Date:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Absent:

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

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

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2013 WORK PROGRAM: RICHMOND INTERCULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(File Ref. No. 01-100-20-RIAD1-01) (REDMS No. 3737959)

Joe Greenholtz, past Chair, Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee (RIAC), spoke concerning the Day of Dialogue, a Civic Engagement Committee initiative to engage citizens who normally do not participate in intercultural dialogues.  He noted that the Day of Dialogue provided citizens with an opportunity to air their concerns about how changes to Richmond’s cultural dynamic are affecting them.   He further noted that the event was held on January 19th 2013 with sessions in English, Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin, and that RIAC will be hosting a major Citizen’s Forum in March to provide further opportunity for dialogue.

In response to an inquiry, Alan Hill, Cultural Diversity Coordinator, stated that: (i) a report relating to the Citizen’s Forum will be presented to Council in the fall of 2013; and (ii) that it would be possible to recirculate RIAC’s Sign Audit to Council.

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee’s 2012 Annual Report and 2013 Work Program (as presented in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated January 8, 2013 from the General Manager, Community Services) be approved.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee 2012 Annual Report and 2013 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-100-20-RCSA1-01) (REDMS No. 3754997)

Lesley Sherlock, Social Planner, and Rick Dubras, Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee (RCSAC) Co-Chair, were present to answer questions.

Reference was made to the “2013 RCSAC Work Plan”, and in particular to the “Actions” under “Council Term Goal 2.4”.  Committee directed staff to delete the following action “RCSAC will host a provincial all candidates meeting prior to the provincial election.”

It was moved and seconded

That the Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee’s 2013 Work Program be approved with the deletion of the action under Council Term Goal 2.4 that “RCSAC will host a provincial all candidates meeting prior to the provincial election”.

CARRIED

3.

Child Care Development Advisory Committee 2012 Annual Report and 2013 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-100-20-CCDE1-01) (REDMS No. 3749043)

Ms. Sherlock and Linda Shirley, CCDAC Chair, were available to answer any queries from the Committee.

It was moved and seconded

That the Child Care Development Advisory Committee’s 2013 Work Program be approved.

CARRIED

4.

2013 Child Care Grants

(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3744108)

Ms. Sherlock introduced Coralys Cuthbert, Child Care Coordinator, to the Committee.

In answer to questions about the rational for the request for $10,000, Ms. Sherlock provided the following information:  (i) Volunteer Richmond has requested $5,000.00 for ongoing professional development that is offered through the Chapter Resource and Referral Services; (ii) an additional $5,000.00 was requested for the Circles of Caring Conference which is organized by a group of child care providers within the community to enhance their skills and knowledge; (iii) as a result of limited resources the group of providers have previously hosted the conference using their own operating resources limiting the venue resulting in an extensive waiting list; and (iv) the grant would allow the group to secure a larger venue and provide opportunity for greater attendance at the Conference, which is open to all child care providers.

It was moved and seconded

That, as per the staff report dated January 9, 2013 from the General Manager, Community Services, Child Care grants be awarded as follows:

(1)

Child Care Capital Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts, and cheques disbursed for a total of $49,998.53, and

(2)

Child Care Professional and Program Development Grants be awarded for the recommended amounts and cheques disbursed for a total of $15,000.

CARRIED

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

5.

Application by Dunbar Equipment Ltd. (doing business as Don Dickey Supplies) for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit at 8540 River Road

(File Ref. No. TU 12-614858) (REDMS No. 3705887)

Mr. Wayne Craig, Director of Development, advised that a two-year Temporary Use Permit for 8540 River Road was approved on November 19, 2007.  The permit was not renewed by the applicant.

In reply to queries Mr. Craig stated that the application, if approved, would be for a three-year term, which may be renewed for an additional three years.  The applicant could then re-apply for a new permit upon the expiration of the combined six-year term.  It is hoped that the business would either find an alternative location or seek rezoning.  A rezoning application was not pursued at this time as the amount of off-site work required to bring this site up to current City standards would be an onerous undertaking for this single business.  The applicant is actively pursuing other space but has been unsuccessful in finding a suitable location.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by Dunbar Equipment Ltd. (doing business as Don Dickey Supplies) for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit for property at 8540 River Road be considered at the March 18, 2013 Public Hearing at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall; and

(2)

that the following recommendation be forwarded to that meeting for consideration,

“That a Temporary Commercial Use Permit be issued to Dunbar Equipment Ltd (doing business as Don Dickey Supplies) to allow the retail sale of outdoor power equipment as an accessory use at 8540 River Road.”

CARRIED

6.

Proposed Revisions to the Coach House Zone Along Arterial Roads

(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-8987) (REDMS No. 3730295)

Holger Burke, Development Coordinator, provided a brief summary of the proposed revisions to the existing Coach House Zone; the key points being:

§ 

to create a new sub zone (RCH1).  It was noted that the current application in-stream and any future applications for Coach House would go through the new sub-zone;

§ 

that the new sub-zone is modelled similarly to the Edgemere zoning, previously approved by Council;

§ 

the proposed zoning will not permit an attached coach house;

§ 

the proposed zoning will reduce the allowable height of the Coach House from 7.4 metres to 6 metres;

§ 

the proposed zoning will increase the setback between the single-family residence to the Coach House from 3 metres to 4.5 metres;

§ 

the proposed zoning will increase the minimum lot depth and area to address concerns with shallower lots being allowed to rezone to permit a Coach House; and

§ 

that staff considered implementing a requirement for a Development Permit as a condition to rezone but after consultation with small builders have not recommended proceeding with this requirement.

In reply to an enquiry Mr. Burke advised that drawings, such as those submitted with a Building Permit application, would be requested as a condition of any rezoning application.

Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, stated that it is not the intent of the new sub-zone to pre-zone any lands, therefore any public consultation would occur through the rezoning process, including a Public Hearing, at which time more design detail would also be provided.

Mr. Juan Miguez, 6011 Comstock Rd, spoke in support of the proposed new zoning but expressed concern with asphalt laneways being used to access the coach house units and suggested exploring other access options.

Mr. Miguez also raised concerns regarding a Coach House application on No. 2 Road and was directed to speak with staff regarding the matter.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 8987 (Coach House Zone Amendment for Arterial Roads), be introduced and given first reading; and

(2)

That, if Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 8987 (Coach House Zone Amendment for Arterial Roads) is adopted, staff review the experience of the proposed new RCH1 zone in one year or when some coach houses are built under this new zone, and report back to Planning Committee.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Hamilton Area Plan Update

Mr. Erceg provided an update stating that staff were reviewing the June 2012 Hamilton Open House Survey findings and the implications of the three options.  Through general discussion, there were concerns identified with: (i) some densities being too high; (ii) the need to secure amenities; (iii) the re-configuration of existing parks; and (iv) the perception that City staff are not ‘leading’ the process. Staff indicated that another open house may be needed. Mr. Erceg advised that a report would likely come forward in April 2013.

(b)

International School Application

Mr. Craig confirmed that the City has received an application for an International school complete with a dormitory. The application will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the Aircraft Noise Policy within the Official Community Plan and an interim update memo will be circulated to Council.

(c)

Linygen Mountain Temple

Mr. Erceg stated that the City has not received a formal application from Linygen Mountain Temple but staff are aware that the Temple is undertaking pre-application consultation with the community.

(d)

City Centre Building Height

Mr. Erceg advised that a developer is interested in submitting an application for additional building height.  Staff will bring forward a report to address how such an application could be considered.

(e)

Smart Centre Application

Mr. Erceg gave a brief update specifying that Smart Centre has indicated that they will make a new effort to contact and acquire the five properties in question with respect to the road right-of-way.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:24 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, February 5, 2013.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Heather Howey
Acting Committee Clerk