Place:

Council Chambers

Richmond City Hall

6911 No. 3 Road

Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Acting Mayor

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Gail Johnson, Acting Corporate Officer

Absent:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Call to Order:

Acting Mayor Evelina Halsey-Brandt opened the proceedings at 7:00 p.m.

1.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8669 (RZ 10-537869)

(8520 Francis Road; Applicant:  Balbir Biring)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was not present.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH11/3-1

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8669 be given Second & Third Readings.

CARRIED

2.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8671 (RZ 10-538153)

(11880 Railway Avenue; Applicant: Steve Dhanda)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH11/3-2

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8671 be given Second & Third Readings.

CARRIED

3.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8676 (RZ 09-489238)

(9900 No. 2 Road, 6011, 6031, 6051 and 6071 Williams Road;

Applicant:  Westmark Developments (Woodwards Pointe) Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Melanie Clay-Smith, 6100 Sheridan Road (Schedule 1)

(b)

Oliver Ying, 9911 Parsons Road (Schedule 2)

(c)

Ian Yi-Jen Wang, 9980 Parsons Road (Schedule 3)

(d)

Residents of Williams Road, Parsons Road and Sheridan Road (Schedule 4)

Submissions from the floor:

Rosemarie Schlossarek, 9940 Parsons Road, expressed concern regarding: (i) safety issues that may be created by residents of the proposed townhouse who do not park in their designated parking stalls, but on Parsons Road and Sheridan, thereby creating congestion in the neighbourhood; and (ii) one access provision for the proposed development when two accesses would be better.

Carol-Jean Miller, 9900 Parsons Road, stated her concern with: (i) the addition of vehicles, owned by residents of the proposed townhouse units, onto the neighbourhood’s short and narrow streets; and (ii) the height of the proposed townhouse units having an adverse effect in the predominantly single-family residential neighbourhood.

Lihua Ruanoliver, 9911 Parsons Road, spoke about her concerns regarding: (i) the current difficulty experienced by the area’s residents when trying to make a right turn from Parsons Road onto Williams Road due to congestion and a long wait time; (ii) the increase in difficulty, and in wait times, with the addition of vehicles owned by residents of the proposed townhouse units; and (iii) the height of the proposed townhouse units being out of place in a neighbourhood that features two storey single family residences. 

Manjit Sekhon, 6040 Williams Road, expressed his concerns regarding: (i) current massing of the proposed development; (ii) parking provisions in the proposed development’s plan; and (iii) existing traffic, and many vehicular accidents, in the area, without the addition of vehicles from the proposed townhouse units.

Christine Shui Yau, 9988 Parsons Road, advised that she had submitted a letter, a petition, and photographs from residents of Williams Road, Parsons Road and Sheridan Road (Schedule 4). She summarized the concerns expressed in the submission: (i) the height of the proposed townhouse units is significantly taller in comparison to the existing homes in the area: (ii) the proposed townhouse units would increase the number of cars parking on the surrounding streets; and (iii) an increase in traffic volume due to the development of 24 townhouse units would decrease safety, and increase risk, to those using the area’s streets.

Taizo Yamamoto, Yamamoto Architecture Inc., Vancouver, speaking on behalf of the applicant, noted that:

·          

the applicant is willing to work with City staff to move the proposed development’s access road to Williams Road, from Parsons Road, and restrict access and egress to right in/right out turns only;

·          

with regard to safety concerns, the developer will contribute $12,000 towards the upgrades of the traffic signal at the No. 2 Road and Williams Road intersection to an enhanced/accessible signal;

·          

the proposed townhouse development’s density is less than the allowed 0.70 floor area ratio (FAR); and

·          

the proposed townhouse development’s height is dictated by a shrunken footprint for the development, to allow for more trees on the site.

The Acting Mayor acknowledged the conclusion of the first round of speakers. Two speakers then spoke for a second time on new information.

Christine Shui Yau, 9988 Parsons Road, clarified that the parked vehicles on Parsons Road in the photographs that were included in the correspondence/petition package she submitted, were not owned by residents of the neighbourhood.

Carol-Jean Miller, 9900 Parsons Road, clarified that there is no on-street parking allowed on No. 2 Road or Williams Road, and that parked vehicles are allowed only on Parsons Road.

Jimmy Liu, 6020 Williams Road, speaking for the first time, expressed concern regarding the potential for accidents if the proposed development’s access was on Williams Road.  He noted that children walking on Williams Road sidewalks may be in danger, that traffic safety in the area is already a concern, and that he foresees an increase in traffic.

PH11/3-3

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8676 be given Second & Third Readings.

CARRIED

PH11/3-4

It was moved and seconded

That staff investigate:

(i)

moving the only access to a right in/right out Williams Road access and egress onto the subject site as part of the development permit;

(ii)

tandem parking in future townhouse projects;

(iii)

on street parking and speeding issues on Parsons Road; and

(iv)

safety measures to be added by the City, and/or Westmark Developments (Woodwards Pointe) Ltd., at the intersection of No. 2 Road and Williams Road before the project is completed.

CARRIED

4.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8690 (RZ 10-538208)

(10071 No. 1 Road; Applicant:  Gurinder S. Bhandal)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Elaine Poon, 10055 No. 1 Road (Schedule 5)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH11/3-5

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8690 be given Second & Third Readings.

CARRIED

5.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8699 (RZ 10-521539)

(7900 Bennett Road; Applicant:  Chen Design Studio)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Sadru Ramji, 7951 Bennett Road (Schedule 6)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH11/3-6

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8699 be given Second & Third Readings.

CARRIED

6.

Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8715 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8716 (RZ 09-453123)

(9388 Odlin Road (formerly 9340, 9360 and 9400 Odlin Road); Applicant:  Paul Goodwin GBL Architects Ltd.)

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor Derek Dang declared himself to be in a potential conflict of interest as he is a partner in a property on Alexandra Road which is in the neighbourhood, and left the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Tommy Yan, 418-9500 Odlin Road  (Schedule 7)

(b)

Kenneth Chan, 106-9500 Odlin Road (Schedule 8)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH11/3-7

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8715 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8716 each be given Second & Third readings.

CARRIED

PH11/3-8

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 8715 be adopted.

CARRIED

Councillor Dang returned to the meeting at 7:43 p.m.

7.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8737 (RZ 10-524476)

(16540 River Road; Applicant: Virdi Pacific Holdings Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

Alan De Genova advised that he was in attendance to assist applicant, Kulwant Virdi, to respond to questions. He confirmed that he has worked with the applicant to follow up on instructions provided by Council at its meeting of February 28, 2011, to ensure the subject site is used, as intended, to support the agriculture industry.

As part of Mr. De Genova’s presentation, Kiichi Kumagai, 8091 Rosebank Crescent, submitted for the record six letters in support of the application (Schedule 9).

Rezoning applicant Kulwant Virdi advised that he is the president of Dominion Woodworking. A business expansion plan includes a warehouse to meet the demand of high-end kitchen cabinets and millwork. Mr. Virdi advised that the company had purchased 16540 River Road in 1988. In 1999 the property was taken out of the Agricultural Land Reserve.

He noted that there is a real need for secure parking for trucks serving the local agricultural industry. His application is to provide truck parking at 16540 River Road so that local truckers can avoid having to drive further, and so reduce pollution. Mr. Virdi added that he has made many adjustments to the rezoning application plan in order to meet the traffic concerns raised by neighbours.

The applicant stated that on February 15, 2011 he hosted an open house, and that the great majority of the people who came to the event supported the plans to mitigate the traffic. Mr. Virdi offered to: (i) restrict the number of trucks parking overnight to 40; (ii) disallow loaded refrigerated trucks to park at 16540 River Road overnight; and (iii) restrict truck parking to those vehicles serving the local agricultural industry.

Written Submissions:

(a)

18 Form Letters indicating opposition to the proposal (Schedule 10)

(b)

Ryan Akhurst, Akhurst Machinery Limited, 1669 Foster’s Way, Delta (Schedule 11)

(c)

Kulwant Virdi, Virdi Pacific Holdings, 2720 Smith Street (Schedule 12)

(d)

William L. (Bill) Jones, 110 – 4900 Cartier Street, Vancouver (Schedule 13)

(e)

Balbir Singh Jawanda, India Cultural Centre of Canada, 8600 No. 5 Road (Schedule 14)

(f)

Bobby Ghirra, Riverside Banquet Halls, 14500 River Road (Schedule 15)

(g)

Dave Sandhu, Cal-San Enterprises Ltd., 12791 Blundell Road (Schedule 16)

(h)

Amarjit Johal, Johal Berry Farms Ltd., 8311 No. 6 Road (Schedule 17)

(i)

Sukhi Dhillon, 12051 Shell Road (Schedule 18)

(j)

Prit Pal S. Narwal, 208-6628 Fraser Street, Vancouver (Schedule 19)

(k)

Ram Lingam, 16680 River Road (Schedule 20)

Submissions from the floor:

Mr. K. Dhaliwal, No. 6 Road, spoke in support of the application. He stated that he transports blueberries, and welcomes the opportunity to park his trucks at 16540 River Road, instead of at the parking lot of his Temple, where he currently parks.

Steve Easterbrook, 18360 River Road, spoke in opposition to the application, and noted he is opposed to any rezoning that would increase the volume of commercial vehicle traffic in the River Road neighbourhood. He stated that it was distressing to have trucks parachuted into an area used for agriculture and utilize under-engineered roadways which are showing cracks due to overweight loads.

He wondered how enforcement of the trucks’ loads would take place, and expressed concern over the side effects of washing trucks in this residential area.

Mr. Easterbrook noted that he had spoken in opposition to the application at past Planning Committee and Council meetings. He submitted for the record a petition, with 66 signatures, that stated opposition to the disruption of the peace, the creation of unsafe roadways, and the pollution of his neighbourhood. (Schedule 21)

Kiichi Kumagai, 8091 Rosebank Crescent, spoke in support of the application. He stated that not all residents of No. 7 Road are opposed to the application but are concerned about the use of No. 7 Road by heavy trucks travelling at high speeds. He noted that when he received a call from Derek May of Mayberry Farms, he explained to Mr. May that once the Nelson Road Interchange becomes functional, heavy truck traffic will be restricted from turning at Westminster Highway from No. 6 Road to Nelson Road, thereby eliminating the use of No. 7 Road as a commuter route.

Mr. Kumagai concluded his remarks by requesting that a meeting take place, between City transportation staff and concerned residents of No. 7 Road, to discuss mitigating measures that could be implemented to create a safer environment.

Mr. Rapasing, 426 East 59^th Avenue, Vancouver, spoke in support of the application. He farms acres of blueberries and strawberries on land on No. 6 Road, and noted the need for a secure lot to park farming vehicles.

Mr. Singh, 3260 No. 6 Road, is the owner of a nursery on No. 6 Road and stated that he unloads his trucks across the street at a neighbouring property, as his lot is too small, and parks some of his trucks on the road. He would not do so if he could park his trucks at 16540 River Road.

Mr. Minhas, 4811 Pendelbury Road, spoke in support of the application and noted that the applicant’s business does good work, creates jobs, and is community oriented.

Mr. Ash, 5522 Sherbrook, Vancouver, spoke in support of the application and submitted for the record two letters in support of the application (Schedule 22).

Brent Akhurst 12639 No. 2 Road, spoke in support of the application. His family business is Ackhurst Machinery Limited, and has a working relationship with the applicant’s Dominion Woodworking business. The applicant plans to purchase new equipment with an environmentally friendly spray finishing system using water-based stain, paint and lacquer, and a second system to reduce their wood waste in size to allow recycling to fuel, or plant bedding material. Mr. Akhurst commended the applicant on his environmentally friendly business.

George Makowski, 18851 River Road spoke in opposition of the application, based on the negative impact on the rural lifestyle in the River Road area. He referred to alleged infractions and violations without enforcement at the subject site, and described the number and frequency of large commercial trucks that make River and No. 7 Roads unsafe. Mr. Makowski submitted his statement for the record. (Schedule 23)

Glen Livingstone, a Richmond resident, spoke in support of the applicant, whom he knows, and stated that he had attended the Virdi’s February open house. He noted that No. 7 Road is very narrow and has telephone poles located close to the road’s shoulders. He said that he has heard from local owner/operators who live in the No. 7 Road area that there is a desperate shortage of truck parking sites.

A. J. Rosbergen, 23060 Westminster Highway, spoke in opposition to the application. He was not in support of trucks parking on the site, and remarked that truck parking and manufacturing businesses do not belong on agricultural land.

A resident of 192^nd Street, Langley spoke in support of the application. He has worked with the applicant and can attest to Dominion Woodworking’s  recycling efforts. He noted that waste products from the applicant’s business are used to support farming. He added that secure parking places are needed.

Mike Petrich, 16360 River Road, stated that delegate George Makowski does not live on River Road.

A. Taha, 4411 Blundell Road, spoke in support of the application, and stated that he was actively involved in agriculture in the No. 6 Road and Sidaway Road area.

Harold Lougheed, 19000 River Road, spoke in opposition to the application, and noted that it was destructive, dangerous and unnecessary. River Road is a problem area, with a lack of enforcement for soil dumping, and other destructive activities.

He described the area as dangerous due to the undersized road, speeding vehicles, ‘near misses’ between vehicles, and no run-out lanes.

Mr. Lougheed stated that it is unnecessary to park trucks on the subject site because there is vacant industrial land on Mitchell Island that can accommodate parked trucks.

Lyn Easterbrook, 18360 River Road, spoke in opposition to the application. She questioned: (i) who would monitor the parked trucks to ensure they were transporting agricultural produce from a Richmond farm; (ii) how often monitoring would take place; and (iii) the type of penalty for violations.

Ms. Easterbrook expressed other concerns including: (i) the type of fill placed on the subject site; (ii) should the dike wall fail who carries the insurance; (iii) the faded double yellow lines on River Road; and (iv) the lack of safety drivers endure when travelling on No. 7 Road. She commented that she has seen buses parked on the subject site.

The owner of a trucking business spoke in support of the application. He was unaware of the availability of truck parking on Mitchell Island, and noted that finding places to park trucks is a challenge. He cannot find any land in the City to park trucks. He stated that traffic issues are shared throughout the City, and are not confined to River Road, and that Richmond has changed from its former rural nature.

Kal Mahal, 16551 Westminster Highway, spoke in support of the application. He added that he has counted 32 trucks per half hour travelling past his property on Westminster Highway.

Mr. Curtis, 17740 River Road, spoke in opposition to the application. He said there are too many trucks on River Road, and that he has observed cars passing trucks and trucks passing cars. He added that if a maximum of 40 commercial vehicles are allowed one month, he foresees a further 40 on the site the next month.

The Acting Mayor acknowledged the conclusion of the first round of speakers. Five speakers then spoke for a second time on new information.

Harold Lougheed, 19000 River Road, noted that with regard to the challenge of finding truck parking places in the City, spaces are available on an Annis Island site, and at a location on Ewen Avenue in New Westminster, a site where a trucking business is located.

Steve Easterbrook, 18360 River Road, questioned whether Mr. Derek May had been in touch with delegate Kiichi Kumagai. He clarified that the petition he had submitted as part of his first delegation statement (Schedule 21) was not concerned with the woodworking facility on the subject site. He questioned whether woodworking shavings were environmentally friendly. He also submitted two letters of opposition (Schedule 24).

Mr. Easterbrook also commented that: (i) drivers on No. 7 Road do not abide by traffic signals; (ii) there are no resources to monitor trucks on No. 7 Road; (iii) driving vehicles along No. 6 and No. 7 Roads is like ‘running the gauntlet’; (iv) truckers travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (v) buses seen parked on the subject site are used not for produce, but for transporting farm labourers to Chilliwack; and (vi) concerns about security can be addressed by erecting a fence, and by hiring custodians to lessen vandalism.

Kiichi Kumagai, 8091 Rosebank Crescent, stated his objection to Mr. Easterbrook’s query regarding whether Derek May had been in touch with him or not. Mr. Kumagai then advised that three letters dated February 17, 2011 that do not object to the application, but object to commercial vehicles using No. 7 Road as a commuter route, were signed by Colin Evans, James Savage, and John Savage, and he submitted them for the record (Schedule 25).

Alan De Genova remarked that the applicant had spoken to many people and had learned that the biggest concern is vehicles using No. 7 Road, but those concerns lessen when people learn of the impending Nelson Road Interchange.

Mr. De Genova stated that enforcement of truck driving will take place, and he spoke in opposition to the idea of speed bumps, as they are hard on farm equipment and will be unnecessary after the interchange is built. He preferred signage to deter speeding.

The applicant clarified that water-based glue is used at the woodworking facility, that the sawdust is environmentally friendly, that there are no chemicals, and that he is trying to put in place a state-of-the-art finishing facility on the subject site.

PH11/3-9

It was moved and seconded

That Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8737 be given Second & Third readings.

CARRIED

OPPOSED Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

ADJOURNMENT

PH11/3-10

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (9:40 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, March 21, 2011.

Acting Mayor (Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt)

Acting Corporate Officer

City Clerk’s Office (Gail Johnson)