April 7, 2021 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, April 7, 2021

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Chak Au (by teleconference)
Councillor Michael Wolfe (by teleconference)

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 March 2, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

April 21, 2021, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

2021 – 2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan
(File Ref. No. 07-3070-01) (REDMS No. 6625123)

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) prioritizing child care development in areas of the city where there is high demand for child care (ii) researching the demographic and the place of residence of Richmond child care users, and
(iii) encouraging the development of child care spaces in new developments.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that current legislation permits 24-hour child care, however there are no child care providers that offer such service in Richmond.

It was suggested that the 2021-2031 Richmond Child Care Action plan be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2021 – 2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan as outlined in the staff report titled, “2021 – 2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan,” dated February 25, 2021, from the Director, Community Social Development, be adopted; and

(2)

That the 2021 – 2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan be referred to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

CARRIED

Discussion then ensued regarding options to encourage contributions for child care spaces in new developments, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff explore a policy or bylaw for contribution for a certain percentage for child care spaces for all new developments, similar to the City’s policies for affordable housing, and report back.

The question on the motion was not called as staff responded to queries, noting that there are provisions in the Official Community Plan for developer child care contributions. Staff added that several proposed early childhood development hubs will be opening in the city and staff can provide Council with information on proposed future child care developments and current child care providers.

It was suggested that staff explore broad options to increase child care spaces in the city, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the referral motion for staff to explore a policy or bylaw for contribution for a certain percentage for child care spaces for all new developments, be amended to the following:

That staff explore options to increase child care in Richmond, including priority areas and opportunities to remove potential regulatory barriers, and report back.

CARRIED

The question on the referral motion, as amended, was then called and it was CARRIED.

2.

Application by Van Land Use Consulting for a Zoning Text Amendment to the “Industrial Retail (IR1)” Zone to Permit a Retail Liquor Store at 12571 Bridgeport Road 
(File Ref. No. ZT 20-909767) (REDMS No. 6615268 v. 3)

Staff reviewed the application, noting that the application is not consistent with the Bridgeport Area Plan, the Industrial Lands Intensification Initiative and City policies related to liquor licence applications, and as a result, staff are recommending that the application be denied.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the types of other commercial retailers in the area, (ii) the proximity of the proposed retail liquor store to other liquor stores in the city and, (iii) the application process for retail liquor stores.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that the subject site’s current zoning restricts retail uses to sales of building materials and restaurants.

Joe Van Vliet, applicant, expressed concern with regard to the retail liquor permit application process and industrial retail zoning noting that (i) there are existing commercial retailers in the area, (ii) there is residential support for the application, and (iii) the proposed application is not in close proximity to other liquor retailers in the city. He added that as a result of another liquor store relocating, there will not be a net increase of liquor stores in Richmond.

It was moved and seconded

That the application for a Zoning Text Amendment to the “Industrial Retail (IR1)” zone to permit a retail liquor store at 12571 Bridgeport Road be approved.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to the retail liquor permit application process and the proximity of existing retail liquor stores to the subject site.

The question on the motion was then called and it was DEFEATED with Cllrs. McPhail, Day and Steves opposed.

It was moved and seconded

That the application for a Zoning Text Amendment to the “Industrial Retail (IR1)” zone to permit a retail liquor store at 12571 Bridgeport Road be denied.

CARRIED

3.

Application by Firework Productions Ltd. for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit Renewal at 8351 River Road and Duck Island (Lot 87 Section 21 Block 5 North Range 6 West Plan 34592) 
(File Ref. No. TU 20-905119) (REDMS No. 6612513 v. 4)

Staff reviewed the application, noting that the event would require compliance with Provincial Public Health orders and a submission of a noise management plan to the City.

Discussion ensued with regard to options to mitigate the event’s noise impact on surrounding areas. Staff noted that a noise study on the site will occur prior to the start of the event and that noise monitoring will occur during the entirety of the event.

Raymond Cheung, spoke on the application, noting that there are bicycle parking provisions on-site.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by Firework Productions Ltd. for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit Renewal at 8351 River Road and Duck Island (Lot 87, Section 21 Block 5 North Range 6 West Plan 34592) be considered at the Public Hearing to be held on May 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall, and that the following recommendation be forwarded to that meeting for consideration:

“That a Temporary Commercial Use Permit be issued to Firework Productions Ltd. for properties at 8351 River Road and Duck Island (Lot 87, Section 21 Block 5 North Range 6 West Plan 34592) for the purposes of permitting the following:

(a)

Night market event between May 21, 2021 to December 31, 2021 (inclusive) to allow for a maximum of 80 event operational days in accordance with identified dates and hours as outlined in Schedule C attached to the Temporary Commercial Use Permit;

(b)

Night market event between April 29, 2022 to October 16, 2022 (inclusive) for a maximum of 80 event operational days in accordance with identified dates and hours as outlined in Schedule C attached to the Temporary Commercial Use Permit;

(c)

Night market event between April 28, 2023 to October 15, 2023 (inclusive) for a maximum of 79 event operational days in accordance with identified dates and hours as outlined in Schedule C attached to the Temporary Commercial Use Permit; and

(d)

The night market event as outlined in the report dated March 17, 2021 from the Director of Development be subject to the fulfillment of all terms, conditions and requirements outlined in the Temporary Commercial Use Permit and attached Schedules.”

(2)

That the Public Hearing notification area be extended to include all properties to the north of Bridgeport Road and West of Great Canadian Way as shown in Attachment 5 to the staff report dated March 17, 2021 from the Director of Development.

CARRIED

4.

Market Rental Agreement (Housing Agreement) Bylaw 10243 to Permit the City of Richmond to secure Market Rental Housing Units at 9900 No. 3 Road and 8031 Williams Road 
(File Ref. No. RZ 18-835532; 12-8060-20-010243) (REDMS No. 6611248 v. 2)

It was moved and seconded

That Market Rental Agreement (Housing Agreement) (9900 No. 3 Road and 8031 Williams Road) Bylaw 10243 to permit the City to enter into a Market Rental Agreement (Housing Agreement) substantially in the form attached hereto, in accordance with the requirements of Section 483 of the Local Government Act, to secure the Market Rental Housing Units required by Rezoning Application RZ 18-835532, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

CARRIED

5.

Amendment to the Appointment of an Approving Officer 
(File Ref. No. 08-4100-00) (REDMS No. 6625826)

It was moved and seconded

That the appointment of Reg Adams as Approving Officer for the City, as per Item 7 of Resolution R08/15-4, adopted by Council on September 8, 2008, be rescinded.

CARRIED

6.

Update on the City of Richmond Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057 
(File Ref. No. 12-8060-20-008057/10246/10247) (REDMS No. 6597355)

Correspondence received from Sharon MacGougan, President, Garden City Conservation Society, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), and Kerry Starchuk, Richmond resident (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 2) was distributed.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the various criteria for issuing tree permits including size, health and species, (ii) exploring increasing maximum fines for unauthorized tree removal, (iii) the average lifespan of trees in Richmond, (iv) utilizing appropriate tree species for replanting, (v) removing potentially hazardous trees (vi) maintaining the city’s tree canopy, (vii) options to protect low growth trees and shrubs, (viii) protecting trees during construction and during property landscaping maintenance, and (ix) outreaching to residents for tree protection education and awareness.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff noted that (i) fines for unauthorized tree removal can range from $1,000 to $10,000, however the Provincial courts can authorize higher amounts if requested by the City, (ii) trees that pose a hazard to public safety are typically approved for removal, (iii) there is a process in place to inspect replacement trees, and (iv) staff can explore implementing a tree sale in the City.

John Roston, Richmond resident, referenced his submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 3), and expressed support for the proposed regulations and additional enhancements to protect trees. He spoke on strengthening enforcement, the benefits of planting additional trees and improving the City’s list of replacement trees and tree replacement procedure.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Amendment Bylaw 10246 amending regulations for tree removal and replacement be introduced and given first, second and third reading; and

(2)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Amendment Bylaw 10247 amending the Tree Protection Bylaw permit fees table be introduced and given first, second and third reading.

CARRIED

Discussion took place with regard to updating the Suitable Trees for Replanting list and options to enhance public education on appropriate tree planting methods, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the Suitable Trees for Replanting list and tree planting information on the City’s website, and report back.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to the recommended maximum number of allowable trees in a lot, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review the recommended maximum number of trees in a residential lot, and report back.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to the destruction of old-growth forest in the province and it was noted that the City of Port Moody has drafted a resolution on the matter to be forwarded to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, and as a result, the following notice of motion was provided:

It was moved and seconded

That the following motion and associated background information be included at the next Planning Committee meeting agenda:

That the City of Richmond endorse and support the old-growth forest resolution passed by the City of Port Moody on March 23, 2021.

CARRIED

7.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Director of Policy Planning

Joe Erceg, General Manager, Planning and Development, announced that John Hopkins has been appointed as the new Director of Policy Planning.

(ii)

Housing Referral Report

Mr. Erceg noted that staff will be reporting back on various housing-related referrals including market rental housing policies, Low-End Market Rental Strategy, and Rental Restriction on Strata Councils at an upcoming Planning Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:51 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, April 7, 2021.

_________________________________

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Councillor Linda McPhail
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Associate