Planning Committee Meeting Minutes - November 7, 2000

Date:

Tuesday, November 7, 2000

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Malcolm Brodie, Chair

Councillor Bill McNulty, Vice-Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Lyn Greenhill

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

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

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, October 17, 2000, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

2.

The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

( Report: October 19/00, File No.: 0172-03) (REDMS No. 201900)

It was moved and seconded

That Susan Lloyd and Anita Csatho be appointed as Bylaw Enforcement Officers in accordance with Section 36 of the Police Act, and that such appointment be for the term of their employment as Bylaw Enforcement Officers with the City.

CARRIED

(SC 00-177151 - Report: October 17/00, File No.: SC 00-177151) (REDMS No. 200201)

It was moved and seconded

That the application for a strata title conversion by Dave Hunchuk, on behalf of Earl and Thomas Luk, for the property located at 7311 and 7313 Francis Road be approved on fulfilment of the following conditions:

Payment of all City utility charges and property taxes up to and including the year 2001; and

Submission of appropriate plans and documents for execution by the Mayor and City Clerk within 180 days of the date of this resolution.

CARRIED

(RZ 00-173938 and SC 00-173939 - Report: October 18/00, File No.: RZ 00-173938 and SC 00-173939, 8060-20-7181) (REDMS No. 200226,200332)

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7181, for the rezoning of 6651 and 6671 Mayflower Drive from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Two-Family Housing District (R5)", be introduced and given first reading.

That the application for a strata title conversion by Anne Lo, on behalf of Pak Leung Lai and Hui Ming Li, for the property located at 6651 and 6671 Mayflower Drive be approved, on fulfilment of the following conditions:

Adoption of Bylaw No. 7181 (Rezoning Application RZ 00-173938), including the filing by the City, of a restrictive covenant, limiting the number of dwelling units to two;

Payment of all City utility charges and property taxes up to and including the year 2001; and

Submission of appropriate plans and documents for execution by the Mayor and City Clerk, within 180 days of the date that Bylaw No. 7181 is adopted.

CARRIED

(RZ 00-179065) (Report: October 18/00, File No.: RZ 00-179065,8060-20-7180) (REDMS No. 199780,200807)

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7180, for the rezoning of 7791 Eperson Road 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

( Report: October 26/00, File No.: 6455-01) (REDMS No. 197605)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, said that the information report was a response to the October 3, 2000 request for an update on Steveston parking issues. David Brownlee, Planner, reviewed the report and displayed an aerial photograph of the area in question.

During the discussion that ensued a number of issues were raised, some of which were noted as being addressed in the report to the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting of November 8, 2000. Then, as a result of the discussion, the following items were referred to staff:

a)

That Steveston Station be contacted with regard to this past years closure of the gate to the retail parking area. It was requested that the gate be opened as a means of providing customer onsite parking;

b)

That the Steveston Harbour Authority and Federal Ministry be contacted regarding use of the Chatham Street and Gulf of Georgia parking lots;

c)

That staff explore opportunities for lease/purchase of additional land for parking;

d)

That staff contact property owners that have fenced/blocked rear lanes;

e)

That staff identify businesses utilizing City property for their exclusive use.

The Manager, Zoning, Alan Clark, clarified parking requirements for the Committee. He said that once a building has been completed if the use of the building were to change, a business licence could not be withheld based on parking issues. Mr. Clark also stated that there are very few City owned lanes, most are private property owned by businesses.

Staff was commended by the Committee for the comprehensive and detailed report.

It was moved and seconded

That the report dated October 26, 2000, from the Manager Development Applications regarding Parking Issues in Steveston, be received for information.

CARRIED

(Report: October 3/00, File No.: 8275-05) (REDMS No. 194334)

Mr. Jim Keenan, Keenan Consulting, and Mr. Chung, owner of the Manhattan Karaoke restaurant, then distributed a handout to the Committee, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes. Mr. Keenan explained that he acts of behalf of licencees to help applicants thru the liquor licensing process. He then read the report to the Committee.

In response to a question from the Chair, Mr. Clark explained that one other karaoke club in Richmond had applied for, and been granted, a Class C licence, and that there had been repercussions because of this. Mr. Clark also pointed out that as of November 6, 2000 Mr. Chung was not in possession of a business licence for his facility due to a lack of compliance with bylaw regulations.

Corporal Jones of the Richmond RCMP detachment then addressed the Committee. He stated that, after receiving the application, an inspection was undertaken of the premises at which time it was found that the facility was in breach of the regulations of its licence. Corporal Jones also noted the effect on policing a cabaret licence would have, ie. an increased police presence would be required due to an anticipated increase in gang activity, assault, and sexual assault etc. Corporal Jones stated he was not in favour of the application being granted.

Inspector Speevak, also of the Richmond detachment, confirmed gang presence at the Manhattan, and also at the summer market. In response to a question from the Chair he said it was not known if there had been any callouts to the Manhattan due to gang activity.

The proposed changes to the Liquor Act were noted, in particular that a specifically sectioned off area, accommodating a specific percentage of the establishments patron capacity, would be allowed liquor without a meal. Also discussed was the difficulty in policing the private rooms.

It was moved and seconded

That the request by Keenan Consulting, representing Manhattan Karaoke Restaurant Inc., asking for a resolution of Council supporting their request to the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch for a Class C (Cabaret) Liquor Licence for premises at 2168-3779 Sexsmith Road, BE DENIED.

Prior to the question being called a brief discussion took place on the current lack of business licence at the Manhattan. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

(Report: September 27/00, File No.: 8060-20-7172) (REDMS No. 192716, 210649)

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That Bylaw No 7172 which amends Schedule A of Business Regulation Bylaw No 7148 to include 2100 Viceroy Place among the geographical areas in which a video arcade may operate, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

(Report: September 29/00, File No.: 8275-05) (REDMS No. 193479)

It was noted that there are no similar establishments within one mile of this property, and that the closest liquor licence would be held by the Western Indoor Tennis Club. It was also noted that Kwantlen College uses this establishment to host a number of its functions.

It was moved and seconded

That the application of Sport Central Enterprises Ltd. to the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch for a Class " A " Lounge ( Recreation Centre ) Liquor Licence be supported, and that the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch be advised:

Of this recommendation; and

That the RCMP does not object to this application.

Prior to the question being called it was clarified that the RCMP have no objection to this application. The question was then called and it was CARRIED.

MANAGERs REPORTs

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg reported on the progress of three process review meetings held with the development community. The review was an effort to determine how the rezoning, development permit and subdivision processes are working. The tone derived from all three meetings was positive, with efficient and effective City service being noted. The constructive input received is to be reported to the December 5, 2000 Planning Committee meeting.

The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, reported that he had met with the Richmond Farmers Institute and the Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks (MELP), regarding the proposed Mid Island Dyke. Area farmers, while recognizing the benefits of the dyke, object to it. The farmers believe that a better alternative would be to create a higher standard perimeter dyke around the eastern end of the island.

This was noted to have a financial benefit in that the dyke capital cost could be achieved through industrial development of the area. This development, however, would face some difficulties ie. servicing. Further study was recommended, and Mr. McLellan said a report would be prepared in the near future, in consultation with the Environment Ministry and Agriculture Canada.

A brief discussion of the issue also noted the possibility of the Knight Street corridors possible use as an alternative to a Number Eight Road dyke. It was also pointed out that farmers should not be cut off from flood protection.

It was requested that staff prepare a map detailing the land along the strip in question noting the industrial, agricultural, and agricultural with landfill designations involved.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:24 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, November 7, 2000.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant