Planning Committee Meeting Minutes - August 22, 2000

Date:

Tuesday, August 22, 2000

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Malcolm Brodie, Chair

Councillor Bill McNulty, Vice-Chair

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.

1.

It was moved and seconded

That item 9 on the agenda, Guidelines for Managing the City's Public Art Collection (e.g. Modification, Relocation, or Change in the Ownership of City Owned Art Work), be deleted.

CARRIED

MINUTES

1.

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, July 18, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

3.

(Report: August 10/00, File No.: 2025-20-005) (REDMS No. 171332)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, gave a brief synopsis of the report and then deferred to Holger Burke, Development Coordinator, who had prepared the comprehensive report.

Councillor McNulty opened discussion on this issue by seeking clarification of the specific requests FSR & FA had made to Council in June.

Gretchen Harlow then came forward and thanked the Committee for their consideration. Ms. Harlow pointed out that not only had this been a "long and painful process" but also a costly ($100,000) one.

Ms. Harlow advised that approximately two thirds of the residents of the 18 - 20 dwellings in the Slough own their dwelling, the remainder would be tenants. The status of the Statement of Claim is unclear as the Fraser Port Authority has not yet responded to the Claim. A time frame for this has not yet been given. Ms. Harlow said the FSR & FA are working towards an agreement with Mr. Smith, however, the process is slow and it is hard to judge Mr. Smiths timeframe. When asked if there has been communication from Mr. Smith since the June meeting, Ms. Harlow said that she has been in conversation with him, during which Mr. Smith verbally agreed to consider an offer. The Association is in the process of preparing this offer. Ms. Harlow said she considers the staff recommendation to be fair at this point of the process.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated August 10, 2000 responding to the referral request from the June 6, 2000 Planning Committee meeting regarding Finn Slough be received and that the Finn Slough Residents & Fishermen's Association be advised that the City will not take any further action on their request dated May 23, 2000 until the tenure issues at Finn Slough are resolved.

CARRIED

4.

RZ 99 170124 (Report: August 9/00, File No.: 8060-20-7153) (REDMS No. 163391, 168259)

The staff report was summarized by the Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg and then a discussion amongst the Committee members and staff ensued.

Councillor Greenhill, noted that the applicant has submitted preliminary house designs that are within the .55 base floor area ratio, and questioned setbacks. Mr. Erceg responded that the front yard area is 6 metres, however, although the rear yard setback is 6 metres, use of the back yard area would be limited due to the driveway.

Councillor Greenhill then stated she would be voting against this recommendation due to the current zoning of this area - while the proposed housing is of reasonable size the outside space is limited.

Councillor Steves asked if the space was similar to Yoshida Court, at which point the General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan said that Garry Corner would be a closer example.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7153, for the rezoning of 7031 Bridge Street from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area A (R1/A)", be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

OPPOSED: Cllr. Greenhill

5.

RZ 00-173437 (Report: July 18/00, File No.: 8060-20-7152) (REDMS No. 166759, 167429)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, detailed the report.

Ms. Joanne Pulis, 10611 McLennan Place, next door to the property, then addressed the Committee. She is concerned that the proposed lot size and design are not consistent with current properties in this area, and that the front yard area is limited.

Upon questioning from the Committee, Mr. Erceg said that the setbacks in the front will be a minimum 6 metres and in all probability more due to the "pie" shape of the lots. Drainage issues would be addressed as part of the subdivision and building permits, ensuring that existing lots are not affected by drainage from the proposed site.

Councillor Greenhill advised the delegate of the process to public hearing on this issue.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7152, for the rezoning of 10595 McLennan Place from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area D (R1/D)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area B (R1/B)", be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

6.

(Report: July 4/00, File No.: RZ 00-084689) (REDMS No. 157247, 157223, 125423, 154542, 157154, 163061)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, summarized the report. Holger Burke, Development Coordinator, then provided a presentation to the Committee which clarified the surrounding areas ownership, a number of unconstructed road right of ways in the area and the lots with access to current roads. The majority of the surrounding lands are not being farmed at present.

Inderjeet Dha and her daughter, Jublee Dha, then submitted a written response (a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms part of these Minutes) to Committee and staff which identified their objections to the report and process thus far.

Mrs. Dha questioned the logic applied to the McMorran subdivision as opposed to her lot. She said her lot is heavily treed in the rear portion and the soil is unsuitable for agriculture.

A discussion then ensued around the history of this property and the prior actions of council. Mr. Erceg noted the servicing requirements and costs if the application proceeds, and Mr. Burke referred to the applicants understanding of this.

It was moved and seconded

That the application for the rezoning of 7931 McLennan Avenue from "Agricultural District (AG1)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)" be denied.

Prior to the question being called possible options for viable farm use of this property were discussed. Several Committee members had viewed the property, and concern was expressed that farming on the site may not be viable.

Concern, however, was also expressed for creating a precedent by deterring from policy.

Councillor Steves said that Mr. and Mrs. Dha could lease out their portion of land or lease other property adjoining theirs. He also said that greenhouses, permanent or portable depending upon soil quality, or blueberries would be an option for this property, noting that most farms in BC do not make 100% of their income from farming.

The question was then called and the recommendation was DEFEATED ON A TIED VOTE.

OPPOSED: Cllr. Greenhill
Steves

7.

RZ 00-086361, 00-175145, 00-177323, 00-178555 (Report: July 25/00, File No.: 8060-20-7155) (REDMS No. 170750, 174769)

The Manager, Land Use, Terry Crowe briefly reviewed the report. Jenny Beran, Planner, distributed a set of 3 maps (a copy of which is attached as Schedule 2 and forms part of these Minutes) to the Committee and staff. Ms. Beran then asked that the word "major" be removed from the phrase "major arterial road" in both items of the recommendation.

Councillor Brodie questioned the lack of inclusion of the area west of No. 1 Road. The General Manager, Urban Development said that this area has very limited access, and involves more collector traffic. Cllr. Brodie then noted that this area could be included if necessary.

Mr. John Lackner, 7620 No. 3 Road, expressed his desire that Section 702 of the Zoning Bylaw be amended so that owners of large lots can subdivide into smaller lots. Mr. Lackner and his brother own property on Railway Avenue and have spent in excess of $50,000 to conform to City requirements for subdivision. They are not interested in their property being used for townhouse development, preferring to see it used for smaller, heritage type homes.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Bylaw 7155 to amend Section 702 of the Zoning Bylaw, in order that:

(a)

rezoning applications to create smaller single family lots along arterial roads be reviewed independently of the Lot Size Policy and process unless the applicable Lot Size Policy has been adopted within the previous five years, and

(b)

where there is a rezoning application to create smaller single family lots along arterial roads that is inconsistent with an existing Lot Size Policy, that has been in place for over five years, the blockface which is the subject of the rezoning application may be removed from the Lot Size Policy area in conjunction with the consideration of the rezoning application.

be introduced and given first reading.

(2)

That the rezoning applications at 9511 No. 2 Road, 8571 No. 2 Road, 9046 Railway Avenue and 7320 & 7340 No. 2 Road be reviewed on their own merits, independent of the Lot Size Policy, as outlined in the attached report from the Manager, Land Use dated July 25th, 2000.

CARRIED

8.

(Report: July 31/00, File No.: 8350-05) (REDMS No. 163417)

The Supervisor, Property Use and Inspections, Bob Lang, and Property Use Inspector, Ron Graham were available to answer questions from the Committee.

Cllr. Greenhill asked if soil was put on site during the term of the last two permits. Mr. Graham responded that it had, however, more soil is required to allow completion of the project. Mr. Lang added that this site, generally speaking, has complied to City requirements.

It was moved and seconded

That Council authorize the issuance of a Soil Conservation Permit to Jagbar Farms Ltd. to allow fill to be placed generally on a property described as the NW corner of 19740 River Road.

CARRIED

MANAGERs REPORTs

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, reported to the Committee on a land assembly proposal.

Mr. McLellan also advised that re-consideration has been requested in regard to pool hall hours at #110 - 3311 No. 3 Road. Mr. McLellan advised he intends to respond that, due to the numerous requests involved for this venue, no re-consideration would be given. Committee discussion determined that there is a lack of policy for dealing with repeated requests such as these.

Mr. McLellan advised the Committee that Mr. Knapp has called the city requesting information and support for a Convertible Housing Zone.

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg advised the Committee of agenda items for the next meeting. The Sungold racetrack application is still scheduled for the September 19 Planning Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:38 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, August 22, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Chair

Deborah J. MacLennan

Administrative Assistant