the proposed planting to support farming activities in the subject property.

Panel Decision

It was moved and seconded

That a Development Permit be issued which would permit the construction of a single detached house at 8888 No. 6 Road on a site zoned “Agriculture (AG1)” and designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

CARRIED

2.

New Business

It was moved and seconded

That the Development Permit Panel meeting tentatively scheduled on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 be cancelled.

CARRIED

3.

Date of Next Meeting:       July 27, 2022

4.

Adjournment

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned at 4:00 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 29, 2022.

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John Irving
Acting Chair

Rustico Agawin
Committee Clerk