Date:

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Vice-Chair

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, February 3, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

3.

APPLICATION BY MATTHEW CHENG ARCHITECT INC. FOR REZONING AT 7531 NO. 4 ROAD FROM SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING DISTRICT, SUBDIVISION AREA F (R1/F) TO COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (CD/35)

(RZ 08-406182 – Report:  February 3, 2009, File No.:  12-8060-20-8462) (REDMS No. 2532076, 2443199, 2570254)

It was moved and seconded

That Bylaw No. 8462, for the rezoning of 7531 No. 4 Road from “Single-Family Housing District, Subdivision Area F (R1/F)” to “Comprehensive Development District (CD/35)”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

4.

AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2009 WORK PROGRAM

(Report:  January 29, 2009, File No.: 01-0100-20-AADV1-01) (REDMS No. 2562380)

Discussion ensued on the role, activities and composition of the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) and in particular on:

ways in which the AAC can continue to provide education programmes and undertake new education outreach initiatives;

the value of partnerships with organizations such as Tourism Richmond, and the Terra Nova School Project, to encourage young people to be aware of agricultural activities in their City;

AAC membership draws heavily from the cranberry and blueberry farms;

the AAC meets year around, and Richmond’s Farmers Institute meets once a year; the AAC undertakes public awareness and local food initiatives, and is in a better position than the Farmers Institute to do so;

an investigation by staff would clarify why Richmond has not qualified in the past to participate in the Province’s ‘Farm Fresh’ and ‘Circle Farm Tours’ publications;

the City should initiate events, such as an Agriculture Week, displays at City Hall and other facilities, to encourage participation in the agricultural industry.

As a result of the discussion, Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development Department advised Committee that staff would:

(i)

ask AAC members to clarify their 2009 education outreach plans;

(ii)

investigate specifics regarding agri-tourism partnerships and would then advise Committee;

(iii)

explore with AAC its relationship with the Richmond Board of Education, School District No. 38;

(iv)

speak with members of the Richmond Farmers Institute to ascertain their level of education initiatives; and

(v)

explore with representatives of the Province why Richmond does not qualify to participate in provincial publications that promote agriculture.

The Chair remarked that it is important that the City take the initiative to ensure that the importance of agricultural viability is recognized and promoted by the City and its residents. Ideas such as an Agriculture Week, with displays at City Hall and other facilities, should be pursued.  

Mr. Erceg stated that Policy Planning staff would be directed to: (i) explore a variety of ideas to address the Chair’s ideas, (ii) investigate what could be undertaken by staff and what could be achieved by the AAC, the Richmond Farmers Institute, the Richmond Board of Education, School District No. 38, the Food Security Group and others, and (iii) advise Committee on their progress within two months.

A comment was made that some No. 6 Road residents have complained about alleged illegal dumping along the Blundell Road allowance, approximately 850 metres east of No. 6 Road. The alleged illegal fill extends another 800 metres east of this point, until it meets the No. 7  Road allowance. Staff has advised that this fill jeopardizes construction of agricultural drainage/irrigation improvements because it would be too costly to dig a drainage canal though the fill under the East Richmond irrigation and drainage plan.

It was agreed that Community Bylaws, along with Engineering, would investigate the alleged illegal dumping of fill. Community Bylaws and Engineering staff would provide advice to the Planning Committee on: (i) the amount of illegal fill, (ii) the ability to determine who did it, and (iii) the impact on drainage improvements.

A further comment was made that there has been an allegation of other illegal dumping taking place on City owned property on the Granville Avenue Road allowance, immediately to the south of 6711 Sidaway Road. It is alleged that in that area private truckers dumped fill, as well as snow, during the December 2008 snowstorm, while collecting a tipping fee.

It was agreed that Community Bylaws would investigate the alleged illegal dumping of fill and snow and would report to the Planning Committee on: (i) the amount of dumping, and (ii) the implications.

In response to a query regarding the two incidents of alleged illegal dumping, staff advised that the City would incur costs if site visits were undertaken.

It was moved and seconded

That the 2009 Agricultural Advisory Committee work program be approved.

CARRIED

5.

2009 CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - BOARD OF EDUCATION LIAISON

(Report:  January 26, 2009, File No.:  01-0100-20-CCDE1-01) (REDMS No. 2560143)

It was moved and seconded

That Grace Tsang, and Chak Au as alternate, be appointed as the Board of Education Liaison to the Child Care Development Advisory Committee.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(1)

Steveston Study

Mr. Crowe reported that staff is finalizing the Study.

(2)

Official Community Plan (OCP)

Mr. Crowe advised that updating the OCP is a two-year process, and that details of the process will be forthcoming in the near future.

(3)

Regional Growth Strategy

Mr. Crowe stated that staff has been advised by Metro Vancouver that in the near future the City will receive a letter outlining the next steps in the process.

(4)

Social Planning Strategy

Mr. Crowe remarked that staff would soon apprise Committee of the process. Mr. Erceg added that the Strategy would cover a ten-year plan.

(5)

Urban Design Awards

Brian J. Jackson, Director of Development advised that the Lulu Awards to recognize Urban Design Excellence will be presented during the Monday, March 9, 2009 Council meeting. There will be a pre-Council reception with the applicants between 6:00 and 6:45 p.m. that same evening.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:29 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, February 17, 2009.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Chair

Sheila Johnston

Committee Clerk