October 17, 2017 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail, Chair
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Harold Steves

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day (entered 4:01 p.m.)

Call to Order:

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

Cllr. Day 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 October 3, 2017, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

November 7, 2017, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Application by Konic Development Ltd. for Rezoning at 7151 No. 2 Road from Single Detached (RS1/E) to Low Density Townhouses (RTL4)
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-009762; RZ 13-638387) (REDMS No. 5347398)

Edwin Lee, Planner 1, reviewed the application, noting that access to the site will be via a driveway to No. 2 Road and not through a cross access easement registered on title of the adjacent development to the south.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that direct access to the site can be safely accommodated now and the driveway on the subject property could be used to serve the development to the south upon the signalization of the No. 2 Road and Comstock Road intersection in the future.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9762, for the rezoning of 7151 No. 2 Road from “Single Detached (RS1/E)” zone to “Low Density Townhouses (RTL4)” zone, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

2.

Application by Darlene Dueckman, Mark Dueckman, and John Goossen for Rezoning at 12431 McNeely Drive from “Agriculture (AG1)” Zone to “Single Detached (RS2/B)” Zone
(File Ref. No. RZ 17-781064) (REDMS No. 5556538)

Jordan Rockerbie, Planning Technician, reviewed the application, noting that each new lot will include a secondary suite upon redevelopment.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 9773, for the rezoning of 12431 McNeely Drive from “Agriculture (AG1)” zone to “Single Detached (RS2/B)” zone, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

3.

Richmond’s Five Year Regional Context Statement Review, 2041 Official Community Plan (OCP)
(File Ref. No. 01-0157-30-RGST1) (REDMS No. 5575285)

Terry Crowe, Manager, Policy Planning, spoke on Richmond’s Five Year Regional Context Statement Review and remarked that staff are recommending removing the third bullet in Item No. 5 in the staff report since the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy is currently under review. He added that the City’s activities are consistent with the Metro Vancouver (MV) Regional Growth Strategy and the City aims to accommodate growth and development without submitting amendment requests to the Metro Vancouver Board.

It was moved and seconded

That the Metro Vancouver (MV) Board be advised that the City of Richmond has completed the required five year review of the Richmond 2041 Official Community Plan (OCP), Regional Context Statement and, as the OCP continues to be consistent with the Metro Vancouver (MV) Regional Growth Strategy, no Regional Context Statement changes are required, and the Metro Vancouver Board be requested to reaffirm its acceptance of the City's 2041 Official Community Plan, Regional Context Statement.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to Statistics Canada’s population estimate of Richmond and the potential implication with MV’s Regional Growth Strategy.

The Chair noted that the revised Five Year Regional Context Statement Review report will be included in the upcoming Council agenda package.

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

4.

Proposed Changes: Steveston Area Plan, Village Heritage Conservation Policies, Design Guidelines and Long-Term Bayview, Moncton and Chatham Street Visions
(File Ref. No. 08-4045-20-04) (REDMS No. 5561802 v. 6)

Correspondence received on the proposed changes to the Steveston Area Plan (SAP) was distributed (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, and Mr. Crowe, spoke on the consultation process, noting that extensive consultation was conducted via online surveys, open houses and meetings with stakeholders, and that the proposed changes to the SAP respond to the feedback received.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, (copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office) staff reviewed the proposed changes to the SAP, highlighting that recommended changes include (i) limiting Floor Area Ratios (FAR) to a maximum of 1.2 for new developments along Moncton Street and the north side of Bayview Street, (ii) limiting the number of storeys above the parking level to two storeys for new developments along the north side of Bayview Street, (iii) encouraging the use of wood and metal material for windows, (iv) introducing provisions allowing for rooftop amenity space and renewable energy options, (v) widening and enhancing accessibility along walkways, (vi) developing bicycle lanes along Bayview Street, and (vii) introducing short-term parking along the waterfront.

Discussion ensued with regard to the potential development along Chatham Street and staff noted that the map indicating the potential timing to implement the recommended streetscape improvements (listed as Attachment 12 in the staff report) only provides an estimate of when development in the area may occur and not actual timelines for development.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that staff are exploring options to manage vehicular traffic along Bayview Street and options to utilize various building and streetscape materials that would retain heritage characteristics.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the potential gentrification of Steveston, (ii) preservation of Steveston’s historic character, (iii) limiting building height along Bayview Street, (iv) limiting rooftop amenities in new developments, (v) encouraging the use of renewable energy in new developments, (vi) options to use other building materials such as vinyl, (vii) increasing accessibility options in new developments and on walkways, (viii) various design options for bicycle lanes, and (ix) incorporating pedestrian and cycling safety features as well as sidewalk amenities into the proposal.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) sign-in sheets from the open houses can be provided to Council, (ii) new developments will be subject to Heritage Alteration Permit and Development Permit requirements to consider design, and (iii) the Sakamoto Guidelines were incorporated into the previously adopted SAP.

Discussion took place regarding options to encourage smaller buildings and reduce the FAR for new developments south of Bayview Street, and the information package utilized during the consultation process.

Ralph and Edith Turner, 3411 Chatham Street, spoke on preserving Steveston’s historic character and expressed concern with regard to the inclusion of estimated timelines for potential development in the staff report and the potential gentrification of Steveston. They spoke against rooftop amenities and suggested that new developments use appropriate building materials and be inclusive to community living to encourage resident interaction.

Discussion then ensued with regard to deferring consideration of the proposal to the next Planning Committee meeting on November 7, 2017.

It was moved and seconded

That consideration of the report titled “Proposed Changes: Steveston Area Plan, Village Heritage Conservation Policies, Design Guidelines and Long-Term Bayview, Moncton and Chatham Street Visions”, dated October 10, 2017 from the Director, Transportation and Manager, Policy Planning be deferred to the Planning Committee meeting on November 7, 2017

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) incorporating the Sakamoto Guidelines into the proposal, (ii) incorporating the potential development of an interurban tram into the SAP, and (iii) the potential locations of bus stops in the area.

A City of Richmond Steveston Interubran Tram Feasiblity report and information on design guidelines for Steveston was distributed (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2).

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED, with Cllr. Loo opposed.

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Affordable Housing Strategy Update

Kim Somerville, Manager, Community Social Development, provided an update on the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy, noting that staff will present the communication plan and the draft Strategy to Council in the fourth quarter of 2017. She added that a final report will be presented in 2018 following the consultation process.

(ii)

Solar Panel Approval Process

James Cooper, Manager, Plan Review, noted that the permit process for solar panel installation has been streamlined and applicants can apply over the counter for a $130 fee.

(iii)

City Centre Area Plan Amendment, Landsdowne Mall Property

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on-file, City Clerk’s Office), Wayne Craig, Director, Development, briefed Committee on the proposed revisions to the City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) regarding the Landsdowne Mall property, highlighting that (i) improvements to the road network and parks in the area are proposed, (ii) the majority of the development will be focused near the Canada Line and will transition to lower density developments eastwards, (iii) a civic plaza at the corner of No. 3 Road and Landsdowne Road is proposed, (iv) retail high street is proposed along Hazelbridge Way, (v) community amenity space will be secured, however no specific use has been identified, (vi) staff will present a report on the matter prior to the consultation process, and (vii) the City has consulted with Richmond School Board No.38 on the proposed changes.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) improvements to walkability and permeability in the area, (ii) development of greenways and bicycle lanes, and (iii) options for roundabouts.

(iv)

Review of Adopted House Size Regulations in Agricultural Land

Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, noted that a six month review of the adopted house size regulations in agricultural land will be presented to Council. He added that 11 applications have been submitted since the new regulations were adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:02 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, October 10, 2017.

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Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator