November 19, 2018 - Minutes

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Kelly Greene
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Linda McPhail
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Claudia Jesson, Acting Corporate Officer

Call to Order:

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

1.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9857 (RZ 17-775098)
(Location:  11951 Woodhead Road; Applicant:  Jagson Investments Ltd.)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH18/10-1

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9857 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe

2.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9930 (RZ 18-821823)
(Location:  3440/3460 Blundell Road; Applicant:  Melissa Balback)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH18/10-2

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9930 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAWS 7100 AND 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAW 9892
(Location:  6551 No. 3 Road; Applicant:  GBL Architects)

Applicant’s Comments:

With the aid of renderings (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) the Applicant presented an overview of the proposed project and provided the following information:

§   

the project focuses on 5 key community objectives: connect the city centre grid, expand Richmond’s open space amenities, revitalize the city centre retail destination, integrate a variety of housing options, and sustainability;

§   

new road, pedestrian and cyclist connections and improvements  will be provided;

§   

the site will be a mobility hub for alternative modes of transport;

§   

a park plaza will enhance the city’s open space amenities and provide an area for seasonal events;

§   

an increase in retail area is proposed with an outdoor concept;

§   

a variety of housing options is proposed to accommodate various demographics within the city;

§   

the proposed site is designed to reduce carbon impact; and

§   

a phased implementation allows for continued use of the shopping centre while construction is underway.

Written Submissions:

(a)

John Roston, 12262 Ewen Avenue (Schedule 1)

(b)

Michelle Johnson, Richmond resident (Schedule 2)

(c)

Sandra Shewchuk, Richmond resident (Schedule 3)

(d)

Eunjoo Lee, Richmond resident (Schedule 4)

(e)

Michelle Li, Richmond resident (Schedule 5)

(f)

Don Flintoff, 6071 Dover Road (Schedule 6)

(g)

Deirdre Whalen, 13631 Blundell Road (Schedule 7)

(h)

Catherine Kon (Schedule 8)

Submissions from the floor:

Erika Simm, 4991 Westminster Highway, expressed concern with the proposed development and read from her submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 9).

De Whalen, 13631 Blundell Road, expressed concern with regard to insufficient rental housing provided by the proposed development and read from her submission (attached to and forming part of these Minutes as Schedule 7).  

John Roston, 12262 Ewen Avenue, referenced a chart in his submission that illustrates housing data from 2011 and 2017, which denotes that over 5000 households are not eligible for below market rental housing yet are spending 50% or more of household income on housing and are at risk of becoming homeless. He was of the opinion that there is a demand for rental housing for individuals that work in Richmond and millennial’s that cannot afford to move out of their parent’s houses. Mr. Roston advised that the City Centre is the ideal place for market rental housing as it is close to the Canada Line and other essential amenities. He urged Council to consider the new legislation brought forward by the Province and require all future developments to include market rental housing.  

Don Flintoff, 6071 Dover Road, queried (i) whether the district energy is geo-exchange or geo-thermal (ii) that unless the District Energy Unit (DEU) is turned over to the City, no building permit will be issued; and (iii) if the DEU supplies 70% of the energy, where will the remaining 30% be made up. He noted that electric energy is cleaner, more cost effective for the taxpayers and the city.

In response to queries, Peter Russell, Senior Manager, Sustainability and District Energy, advised that (i) at the current stage the proponent has recommended a certain type of technology to achieve the 7% low carbon requirement, (ii) a number of options are being considered including air source heat pumps and geo-exchange, (iii) during the building permit stage the DEU will be transferred to the Lulu Island Energy Company, (iv) costs are covered by the proponent, (v) the 70% is a base load requirement that supplies energy for the bulk of the duration of the year and topped off using boilers.

Niti Sharma, Richmond resident, expressed concern with regard to affordability of homes in Richmond and noted that this is an opportunity for Council to ask the developer to put in some bold initiatives to tie density into affordability into the city. She was of the opinion that the City requires more multi-bedroom units as it is in short supply. Ms. Sharma then suggested that any future developments in the City Centre be required to contribute towards a school to accommodate the increase in families. She urged Council to request the developers to change the proposed plan to include more affordable housing.  

Mayor Brodie acknowledged the conclusion of the first round of public speakers.  One speaker then addressed Council for a second time with new information.

Erika Simm, 4991 Westminster Highway, spoke of density trade-offs and was of the opinion that this development is overbuilt, and that Council needs to consider the needs of the residents.

Discussion took place on the (i) requirements for market rental housing in Richmond, (ii) new Provincial Legislation on Residential Rental Tenure Zoning, (iii) benefits of the current proposal, and (iv) segregation of the units.

In reply to queries from Committee, Wayne Craig, Director, Development, advised that (i) Richmond is one of the few municipalities that requires affordable housing in developments, (ii) staff have been directed by Council to provide more information on Residential Rental Tenure Zoning and will report back in 2019, (iii) every application is reviewed on  its own merits, however this project is unique in that it provides for sale units, market rental units and affordable housing, and (iv) as part of the City’s affordable housing review, the non-profit organizations that manage the affordable housing units, have noted that it is more feasible to cluster affordable housing units to ensure proper maintenance and to provide appropriate amenity spaces for programs tailored to needs of tenants.

Discussion took place on the current policy for market rental units and the need for more to accommodate the various residents in Richmond.

As a result the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the Application be referred back to staff to identify options that would achieve 10% for market rental units, including assessment of parking, and that staff further review the pros and cons of stratification of market housing.

The question on the referral motion was not called as discussion took place regarding (i) densification, (ii) the need for more rental housing in Richmond, (iii) a parking assessment in relation to the potential increase in market rental units, and (iv) a soil assessment.

Mr. Craig advised that staff can provide Council with the terms of reference of the geotechnical report requirements.

Discussion further took place and the timeline for the proposed referral motion was reviewed and as a result there was agreement to withdraw the referral motion.

As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced:

PH18/10-3

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Council consideration of Official Community Plan Bylaws 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 9892 be deferred to the December 17, 2018 Public Hearing scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Richmond City Hall; and

(2)

That staff identify options that would achieve 10% for market rental units, including assessment of parking, and that staff further review the pros and cons of stratification of market housing and report back to the next Public Hearing accordingly.

CARRIED
Opposed: Cllr. Loo

ADJOURNMENT

PH18/10-4

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (8:42 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 19, 2018.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Acting Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)