October 5, 2021 - Minutes
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Planning Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Councillor Linda McPhail, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Andy Hobbs (by teleconference) |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on September 22, 2021, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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1. |
Application by Regional Animal Protection Society for a Zoning Text Amendment at 13340 Smallwood Place |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10294, for a Zoning Text Amendment to the “Vehicle Sales (CV)” zone to add “Veterinary Service” as a permitted use at 13340 Smallwood Place, be introduced and given first reading. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
Appointment of Approving Officer |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Amritpal (Paul) Sandhu, Program Manager – Subdivision and Servicing be appointed as an Approving Officer in accordance with Section 77 of the Land Title Act. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Proposed Market Rental Housing Policy Changes and Low End Market Rental (LEMR) Program Updates |
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Staff reviewed the proposed policy noting that (i) recommendations are consistent with the previous reports, (ii) recommendations have been organized into subsections so that Committee can consider them individually, |
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Dana Westermark, Richmond resident, spoke on the proposed policy and expressed concern regarding the lack of metrics applied to the Affordable Housing Policy, and suggested creating a committee with planners, architects, and other interested parties to develop strategies that have been used successfully in other jurisdictions. |
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John Roston, Richmond Rental Housing Advocacy Group, referred to his submission, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and commented that (i) approximately 30,000 people commute to work in Richmond, (ii) there is a need to make affordable housing available to first responders, and (iii) incentives can be offered to developers to build rental housing. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the Low End Market Rental contribution rate be increased from 10% to 15% within the City Centre Area Plan, and that the associated Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10297 be introduced and given first reading; |
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(2) |
That the following changes to the Low End Market Rental cash-in-lieu rates be approved and updated every two years, and the associated Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10260, be introduced and given first reading: |
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(a) |
$8 per square foot outside of City Centre and $12 per square foot inside of City Centre for single-family rezonings; |
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(b) |
$12 per square foot outside of City Centre and $18 per square foot inside of City Centre for townhouse developments; and |
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(c) |
$15 per square foot outside of City Centre and $25 per square foot inside of City Centre for apartment developments with 60 units or less; |
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(3) |
That a mandatory market rental requirement is introduced to secure a minimum of 10% of residential floor area as market rental housing in multi-family projects with more than 60 apartment units, with a cash in lieu option for multi-family projects with five or more units, and that the associated Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and Bylaw 9000,Amendment Bylaw 10255, be introduced and given first reading; |
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(4) |
That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10255, having been considered in conjunction with: |
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(a) |
the City’s Financial Plan and Capital Program; and; |
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(b) |
the Greater Vancouver Regional District Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management Plans; |
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is hereby found to be consistent with said City program and plans, in accordance with Section 477(3)(a) of the Local Government Act; |
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(5) |
That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw10255, having been considered in accordance with Section 475 of the Local Government Act and the City’s Official Community Plan Bylaw Preparation Consultation Policy 5043, be found not to require further consultation; |
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(6) |
That amendments are made to the Zoning Bylaw to apply a mandatory market rental requirement to secure market rental housing units in multi-family projects with more than 60apartment units, with an associated density bonus (0.1 floor area ratio), and that the associated Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10298 be introduced and given first reading; |
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(7) |
That instream rezoning applications received prior to Council’s adoption of the propose recommendations be processed under the existing market rental and Low End Market Rental policies provided that the application achieves first reading within one year of the adoption of the applicable Official Community Plan or Zoning Bylaw amendment; |
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(8) |
That staff report back to Council regarding key findings related to the implementation of updates to the Official Community Plan Market Rental Housing Policy after the program provisions are in place for two years; and |
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(9) |
That staff be directed to review the feasibility of reducing or waiving Development Cost Charges (DCC) for purpose built affordable housing developments with rental rates established below standard Low End Market Rental rates. |
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The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued with regard to (i) reviewing the annual declaration process to ensure that the LEMR units are occupied by residents that meet the requirements of the housing agreement, (ii) analyzing additional data to see if Richmond’s affordable housing needs are being met, (iii) exploring options to expedite all rental applications, (iv) reducing parking rates for rental units, (v) evaluating asset declaration for LEMR units, (vii) developing a checklist for an affordable housing rental expedited application process and streamlining the approval time, (vii) exploring additional cost per unit associated with the increase in contribution rates for LEMR tenure zone. |
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Discussion then ensued with regard to the review process and it was suggested that Part (2) of the recommendation be changed to the following: |
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“That the following changes to the Low End Market Rental cash-in-lieu rates be approved and reviewed every two years, and the associated Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500,Amendment Bylaw 10260, be introduced and given first reading:” |
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Discussion took place on the LEMR contribution rate, and as a result, the following amendment motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the proposed policy be amended to allow for the phase-in of the Low End Market Rental contribution rate over two years. |
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The question on the amendment motion was not called, as discussion ensued with regard to advising the development community that if a phasing approach of the proposed policy is adopted, a grandfathering approach for instream applications would not be necessary. |
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The question on the amendment motion was then called and DEFEATED with Mayor Brodie, and Cllrs. Day, McNulty, and Steves opposed. |
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The question on the main motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. McPhail and Loo opposed. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to analyzing the efficiency of the LEMR program, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That staff be directed to consider input needed to establish benchmarks to measure and optimize the effectiveness of the LEMR program, such as vacancy rates, the use of the units by Richmond residents, the adherence to income restrictions and changes in income, and the amount of assets owned by potential occupants. |
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CARRIED |
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Discussion then ensued with regard to the City creating an advocacy document to incentivize affordable housing development in the city, and as a result, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the City of Richmond write to Metro Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the Federal Government, advocating for more funding and solutions for affordable housing. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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City Snapshots |
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Staff advised that City Snapshots is active and feedback can be provided through the Let’s Talk Richmond portal until October 24, 2021. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (6:07 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 5, 2021. |
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Councillor Linda McPhail |
Raman Grewal |