February 17, 2014 - 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 Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Michelle Jansson, Acting Corporate Officer

Call to Order:

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

1.

Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9091 and Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9092 (RZ 13-645068)

(Location:  8555 Sea Island Way and 3031 No. 3 Road; Applicant:  JAK Group, DBA and DKJK Investments Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH14/2-1

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9091 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH14/2-2

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9092 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9094 (RZ 12-602748)

(Location:  13040 No. 2 Road; Applicant:  Kirk Yuen of Cape Construction (2001) Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to questions.

Written Submissions:

M. Youngman, Richmond resident (Schedule 1);

Virgil Lee, 13028 No. 2 Road (Schedule 2);

G. Jones, 6111 London Road (Schedule 3);

Neil Gnyp, 6233 London Road (Schedule 4);

Kathleen Beaumont, 6415 London Road (Schedule 5);

Carolyn Bratkowski, 6233 London Road (Schedule 6); and

Kira Cai, 7050 Granville Avenue (Schedule 7).

Submissions from the floor:

Katherine Covell, 6233 London Road, queried the long-term vision for London Landing, citing concerns with a lack of new infrastructure to accommodate all the development taking place in the neighbourhood.  She was of the opinion that chronic noise, traffic, dust, and stress anticipated to be caused by the proposed development would negatively impact the well-being of residents nearby.  Ms. Covell suggested that Richmond City Council impose a five-year moratorium on development, and that once the five year moratorium has passed, Council require developers to include park space and adequate separation between buildings as part of their projects.

Klaus Gade, 6233 London Road, spoke on behalf of owners of 6111, 6231, and 6233 London Road, citing concerns with the potential use of the cross-access easement for waste removal purposes.  He stated that below the cross-access easement is a parking structure that is currently damaged, and pending a warranty claim.  He stated that residents are concerned that use of the cross-access easement would further damage the parking structure, compromising its integrity and potentially voiding a repair warranty.

Mr. Gade, 6233 London Road, echoed concerns raised on behalf of owners of 6111, 6231, and 6233 London Road as they relate to the potential use of the cross-access easement; he suggested that the applicant reconfigure the proposed development so that the cross-access easement is not utilized for waste removal.  He cited concern with regard to the density of the proposed development, and the anticipated increase in traffic and how such factors would affect current residents.  Mr. Gade was of the opinion that the proposed contributions towards affordable housing, public art, and way-finding signage were not to the benefit of the community but instead the developer.

Dana Westermark, 13333 Princess Street, identified himself as the developer of the properties south of the proposed development (London Landing), and spoke of the cross-access easement.  He stated that the cross-access easement was intended to serve the proposed development and thus, identified in the disclosure statement provided to all owners of London Landing dwellings.  He commented on the pending warranty claim related to the damaged parking structure, and noted that should the parking structure be repaired, the repair works would carry a one year warranty.

Mr. Westermark then commented on the proposed development’s requirement to provide two loading bays, and was of the opinion that this requirement poses aesthetic challenges for project’s No. 2 Road façade.

Gabrielle Wood, 6233 London Road, expressed concern with regard to the potential use of the cross-access easement for waste removal purposes, noting that the structure is already damaged.

Deirdre Loughran, 6233 London Road, spoke of structural problems at 6233 London Road, stating that the Strata Corporation has been attempting to address these damages for years. Ms. Loughran was concerned that the potential use of the cross-access easement would further damage the structure.

Monika Romanowski, 6233 London Road, stated that she moved to Richmond from Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood due to the area’s traffic congestion and lack of privacy.  She commented on the damaged parking structure below the cross-access easement, and was of the opinion that use of the easement by the proposed development would only add to the existing damage.

Sabrina Jones, 6111 London Road, cited concern with regard to the proposed development as it relates to the potential loss of view, and its effect on her home’s resale value.  Also, Ms. Jones spoke of nesting birds on the roof of the building currently situated on the subject site; she requested that, prior to demolition of the building, the developer ensure that the nests are empty.

Michael Cober, 13028 No. 2 Road, raised concern with the proposed elevation of the main floor, noting that the architectural drawings indicate that there will be a 12.5 foot wall along the southern property line.  Also, he commented on excavations from past developments in the area, and was of the opinion that the relocation of the fill from said excavations along the dike have left 13028 No. 2 Road “in a hole.”

Brian Harris, 6233 London Road, was concerned about traffic in the area as it relates to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Kirk Yuen, Cape Construction (2001) Ltd., provided background information, highlighting that the proposed development adheres to the 2041 Official Community Plan and provides parking in excess of what is required by the City.  Also, Mr. Yuen stated that the requirement for two loading bays is onerous.

In relation to the anticipated use of the cross-access easement, Mr. Yuen stated that the developer is agreeable to contracting the same service provider for garbage collection as the one currently utilized by the adjacent Strata Corporation; thus, eliminating additional traffic over the cross-access easement.

In reply to queries from Council, Mr. Yuen commented on the anticipated use of the cross-access easement for garbage and recycling collection, noting that this configuration has the least impact on the existing adjacent building.  Also, he spoke of several road network enhancements anticipated along the subject site’s No. 2 Road frontage, such as curb and gutter improvements.

Tom Bell, Principal, gBL Architects Inc., spoke of the elevation of the main floor.  He explained that approximately five feet of the wall along the southern property line would be exposed, and that the adjacent property has an existing fence that exceeds the height of the proposed wall.

Mr. Bell commented on the concerns raised in regards to the potential use of the cross-access easement, noting that only a structural engineer is qualified to determine the structure’s soundness.

In reply to queries from Council, Mr. Bell listed the approximate setbacks for the proposed project and was of the opinion that they provide ample distance between the proposed project and existing buildings. 

Mr. Yuen indicated that Mr. Bell and he are available to meet with neighbours to discuss their concerns.

PH14/2-3

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9094 (RZ 12-602748)(Location:  13040 No. 2 Road; Applicant:  Kirk Yuen of Cape Construction (2001) Ltd.) be referred back to staff:

(1)

for more information on the notion of utilizing the same garbage contractor for the proposed project as the one currently utilized by the existing adjacent building;

(2)

to consider the necessity of the second loading bay and whether it can be mitigated or potentially eliminated; and

(3)

examination of the pathway through the adjacent property and to encourage discussion with the adjacent Strata Corporation regarding the soundness of the pathway.

The question on Resolution PH14/2-3 was not called as discussion ensued regarding the condition of No. 2 Road and privacy concerns raised by neighbourhood residents. 

As a result of the discussion, there was agreement to add the following to Resolution PH14/2-3 as Parts (4) and (5):

(4)

for more information about the need and timing of potential road improvements to No. 2 Road south of Steveston Highway; and

(5)

to examine potential privacy overlook issues associated with the proposed development.

The question on Resolution PH14/2-3, which now reads,

‘That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9094 (RZ 12-602748)(Location:  13040 No. 2 Road; Applicant:  Kirk Yuen of Cape Construction (2001) Ltd.) be referred back to staff:

(1)

for more information on the notion of utilizing the same garbage contractor for the proposed project as the one currently utilized by the existing adjacent building;

(2)

to consider the necessity of the second loading bay and whether it can be mitigated or potentially eliminated;

(3)

to examine the pathway through the adjacent property and to encourage discussion with the adjacent Strata Corporation regarding the soundness of the pathway;

(4)

for more information about the need and timing of potential road improvements to No. 2 Road south of Steveston Highway; and

(5)

to examine potential privacy overlook issues associated with the proposed development.’

was then called and it was CARRIED.

3.

Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9095 (RZ 13-632272)

(Location:  11320/11340 Kingsgrove Avenue; Applicant:  Samuel Yau)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH14/2-4

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9095 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

4.

Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9096 (RZ 13-647241)

(Location:  5771/5791 Langtree Avenue; Applicant:  Raman Kooner and Robbie Sharda)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to questions.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH14/2-5

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9096 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH14/2-6

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:27 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, February 17, 2014.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

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