June 3, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Harold Steves

Absent:

Councillor Chak Au

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 Wednesday, May 21, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, June 17, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

The Chair advised that Clean Energy Vehicle Incentive Program and Sakamoto Guidelines be considered as Items No. 1A and 1B.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

1.

Application by Am-Pri Developments (2012) Ltd. for Rezoning at 9580, 9600, 9620, 9626, 9660 and 9680 Alexandra Road from “Single Detached (RS1/F)” and “Two-Unit Dwellings (RD1)” to “Town Housing (ZT67) - Alexandra Neighbourhood (West Cambie)”
(File Ref. No. RZ 13-649999) (REDMS No. 4160454 v.5)

Wayne Craig, Director, Development gave an overview of the proposed application highlighting the following:

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the proposed application will have a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.65;

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the applicant will provide a cash-in-lieu contribution to the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund;

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the proposed development includes greenways, wildlife corridors and trails within the site;

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the proposed development provides vegetation buffers along the perimeter of the site and will provide additional planting within the Alderbridge Way median; and

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access to the potential development site to the west is included in the proposed development.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig noted that the Statutory Right- of-Way and the linear greenway on the northwest portion of the site will be 20 metres in width. Also, he advised that the site is designated for 0.65 FAR density or 0.75 FAR with affordable housing provided.

Mr. Craig advised that the orphaned lot at 9560 Alexandra Road would have a 0.65 FAR base density and 0.75 FAR with affordable housing provided. He added that the adjacent lot at 9540 Alexandra Road is designated as park land in the Area Plan.

The Chair referred to correspondence received from Balkar Bhullar, owner of the property at 9560 Alexandra Road, dated, June 2, 2014, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and commented on the possible acquisition of the orphaned lot. In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig advised that the applicant was unsuccessful in reaching a resolution with Mr. Bhullar to acquire the lot.

Mr. Craig advised that the orphaned lot can be developed with the same densities as the proposed application and could potentially accommodate approximately 18 townhomes.

Discussion ensued with regard to the proposed site’s access to Alexandra Road and future land acquisitions by the City.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig advised that the new intersection on Alderbridge Way will have traffic signals. Also, he noted that there are no current plans to build a land bridge across Alderbridge Way for wildlife.

Discussion ensued with regard to the sustainability features of the proposed application and in reply to queries from Committee, David Brownlee, Planner 2, noted that the rezoning considerations include requirements to comply with EnerGuide 82 standards and have rough-in provisions for solar hot water heaters. He added that the sustainability features of the proposed application will be detailed during the development permit process.

Amit Sandhu, Am-Pri Developments (2012) Ltd., spoke of the sustainability initiatives planned for the proposed development, noting that it is anticipated to achieve an EnergGuide equivalent rating of 82. Mr. Sandhu added that the applicant is working with the City to add public art on site.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding affordable housing units, Mr. Sandhu advised that it is more feasible to provide a cash-in-lieu contribution to the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund. He added that managing the affordable housing units is not feasible for smaller development companies.

Mr. Sandhu commented on the attempts made by the applicant to acquire the orphaned lot at 9560 Alexandra Road and read from his submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Sandhu noted that a conceptual development plan has been submitted that shows the potential redevelopment of 9560 Alexandra Way. Also, he added that details of incorporating sustainability initiatives in the proposed development are dependent on their costs.

Discussion ensued with regard to alternative energy sources such as solar and geothermal energy.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning 8500, Amendment Bylaw No. 9136,

(1)

To Amend “Town Housing (ZT67) - Alexandra Neighbourhood (West Cambie)” Zone to reduce the minimum front yard setback for 9580, 9600, 9620, 9626, 9660 and 9680 Alexandra Road to 4.5 m; and

(2)

To rezone 9580, 9600, 9620, 9626, 9660 and 9680 Alexandra Road from “Single Detached (RS1/F)” and “Two-Unit Dwellings (RD1)” to “Town Housing (ZT67) - Alexandra Neighbourhood (West Cambie)” as amended;

be introduced and given first reading.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) efforts by the applicant to acquire the orphaned lot at 9560 Alexandra Road; (ii) the proposed sustainability features associated with the proposed development; and (iii) the architectural concepts for possible future development of the orphaned lot at 9560 Alexandra Road.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED.

Discussion ensued with regard to the type of contributions smaller developers can make towards affordable housing in the city.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine different options for smaller developers to contribute to affordable housing in the city and report back.

CARRIED

1A.

Clean Energy Vehicle Incentive Program
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued regarding a letter from Metro Vancouver, dated May 23, 2014, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 3), requesting for the continuation of the Provincial Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Incentive Program.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine Metro Vancouver’s request for the continuation of the Provincial Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Incentive Program and report back.

CARRIED

1B.

Sakamoto Guidelines
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to the design criteria (Sakamoto Guidelines) for the Steveston Village area (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 4).

Discussion then ensued regarding (i) buildings in the area that have incorporated the design criteria; (ii) amending the Steveston Area Plan to ensure that Sakamoto Guidelines are better reflected in the Area Plan; (iii) amending the Sakamoto Guidelines to reflect a more contemporary interpretation of the neighbourhood’s architecture and use of more modern building materials; and (iv) areas of the Steveston Village where the Sakamoto Guidelines would apply.

Discussion further ensued with regard to the preference to keep the area’s architecture historical. It was noted that staff are preparing a submission to designate Steveston as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was suggested that in order to retain the area’s heritage character, the Sakamoto Guidelines be re-implemented.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine ways to incorporate the Sakamoto Guidelines in the Steveston Area Plan and report back.

CARRIED

2.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy Amendment – City of Pitt Meadows

Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, spoke of a proposed Metro Vancouver 2040 Regional Growth Strategy Amendment for the City of Pitt Meadows. He advised that since the amendment does not affect the City, no formal response is required.

(ii)

Sustainability Initiative on Alberta Road

Mr. Craig commented on the installation of solar panels on a development on Alberta Road. He noted that currently, only one unit has the solar panels installed, and stated that, due to the added costs, there has been little interest for this unit.

Mr. Craig indicated that the developer has invited Council to tour the development. Staff were then directed to arrange a tour of the development for Council.

Discussion ensued with regard to the annual energy cost savings of incorporating sustainability features into new developments, as well as the possibility of requiring the inclusion of such features in future developments.

(iii)

Funding Agreement for Canada Line Capstan Station

Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, spoke of the successful agreement to fund the Canada Line Capstan Station.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:43 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, June 3, 2014.

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk