Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall
6911 No. 3 Road

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Cynthia Chen

Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Bill McNulty

Gail Johnson, Acting Corporate Officer

Absent:

Councillor Rob Howard

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie opened the proceedings at 7:00 p.m.

1.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant advised he was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

Kam Wong, #38 – 9133 Sills Avenue, Richmond (Schedule 1)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-1

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaws 7948 and 8052 each be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

2.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8036 (RZ 05-321067)

(5491 Walton Road; Applicants: Hari & Mohinder Gill)

Applicants’ Comments:

The applicants were not present.

Written Submissions:

Ash Khosia, 5471 Walton Road, Richmond (Schedule 2)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-2

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8036 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8050

(11380 and 11488 Eburne Way on Mitchell Island; Applicant: City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

Jean Lamontagne, Director of Development, representing the City of Richmond was in attendance.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-3

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8050 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH06/5-4

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8050 be adopted.

CARRIED

4.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant advised he was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-5

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8053 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was not present.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-6

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8054 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant advised he was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-7

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8056 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

7A.

(For the area bounded by Comstock Road, Gilbert Road, Blundell Road and No. 2 Road; Applicant: City of Richmond)

Cllr. Dang, in accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, declared himself to be in a conflict of interest because of business interests in this area, and he then left the meeting  at 7:15 p.m.

7B.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8059 (RZ 06-326949)

(6611/6631/6671/6691 Blundell Road; Applicant: Sal Bhullar)

Applicant’s Comments:

Ms. Sal Bhullar stated that the proposed affordable single-family homes along arterial roads are ideal to achieve balance in the community so that neighbourhoods have a mixture of homes of various sizes and prices.

In answer to an inquiry from Council the applicant stated that the single family homes would have approximately 2500 sq. ft. plus a double garage and would sell for $650,000 – 680,000.

Written Submissions:

Marilyn and Tony Baker, 6591 Chelmsford Street (Feb. 21, 2006) (Schedule 3)

Shan Ton Yang and Sui Chen Yang, 6395 Blundell Road (Schedule 4)

Sofia and Roman Volpov, Grigori Paller and Inna Paller, 6920, 6928 and 6960 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 5)

Constance Lau, 6611 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 6)

Jeannie and Frank Lee, 6671 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 7)

Terry Nisbett, 6691 Blundell Road (Schedule 8)

Lamai Shale, 6671 Blundell Road (Schedule 9)

Edward Shale (Schedule 10)

Berta and Victor Verdenik, 6611 Blundell Road (Schedule 11)

Victor Verdenik, 6611 Blundell Road (Schedule 12)

Glenn W. Shale, #20 – 10177 Pugwash Place (Schedule 13)

Donna and Simon Austin, 6900 Chelmsford Street (Feb. 27, 2006) (Schedule 14)

Berta Verdenik, 6611 Blundell Road (Schedule 15)

Bon Bon Su, 6631 Blundell Road (Schedule 16)

Maggie Su, 6631 Blundell Road (Schedule 17)

Mary T. Dickson, 6520 Chelmsford Street (Feb. 28, 2006) (Schedule 18)

Maud Cummings and Jean Cummings-Stanley, 6731 Blundell Road (Schedule 19)

Wilma and John Poirier, 6380 Chatsworth Road (Schedule 20)

Garson Sam, 6611 Mang Road (Schedule 21)

Frank Lee, 6671 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 22)

Marilyn and Tony Baker, 6591 Chelmsford Street (May 10, 2006) (Schedule 23)

Barbara J. Avitan and Laura F. Oliver, 6540 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 24)

Sal Bhullar, 184-185-9040 Blundell Road (Schedule 25)

Mary T. Dickson, 6520 Chelmsford Street (May 13, 2006) (Schedule 26)

Donna and Simon Austin, 6900 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 27)

Annette Lum, 6408 Chelmsford Street (Schedule 28)

Submissions from the floor:

Dave Morley, 6320 Chelmsford stated he bought a home in the neighbourhood because of the large lot sizes and that the City would be prudent in subdividing lots around the entire perimeter of the neighbourhood. He added that lots without lanes have a lower crime rate than those that do back onto lanes. He believed that $650,000 was not affordable for families looking for new homes.

Mary Dickson, 6520 Chelmsford Street stated that she felt the new lots should be no smaller than 39 square feet, and that $600,000 houses were not affordable.

Donna Austin, 6900 Chelmsford Street stated that she had canvassed the neighbourhood and that those she questioned did not like the proposed 29 sq. feet lots. She expressed a desire to see the status quo of the area remain for a further five years, after which changes should reflect the new Arterial Road and Lane Policy.

In response to a question from Council, Ms. Austin said she would like to see 8 new homes built where four now stand, but that 11 new homes on those lots are too many.

In response to a question Jean Lamontagne, Director of Development stated that the sewer system servicing this area is in need of upgrading.

Leo Au, 6791 Chelmsford Street stated that drivers in lanes may encounter blind spots and that this will endanger children in the neighbourhood. He further stated that a single family home priced at $600,000 negates the applicant’s argument that young families will be able to purchase the proposed single-family homes.

Garson Sam, 6611 Mang Road stated his opposition to the proposal and mentioned that smaller lots in this neighbourhood would make this premium area look less attractive. He did not believe that $650,000 for a house was affordable.

Patricia Whittaker, spoke in support of small single-family homes, as well as affordable housing options for all Richmond residents.

Michael Tilbe, 10531 No. 1 Road questioned whether a lane would be mandatory and staff confirmed this is a requirement along Blundell Road as it is designated an arterial road.

Terry Nisbett, 6691 Blundell Road supported the proposal, pointing out that the neighbourhood has undergone subdivisions in the past which were much more of a shock. He believed that the proposed single-family homes would be an asset and bring a good mix of housing to the area.

Wilma Poirier, 6380 Chatsworth Road commented that the height of new homes is more of a problem than the width of the lot sizes. New homes that are taller than surrounding ranch-style homes affect the amount of sunlight that neighbours enjoy.

In response to a query, Mr Lamontagne stated that the City’s height restrictions regulate single-family homes, and that measured from the crest of the street, the height restriction is 90 metres, consistent across the whole neighbourhood.

Chris Kang, 5791 Easterbrook Road expressed his support for aggressive subdivision along Richmond’s main roads in order to relieve pressure on the development of Richmond’s remaining farmland. Changing demographics in Richmond means that houses in the $600,000 - $700,000 range are affordable.

Glen Shale, accompanied by his father Edward Shale, 6691 Blundell Road stated that homeowners like his father who have lived in the neighbourhood for 52 years and who have seen their lots developed over the past 35 years, are the reason that many people expressing opposition to this recommendation now enjoy the homes they live in. He and his father expressed support for the proposal.

Martin Dukinoff, formerly of  9411 Glendower Drive stated the City should develop more townhouses, which would be affordable for young families who may have to move to Langley or to Surrey if Richmond does not have an inventory of mixed housing.

Sal Banjaji, 7326 No. 2 Road stated that multi-family housing is needed to allow prospective homeowners to stay in Richmond.

Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent stated that families can no longer afford to live in the neighbourhood in question, yet it is serviced well by transit and shopping facilities.

James McLellan, a former Richmond resident, stated that young professional couples with families will want to live in nice neighbourhoods in Richmond and that Council should look at putting affordable housing on Blundell Road and other major roads.

Ms. Ravi Lali spoke in favour of Richmond developing a mix of housing options in order to attract a diversity of family types. She supported the proposal as subdivision means that more family homes can be built.

Bob Williamson, 8166 Mirabel Court stated that in his mind, compatible development for the neighbourhood in question is the issue. He believed that R1/B zoning is better for this area.

Several speakers then addressed Council for the second time raising the following points:

·                  

will there be adequate parking for the new houses;

·                  

the proposed houses will not be affordable for most families;

·                  

compatible housing is essential for the neighbourhood;

·                  

the proposal will create lots and homes and lots that are of a good size;

·                  

larger lots will see larger, more expensive homes being built on them which will not address the need for additional housing types;

·                  

arterial roads can provide diverse housing choices, not just townhouses.

PH06/5-8

It was moved and seconded

That Single-Family Lot Size Policy 5408 for the area bounded by Comstock Road, Blundell Road, Gilbert Road, and No. 2 Road, be amended to:

(a)

permit rezoning and subdivision to Single-Family Housing District (R1-0.6) or Coach House District (R9) along Blundell Road and Gilbert Road provided that access is to a constructed lane and not to either arterial road;

(b)

restrict all other properties to the Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E) zone;

(c)

delete the properties fronting Blundell Road between Cheviot Place and No. 2 Road; and

(d)

restrict development to single-family residential only and no multi-family residential development shall be permitted.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Evelina Halsey-Brandt

PH06/5-9

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8059 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Cllr. Dang returned to the meeting at 9:01 p.m.

8.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant advised that he was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH06/5-10

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8061 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH06/5-11

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8061 be adopted.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH06/5-12

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be adjourned (9:03 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting for Public Hearings of the City of Richmond held on Monday, May 15, 2006.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer, City Clerk’s Office
(Gail Johnson)