April 8, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail, Chair
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

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

The Chair advised that Rental Housing will be considered as Item No. 4A and Richmond Heritage Homes will be considered as Item 4B.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, April 21, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

DELEGATION

1.

Kerry Starchuk, 7611 Lancing Place, referred to photographs of various construction sites in the city and expressed concern with regard to (i) unsightly construction sites, (ii) construction and demolition work schedules, (iii) excessive noise from construction and demolition sites, (iv) the availability of construction site contact information, and (v) the recycling of demolition materials.

Discussion ensued with regard to the City’s Good Neighbour Program (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and in reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Starchuk noted that other municipalities in the Lower Mainland have limited construction and demolition activities on Sundays and statutory holidays.

In reply to queries from Committee, Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, noted that proposed revisions to residential building height and half-storey building area regulations will be proceeding to the April 20, 2015 Public Hearing.

Discussion ensued with regard to recycling of demolition materials and in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Erceg noted that provincial legislation require the recycling of some demolition material and Metro Vancouver ensures facilities that can receive demolition material are available. He added that the City is currently running a pilot program working with small builders to recycle demolition materials and that staff will provide an update to Council within three months.

Discussion then ensued with regard to limiting construction and demolition activity on weekends and statutory holidays.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Erceg noted that the City’s Good Neighbour Policy differs from the City’s bylaws and that the City has existing bylaws regulating noise.

In reply to queries from Committee, Edward Warzel, Manager, Community Bylaws noted that construction and demolition is permitted on weekends but is prohibited on statutory holidays.

Discussion took place with respect to the response time of the City’s Bylaw Officers to resident complaints. Mr. Warzel noted that response time by Richmond Bylaw Officers vary, subject to the staff available. He added Bylaw Officers are available everyday until 9:00 p.m. and the Richmond RCMP can respond to resident complaints when City Bylaw Officers are not available.

In reply to queries from Committee with regard to securing vacant homes, Mr. Warzel noted that City Bylaw Officers regularly patrol vacant homes and that City bylaws require that vacant homes are secured.

In reply to queries from Committee, Gavin Woo, Senior Manager, Building Approvals, advised that permits are required to be posted on work sites however, builder contact information and work schedules are not required to be posted on-site.

Discussion ensued with regard to resident complaints and patrolling by City Bylaw Officers. Mr. Warzel noted that staff relies in part on resident reporting to identify violations and that builders are advised of the City’s Good Neighbour Policy during the permit process.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Erceg noted that staff regularly meets with builders and builders are aware of the City’s Good Neighbour Policy. He added that the City’s Good Neighbour Policy is a voluntary suggested code of conduct for builders and that current City bylaws will require amendments to limit certain aspects of construction or demolition activity.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) after hours reporting of construction and demolition activities, (ii) using alternative methods to limit construction activities such as using a covenant on-title, and (iii) the demolition of vacant homes.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Erceg noted that demolitions require a permit and that the City can take action if violations are identified.

Discussion then ensued regarding builders posting work schedules and contact information on-site.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine options:

(1)

to limit construction and demolition activity during weekends and statutory holidays and define allowable construction activities during restricted periods;

(2)

to require construction and demolition sites post work hours, contact information and emergency contacts on-site; and

(3)

to involve the community in monitoring potential violations.

and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) posting 24-hour emergency contact information on-site, (ii) using resident photographs to identify violations, (iii) restricting construction and demolition activities on the weekends, and (iv) defining allowable construction activities during the restricted periods.

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

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

2.

Application by Peter Harrison for Rezoning at 2080/2100 No. 4 Road from Single Detached (RS1/D) to Single Detached (RS2/B)
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009183; RZ 14-657378) (REDMS No. 4382240)

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9183, for the rezoning of 2080/2100 No.4 Road from “Single Detached (RS1/D)” to “Single Detached (RS2/B),” be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

3.

Application by Matthew Cheng Architect Inc. for Rezoning at 7751 Heather Street from Single Detached (RS1/F) to High Density Townhouses (RTH2)
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009234; RZ 13-644767) (REDMS No. 4536458)

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, briefed Committee on the proposed development, noting that the subject site was orphaned when adjacent sites were developed into townhouses.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig noted that (i) the garbage enclosure will be a single-storey structure to house garbage and recycling carts, (ii) the garbage enclosure will be architecturally integrated into the proposed building to ensure an attractive streetscape, (iii) the proposed variance would allow garbage collection to occur close to the street, and (iv) should the proposed development proceed, direct mail notification would occur in advance of the Public Hearing and would include a notification area of 50 metres surrounding the subject site.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9234, for the rezoning of 7751 Heather Street from “Single Detached (RS1/F)” to “High Density Townhouses (RTH2),” be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Concord Gardens (Capstan Village) – Proposed Change in Development Phasing

Mr. Craig briefed Committee on proposed revisions to the phases of development of Concord Gardens, noting that all three phases on the north lot are proposed to be built simultaneously. He added that the proposed revisions are not expected to affect the delivery of City amenities and that the relocation of the temporary park will enhance the size of said park.

(ii)

Lingyen Mountain Temple

Mr. Craig advised that the applicant of the Lingyen Mountain Temple project is represented by a new architect. He added that preliminary plans indicate that the scale of the proposed project has been reduced to be in compliance with the City’s No. 5 Road Backlands Policy.

(iii)

Vancouver Airport Authority Land Use Master Plan

Mr. Erceg provided an update on the Vancouver Airport Authority’s proposed 2037 Master Plan preparation process, noting that community consultation is expected to occur over an 18 month period. He added that staff will be examining the Master Plan and will maximize the City’s involvement in the consultation process.

(iv)

Airport Restrictions for Building Height

Mr. Erceg advised that the City is examining increasing the allowable building height in the City Centre area. He noted that the Vancouver Airport Authority has conducted a technical study on flight paths in the area and City staff will review the report.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding the City’s input into the upcoming Airport Authority’s 2037 Master Plan preparation process, Mr. Erceg advised that the Minister of Transportation approves the plan and that the City has a cooperative relationship with the Airport Authority.

(v)

Land Use Contracts

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig advised that items involving land use contracts are currently under staff review and that staff will update Council on the matter.

4A.

Rental Housing
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to rental housing developments in the city.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine strategies and incentives to encourage development of below market rental housing in the city and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) new rental housing supply in the city, (ii) incentives to encourage developers to build rental housing with rental rates of approximately $1,000 per month or less, and (iii) multiple secondary suites in single-family dwellings.

In reply to queries from Committee, Dena Kae Beno, Affordable Housing Coordinator, noted that (i) staff are currently in the process of receiving stakeholder feedback on opportunities for the addition of secondary suites on new single-family dwellings, (ii) there is existing City policy in effect for existing single-family homes that want to incorporate a secondary suite, (iii) the Riverport Flat Rental Apartments are considered market rental housing (iv) Richmond has the highest ratio of family-oriented purpose built rental housing in the Lower Mainland, and (v) the City has a policy encouraging one-for-one rental housing replacement requirement on the redevelopment of existing rental sites.

Mr. Erceg advised that zoning bylaw permits secondary suites on all single-family zones. He added that homeowners are required to meet building codes on secondary suites and on average 200 secondary suites are upgraded annually.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Craig noted that current building codes do not permit multiple secondary suites in single-family dwellings however; there is an active referral for staff to examine zoning provisions for multi-family housing forms such as duplexes.

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

4B.

Richmond Heritage Homes
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to correspondence received from Geraldine Wray, 4460 Garry Drive (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) expressing concern with regard to the preservation of Goldie Harris House and Barn, located on 11620 No. 4 Road.

Discussion then ensued with regard to (i) background information on the Steves House and the Goldie Harris House and Barn (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2) and (ii) the preservation of heritage homes in the city.

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

(1)

That staff update the Richmond Heritage Inventory 1989 and other related lists to determine:

(a)

the remaining listed buildings; and

(b)

options to protect the remaining heritage buildings in the inventory; and

(2)

That staff examine options to preserve or relocate the Goldie Harris House and Barn and the Steves House and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding the Richmond Heritage Inventory and it was noted that staff are requested to update the inventory list to reflect the remaining heritage homes.

Discussion then ensued with regard to (i) preserving heritage homes by possibly incorporating them into new developments on-site, and (ii) introducing a bylaw to protect heritage homes.

In reply to queries from Committee, Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, advised that an example of incorporating heritage homes into new development is in Steveston. He noted that the City has explored zoning incentives to preserve heritage homes. He added that alternative options, such as relocating heritage homes, have been explored however; acquiring all heritage homes would not be feasible.

Discussion ensued with regard to previously used rezoning strategies and incentives to preserve heritage homes in the city.

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

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 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 Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Evangel Biason
Committee Clerk