January 7, 2020 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on December 16, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COUNCILLOR KELLY GREENE

1.

BIKE LANE INFRASTRUCTURE 
(File Ref. No.)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that on arterial roads the Official Community Plan (OCP) requires examination of separated bike lanes and that protected bikes lanes are not a universal solution as it depends on the context and cost.

Discussion took place on options for protected bike lanes such as colour of bike lanes, markings, and synchronized lights. 

As a result of the discussion, the following  referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff provide an analysis and implementation for protected bike lanes, and report back.

The question on the referral motion was not called as in response to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) connecting bike lanes is the goal, (ii) cycling routes were implemented based on recommendations from the cycling community and as the network continues to grow they will all connect together, (iii) priority is to connect to different city centres and transit, (iv) cycling maps are provided to the community to highlight the different cycling routes through the City, (v) various bike lane treatments have been implemented and monitored throughout the City, (vi) traffic lights for bicycles were examined; however, an application has not been developed for it in Richmond, (vii) a number of stakeholder groups are consulted regarding installation of bike lanes, and (viii) the City is waiting on guidance from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding  regulations on electric bicycles.

Discussion took place on ensuring that all bike lanes need to be protected and a comprehensive analysis and implementation on protected bike lanes, as a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That staff review and analyze that all new bike lane infrastructure is protected and that when bike infrastructure is renewed, lane protection is included, and report back;

(2)

That staff explore implementation of alternative lane configurations, including Dutch intersections, bike lane pairing, and Vision Zero principles, including the following:

(a)

new technologies that could be implemented;

(b)

colour of lanes and markings;

(c)

synchronization options;

(d)

connecting lanes;

(e)

various types of lane protection; and

(f)

challenges of parking in bike lanes;

and report back; and

(3)

That consultation on bike lanes include various stakeholders including Advisory Committee on the Environment and HUB Cycling.

The question on the motion was not called, as there was agreement to deal with Parts (1) and (2) (3) separately.

The question on Part (1) was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Greene opposed.

The question on Parts (2) and (3) was then called and it was CARRIED.

2.

school use as a restricted use in the No. 5 Road backlands plan 
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion took place on restricting school use on the No. 5 Road Backlands and only allowing church use.  

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine removing school use as a permitted use in the No. 5 Road backlands plan and when reporting back include consideration of the December 3, 2019 Planning Committee related referral.

The question on the referral motion was not called as in reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) only religious institutions will be permitted on the No. 5 Road Backlands, (ii) all daycare and kindergarten to grade 12 education uses will be removed, (iii) the report being brought forward for Council’s consideration will include options, and (iv) the Richmond School Board is permitted to buy land and would be subject to the same rezoning process. 

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

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

3.

Non-Farm Use Fill Application for the Property Located at 21700 River Road (Gosal) 
(File Ref. No. 12-8080-12-01) (REDMS No. 6213188 v. 12)

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) extensive procedures have been developed and will be the standard, (ii) previous activity on the property was undertaken in 2011, (iii) soil capability was improved to class 2, (iv) an inspection for invasive species is required as part of the City requirements for every source site, (v) operations will involve an organic spray, (vi) ditches need to be reinstated, (vii) the checklist will be included in future reports, and (viii) a monitor will be present at the site to ensure every load is inspected.

Harinder and Inderjit Gosal, applicants, 21700 River Road, provided the following information:

§   

they come from a family of farmers;

§   

the crop that was on the property at the time of purchase was not viable;

§   

issues raised around drainage and ditches were addressed;

§   

due to misunderstandings the works undertaken were stopped;

§   

the application for a fill permit was submitted in 2013; and

§   

professionals were brought in to assess the land and provide a comprehensive report.

In reply to queries from Committee, the applicants noted that (i) blueberries were previously grown on the property; however, they could not successfully maintain them, (ii) the organic spray is for fungus, (iii) the neighbouring properties are higher which brings the water down into the property, (iv) the soil currently on the property will be used, (v) blueberries was suggested by the agrologist, and (vi) east and west side ditches need to be reinstated.

In reply to further queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) soil excavated from around the City is transported to landfill sites as it is difficult to sort through, (ii) it is optimal to retain excavated soil on the site, and (iii) soil for agricultural land has strict Provincial requirements; therefore, making it difficult to limit the soil source from Richmond. 

It was moved and seconded

That the Non-Farm Use Fill Application submitted by Inderjit Gosal for the property located at 21700 River Road proposing to deposit soil, with a preference from Richmond and/or Delta low lands soil if possible for the purpose of improving the land for crop production be endorsed and referred to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for their review and approval.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion took place on the ditches on the property and the soil source. 

As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Non-Farm Use Fill Application submitted by Inderjit Gosal for the property located at 21700 River Road be referred back to staff to:

(1)

examine the soil source, specifically from Richmond and Delta low lands, and drainage issues; and 

(2)

obtain comments from the Advisory Committee on the Environment.

The question on the referral motion was not called as further discussion ensued regarding the soil source and it was noted that while it is possible to use soils from Richmond, it would impact the length of the project in order to wait for the soil.

The question on the referral motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Loo opposed.

Staff was directed to report back to the January 20, 2020, General Purposes Committee.

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

4.

Metro Vancouver’s Proposed Air Emission Regulation for Cannabis Production and Processing Operations 
(File Ref. No. 10-6175-02-01) (REDMS No. 6249713 v. 3)

Discussion took place on light pollution from cannabis production and processing operations and it was suggested that comments regarding light pollution be included in the staff report.

It was requested that staff inquire about Metro Vancouver’s regulations and best practices with regard to light pollution.

In reply to a query from Committee, staff advised that should a business not comply with regulations, the Board of Directors can suspend the permit; however, should they continue to operate they would incur further punitive damages.

It was moved and seconded

That the comments regarding Metro Vancouver’s regulation to manage emissions from cannabis production and processing operations outlined in the report titled “Metro Vancouver’s Proposed Air Emission Regulation for Cannabis Production and Processing Operations”, dated November 26, 2019 from the Director, Sustainability and District Energy, be endorsed and forwarded to Metro Vancouver.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the question of light pollution on cannabis operations, and report back.

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 Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Coordinator