June 15, 2015 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Acting Mayor Alexa Loo
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

Michelle Jansson, Acting Corporate Officer

Absent:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Call to Order:

Acting Mayor Loo opened the proceedings at 7:00 p.m.

1.

RICHMOND OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAWS 7100 AND 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9121 (WEST CAMBIE AREA PLAN)
(Location:  9071, 9091, 9111, and 9151 Alexandra Road and 9100, 9120, 9140, and 9180 Cambie Road and 4060, 4080, 4100, 4120, 4126, 4140, 4160, 4180, 4220, 4240, 4260, 4280, 4320, 4360, 4380, 4400, 4420, 4440, 4460, 4480, 4500, 4520, 4540, 4542, 4560, and 4562 Garden City Road and 9060, 9080, 9086, 9091, 9100, 9131, 9151, 9180, and 9191 Odlin Road; Applicant:  City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, advised that the intent of the proposed amendment is to modify an approximate 16-acre area of the West Cambie Area Plan from an employment use designation to a mixed use designation of 30% employment use and 70% residential use.  He further advised that the employment use will be better served closer to the Canada Line in the City Centre and that the City’s requirement for 5% built affordable housing will increase to 15% to allow for approximately 120 built rental units within the area.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Richmond School District No. 38 (Schedule 1)

(b)

Vancouver Airport Authority (Schedule 2)

(c)

Alvina Lee, 9299 Tomicki Avenue (Schedule 3)

(d)

V. Sidhu, 9211 Odlin Road (Schedule 4)

(e)

Caroline Shi, 9299 Tomicki Ave (Schedule 5)

(f)

Jess Nyman, 2800 Odlin Road (Schedule 6)

(g)

Greg Megrian, 4591 Garden City Road (Schedule 7)

Submissions from the floor:

Mr. Sangha, property owner, 4560 and 4562 Garden City Road, supported the proposed amendment but raised concerns related to traffic in the area and the completion and costs associated with the proposed road for the SmartCentre development.

PH15/6-1

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaws 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9121 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH15/6-2

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaws 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9121 be adopted.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-2 was not called as in reply to a queries from Council, Mr. Crowe noted that the Aircraft Noise Sensitive Development Policy Area map, developed in collaboration with the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA) in 2004, prohibits new residential housing in areas 1A and 1B; however, new residential housing may be considered in areas 2, 3 and 4 subject to the implementation of noise mitigation measures and covenants.

Mr. Crowe commented that the VAA is bound by Transport Canada guidelines and as such, a standard response letter was provided to the City (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2); however, the VAA recognizes the City’s authority regarding land use matters and its responsibility to apply noise mitigation measures and covenants for any development within the area.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-2 was then called and it was CARRIED.

2.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9206 (RZ 14-664658)
(Location:  7331 Williams Road; Applicant:  Amrik S. Sanghera)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was not available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

Ella Chrobak, 3031 Williams Road, spoke to concerns related to parking, emergency vehicle access, and the size of the residential units for the proposed development.

Wayne Craig, Director of Development, advised that both properties will have vehicle access from the rear lane while emergency vehicles will stage from Williams Road.  Also, he noted that the size of the residential units would be determined by the subject zoning, which allows a floor area ratio of 0.6 (60% lot area coverage) or a maximum size of approximately 355 m² (2,200 ft²) per dwelling with parking garages off the rear lane.

In response to a query from Council, the Acting Corporate Officer confirmed that the Notice of Public Hearing was provided to seven properties on Bates Road and that no correspondence was received from the residents.

PH15/6-3

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9206 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9207 (RZ 14-676660)
(Location:  3600/3620 Blundell Road; Applicant:  Trico Developments (B.C.) Inc.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH15/6-4

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9207 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-4 was not called as in reply to a query from Council, the Acting Corporate Officer confirmed that the Notice of Public Hearing was provided to seven properties on Bairdmore Crescent.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-4 was then called and it was CARRIED.

4.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9210 AND RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9211 (RZ 13-630280)
(Location:  13751 and 13851 Steveston Highway, 10651 No. 6 Road, a Portion of 13760 Steveston Highway and a Portion of the Road Allowance Adjacent to and north of 13760 Steveston Highway; Applicant:  Steveston No. 6 LP)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

William Evans, 10440 Sidaway Road (Schedule 8)

(b)

Memorandum from the Director of Development dated June 11, 2015 and related correspondence from Ledcor Properties Inc. dated May 26, 2015 (Schedule 9)

(c)

Darshan Rangi, 14200 Riverport Way (Schedule 10)

(d)

Gabrielle Grun (Schedule 11)

Submissions from the floor:

Robert Light, 10751 Palmberg Road, spoke in opposition to the proposed development expressing concerns regarding (i) traffic impacts, (ii) site ingress and egress, (iii) the lack of City facilities, parks and open spaces in the area, and (iv) the need for traffic lights at the intersection at No. 6 Road and Steveston Highway.

Mr. Wei commented that the road improvements associated with the proposed development include (i) the widening of Steveston Highway to four lanes from the site frontage to Palmberg Road, (ii) the centre median on Steveston Highway being revised to allow left-hand turns into the site, and (iii) the widening of No. 6 Road to permit both right and left-hand turns into the development.  He further commented that, in conjunction with the Massey Bridge Replacement project and Steveston Interchange improvements, the City will be widening Steveston Highway to four lanes from Palmberg Road to the Steveston interchange.

In response to a query from Council, Mr. Light was of the view that (i) the development of a cloverleaf interchange would improve traffic in the area, and (ii) a previous proposal to connect Rice Mill Road to Steveston Highway was not supported by the Agricultural Land Commission.

In reply to a query from Council, Mr. Wei advised that staff have requested the Ministry of Transportation to consider turning restrictions to ease the traffic congestion in the area; however, the Ministry expressed the opinion that to do so may result in congestion elsewhere.

Council requested that staff correspond with the Province to request turning restrictions at the Steveston Highway interchange.

In response to queries from Council, Mr. Wei stated that the road improvements required for the proposed development are independent from the proposed George Massey Tunnel and Steveston Highway Interchange improvements; however, the provincial improvements will compliment the required site improvements.

Deborah Hamel, 10771 Gilmore Crescent, queried whether the proposed rezoning is removing the subject property from an agricultural zone designation.

Mr. Craig noted that the subject property is currently zoned “Athletics and Entertainment.”

Peter Joyce, Bunt & Associates, the applicant’s traffic consultant, advised that a comprehensive traffic impact assessment was conducted in conjunction with the proposed development, which examined peak traffic conditions and the bypass effect of a substantial volume of traffic using Steveston Highway and No. 6 Road/Sidaway Road as a means to access Highway 99.  He was of the opinion that the proposed Steveston Highway interchange improvements will address the traffic queues on Steveston Highway and that the proposed light industrial zoning will generate less vehicular traffic than the existing zoning.

In reply to a query from Council, Mr. Craig commented that the approximately 15-metres of agricultural land buffer associated with the proposed development is a condition of the City’s Official Community Plan and that the details for the treatment of the buffer area will be provided during the Development Permit process.

PH15/6-5

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9210 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-5 was not called as discussion ensued on the merits of the proposed development particularly regarding the proposed road improvements to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

Council advised staff to examine the need for the installation of a traffic light for the left-hand turn from Steveston Highway with the applicant.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-5 was then called and it was CARRIED.

PH15/6-6

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9211 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9237 (ZT 15-691748)
(Location:  10311 River Drive; Applicant:  Parc Riviera Project Inc.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

Deborah Hamel, 10771 Gilmore Crescent and 10660 River Drive, requested clarification on the proposed development in relation to a previous rezoning and raised concern for the poor condition of River Road.

Mr. Craig advised that the proposed rezoning will allow for the subdivision of the lot in order for a portion of the site to be developed; however, the overall intent remains the same as the previous rezoning.  Also, he advised that, prior to any construction of the site, a Development Permit would be required.  It was noted that the City’s 2015 Capital Budget included a Parking Program allocation and that the concern raised may be considered by the City’s Engineering Department.

In reply to a query from Council, Mr. Craig commented that the interior noise level decibels (page PH-223) are the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation standards and that the levels apply to all development under the flight path.  He further commented that Development Permit requirements include (i) acoustical studies from professional engineers demonstrating how the interior noise levels will be achieved, and (ii) the hiring of a mechanical engineer to demonstrate that the units will be comfortable during the summer months with the windows closed.

PH15/6-7

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9237 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-7 was not called as in reply to a query from Council, Mr. Craig stated that the City’s Engineering staff would provide Council with an update on the paving in the River Road area.  Council directed that staff also provide an update to Ms. Hamel.

Discussion ensued regarding the park dedication and the affordable housing contribution to which Mr. Craig advised that approximately six acres was dedicated for two separate parks during the original rezoning application, and that the proposed affordable housing contribution is earmarked for the Storey’s project on Granville Avenue.

The question on Resolution PH15/6-7 was then called and it was CARRIED.

6.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9245 (ZT 15-694669)
(Location:  5600 Parkwood Crescent; Applicant:  Ryan Cowell, on behalf of 0737974 B.C. Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH15/6-8

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9245 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH15/6-9

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (7:57 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, June 15, 2015.

Acting Mayor (Alexa Loo)

Acting Corporate Officer
(Michelle Jansson)