September 6, 2016 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Derek Dang
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves

David Weber, Corporate Officer

Call to Order:

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

1.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9498 (RZ 14-662864)
(Location:  10644 Railway Avenue; Applicant:  Farzana and Trilochan Khokhar)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

Discussion:

In response to queries from Council, staff advised:

§   

the application complies with the current Zoning Bylaw; and

§   

the design of the coach house includes a balcony that faces the rear lane.

In response to a question from Council, the applicant confirmed their willingness to remove the balcony from the coach house. Staff advised that the drawing formed part of the application, and could be revised to remove the balcony on the instruction of Council.

There was discussion on the need for a City-wide policy on coach house balconies to ensure consistency. It was noted that a referral has already been made to staff requesting an investigation on single-family homes and coach house balconies. Staff confirmed that the report would be submitted to the Planning Committee in the fall of 2016.

PH16/8-1

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9498 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Day

2.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9547 (RZ 14-676714)
(Location:  7260 Westminster Highway; Applicant:  GBL Architects, on behalf of Trans-Pacific Business Corporation, Inc. No. 33797)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Candy Lok, 803 – 7373 Westminster Highway (Schedule 1)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH16/8-2

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9547 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9563 (RZ 15-709884)
(Location:  8620 Railway Avenue; Applicant:  1037533 BC Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Lily Chen, 8666 Railway Avenue (Schedule 2)

(b)

Chung Hei Shan, 8668 Railway Avenue (Schedule 3)

(c)

Kelvin Chang, 8688 Railway Avenue (Schedule 4)

(d)

Kelly Chang, 8688 Railway Avenue (Schedule 5)

(e)

Lin Wan Chang, 8688 Railway Avenue (Schedule 6)

(f)

Linna Lee, 8688 Railway Avenue (Schedule 7)

(g)

Eleanor Chan, 8651 Calder Road (Schedule 8)

(h)

Kok Ching Chan, 8631 Calder Road (Schedule 9)

(i)

Sheila Chan, Jason Wong and Janice Wong, 8686 Railway Avenue (Schedule 10)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

Discussion:

In response to queries from Council, staff advised:

§   

the current zoning is specific to the site;

§   

an independent traffic study was not undertaken, however the traffic impacts were reviewed by the Transportation Division;

§   

any requirements for increases in the frequency of public transit will be monitored and TransLink will be advised accordingly;

§   

the applicant has proposed a number of frontage improvements;

§   

there is close proximity to community amenities;

§   

future development of the area will be informed by the future Arterial Road Policy;

§   

all townhouse developments are subject to a development permit at which the “character” issue could be addressed;

§   

the lane will be widened and the townhouse access will be provided through the lane from Railway Avenue; and

§   

turning restrictions are not proposed for this development.

Council noted that three of the 17 proposed townhouse units are affordable rental housing units, one of which is on grade and could accommodate residents who have accessibility challenges. It was noted that the developer has proposed an affordable housing ratio of 15%, which exceeds the 5% ratio required under current policy.

PH16/8-3

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9563 be given second and third readings.

The question on Resolution No. PH16/8-3 was not called as an amendment to the motion was presented.

It was moved and seconded

That the proposal and rezoning considerations be amended to restrict turns to right in/right out.

Discussion ensued on the proposed amendment. It was noted that turning restrictions would reduce traffic congestion and the potential for vehicular accidents. In response to a query from Council, staff confirmed that the City has the ability to impose turning restrictions to and from the lane, at a future date.

The question on the amendment motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, Councillors Au, Dang, Loo, McNulty, McPhail, Johnston and Steves opposed.

The question on the main motion (Resolution No. PH16/8-3) for second and third reading of Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9563 was then called and it was CARRIED with Councillor Day opposed.

4.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9571 (RZ 15-704505)
(Location:  11920/11940 Dunavon Place; Applicant:  Trendsetter Homes Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH16/8-4

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9571 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9577 (RZ 15-710083)
(Location:  9351 No. 1 Road; Applicant:  0870068 BC Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was not present.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH16/8-5

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9577 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9582 (RZ 15-701879)
(Location:  9460 Williams Road; Applicant:  Sansaar Investments Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Edward Wong, 10100 Severn Drive (Schedule 11)

Submissions from the floor:

Edward Wong, 10100 Severn Drive, commented that he initiated the petition objecting to the application and he ceased his efforts to obtain signatures when 100 signatures had been collected.

In response to questions from Council, Mr. Wong advised:

§   

the petition signatories expressed concern that the development would result in increased property taxes, the creation of unaffordable homes, increased traffic and the requirement to move the Telus panel from the property;

§   

the signatories would likely be willing to attend a meeting with the applicant to discuss their concerns; and

§   

he prefers that the setback of the current home be retained.

Harjit Sandhu, 10691 Dennis Crescent, spoke in support of the application and commented that subdividing the property would result in the construction of two smaller homes, which would add to the supply of affordable housing through the creation of two secondary suites. Mr. Sandhu noted that the current setbacks would be retained.

Discussion:

In response to queries from Council, staff advised:

§   

the current zoning allows for the construction of a single-family home of approximately 3,800 square feet if the property was not subdivided;

§   

the construction of two smaller homes would be permitted if the property was subdivided;

§   

approximately 20 townhouse units could be constructed if four properties were assembled;

§   

the side yard setback would be retained if one large home was constructed; and

§   

the City generally does not permit rezoning within a subdivision; the application is being considered because it fronts an arterial road.

In response to questions from Council, Mr. Wong advised:

§   

an unfavourable precedent could be set for the neighbourhood if the property was subdivided and two compact homes were constructed;

§   

he would be opposed to the construction of multi-family housing in the area; and

§   

the petition signatories were not aware of the potential for construction of a townhouse development.

Council noted the need for the developer and staff to meet with the residents to ensure that accurate information is provided.

Staff confirmed that if a public meeting were to be scheduled, a report back to the Planning Committee would be required, resulting in the delay of the consideration of the application to the November 2016 Public Hearing or later. Alternatively, the application could be deferred to the October 2016 Public Hearing.

Council noted that the concerns raised in the petition have been addressed and the residents had been given an opportunity to provide input during the consultation on the Arterial Road Policy. It was further noted that a petition supporting the application has also been provided to Council.

PH16/8-6

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9582 be referred to staff for additional consultation.

DEFEATED
Opposed: Mayor Brodie,
Cllrs. Au,
Dang,
Loo,
McNulty,
McPhail,
Johnston,
and Steves

PH16/8-7

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9582 be deferred to the October 2016 Public Hearing.

DEFEATED
Opposed: Mayor Brodie
Cllrs. Dang,
Loo,
McNulty,
Johnston,
and Steves

PH16/8-8

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9582 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllrs. Au and Day

7.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9583 (RZ 15-705932)
(Location:  6700/6720 No. 1 Road; Applicant:  Westmark Developments Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Stella Au Young, 11431 Seaport Avenue (Schedule 12)

(b)

Hailin He and Xuehang He, #9 – 6511 No. 1 Road (Schedule 13)

Councillor Steves left the meeting.

Submissions from the floor:

Pier Vassura, 6680 No. 1 Road, requested that the trees along the property be retained. Staff assured the resident that the trees would be preserved.

PH16/8-9

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9583 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Councillor Steves returned to the meeting.

8.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9584 (RZ 14-672762)
(Location:  12040 No. 5 Road; Applicant: Haydenco Holdings Ltd)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

(a)

Shannon Schneider, 12060 No. 5 Road (Schedule 14)

Submissions from the floor:

None.

Discussion:

In response to questions from Council, the applicant advised:

§   

annual noise tests are performed; and

§   

his business has been located at the current premises since 2009.

Staff confirmed that there have been no noise complaints with respect to the subject property.

PH16/8-10

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9584 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Agenda Varied:

The order of the Agenda was amended to consider Item 10 prior to Item 9.

10.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9592 (RZ 14-665028)
(Location:  5960 No. 6 Road; Applicant:  8572534 Canada Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH16/8-11

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9592 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

Agenda Varied:

The order of the Agenda was now resumed.

9.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9591 (REGULATION OF SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN GROCERY STORES)
(Location:  City-wide; Applicant:  City of Richmond)

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Councillor McPhail declared to be in a conflict of interest as her husband has and interest in a Liquor Establishment, and Councillor McPhail left the meeting and did not return – 8:28 p.m.

Applicant’s Comments:

None.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH16/8-12

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9591 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH16/8-13

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9591 be adopted.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH16/8-14

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:30 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting for Public Hearings of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer
(David Weber)