July 22, 2008 - Minutes
Planning Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Harold Steves, Chair Mayor Malcolm Brodie |
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Absent: |
Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and advised that Item No. 9 - Green Roofs, would be the first item dealt with on the agenda. |
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MINUTES |
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1. |
It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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2. |
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room. |
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PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT |
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9. |
(Report: July 3, 2008, File No.: 08-4430-01) (REDMS No. 2469077) | ||
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The Chair referenced a letter dated July 18, 2008, submitted to Committee from the Urban Development Institute (attached to these minutes as Schedule 1.) | ||
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In response to queries Brian Jackson, Director of Development, and Holger Burke, Development Coordinator advised that: | ||
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staff met for discussions on aspects of green roofs with representatives of the Urban Development Institute (UDI); | |
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the recommended option is the awarding of points for providing a green roof or for such alternatives as renewable energy source, LEEDS, managing storm run off, integration of vertical landscaping, installing trees, and so on; | |
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there is a limited number of insurance companies that insure green roofs on industrial and/or residential structures; | |
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generally, insurance companies do not recommend municipally mandated green roofs on residential developments; | |
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the City has a policy on 2,000 square metres for municipal buildings and this policy was used in relation to the City Centre Area Plan to maintain consistency; | |
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storm water management systems in relation to green roofs may lessen run off and thereby lessen reliance on the City’s storm system; | |
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the proposed point system will be refined before a bylaw is formalized and presented to Council | |
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the option of providing a green roof or, as an alternative, a green podium will be included in the point system; | |
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the cash-in-lieu proposal will not be part of the point system but would be a variance that Council would need to approve. | |
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It was moved and seconded | ||
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(1) |
That the “Point System Option With No Specified Variance Process” approach, as outlined in the report dated July 3, 2008 from the Director of Development, be endorsed by Council for industrial and office building permit applications outside the City Centre having a building area of over 2,000 m2(21,529 ft2) received after January 1, 2009. | |
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(2) |
That a bylaw formalizing option 3 be brought forward for consideration in September 2008. | |
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(3) |
That staff continue to consult with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Urban Development Institute (UDI) regarding the draft bylaw in July and August 2008. | |
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CARRIED | ||||
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3. |
(RZ 05-312601 - Report: June 27, 2008, File No.: 12-8060-20) (REDMS No. 2277980) | |
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Mr. Jackson advised that the applicant’s proposal includes an L-shaped townhouse development and therefore less road is being constructed which is an advantage and that staff recommends in favour of the application. Discussion ensued among Committee, staff and the applicant, Matthew Cheng, architect, on: | |
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one result of less road is less traffic in the neighbourhood; |
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the proposed single-family lots are slightly larger than the average on the same size lots to the south of the site; |
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the applicant is making a contribution in lieu of indoor amenity space; |
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during the development permit process the applicant and staff will work together on the landscaping, the design of the units and liveability issues; |
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the applicant is providing outdoor space at almost double the size required and green space will feature landscaping elements; |
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the applicant is providing $175,000 to the City’s industrial land reserve account; |
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the ‘assembly’ zoning of the site; |
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the amount of open space in the area; |
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the applicant’s contributions to City facilities and amenities. |
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A comment was made that the Steveston neighbourhood would benefit from the presence of more outdoor public amenities. | |
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It was moved and seconded | |
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That Bylaw No. 8194, for the rezoning of 4360 Moncton Street from “Assembly District (ASY)” to “Comprehensive Development District (CD/101)” and “Comprehensive Development District (CD/102)”, be introduced and given first reading. | |
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CARRIED OPPOSED: Mayor Brodie Councillor Linda Barnes | |||
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(Mayor Brodie left the meeting at 4:55 p.m. and did not return.) |
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4. |
AMENDMENT TO SINGLE-FAMILY LOT SIZE POLICY 5442 IN SECTION 19-4-6 & 20-4-6 | ||
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(RZ 07-361150 - Report: July 2, 2008, File No.: 12-8060-20-8310) (REDMS No. 2464640) | ||
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Mr. Jackson advised that Transportation had reviewed the issue of the lane exit onto Gilbert Road and concluded that the exit was acceptable and the proposed configuration of the lane is the best one. In addition, public input was sought and it was confirmed that the majority of area residents supported the proposal. | ||
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Discussion ensued among Committee, Mr. Jackson and Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, regarding: (i) staff will monitor the new lane and no turn restrictions will be imposed on the lane that exits onto Gilbert Road unless safety issues arise, and (ii) the applicant hosted a number of public open houses and neighbours were consistent in their support of the proposed development. | ||
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Peter Wu, 8060 Gilbert Road, addressed Committee and distributed a diagram that featured the lane and the surrounding residential lots (on file in the City Clerk’s Office). Mr. Wu expressed concern that the lane, if located where the proposal indicates, drivers using the lane to exit onto Gilbert Road will make left turns which could cause hazardous driving condition. He referenced past fatal car accidents at the corner of Gilbert and Blundell Roads and suggested that further investigation into the lane’s placement and potential use should be undertaken. | ||
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Bob Williamson, 8166 Mirabel Court, addressed Committee and stated that the majority of the neighbours agree with the application as presented. After many opportunities to express their opinion, and after a number of surveys conducted in the area, there has been a consistent high level of support for the proposal and for the location of the laneway. | ||
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As directed, staff agreed to provide Council with visual graphics, including large-scale aerial photographs, of the site at the future public hearing at which the application will be discussed. | ||
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It was moved and seconded | ||
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1. |
That the following recommendation be forwarded to Public Hearing: | |
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That Single-Family Lot Size Policy 5442 for the properties contained in Sections 19-4-6 and 20-4-6, be amended to permit 8091 Gilbert Road, 6760 and 6800 Blundell Road to subdivide in accordance with Comprehensive Development District (CD/197), provided that the lots are accessible by a lane which would not be connected to Mirabel Court. |
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2. |
That Bylaw No. 8310, to create "Comprehensive Development District (CD/197)", and for the rezoning of 8091 Gilbert Road, 6760 and 6800 Blundell Road from "Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area E (R1/E)" to "Comprehensive Development District (CD/197)", be introduced and given first reading. | |
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CARRIED | ||
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5. |
BUILDING HEIGHT AND HALF-STOREY BUILDING AREA (Report: June 30, 2008, File No.: 08-4430-01) (REDMS No. 2473079) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8319 to amend the Richmond Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 5300 be introduced and given first reading. |
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CARRIED | ||
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6. |
SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL ZONING – SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT (R1-0.6) (Report: July 2, 2008, File No.: 08-4430-01) (REDMS No. 2438496) | |
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Mr. Jackson stated that a number of changes are proposed which would result in a better-built form for single-family homes in the City. Discussion ensued between Committee and staff and the following comments were made: | |
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reducing front yard setbacks would provide larger private outdoor space to the rear of single-family dwellings; |
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staff has met with a group of single-family home builders and has addressed the builders’ concerns; |
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Ajit Thaliwal, 10230 Williams Road, addressed Committee and prefaced his remarks by thanking staff for the May 5, 2008 meeting during which issues were addressed. Mr. Thaliwal invited staff to meet with builders like himself at a building site to observe the potential impact of the proposed changes. | |
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He advised that concerns include parking in rear lanes, potential reduction of tandem parking behind homes, developing rear lanes to City standards, as well as the issues of rental suites in homes. | |
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Mr. Thaliwal concluded his presentation by stating that clarification is needed on the issue of the reduction of the building envelope. | |
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Discussion continued and it was noted that further consultation with builders would be valuable before the amendments to the bylaw were given first reading. A comment was made that as Richmond’s population ages, builders could explore building more single-family homes that are one-level, and fewer homes that require two or more flights of stairs to access living areas. | |
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As a result of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced: | |
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It was moved and seconded | |
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That Bylaw No. 8370, which amends Zoning and Development Bylaw 5300, be referred back to staff for further consultation with local builders. | |
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CARRIED | |||
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7. |
(RZ 08-409188 - Report: July 2, 2008, File No.: 12-8060-20-8410) (REDMS No. 2473471) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Bylaw No. 8410, for the rezoning of 10320 Williams 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. |
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CARRIED | ||
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8. |
(RZ 08-406081 - Report: July 7, 2008, File No.: 12-8060-20-8411) (REDMS No. 2458328) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Bylaw No. 8411, to amend “Comprehensive Development District (CD/173)” to increase the permitted density at 3099 Corvette Way be introduced and given first reading. |
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CARRIED | ||
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COUNCIL/SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON COMMITTEE – |
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10. |
(Extract of the Minutes of the June 17, 2008 Committee Meeting) (File No.: 08-4045-20-10 (REDMS No. 2469160) | ||
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Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning reported that he and Ken Morris, School Board Secretary Treasurer, were directed by the Council/School Board Liaison Committee to draft a work program to determine the location of a new elementary school in the City Centre. Discussion took place between Committee and Mr. Crowe on possible options for this to occur, including: | ||
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using an existing non-school building to accommodate a new school and other functions; | |
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replacing an older, one-level school with a multi-floor school on the same site; | |
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collaborating with the School Board and creating a new model for ‘the school of the future’. | |
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As a result of the discussion the following motion was introduced: | ||
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It was moved and seconded | ||
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That the following recommendation be forwarded to City Council and to the Board of Education of School District No. 38 (Richmond) for approval: | ||
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“That support be given to the need for expanded school capacity within the City Centre Area and the process to find options to meet this need be commenced as soon as possible.” | |
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CARRIED | ||||
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11. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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(1) |
City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) |
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No report was given. | |
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(2) |
Steveston Study |
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No report was given. | |
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(3) |
Official Community Plan (OCP) |
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No report was given. | |
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(4) |
Liveable Region Strategic Plan Review (LRSP) |
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No report was given. | |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:59 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 22, 2008. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Harold Steves |
Sheila Johnston |