Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - Minutes

The Public Hearing reconvened at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in the Council Chambers, at Richmond City Hall, with all members present except Councillors Linda Barnes and Sue Halsey-Brandt.

The Acting Corporate Officer provided an update on the correspondence received on March 17 and 18, 2008.  This correspondence had been circulated to Council and forms part of these minutes as Schedule 37.

Submissions from the floor continued:

Ralph May, 9360 Dolphin Avenue, spoke in favour of the exclusion application believing that:

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this site has limited use for viable farming, particularly as it is next to high density residential uses and there is a lack of clean water;

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the $10 million endowment fund will have a great impact on the protection of agriculture; and

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the endowment fund should be controlled by a Board of Trustees who have a clearly identified mandate.

Frances Guerin, 4077 Stautlo Avenue, Vancouver, a Musqueam Elder, accompanied by her family, provided comments in favour of the application noting that:

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the Lands are located less than five miles from the Musqueam’s traditional winter village;

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the Musqueam’s ownership interests have been recognized through the MOU and they want to honour that agreement.  They would rather negotiate solutions to share the lands; and

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the Musqueam have agreed to abide by Richmond’s land use regulations and funds from this land will support their people and build capacity as outlined in the Musqueam Community Needs Submission of the application.

A copy of Ms. Guerin’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 38.

Wally Dunsmoor, #120 – 8220 Jones Road, spoke in opposition to the application offering that:

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Richmond is not a Garden City, rather it is a densely populated city full of concrete buildings and the Lands should be used for open green space, parks, and community gardens;

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the MOU does not provide sufficient protection for the future of the Lands once removed from the ALR;

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the City needs to take a careful look at the vision for this site, at the moment the CLC “holds all the cards”; and

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the residential towers that exist immediately west of the Lands most likely reflect what will happen to this land once developed.

Will Dunn, 9835 Pinewell Place, biologist, spoke in opposition to the application offering that:

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the brochure developed by the City discusses a lot of green space but ignores the option of not removing the Lands from the ALR;

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it is not realistic that the Lands will be lost all together if the MOU is unsuccessful;

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removing the Lands from the ALR increases our dependence on oil and transportation of food to the region instead of growing crops for local consumption; and

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there is no justification for losing farmland to accommodate high-density development.

Paul Dylla, 6526 Gibbons Drive, spoke in opposition to the exclusion application believing removal of the Lands from the ALR is not in the best interest of the residents of Richmond.

He believed that oil reserves are not limitless and much of the fresh food we eat, the clothes we wear and the items we purchase are imported; thus local agriculture is critical to the sustainability of Richmond.  Paving over prime agriculture land does not make sense.  The City of Richmond needs to become a leader in sustainable living and provide a better future for the next generations.  A copy of Mr. Dylla’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 39.

Lawrence Lim, 7580 Lombard Road, spoke in favour of the application offering that:

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the people who settled here 9,000 years ago are the original settlers; the present population are immigrants and guests on this land;

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intercultural relationships with First Nations people should be fostered and the Musqueam should be acknowledged for agreeing to negotiate a settlement on these lands;

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with the MOU in place, the City will obtain 68 acres of the Lands, without the MOU the City will end up with nothing;

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Richmond is incapable of being self-sufficient with respect to food supply, we are part of the global economy, therefore the Lands are needed to generate the finances required to enjoy this food supply;

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residential development of the Lands will allow people to live close to where they work, thereby reducing congestion and pollution; and

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the interests of the Musqueam and the City will be better served by removing the Lands from the ALR.

A copy of Mr. Lim’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 40.

Braeden Caley presented a statement on behalf of Raymond Chan, MP in support of the application which noted:

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that he is proud of the MOU which he considers to be the only viable opportunity for Richmond to realize full potential of the Lands;

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with the Lands in the hands of the community, Richmond will finally have new green space, much needed public amenities, new housing opportunities, an arts and cultural centre, and post secondary education spaces; and

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development of the Lands involves significant opportunities for agriculture in Richmond including a $10 million agriculture endowment fund, which will serve community priorities.

A copy of Mr. Caley’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 41.

Erika Simm, 4991 Westminster Highway, spoke in favour of the application pointing out that the purchase agreement is a legal contract which must be honoured and which represents a good deal for the City.  The only thing missing is an addendum to the deal that states the Agreement should become part of ongoing treaty negotiations.  A copy of Ms. Simm’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 42.

Eliza Olson, 11158 Canyon Court, Delta, spoke in opposition to the application referencing her interest in saving peat bogs which are an important and unique part of the complex environment of the City.  She noted that Ireland has set up a foundation to save their peat lands and Council members should attend a Peat Land conference in Ireland in June 2008 for further education purposes.

Mary Taitt, 5191A Robertson Road, Delta, spoke in opposition to the exclusion application citing her frustration that it is being considered again.  She  believed that the ALC’s role is not to balance competing land uses and use of farmland for non-farm uses.  Further, because BC only produces 50% of food consumed here, farmland needs to be protected for food security reasons.  Metro Vancouver has just released a study that predicts that growth for the lower mainland over the next 25 years can be accommodated without touching any agricultural land or green zones.  Ms. Taitt recommended the City not endorse the application, which will demonstrate support for Metro Vancouver’s vision for the sustainable living initiative.  A copy of Ms. Taitt’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 43.

Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, spoke in favour of the application offering that:

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the MOU is Richmond’s best opportunity for new parkland and for sports facilities, and is the only current potential agreement for the use of this land;

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it is economically and viably sound to build on this site up to 17 stories with green roof tops to support the environment and reduce heating costs;

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the $10 million agricultural endowment could be used for farming improvements elsewhere in Richmond;

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buildings should have suitable associated commercial opportunities with reduced parking to focus on transit use; an elementary school could be located on the base level of one building; and

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the trade centre must have a green roof so there is no loss of land for residents.

A copy of Mr. Mitchell’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 44.

Susan Jones, 1028 – 51A Street, Delta, spoke in opposition to the application noting that:

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the Ministry of Agriculture study titled,  “BC’s Food Self-Reliance” states more land should be put in the ALR than taken out;

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the Boundary Bay Conservation Committee is opposed to removal of the land because the land is viable for farming.  Richmond has the best soil and climate for farming; and

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it is unacceptable to bring this proposal forward again after the ALC ruled against exclusion in September 2006 and deemed the land suitable for agricultural use.

A copy of Ms. Jones’ submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 45.

Lorraine Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road, spoke in opposition to the application wondering why the Garden City Lands Coalition plan was ignored.  The Plan provides ideas for developing opportunities for learning farming practices, providing garden space for Richmond residents, providing a farmers market, a restaurant, and for retention of farm equipment on site.  She believed the best possible decision would be to keep the land in the ALR.

Shirley Wolfe, 9731 Odlin Road, spoke in opposition to the application, believing that the Lands should not be used for more high density housing because rapid population growth in Richmond has already put a strain on health resources for the City, causing overcrowding, and lack of parking at the hospital.  She concluded by stating the ALR was created by people who recognized land as a resource worth protecting.  A copy of Ms. Wolfe’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 46.

Bob Guerin, fisheries coordinator for the Musqueam, spoke in favour of the application acknowledging that the Musqueam have a claim on the Lands as it is one of their ancestral places.  Further, the proceeds from this land can be used to help solve problems related to dwindling natural resources and other economic challenges.  The Musqueam want to work with the City to build a better life for all concerned.

Mayor Brodie acknowledged the conclusion of the first round of public speakers.  Several speakers then addressed Council for the second time with new information.

Shane McMillan, 7160 Schaefer Avenue, added comments in opposition to the application which included:

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a community agricultural program is needed using a mixed crop system which can provide higher yields for the same amount of space;  this does not involve pesticide use;

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the Lands should be left in the ALR or some of the animal and plant species will be wiped out; and

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the Lands are needed for food production because it is predicted that energy costs could multiple tenfold in seven to ten years.

Carol Day, 11631 Seahurst Road, raised the following additional points in opposition to the application:

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the “Building First Nations Agriculture Capacity” has 10 points which should be reviewed by Council and would be a good program to follow once it is accepted that the MOU is “dead”;

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the CLC has been operating in bad faith by indicating that the Musqueam are the owners of the Lands when in reality all they have at best is an unregistered beneficial interest; and

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there is room to work with the Musqueam to launch a combined approach to the senior levels of government and find a way to keep this land in the ALR.

A copy of Ms. Day’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 47.

Olga Tkatcheva, #8 – 7680 Gilbert Road, presented the following additional comments in opposition to the application:

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the statement of ownership is false as currently the lands are owned by the CLC only, as confirmed in a letter to her from the CLC dated March 11, 2008;

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under the MOU the Musqueam are expected to own the Lands solely; and

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the statement that if the agreement proceeds, Richmond will obtain 50% of the Lands is false;  what is true is that 35% will be available if the Trade & Exhibition Centre is built and 42.5% if not.

A copy of Ms. Tkatcheva’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 48.

Michael Wolfe, 9731 Odlin Road, spoke in opposition to the application suggesting the Lands should be kept in the ALR so that local food production is ensured if the agreements breakdown.  During the past week he observed two new plant and one new animal species on the Lands that must be preserved.

Nancy Trant, #201 - 10100 No. 3 Road, offered additional comments in opposition to the application, believing that all members of Council should be present to vote on this important issue.  She also stated that high-rise towers don’t belong on a flood plain or on these Lands.  After hearing from the Musqueam and the value of this land to their people, she believed they should want to retain its ALR status.

Deidre Whalen, 13631 Blundell, offered additional comments in opposition to the proposal believing there could be grounds of procedural irregularity if not all Councillors are afforded the opportunity to vote on this issue and she expressed her concern over the accuracy of information that will be presented to the ALC.  She advocated additional analysis of the survey forms and correspondence.

Chad Iverson, 12060 Woodhead Road, provided the following additional comments in opposition to the application:

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the mountain pine beetle epidemic will affect the flood plain in the Fraser River region which could in turn affect future development; and

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there is not a lot of information readily available pertaining to environmental assessments on development which isn’t required by the City.

A copy of Mr. Iverson’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 49.

Jessica Lai, #28 – 6245 Sheridan Road, in speaking about her opposition to the application, believed the first night of this Public Hearing did not provide much opportunity for the public to participate.  Additionally, she felt that all the people of Richmond need to work together to keep these Lands in the ALR.

Gordon Kibble, 11171 – 4^th Avenue, believed that an environmentally sensitive map needs to be updated before this deal is completed to learn how many such areas remain in Richmond.

Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode Drive, offered the following additional comments in opposition to the application:

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the Richmond Citizen’s Vision for the Garden City lands includes reservoir lakes;

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if there is a decision to not exclude the land from the ALR, Richmond should keep to the negotiation process provided in the agreement and must honour its commitments;

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in renegotiating, Richmond has the right of first refusal on the property and will be able to exercise that right if the Musqueam and CLC act in good faith;

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there is no indication that the Musqueam are half owners of these Lands, which may mean that the CLC are misrepresenting the level of ownership that exists; and

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City Council should insist that the CLC make key documents available to the public and postpone the vote on this application until it is clear who owns the land and due diligence has been done.

A copy of Ms. Wright’s submission forms part of these minutes, and is attached as Schedule 50.

PH08/3-11

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting be recessed and be reconvened on Wednesday March 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall.

CARRIED

RECESSED – 10:55 p.m.