June 20, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail, Chair
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Chak Au (entered at 4:01 p.m.)
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

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

Cllr. Au entered the meeting (4:01 p.m.).

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on June 6, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

July 5, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

COUNCILLOR LINDA McPHAIL

1.

Richmond Agricultural Viability Strategy (RAVS) Update Referral
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with regard to the review process and timeline for updating the Richmond Agricultural Viability Strategy.

It was moved and seconded

That staff prepare a report, in consultation with the Richmond Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), which proposes a work program, to update the existing Agricultural Viability Strategy and Profile, for Council’s approval by December 2017, which is to include:

(1)

Terms of Reference, to complete the Strategy and Profile;

(2)

the 2016 Census statistics and related information;

(3)

policies to address City agricultural viability opportunities and challenges including land use, and infrastructure (e.g., drainage);

(4)

any needed improved City farm and non-farm development application regulations (e.g., zoning, soil fill);

(5)

a stakeholder and public consultation process; and

(6)

a budget which may include consultants.

CARRIED

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

2.

Modifications to the Child Care Agreement with Polygon Kingsley Estates Ltd. – 10380 No. 2 Road - registered under numbers CA4468793-CA4468794 as modified by CA5496252-CA5496253
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-01) (REDMS No. 5397328 v. 7)

Coralys Cuthbert, Child Care Coordinator, reviewed the proposed modifications, noting that completion of the facility was delayed by last year’s winter conditions and that it is anticipated that programming will commence in September 2018.

It was moved and seconded

That modifications to the Child Care Agreement for the Polygon Kingsley Estates development registered under numbers CA4468793-CA4468794 (as modified by CA5496252-CA5496253) as outlined in the staff report dated May 19, 2017, from the General Manager, Community Services, be approved.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

3.

Application by GBL Architects for Rezoning at 8091 Capstan Way from Auto-Oriented Commercial (CA) to Residential/Limited Commercial (RCL5)
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009676/9677; RZ 15-699647) (REDMS No. 5280912 v. 2)

Wayne Craig, Director, Development, and Suzanne Carter-Huffman, Planner 3, reviewed the application highlighting that (i) eight residential units will be allocated towards affordable housing, (ii) the proposed development will include a hotel as well as commercial units at the ground level, (iii) the proposed development will provide community amenity contributions such as a contribution towards the future construction of the Capstan Canada Line Station, contributions towards the City’s Leisure Facilities Reserve Fund, and contributions toward public art, (iv) the proposed development will provide sustainability features such as electric vehicle charging stations (v) the development will provide road and engineering frontage improvements, (vi) the development will provide universal housing standards for 20% of the market units and for all of the affordable housing units, except for the proposed townhouse unit, and (vii) the proposed development will provide contributions towards cycling facilities and a bus shelter.

Discussion ensued with regard to the potential loss of light industrial shops in the area.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 9676, to amend the definition of “Village Centre Bonus”, Appendix 1 – Definitions, Schedule 2.10 (City Centre Area Plan), to change minimum net development site size requirements, be introduced and given first reading;

(2)

That Bylaw 9676, having been considered in conjunction with:

(a)

the City’s Financial Plan and Capital Program; and

(b)

the Greater Vancouver Regional District Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management Plans;

is hereby found to be consistent with said program and plans, in accordance with Section 477(3)(a) of the Local Government Act;

(3)

That Bylaw 9676, having been considered in accordance with OCP Bylaw Preparation Consultation Policy 5043, is hereby found not to require further consultation; and

(4)

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9677, which makes minor amendments to the "Residential / Limited Commercial (RCL5)" zone specific to 8091 Capstan Way and rezones 8091 Capstan Way from "Auto-Oriented Commercial (CA)" to "Residential / Limited Commercial (RCL5)", be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

4.

Application by Incircle Projects Ltd. for Rezoning at 7760 Garden City Road from “Single Detached (RS1/F)” to “Town Housing (ZT49) – Moffatt Road, St. Albans Sub-Area and South McLennan Sub-Area (City Centre)”
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009682; RZ 15-701939) (REDMS No. 5378058)

Edwin Lee, Planner 1, reviewed the application, noting that staff are recommending that vehicle access to the site be located at the access easement over the internal drive-aisle at 7733 Turnhill Street.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9682, for the rezoning of 7760 Garden City Road from “Single Detached (RS1/F)” to “Town Housing (ZT49) – Moffatt Road, St. Albans Sub-Area and South McLennan Sub-Area (City Centre)”, be referred to the Monday, July 17, 2017 Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

CARRIED

5.

Application by Eric Law Architect Inc. for Rezoning at 9620, 9640, 9660 and 9680 Williams Road from Single Detached (RS1/E) to Medium Density Town Housing (ZT82) – Williams Road
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009731; RZ 15-715406) (REDMS No. 5415556)

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9731, to create the “Medium Density Town Housing (ZT82) – Williams Road” zone, and to rezone 9620, 9640, 9660 and 9680 Williams Road from “Single Detached (RS1/E)” to “Medium Density Town Housing (ZT82) – Williams Road”, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

6.

Single Family Dwelling Building Massing Regulation – Second Phase
(File Ref. No. 08-4430-01) (REDMS No. 5343082 v. 12)

Mr. Craig, Barry Konkin, Program Coordinator, Development, and James Cooper, Manager, Plan Review, briefed Committee on the proposed Single Family Dwelling Building Massing Regulations and public consultation process, noting that the City engaged in public consultation meetings, received 796 comment forms from the public and held a meeting with the Small Builders Group. He added that the proposed regulations will only apply to RS zones and will not affect land use or density which will allow for potential variance of the proposed regulations through the development variance permit process.

Mr. Cooper reviewed the proposed regulations, highlighting that:

§   

the maximum length of a continuous wall will be set to 55% of the lot’s total depth, with minimum inward articulation of 2.4 metres (8.0 feet) from the minimum side yard setback required after a wall exceeds 55% of the lot’s depth;

§   

in response to a question regarding other potential rear yard setback options presented during the public consultation, Option 2 proposed that no more than 60% of the rear wall of the first storey can be set back 6.0 metres from the rear property line, and the remainder of the rear wall must be set back at least 7.5 metres from the rear property line;

§   

only one side projection would be permitted in order to accommodate a fireplace;

§   

forward projecting garages would be limited to maximum of 9.1 metres (30 feet) from the front wall of the house to the front wall of the garage;

§   

a minimum of 50% to 55% of the front yard setback must be landscaped with live plantings and irregular shaped lots would have minimum landscape requirements determined by the City; and

§   

overall building height would be measured from 0.3 metres (1.0 feet) above the highest crown of the road in front of the house.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) limiting the length of continuous walls, (ii) usage of the front yard by occupants, and (iii) public support to regulate building massing for single family homes.

Brad Dore, Richmond Home Builders Group, spoke on the proposed regulations and distributed renderings of homes under the proposed regulations (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1). He was of the opinion that the option to have a minimum setback of 7.5 metres for 40% of the ground floor and the entire second storey is more suitable to create a useable private space in the rear yard.

Anne Piche, 11800 6^th Avenue, expressed concern regarding the proposed regulations and suggested that the Steveston area be exempt given it has generally smaller lots and that lanes in the area provide space between the lots. She added that the proposed regulations may restrict the designs of new houses.

Kathryn McCreary, 7560 Glacier Crescent, spoke in favour of the proposed regulations and was of the opinion that the regulations should be applied to all areas in the city.

Sam Sandhu, 4691 Tilton Road, commented on the proposed regulations, and expressed concern with regard to the consultation process. Also, he expressed that regulations should vary in each neighbourhood of the city.

Raman Kooner, representing the Richmond Home Builders Group, spoke on the proposed regulations and distributed a proposal from the Richmond Home Builders Group to revise the proposed regulations (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

Lyn ter Borg, 5860 Sandpiper Court, expressed concern with regard to regulations related to side yard setbacks and garage projections and distributed photographic examples of homes in the city with narrow side yards (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 3).

Discussion ensued with regard to how builders interpret current building regulations.

Holly Whitehead, 3800 Bayview Street, expressed concern with regard to the proposed regulations, noting that house design options may be limited and that the proposed regulations should not apply to all areas of the city.

Gursher Randhawa, 6300 Woodwards Road, expressed concern with regard to the proposed regulations, noting that (i) house designs may be limited, (ii) traditional yard designs may not be suitable for contemporary families, and (iii) proposed regulations should not apply to all areas of the city.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) notices for public consultation were provided through advertisement in the local newspaper, the City’s website and social media, (ii) the regulations can be varied through the development variance permit process, and (iii) the proposed regulations would limit building volume and massing and does not restrict specific types of building designs.

It was suggested that the proposal from the Richmond Home Builders Group be incorporated in the City’s proposed building massing regulations.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the proposed building massing bylaw be revised to incorporate the following changes recommended by the Richmond Building Group (as shown in the submission to Planning Committee, dated June 20, 2017):

(a)

Changing the rear yard setback requirement from the proposed 25% of the lot depth to:

(i)

6.0 m for a maximum of 60% the rear wall of the ground floor and 7.5 m for the remainder (40%) the rear wall of the ground floor and 7.5 m for all storeys of the rear wall above the ground floor; and

(ii)

maintaining the existing 6.0 m rear yard setback for all lots:

(1)

with a lot area of 372 m² or less; or

(2)

with a lot depth less than 28.0 m; or

(3)

located on an arterial road where the zoning bylaw requires a minimum 9.0 m front yard setback;

(b)

Removing the proposed maximum depth of house provision; and

(c)

Increasing the proposed limitation for a forward projecting garage from the proposed 9.1 m to 9.8 m;

(2)

That Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9524, to amend building massing regulations for single family dwellings be introduced and given first reading; and

(3)

That staff report back to Council within 12 months with a follow-up report on implementation of new massing regulations.

CARRIED
Opp: Cllrs. Au
Steves

It was noted that the proposed regulations will not be applied to all zones that permit single family residential uses and that Council would need to endorse a resolution to extend the proposed regulations to all zones that permit single family residential uses.

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

It was moved and seconded

That staff report back to Council with bylaw amendments for single family building massing in all zones that permit single family residential development.

DEFEATED
Opposed: Cllrs. Au
Loo
McNulty
Steves

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:45 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 20, 2017.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator