November 18, 2013 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall
6911 No. 3 Road

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves

Michelle Jansson, Acting Corporate Officer

Absent:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

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

1.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW 8903 (RZ 11-591985)
(Location:  8311, 8331, 8351, and 8371 Cambie Road and 3651 Sexsmith Road; Applicant:  Polygon Development 192 Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH13/10-1

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Zoning Amendment Bylaw 8903 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH13/10-2

It was moved and seconded

That Cambie Field – Sale of Park Bylaw 8927 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

2.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8947; OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 7100, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8948; AND RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8986 (RZ 11-593406)
(Location:  4991 No. 5 Road; Applicant:  Interface Architecture Inc.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

Marie Murtagh, 4771 Dumont Street, expressed concern (i) with the excessive speed and volume of traffic on No. 5 Road, (ii) that the pedestrian activated crosswalk at McNeely Drive is ignored by vehicular traffic, and (iii) that the traffic study only examining northbound traffic volumes.  In her opinion a decision on the application should be postponed until a more extensive traffic study has been completed and suggested a signalized traffic light for the intersection of No. 5 Road and Dewsbury Drive.

Mr. Ip, 4760 Dewsbury Court, spoke in favour of retaining the existing zoning as the neighbourhood is inundated with vehicles, and the proposal to allow townhouse residential would only increase congestion in the area.  In his opinion the traffic report did not accurately reflect the anticipated increase in vehicular traffic.  If the land is rezoned the City should consider single-family residential rather than the higher density residential townhouse use.

In response to queries regarding the traffic study, speeds along No. 5 Road, and the installation of a traffic light, Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the study captured the traffic generated by the proposed development during morning and afternoon peak hours for vehicular traffic.  Speeds tend to be higher for northbound vehicles along No. 5 Road as the vehicles are exiting the Highway 91 overpass.  Currently, there are no plans for a signalized intersection from Dewsbury Drive, however, staff could review the general area for signalized traffic control over the next five years.

Discussion ensued regarding the installation of a signalized traffic light on No. 5 Road as a traffic calming measure.

PH13/10-3

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 8947; Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 8948; and Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 8986 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH13/10-4

It was moved and seconded

That the matter of traffic control, including the possibility of traffic signalization between Highway 91 and Cambie Road, be referred to staff.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN (OCP) BYLAW 7100, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9024
(Location:  McKessock Neighbourhood – Bridgeport Area Plan; Applicant:  City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

Mark Cheng, Vancouver Airport Authority (Schedule 1)

Submissions from the floor:

Trevor Charles, 2380 McKessock Avenue, raised concern with the increased density and the location of the servicing Right-of-Way and read from his written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, advised that the application before Council allows zoning for single-family and townhouse units at the maximum 0.60 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).  The size of the units will determine the number of units built on the site.  Site servicing will be designed and adjusted, including determining the exact location of the existing services, in association with the rezoning application and a Servicing Agreement will be required for any adjustment to City utilities.

Brian Cray, 10651 Bridgeport Road, spoke in support of the application.

PH13/10-5

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 9024 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH13/10-6

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 9024 be adopted.

CARRIED

4.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9052; OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 7100, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9053; AND RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9054 (RZ 12-626430)
(Location:  5580 and 5600 Parkwood Way; Applicant:  Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH13/10-7

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9052; Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 9053; and Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9054 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9061 (RZ 13-639817)
(Location:  6580 Francis Road; Applicant:  Rav Bains)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH13/10-8

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9061 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9064 (RZ 11-590130)(Location:  22691 and 22711 Westminster Highway; Applicant:  Jordan Kutev Architects Inc.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to answer questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

Wayroen Lin, 22720 and 22740 Westminster Hwy, expressed concern that there would be adequate on-site parking provided with the development.

Mr. Craig noted that the proposed development complies with the Bylaw requirements by providing 22 residential parking spaces and three visitor parking spaces.

Rekada Clarke, 22788 Norton Court, and Jo-Anne Warwick, 22728 Norton Court, expressed concern for an existing retaining wall and fence which abuts the subject property and whether the developer would consider working with the adjacent property owners to reconstruct the wall and fence during construction.  They also expressed concern for the access due to the speed and volume of truck and vehicular traffic on Westminster Highway.

Mr. Craig stated that the overall traffic patterns are being reviewed in association with the Hamilton Area Plan study currently under way. In terms of this application, an analysis for access from the site was completed.  Preliminary site grading information has been received with the application; however, the elevations will be refined during the Development Permit process.  The preliminary drawings show a slight increase in the site grading to meet the adjacent site.

Council directed Ms. Clarke and Ms. Warwick to speak with the applicant, directly after the meeting, to discuss their concerns.  In reply to a query concerning the retaining wall, Mr. Craig noted that staff would pay close attention to site grading as part of the Development Permit process.

PH13/10-9

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9064 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Councillor Steves left the meeting at 7:49 p.m. and returned at 7:51 p.m.

7.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 7100, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8865; OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8973; AND RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 8864 (RZ 10-528877)
PART 1; PART 2; AND PART 3
(Location:  4660,4680,4700, 4720, 4740 Garden City Road and 9040, 9060, 9080, 9180, 9200, 9260, 9280, 9320, 9340, 9360, 9400, 9420, 9440, 9480, 9500 Alexandra Road; Applicant:  First Richmond North Shopping Centres Ltd. (SmartCentres))

Applicant’s Comments:

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (on file City Clerk’s Office) Sandra Kaiser, Vice-President for Corporate Affairs, SmartCentres, accompanied by Mike Gilman, Senior Land Development Manager, SmartCentres, provided a overview of the proposed project and highlighted the following:

§   

the community shopping centre has been designed to provide a convenience place to shop, eat, and gather with friends and neighbors;

§   

three new or upgraded bus stops will be constructed,

§   

along with other street improvements, sidewalks will be constructed on Alderbridge Way, Garden City Road, and Alexandra Road, as well as on High Street and May Drive;

§   

bike lanes will be constructed on Alderbridge Way and Garden City Road;

§   

Alexandra Way, an internal pedestrian walkway, will provide safe and easy access to residents within the Alexandra neighborhood;

§   

sustainability initiatives will met LEED Silver Equivalency through a number of environmental measures and will connect to the Alexandra District Energy Utility;

§   

the compact design has eliminated five-acres of surface parking and provides for 300 bicycle parking spaces;

§   

in order to meet flood proofing requirements the site will be raised by five feet which would not allow the retention of the existing trees; however, the site will be replanted with 556 trees of 34 different evergreen and deciduous species which is 3.9 times the number of trees being removed;

§   

over 1600 shrubs and 100 different species of grasses will also be planted on the site;

§   

the landscaping will be designed to provide maximum screening of the buildings and provide an attractive view from the surrounding street and from the Garden City lands to the south;

§   

the Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA) will be impacted by the development but will be dedicating any lands retained to the City and are providing funding to permit the enhancement of the adjacent park and any ESA lands;

§   

the site is made up of two mixed use areas within the WCAP;

§   

a comprehensively designed pedestrian focus development containing a variety of local service and commercial uses with a density of 0.62 FAR and a height under seventeen-meters is proposed for Area A;

§   

large and small store front commercial uses are proposed for Area B with a total retail floor plate of 99,440 ft² with a height under nineteen-metres and a 0.6 FAR;

§   

on each portion of the site the developer has reduced the maximum allowable density by 40%;

§   

the reduced scale of development is sensitive to the current and future residents in the area and addresses concerns raised about the view corridors;

§   

economically SmartCentres will be investing over $150,000,000;

§   

annual property taxes in the amount of $2,500,000 will be generated;

§   

1000 permanent jobs will be created in addition to the construction jobs; and

§   

the development will be home to approximately 45-50 small, medium and large businesses.

Written Submissions:

Sharon MacGougan, 7411 Ash Street (Schedule 3)

Steve Sangha, 4560/4562 Garden City Road (Schedule 4)

Jim Wright, Garden City Conservation Society (Schedule 5)

Nancy Trant, 201-10100 No. 3 Road (Schedule 6)

Lorraine Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road (Schedule 7)

Keith & Mikiko Evans, Resident (Schedule 8)

Anneliese Schultz, 54-8640 Bennett Road (Schedule 9)

Shawn Sangha, 4560/4562 Garden City Road (Schedule 10)

Lorri Romhanyi, 35-12055 Greenland Drive (Schedule 11)

John Ligtenberg, Richmond Resident (Schedule 12)

Glenda Ho, Richmond Resident (Schedule 13)

Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode Drive (Schedule 14)

Patty Zaborowicz, Richmond Resident (Schedule 15)

Yvonne Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road (Schedule 16)

Lusha Zhou, Richmond Resident (Schedule 17)

Steve Sangha, 4560/4562 Garden City Road (Schedule 18)

Melanie Beggs-Murray, Richmond Resident (Schedule 19)

Terri Havill, Richmond Resident (Schedule 20)

Margaret Moreau, 9-13400 Princess Street (Schedule 21)

Shirley Doyle, Richmond Resident (Schedule 22)

Lisa Coulthard, 9333 Albert Road (Schedule 23)

Stephen Toban, 9333 Albert Road (Schedule 24)

Sunny Mak, 10171 Hollywell Drive (Schedule 25)

Guadalupe Kover, 23-8451 Ryan Road (Schedule 26)

Keith Peters, 10191 Hollywell Drive (Schedule 27)

Walloce Sohl, 22760 River Road (Schedule 28)

Melvin Yap, 8051 Spires Road (Schedule 29)

Ester Nielsen, 25-8451 Ryan Road (Schedule 30)

Lois Armerding, 205-7831 No. 1 Road (Schedule 31)

Sharon Douceline, 4911 Pendlebury Road (Schedule 32)

Ivan Goroun, 3508 Lockhart Road (Schedule 33)

Olga Tkatcheva, 3508 Lockhart Road (Schedule 34)

Pamela Dantu, 205-8870 Citation Drive (Schedule 35)

Paul Ly, 6571 Maple Road (Schedule 36)

John Bustos, 8297 Saba Road (Schedule 37)

Graeme Bone, 407-9288 Odlin Road (Schedule 38)

Deirdre Whalen, 13631 Blundell Road (Schedule 39)

Carol Day, Richmond Resident (Schedule 40)

Submissions from the floor:

George Pope, 8280 No. 2 Road, supported the development and suggested that 80% of the roof area be grassed in order to convert a portion of the heat signature into green space.

Mr. Craig explained that a highly reflective roof material is proposed to address the heat island effect, referred to by the delegation.

Simeon Leong, 8400 Ackroyd Road, spoke in support of the proposal as the off-site improvements will reduce congestion in the area.

Cori and Alice Richet, 8900 Citation Drive, spoke in favour of the development as it would create jobs and a number of environmental measures had been undertaken by the applicant.

Brian Williams, 4631 Shell Road, spoke as the business owner of Ashton Service Groups and as Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and was in favour of the proposal as it will bring a vibrant commercial development into the area.  The development provides a great opportunity for smaller businesses to build off of the anchor store with approximately 1,000 jobs being created.  The building will meet LEED Silver standards, connect to the ADEU, and bring in $20,000,000 in property tax which benefits everyone.

Deirdre Whalen, 13631 Blundell Road, had nothing further to add to her written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as (Schedule 39).

Graeme Bone, 9288 Odlin Road, spoke in opposition to the development and, although there had been design improvements, objected to the inward orientation, possibly leading to criminal activity in the area.  He also voiced concern for pedestrian safety at the Alderbridge Way and Garden City Road intersection and for development design in light of the “show piece” Garden City Park adjacent to the site.

Mr. Craig advised that crime prevention issues would be refined through the Advisory Design Panel and development permit process.

Cecilia Goodchild, 10191 Rosecroft Crescent, spoke in favour of the development.  People have to shop and the proposal would provide an environmentally safe and friendly shopping experience.  To allow the development would create competition and, as local residents would not have to travel to shop, vehicle emissions would be reduced.

Joseph Hizon, 9831 Waller Court, as a consumer was in support of the development.

Erika Simm, 4991 Westminster Highway, spoke in support of the development and read from her written submission (attached and forming part of the minutes as Schedule 41).

Shelley Dubbert, 4420 Garden City Road, supported the development as it meets the City’s vision to be a great place to work, live, and play.  If the lands were to be developed as a park it would cost the ratepayers of Richmond millions of dollars which she, for one, could not support.  The land is currently an eyesore for the City and in her opinion the development would meet the demands of the residents.

Lorraine Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road, did not support the proposed development for the West Cambie Area.  In her view the development was unattractive and she believed that the City would benefit more from parks and greenspace.  There are enough shopping centres within walking and biking distance to the Alexandra neighbourhood and the City would be doing an irretrievable disservice to the landscape in Richmond by eliminating the greenspace north of Alderbridge Way.

Nancy Trant, 10100 No. 3 Road, spoke in opposition to the proposed development and read from her written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 42).

Jim Wright, 8300 Osgoode Drive, spoke reluctantly against the application and read from his written submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 43).

Councillor Halsey-Brandt left the meeting at 8:38 p.m. and returned at 8:40 p.m.

Lorne Slye, 11911 Third Avenue, spoke in support of the additional shopping and employment opportunities the proposed development could bring to Richmond.

Yvonne Bell, 10431 Mortfield Road, spoke in opposition to the proposed development.  She raised concern with regard to the loss of natural and liveable space within the City and was of the opinion that the proposed shrubs and trees would not replace the existing natural habitat.  Ms. Bell questioned the need for more commercial units, in light of retail closures in the nearby Lansdowne Mall.  She also expressed concern for cyclists’ safety due to the projected increase in traffic on Garden City Road and Alderbridge Way.

Cathy Shannon, 9651 Glendower Drive, spoke against the Walmart proposal and raised concern that the development did not address the traffic and infrastructure concerns along Alderbridge Way and Garden City Road.  In her opinion a box store mall was not needed as the City had enough shopping; however she was in favour of residential, park and greenspace development.  Although it was suggested that 1,000 new jobs would be created as a result of the proposed development, Ms. Shannon questioned how many jobs would be lost through this same development.  It was her view that the proposal did not remain true to the Richmond vision for the West Cambie Area. 

Michelle Bron, 10900 Springmont Drive, commented that the proposal was beneficial to residents, created construction and permanent employment, and was in support of the development.

Vijay Sidhu, 9211 Oldin Road, spoke on behalf of the West Cambie Resident Association and advised that there was over 95% support for the Walmart development.  He requested that Council approve the application to support the sustainable area plan approved by Richmond citizens.

Michael Wolfe, 9371 Odlin Road, spoke in opposition to the proposed development citing concerns with the degradation of ESA land, the loss of natural habitat, and the environmental effects related to the proposal.

Carolyn Prentice, 4731 Larkspur Avenue, spoke in opposition to the proposed development noting that she wished to see the plant and animal habitat be saved.  In her view the SmartCentre proposal was not a community mall, that another big box store was not needed in Richmond, and hoped Council would reject the proposal.

Councillor Barnes left the meeting at 9:15 p.m. and returned at 9:17 p.m.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (on file City Clerk’s Office), John ter Borg, addressed the disappearance of farm and ESA land and suggested that the ESA has inherent value and must be considered.  To celebrate the value of nature and the City’s legacy as a “Garden City”, Mr. ter Borg proposed an agricultural buffer or natural greenspace along Alderbridge Way that would function as an on-site bio-retention and drainage basin for the management of both stormwater and heavy metal pollution.  He noted that the buffer’s benefits would include: (i) climate regulation and carbon storage, (ii) regulation of groundwater recharge, (iii) abatement of noise and air pollution, (iv) habitat for pollinators, and (v) natural pest control.

In reply to a query regarding the use of the concept presented by the delegation for maintaining the higher water levels, Mr. Craig explained that the comprehensive stormwater management plan associated with the proposal proposes bio-swales for on-site stormwater management; however the direction of that water towards the Garden City Lands has not been considered. Mr. Craig stated that staff could work with the applicant and the Engineering Division to examine what could potentially be accommodated on the subject site.

In response to a query regarding the retention system, Mr. ter Borg suggested that the retention system would be one component of the greenspace and that the agricultural buffer would provide a natural screening for travelling pollutants across Alderbridge Way to the Garden City Lands.

Kevin Ho, 3111 Broadway Street, spoke in opposition to the proposal with the view that, in order to build a sustainable City, new commercial development should be on a small scale and not encourage vehicular traffic. 

Reg Shear, Richmond resident, spoke in support of the development and expressed appreciation that the unsightly properties would be renewed.

Ying Wang, 8140 Colonial Drive, spoke in opposition to the proposed development and commented on the negative effects of rapid development that took place in her hometown of Beijing, China.  Ms. Wang wished to see Richmond remain rich with farmland, clean water, and blue skies.   Ms. Wang was of the opinion that Richmond is losing its rich farmland step by step when it should demonstrate its desire to be the most well managed City in the world by retaining its farmland.

Lynn Davis, 6591 Clematis Drive, was of the opinion that natural environments were not respected or well managed.  She stated that Richmond has a huge potential to attract tourists and new residents; however, such potential can only be achieved with a more inspired vision than that of the proposed development.

Mayor Brodie acknowledged the conclusion of the first round of public speakers.  There were no speakers wishing to address Council for a second time with new information.

PH13/10-10

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 8865; Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 8973; and Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 8864 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution No. PH13/10-10 was not called as discussion ensued regarding the merits of the application. Generally, members of Council supported the proposal in relation to it meeting the vision of the West Cambie Area Plan.  Council members opposed to the proposed development expressed concern with regard to the size of the development, and the loss of natural ESA land.  Council commented on the suggestion of an agricultural buffer and it was suggested that the matter be referred to staff.

The question on Resolution No. PH13/10-10 was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Au and Cllr. Steves opposed.

PH13/10-11

It was moved and seconded

That staff explore the potential for the provision of an agricultural buffer along Alderbridge Way and report back.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH13/10-12

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (10:27 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, November 18, 2013.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Acting Corporate Officer
City Clerk’s Office (Michelle Jansson)