Date:

Tuesday, October 3, 2000

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Malcolm Brodie, Chair

Councillor Bill McNulty, Vice-Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

1.

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, September 19, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

2.

The next Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2000.

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, introduced three new staff members of the Planning Department to the Committee.  Rob Innes, Community Planner 2, Janet Lee, Community Planner 2, and Stuart Jones, Planner Analyst, were all welcomed to the City by the Committee. 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

3.

Application by John J. Volrich, on behalf of Pritam Singh Basi, for Rezoning at 11140 Westminster Highway from Agricultural District (AG1) to Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)

(RZ 00-173715 - Report:  July 4/00, File No.:  RZ 00-173715) (REDMS No. 163100)

Joe Erceg briefly reviewed the report.  Development Coordinator, Holger Burke, then referred to a map of the area and an aerial photograph.  This material identified the distribution of houses in the area, the vacant lots on Westminster Highway, areas being farmed, the properties that have frontage with road right of ways and those properties that could be in a position to apply for similar rezoning.  Also identified were the lots that would require ALR approval for subdivision.

During the brief discussion that ensued it was clarified that Mr. Basi also owns the lot in behind the lot in question and that this property is farmed.  Other potential R1/F lots were identified and the road access to the lots was determined.

Mr. John Volrich then spoke to the Committee.  He stated that he did not feel the application is contrary to the OCP guidelines.  He felt that no land policies should be cast in stone in that there should be an opportunity for reasonable exceptions.  There is no financial gain for Mr. Basi in this application as the intent is that his son will build a home on the property.  Mr. Volrich referred to a home being built 3 lots away from Mr. Basi’s property, acknowledging that the subdivision of the property happened some time ago, but requesting fairness for Mr. Basi, who had not been prepared at that time to request a similar subdivision.

Mr. Volrich questioned whether the issue of precedence had any real bearing on the circumstances before the Committee.  He felt the issue should go to Public Hearing in order that residents could be heard on the issue and its affects on them.

A discussion then ensued on whether the previous bylaws would have permitted this type of subdivision request.  Mr. Burke noted that a boundary realignment is the only subdivision that has taken place since the McLennan Sub Area Plan went into effect.  Cllr. Steves asked if it would be possible for staff to obtain the documentation of 1977-1987 when 24 applications for ALR exclusion were reviewed by Council.

It was moved and seconded

That the application for the rezoning of 11140 Westminster Highway from “Agricultural District (AG1)” to “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)” be denied.

Prior to the question being called another discussion amongst the Committee members took place during which the number of possible applications for subdivision was noted.  Also noted was the difficulty in distinguishing and preventing future applications for rezoning or subdivision.  It was recommended that staff reports in future reflect the sanitary sewer service issues in this area. 

The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

The Chair then asked for a staff response on the following:

            Ø the number of petitioners in the same position as Mr. Basi

            Ø the previous applications for subdivision in the immediate area

Ø the previous subdivision history indicating when other lot boundaries were set

Ø with respect to the lots adjacent to the unconstructed road – are they owned by the same people who have frontage

Ø which areas are on sewer and which have septic tanks

4.

Application by Tomizo Yamamoto Architect Inc. for Rezoning at 7600 and 7620 St. Albans Road from Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E, (R1/E) to Townhouse and Apartment District (R3)

(RZ 00-175356 - Report:  September 14/00, File No.:  8060-20-7163) (REDMS No. 187255, 187131, 187232)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, summarized the report.  He said that the requested R3 zoning is consistent with the OCP and that minor variances would be required for setbacks.  Suzanne Carter-Huffman then introduced Mr. Yamamoto who displayed drawings of the proposal for the Committee members.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7163, for the rezoning of 7600 and 7620 St. Albans Road from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)” to “Townhouse and Apartment District (R3)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

5.

Application by John Lackner for Rezoning at 9046 Railway Avenue from Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E) to Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area B (R1/B)

(RZ 00-177323 - Report:  September 18/00, File No.:  8060-20-7170) (REDMS No. 182517, 188976, 188983)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, stated that this was a straightforward application that should be determined on its own merit.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7170, for the rezoning of 9046 Railway Avenue from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)” to “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area B (R1/B)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

At this point, Councillor McNulty addressed the issue of Steveston parking asking that the area be examined for an opportunity to free up space that is currently being used by individuals for personal storage.

Cllr. Steves said he had done a walk around and identified at least 100 potential parking spots, 50 on lanes and 50 on road rights-of-way.  He asked if Bylaw Officers could research the lanes and if some of the gravel lanes could be paved.

Cllr. Barnes then said that the whole area needs to be referred to staff for an assessment of potential parking spaces.

The General Manager, David McLellan, responded by saying that direction had already been given on the first issue and that staff is investigating this complex issue.

No direction has been received on the other issues at present.

Cllr. Brodie requested general comments on the curb protrusions on Moncton Street.

Cllr. McNulty questioned the status of the City’s parking fund and the original intent to purchase the lot at No. 1 Road and Moncton St. for a parkade.  Mr. McLellan responded that minimal funds have been collected in the last five years and that one lot was purchased on Second Avenue.  There are not enough funds in the account to fund a parkade.  Cllr. Brodie then asked for the exact status of the account.

It was then clarified that the Gulf of Georgia Cannery parking lot is currently being utilized for public parking and that signage is in place reflecting this.  It was then asked if the Harbour Authority might provide the funds for paving the lot.

Cllr. McNulty then asked for the status of the traffic light at No. 1 Road and Moncton Street.  Mr. McLellan said that a number of issues were involved in this process, such as a relocation of a curb extension and provision for two lanes of traffic, and that the intent is for completion this year.

Cllr. McNulty asked that the design of the project be provided before the project gets underway.

6.

MANAGERs’  REPORTs

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, reported that the BC Packers consultation process deadline is October 11^th and that he didn’t expect to have anything to report prior to this.

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg reported that three teams are currently in place that are looking at the City’s rezoning, subdivision and development permit processes.  Fifty applicants from the past three years have been invited to a round table discussion.  The intent is that a report on the three processes will be made to the Planning Committee in November/December.  Incorporated into the report will be the discussions held with the Urban Development Institute.

The Chair then asked if Sungold Entertainment Corp. was proceeding with an application to the ALR Commission.  Mr. McLellan responded that when more information is received the Committee would be advised, noting that the Land Use section is preparing the update.  Cllr. McNulty said that he hoped that all the questions raised would be addressed in the contents of the final report and that more time should be taken, if necessary, to accomplish this.

The Manager, Land Use, Terry Crowe, reported on the City’s Agricultural Viability Strategy (AVS).  The scope of the strategy will be comprehensive.  A consultant, Jack Reames, is providing additional support on the project.  Mr. Crowe also advised the Committee that on November 22, 2000 the Land Reserve Commission will meet in Richmond City Hall from 1 to 5 pm.  Council members will be invited to attend.  The objective of the Commission is to familiarize themselves with Richmond’s AVS Strategy and the issues that are anticipated.

The strategy will be received from the consultant by the end of January, 2001.  Once Council approves it the Strategy should be forwarded to the Federal and Provincial Governments and the ALR Commission asking for feedback and support.

Cllr. McNulty then questioned the status of greenhouses in Richmond.  Mr. McLellan responded that the study will address the issue of whether ALR land is for food production or open spaces.

Kari Huhtala, Social and Community Planner, reported that the City has been fortunate to receive funding from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agricultural Investment Foundation and Agriculture Canada.

Cllr. Steves suggested that the staff report of eight years ago, in reference to Hoegler’s Golf Course, be utilized as the blue print was excellent.

ADJOURNMENT

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the meeting adjourn (5:13 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, October 3, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant