URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

REFERRAL FROM CITY OF NEW WESTMINSTER FOR OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT FOR A DESTINATION CASINO AT 350 GIFFORD STREET
(Report:  May 6/04, File No.:  01-0155-20-NWES1) (REDMS No. 1249058)
 

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the City of New Westminster be advised that the City of Richmond strongly opposes Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 6920 for a Destination Casino at 350 Gifford Street, New Westminster due to:
 

(a)

a lack of information regarding the details of the proposed development; and
 

(b)

concerns regarding the compatibility of the land use, servicing, traffic, transportation and environmental impacts of the proposed development on Richmond.
 

(2)

That the City of New Westminster be strongly requested to defer further consideration of the OCP amendment, until it has:
 

(a)

provided the City of Richmond with additional information regarding the proposed development, and its land use, servicing, traffic, transportation and environmental impacts;
 

(b)

consulted with Hamilton residents (e.g., the Hamilton Community Association) and businesses; and
 

(c)

consulted with the City of Richmond to reach acceptable solutions on those matters which affect Richmond.
 

(3)

That the BC Lottery Corporation be advised of Richmond's position on the City of New Westminsters proposed OCP Amendment, and be requested to indicate the process for Richmond to provide input into the process for the licencing of the casino.
 

The question on the motion was not called, as a brief discussion ensued.  Concern was expressed that none of the traffic issues which had been expressed previously by the City with regard to the application by Wal-Mart to locate in the area of the Richmond/New Westminster boundary had been addressed.  An update was also requested on the improvements proposed for the north side of the Queensborough bridge, as it was felt that the casino would have a major impact on that bridge.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:39 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, May 10^th, 2004.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerks Office