Planning Committee Meeting Minutes - July 17, 2001

Date:

Tuesday, July 17, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Malcolm Brodie, Chair

Acting Mayor 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, June 19, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

At this point the Chair requested that the order of the agenda be varied to bring Item 11 before Item 10.

(SC 01-187757 - Report: June 26/01, File No.: SC 01-187757) (REDMS No. 449506)

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

It was moved and seconded

That the application for a strata title conversion by Mr. David Hunchuk, on behalf of Mr. Norbert Eckert, for the property located at 11171/11191 Sealord Road be approved on fulfilment of the following conditions:

Payment of all City utility charges and property taxes for the Year 2001, and if the strata title conversion is to occur after September 1, 2001, payment in advance of the Year 2002 estimated taxes; and

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

CARRIED

(RZ 01-188657 - Report: June 20/01, File No.: 8060-20-7260/7261) (REDMS No. 447579, 453432,449964,449971)

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, reviewed the report. Additional comments were provided by Planner Jenny Beran.

The applicant, Dana Westermark, reviewed the process that would be involved in the relocation of the Abercrombie House. Mr. Westermark was concerned about the effect the cancellation of the August Public Hearing would have on the two windows of opportunity he had for moving the house by barge.

A letter received from Mr. Curtis Eyestone is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7260, which amends Schedule 2 of the Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, (Schedule 2.4 Steveston Area Plan, Attachment 4, London/Princess Land Use Map), to designate the lot at the south end of Princess Street "Heritage Residential", be introduced and given first reading.

That Bylaw No. 7260, having been examined in conjunction with Section 882 of the Local Government Act regarding the Financial Plan, the Capital Expenditure Program and the Waste Management Plan, is hereby deemed to be consistent with said program and plans.

That Bylaw No. 7261, for the rezoning of the Princess Street Road end from Light Industrial District (I2) and Comprehensive Development District (CD/115) to Comprehensive Development District (CD/122), be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That the City Clerk be requested to identify the first opportunity in August that a Public Hearing could be held.

CARRIED

(RZ 01-188624 - Report: June 27/01, File No.: 8060-20-7262) (REDMS No. 450821,280128,451592,451589)

The report was reviewed by the Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg.

A request was made that attention be paid at the building stage to the dangers involved in vehicles backing up into a T intersection.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7262, for the rezoning of 7091 Marrington Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area K (R1/K)", be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

(ZT 01-187968 - Report: June 28/01, File No.: 8060-20-7263) (REDMS No. 449972,451611,451631)

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

Mr. David Porte said that the site had been purchased with a plan for office and retail development. The problem arose when a tenant required a larger floor plate than could be accommodated.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7263, which would amend the permitted density (maximum floor area ratio and maximum size of retail trade & services area) in Comprehensive Development District (CD/34) at 11331 Coppersmith Way and 11388 Steveston Highway, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

(Report: June 22/01, File No.: 4057-05) (REDMS No. 448921)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, reviewed the report.

During the brief discussion that ensued it was questioned whether the per capita amount would be dropped or the work plan expanded if a contribution was made.

It was moved and seconded

That Council:

"Support the work of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities National Housing Policy Options Team (NHPOT) through a once only (2001) financial contribution of $2,396.58 (based on 1.5 cents per capita and a current population estimate of 159,772) but decline the invitation to become a full member on the NHPOT Steering Committee."

CARRIED

(Report: June 14/01, File No.: 8060-20-7258) (REDMS No. 442065,442032,441986)

The Manager, Policy Planning, Terry Crowe, reviewed the report. Planner David Brownlee provided additional comments which included the point that at the time the ESA was formally adopted the subject property did not have significant vegetation on it.

It was moved and seconded

That:

Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 7258, to repeal the Environmentally Sensitive Area designation for 7451 Nelson Road (in Attachment 3 to Schedule 1 of the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7100), be introduced and given first reading.

Bylaw No. 7258, having been examined in conjunction with the Capital Expenditure Program, the Waste Management Plan, the Economic Strategy Plan, and the 5 Year Financial Plan, is hereby deemed to be consistent with said program and plans, in accordance with Section 882(3) of the Local Government Act.

Bylaw No. 7258, having been examined in accordance with the City Policy No. 5002 on referral of Official Community Plan Amendments, is hereby deemed to have no effect upon an adjoining Municipality nor function or area of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, in accordance with Section 879 of the Local Government Act.

Bylaw No. 7258, having been examined in accordance with the requirement in the Accord between the City and the Vancouver International Airport Authority, is hereby deemed to be outside the areas affected by aeronautical operations.

CARRIED

(Report: June 14/01, File No.: 6455-01) (REDMS No. 409377)

Victor Wei, Senior Transportation Engineer, reviewed the report . He then referred to a comprehensive parking study completed thirteen years ago with the note that information on the parking turnover rate was crucial.

The Manager, Community Bylaws, Sandra Tokarczyk said that paid parking might be utilized to ensure parking facilities are used efficiently. Ms. Tokarczyk also said that on and off street parking would be included in the review.

A discussion then ensued on the selection process for the members of the Task Force during which it was determined that a random selection process by staff would not be used. A request was made that the report be changed to reflect this.

It was moved and seconded

That:

a Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking be established in 2002 to provide information analysis, options and recommendations on parking issues in the Steveston Town Centre area, with the provision of appropriate funding in the 2002 Consulting Budget to support the objectives of the Task Force, (based on the Terms of Reference outlined in the report dated June 14^th, 2001, from the Manager, Community Bylaws and the Acting Manager, Transportation).

staff identify a requirement of $50,000 in the 2002 Consulting Budget submission for retaining the services of a consultant to provide the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking with a comprehensive technical assessment of the existing Steveston Town Centre area parking characteristics by undertaking an updated parking study of the area and developing possible parking strategies to address any deficiencies (based on the Terms of Reference outlined in the report dated June 14^th, 2001, from the Manager, Community Bylaws and the Acting Manager, Transportation).

staff report back to Council on a recommended list of members of the Steveston Advisory Task Force on Parking for approval prior to its inaugural meeting.

Prior to the question being called it was clarified that all reference to a random selection process by staff would be deleted from the report prior to being submitted to Council. The question was then called on the motion and it was CARRIED.

(Report: July 10/01, File No.: AG 00-084495) (REDMS No. 456449)

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

A discussion then ensued that included information on the following: i) identification of the land being brought back into agriculture; ii) whether a septic field could be large enough to accommodate the proposed use; iii) the determination by Mr. Ritchey of the Health Department that no licencing would be required if health care was not being provided; and, iv) whether the soil condition of the area with bad fill and been recently re-analysed.

A submission by Mr. Rangi is attached as Schedule 2 and forms a part of these minutes.

It was moved and seconded

That authorization for Mr. Darshan Rangi to apply to the Land Reserve Commission for non-farm use (second dwelling with six bed units for seniors) at 6120 No. 5 Road be denied.

CARRIED

Opposed: Acting Mayor McNulty

Councillor Brodie

GROUP HOME TASK FORCE CORRESPONDENCE/ISSUES

The Chair prefaced the discussion by noting that there were three issues to be considered on the matter; i) the question of the mandate; ii) a time extension, and, iii) the additional funding request.

Mr. Everett MacKenzie, a Task Force member representing the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, spokesperson for the Group Home Task Force, reviewed the information contained in the letter, dated July 13, 2001, from the Group Home Task Force. The letter is attached as Schedule 3 and forms a part of these minutes.

A copy of a Group Home Budget Summary prepared by City staff was distributed to the Committee members, a copy of which is attached as Schedule 4 and forms a part of these minutes.

A discussion took place on the proposed survey form, which was intended to be approved at the next Group Home Task Force meeting.

The nature of the intended public meetings to be held in the fall was also discussed as being i) an opportunity for presentation of information to the public, and ii) an opportunity for the public to address their concerns/questions to the Task Force. The information gathered would then be incorporated into the final analysis.

The Chair requested a clarification of the role of staff and the consultants. Janet Lee, Planner, said that she had been involved in monitoring the activities of the consultant group and also the meeting and budgetary details.

The role of the Chinese Informedia Group was i) to provide media relations, support to the Task Force; ii) issue a meeting summary, in English and Chinese, after each meeting; iii) field general inquiries; and, iv) to issue press releases.

A discussion on a method of moving forward took place which included the following: i) a recommendation that the approach be additional City funding with suggestions from Planning Committee; ii) the role of the Task Force members during the public meetings would be to introduce the issue, facilitate the meeting including the recording, and open the question period; iii) the public meetings would require translation; iv) the benefit/detriment of a phone survey as opposed to a mail survey; and, v) the need for three consultants to be present at each meeting and whether staff could provide assistance.

Mr. Mackenzie said the use of City staff had provided bias concerns for some members of the Task Force. The Chair clarified that the assistance could be an administrative role such as preparation of agendas and minutes etc.

Mr. Alexander Kostjuk, Chairperson, the Association of Richmond Homeowners, said that in his opinion i) the minutes could be cut down; ii) the survey should be eliminated; and, iii) the Chinese Informedia service was critical. Mr. Kostjuk also said that due to their importance and the fact that several media releases have been issued, the recommended eight public meetings should continue. Several possible methods of curtailing future costs were also identified.

Clarification was asked for and given that the letter to Council dated July 13, 2001 from the Group Home Task Force was in fact the work plan agreed to by the Group Home Task Force.

Mr. John Wong, a member of the Task Force, expressed his concerns on several issues: i) the three people who he had requested speak at the Task Force meetings were limited in time; ii) the budget plan he had asked for at the beginning of the process was not provided; and, iii) that the public meeting number should not be reduced. Mr. Wong thought that the survey was a waste of money and that the Chinese Informedia service was a necessity.

Mr. Brian Wardley, representative of the Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee on the Task Force, said that he wanted to address three issues: i) that he did not consider the Provincial funding of group homes to be a part of the mandate, but if it were, a considerable amount of time and money would be required; ii) a time extension was necessary; and, iii) that the City had been asked to cost the reduced activity work plan agreed upon by the Task Force.

Mr. Wardley also said that i) he felt he had lost touch with some issues, such as the budget, after City staff involvement dropped; ii) as a number of members of the Task Force were not familiar with group homes, a number of facilitators of group homes were asked to provide education as to how group homes operate; iii) the point of the survey was essential to finding out the factual experience of those who live near group homes; and, iv) while he hoped for eight public meetings, he now recognized that a reduced number might be in order.

Mr. MacKenzie, in addition to his previous comments as spokesperson, said that; i) he was in favour of the eight public meetings and that he felt it might cause an issue with the media if the information already released was not adhered to; ii) the survey was critical as those who live around group homes had not been heard from; and, iii) there was a need for public input and also to educate the public.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Manager, Media Relations, Ted Townsend said that Mr. John Barr was a sub-contractor to the Chinese Informedia service.

A discussion then ensued on i) the issue of studying the Provincial funding of group homes; ii) a time extension; iii) the request for increased City funding; iv) the use of the consultant team during the public meetings; and, v) the exploration of greater efficiencies during the fulfilment of the work plan. The General Manager, Urban Development, David McLellan, was requested to provide a source of funding for additional monies prior to the next regular Council meeting.

Councillor Steves left the meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That the issue of studying Provincial group home funding not be considered a part of the mandate of the Group Home Task Force;

That an extension for the Group Home Task Force report deadline, to October 31, 2001, be granted; and

That the work plan as presented in the letter to Council, dated July 13, 2001 from the Group Home Task Force, be accepted with any changes or efficiencies to be the responsibility of the Group Home Task Force.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That an additional funding amount of $60,000, from a source to be identified prior to the next regular Council meeting, be approved

CARRIED

Opposed: Acting Mayor McNulty

MANAGERS REPORT

The Manager, Development Applications, Joe Erceg, reported that notice had been received that the Richmond School Board had passed a School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw, the result of which was that charges involved would become effective at the beginning of September, 2001. Charges range from approximately $240 to $410 per unit based on density.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:45 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, July 17, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Chair

Deborah MacLennan

Administrative Assistant