February 10, 2015 - Minutes (Special)
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Special General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, February 10, 2015 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Absent: |
Councillor Chak Au |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 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 General Purposes Committee held on Monday, February 2, 2015, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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Minoru Complex Public Realm Concept Design |
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With the aid of artist renderings, Jim Young, Senior Manager, Project Development, and Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks highlighted the following regarding the Minoru Complex public realm concept design: |
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the site plan is focused on the outdoor areas immediately surrounding the Minoru Complex; |
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the Entry Plaza is located at the southeast corner of the building and it will act as the Complex’ main connection with the majority of patrons moving through this area; |
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the North Plaza is located at the northeast corner of the building and it provides connections to and from the park interior; the Plaza will be an active space where sports teams gather outside of their team rooms before and after games, and where the community can enjoy a snack at the concession; |
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the North Plaza also connects to the upper terrace, wrapping around the northeast and north sides of the facility; bleacher seating located on the north side connects the upper terrace to the fields to the Minoru 3 Latrace Fields, providing field overlook for sporting events; and |
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the West Plaza is located at the southwest corner of the building and is envisioned as a series of intimate spaces that can accommodate various activities. |
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Mr. Redpath noted that as part of the public consultation process, it became evident that the community values strong connections to the existing adjacent facilities; as a result, a four-metre wide trail on the south end of the Minoru Complex is proposed. |
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Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, spoke on the proposed traffic and parking plan for the Minoru Complex and the following information was noted: |
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the estimated parking supply, after the completion of the fields upgrade, will be 758 stalls for the entire site; |
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the preferred industry practice is to design parking facilities with a design capacity that includes an allowance of 15% to 20% over the observed utilization; this is intended to account for inefficiencies due to vehicular circulation prior to finding an available stall; |
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it is anticipated that the entire site will require 825 stalls as the design capacity (this includes an additional 15% parking as a buffer over observed utilization); |
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the reconfiguration of the parking area results in an approximate net increase of 20 to 25 parking stalls, which represents a buffer of 8% to 9%; |
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approximately 45 additional parking stalls are required to meet the 15% buffer; however, additional parking could be provided at the existing Minoru Aquatic Centre and Older Adults Centre; also, the optional on-street parking along the north side of Granville Avenue could potentially provide approximately 40 additional parking stalls; and |
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the installation of a new pedestrian signal on Granville Avenue near the proposed Minoru Complex entrance will create an additional safe pedestrian crossing; the signal timing from the south side of Granville Avenue to the north side may be adjusted to increase the pedestrian crossing time. |
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The Chair remarked that it is preferable to keep the existing Minoru Aquatic Centre and Older Adults Centre as green as possible. |
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Discussion took place and it was noted that additional crossing time from the south side of Granville Avenue to the north side may not adequately meet the needs of older adults in the neighbourhood; instead, it was suggested that the pedestrian crossing incorporate an element that allows for a person to safely pause halfway across the intersection and continue the remainder of the way at the next signal. |
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In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the floor plan and preliminary form and character of the Minoru Complex was approved by Council in October 2014, (ii) the proposed trees will provide shade elements to the area, and (iii) staff do not anticipate hindered field overlook as a result of the tree elements. |
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Mr. Wei advised that approximately 11 to 14 people with disabilities parking stall are anticipated, in addition to approximately 10 to 15 extra wide parking stalls. Also, he noted that no major re-construction of existing curbs along Granville Avenue is anticipated as a result of the proposed on-street parking. |
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Discussion took place and concern was expressed regarding the provision of on-street parking along Granville Avenue. |
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In response to queries from Committee, Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services advised that the Richmond Sports Council was one of the nine stakeholder groups that staff engaged throughout the proposed public realm concept design. She commented on the Richmond Sports Council’s remarks, noting that considerable discussion took place with regard to the careful placement of trees. Also, Mr. Redpath commented on emergency access points, noting that access is provided behind the Minoru Ice Arenas, off Gilbert Road through to the Minoru Complex, and over the track if necessary. |
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In reply to further queries from Committee, staff provided the following information: |
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the Minoru 3 Latrace Fields are near completion, with the exception of the storage and viewing areas; |
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it is anticipated that the existing parking passes for older adults will be retained, and staff will seek input from members to determine whether the number of passes need adjusting; |
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the traffic signals along Granville Avenue from Gilbert Road to Minoru Boulevard can be synchronized in an effort to allow vehicles to move through the area efficiently; |
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the North Plaza will be an active space where sports teams can gather outside of their team rooms before and after games; it is intended to replicate the space previously provided by the Minoru Pavilion; |
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the potential to provide Wi-Fi in City parks will be examined; and |
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the relocation of the multipurpose space to the north side of the North Plaza can be examined. |
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Discussion took place and Mr. Redpath spoke on both permanent and temporary seating plans. He noted that staff anticipate the same number of seats as currently exist, as well as the ability to introduce additional seating when required. |
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Discussion took place regarding the potential to model the proposed cycling path along Granville Avenue to that of Denmark’s. In reply to a query from Committee, Mr. Wei advised that secured bike parking will be provided. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Minoru Complex Public Realm Concept Design as outlined in the staff report titled Minoru Complex Public Realm Concept Design dated January 9, 2015, from the Senior Manager, Project Development and Senior Manager, Parks, be endorsed. |
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CARRIED |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff provide more information on (i) the trees on the east side of the Minoru Complex, (ii) the placement of the multipurpose room and how to optimize it, (iii) the seating plans in the vicinity of the Minoru Complex, and (iv) the plans and configurations for the parking and bike path along Granville Avenue and report back. |
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The question on the referral was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, Robert Gonzalez, General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, advised that staff anticipate engaging with the Minoru Major Facility Stakeholder Advisory Committee with regard to potential to reconfigure the location of the multipurpose room. |
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The question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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The Chair requested that staff prepare a presentation on the proposed Minoru Complex Public Realm Concept Design for the Monday, February 23, 2015 Council meeting. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:50 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 General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Hanieh Berg |