MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, February 21^st, 2006, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, March 21^st, 2006, at
4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

DELEGATIONS

3.

Mr. Bryan Dunnett, Chairperson, Future & Building Committee, Richmond Branch No. 291, The Royal Canadian Legion, 11131 Bridgeport Road, introduced Mr. Louis Schryer, President of Branch No. 291.  Mr. Dunnett then proceeded to speak about Branch 291, their involvement with the community and their wish to relocate from their existing facility to a newer facility in order to successfully run their operations.  (A copy of this presentation is attached as Schedule 1 and forms a part of these minutes).

In response to queries from the Committee, Mr. Dunnett advised that:

·         the Legion had not given serious consideration as yet to redeveloping their existing location but that they had access to a housing development expert from the Federal Government whom they would consult when considering this option;

·         they would like to relocate closer to the west side of Richmond as a majority of members lived in this area;

·         the Legion would like to look at other ways to be profitable.  This would enable them to put money into areas of the community where it was most needed;

·         they had approximately $1.1 million in assets.  This could not be used without consultation of their membership, and ratification by the Provincial Command;

·         their present location was 5500 sq.ft, however in order to diversify they would needed a larger building;

·         they had not considered the “Armory” as a relocation site, since this was being used by the Richmond Branch of the Cadets, and they did not know if it was available.

Mr. Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, advised that staff would meet with members of the legion to discuss options for relocation and redevelopment of their site.

It was moved and seconded

That staff meet with the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 291, to discuss options such as the Armory for site relocation, and to explore opportunities such as senior housing and/or affordable housing when redevelopment of their current location occurs.

CARRIED

URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

4.

APPLICATION BY AM-PRI CONSTRUCTION LTD. FOR REZONING AT 7040 AND 7060 ASH STREET FROM SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT, SUBDIVISION AREA F (R1/F) TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (CD/35)
(RZ 05-300412 - Report:  Feb. 8/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-7993) (REDMS No. 1681706, 1502771, 1766368, 1682094)

Mr. Jean Lamontagne, Director of Development, advised that this development was similar to other development applications approved in the area.  He noted that he had received 2 letters from area residents and advised that their concerns had been addressed through rezoning details.  As well, he advised that the traffic concerns mentioned in one of these letters had been forwarded to transportation staff for review.

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr. Crowe, Manager of Policy Planning advised that until the City’s affordable housing strategy was reviewed, $.60 per buildable sq. ft was the amount contributed to the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.  He also stated that the payment-in-lieu for indoor amenity space was a contribution to a Parks and Recreation fund, and noted that a report concerning this fund would be brought to Committee from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Division staff.

In response to a query from Committee, Mr. Fiss, Planner, advised that there would not be a through road from Ash Street to Bridge Street through this site and the adjoining site.  He noted that the path would dead end at the end of this development.  Discussion ensued on the possibility of providing a meandering trail in instances such as these where it was possible to provide pathways through adjoining sites.  Mr. Lamontagne, Director of Development advised that he would speak to Transportation staff with regard to this issue.

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 7993 for the rezoning of 7040 and 7060 Ash Street from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)”  to “Comprehensive Development District (CD/35)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

5.

APPLICATION BY MALHI CONSTRUCTION LTD. FOR REZONING AT 8491 NO. 1 ROAD FROM SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT, SUBDIVISION AREA E (R1/E) TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT (R1-0.6)

(RZ 05-321009 - Report:  Feb. 8/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8032) (REDMS No. 1751377, 1751333, 1759594)

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 8032, for the rezoning of 8491 No. 1 Road from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)” to “Single-Family Housing District (R1-0.6)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

6.

APPLICATION BY PAUL ATWAL FOR REZONING AT 9140 PATTERSON ROAD FROM SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT, SUBDIVISION AREA E (R1/E) TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT, SUBDIVISION AREA A (R1/A)

(RZ 06-321407 - Report:  Feb. 8/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8034) (REDMS No. 1751784, 1752840, 1752836)

Designated Speaker:  Jean Lamontagne

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 8034, for the rezoning of 9140 Patterson Road from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)” to “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area A (R1/A)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

7.

APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF RICHMOND FOR REZONING AT 5491 NO. 2 ROAD FROM SCHOOL AND PUBLIC USE (SPU) TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (CD/172)

(RZ 06-326438 - Report:  Feb. 17/06, File No.:  12-8060-20-8040/8041) (REDMS No. 1763175, 1763175, 1361520, 1763176, 17631771763178)

Ms. Suzanne Carter-Huffman, Senior Planner, briefly reviewed the site and the types of housing forms envisioned for the site parcels.

In response to queries from the Committee, Ms. Carter-Huffman, advised that a ½ acre of this site would be used for approximately 65 affordable housing units and that it was possible to have twice as many units if they were designated as seniors housing

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr. Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning advised that there was no requirement for affordable housing on other sites surrounding the Olympic Oval.  He noted that this was a Council decision which had been recommended by a consultant.  Discussion ensued on this topic and Chair advised that he would like the remainder of the site reviewed for affordable housing.

In response to queries from the Committee, Ms. Carter-Huffman advised that:

·         the affordable housing complex would be 6 storeys high;

·         there would be 207 marketable units on site 7A;

·         a decision was made to proceed with the rezoning of this site without a separate meeting as their was public consultation on the gateway concept in 2005;

·         that it was possible to mix unit sizes in the affordable housing complex, but it was not possible to mix congregate with non-congregate housing;

·         that on the west side of the site, there was a 20m wide buffer, which in addition to the setback from the adjoining site, would provide a view corridor for the building on that site;

·         the buildings on this site would provide noise attenuation from No. 2 Road and increase property values in the area; and

·         the affordable housing building opened up the green area between the newer and older buildings and the stepping up of the buildings introduced a transition between adjoining townhouses and this site;

Chair stated his concern that the affordable housing complex should be a minimum of 8 storeys in height.  Ms. Carter-Huffman then advised that there would not be adequate parking for this site if the density was increased.

Discussion then ensued on affordable housing and Mr. Crowe advised that presently 30% of income in the lower 2/5 quintile was the standard model used by CMHC for qualification of affordable housing.  He stated that staff were reviewing the City’s affordable housing strategy and that they would re-examine the model used by CMHC for affordable housing and would also look at providing clear definitions for affordable housing when a report was brought to Committee on this issue.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 8040, to

(a)

redesignate 5491 No. 2 Road from “Public Open Space Use” to “Neighbourhood Residential” in Attachment 1 (Generalized Land Use Map) of Schedule 1 of the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7100 and to revise the map in section 3.1, Neighbourhoods & Sense of Community, Neighbourhoods in Richmond, Thompson, accordingly; and

(b)

redesignate 5491 No. 2 Road from “Park/Open Space” to “’Gateway’ High Density Apartments (3.0 FAR max.)” and “Affordable Housing (3.0 FAR max.)” in Schedule 2.2A of Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7100 (Thompson Area, Dover Crossing Sub-Area Plan), together with related text amendments,

be introduced and given first reading.

(2)

That Bylaw No. 8040, having been considered in conjunction with:

(a)

the City’s Financial Plan and Capital Program; and

(b)

the Greater Vancouver Regional District Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management Plans;

is hereby deemed to be consistent with said program and plans, in accordance with Section 882(3)(a) of the Local Government Act.

(3)

That Bylaw No. 8040, in accordance with the City Policy on Consultation during OCP Amendment, be referred to the following agencies for comment by April 18, 2006:

(a)

Vancouver International Airport Authority (VIAA); and

(b)

School District No. 38 (Richmond).

(4)

That Bylaw No. 8041, to introduce a new Comprehensive Development District (CD/172) and for the rezoning of 5491 No. 2 Road from “School and Public Use District (SPU)” to “Comprehensive Development District (CD/172)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

8.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, advised that the staff would be presenting two reports to Committee on RCSAC’s new Charter and their proposed work program for 2006 at the March 21^st, 2006 meeting of the Planning Committee.  Discussion ensued on these reports and Committee requested a draft copy of the information as soon as possible for review prior to the March 21^st meeting.

Mr. Erceg, General Manager of Urban Development Division advised that staff will provide Committee with options for financing the Cambie West roads.

Mr. Crowe advised that staff would be presenting a report on an OCP Growth Workshop to Committee at their next meeting on March 21^st, 2006 requesting their input into and availability for the workshop.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:10 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,
March 7^th, 2006.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Desiree Wong
Committee Clerk