February 8, 2022 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (by teleconference)
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Harold Steves (by teleconference)

Also Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail (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 January 18, 2022, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

1.

Foursquare gospel church of canada - application
(File Ref. No. TU 20-901466) (REDMS No. 6806554)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada for a Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TCUP) for the property at Unit 140 - 11300 No. 5 Road to permit “Religious Assembly” use be considered for three years from the date of issuance; and

(2)

That this application be forwarded to the March 21, 2022 Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

CARRIED

2.

Enhanced Protections for Significant Trees
(File Ref. No. 12-8360-01) (REDMS No. 6824071)

Staff provided a brief summary highlighting that the proposed regulations within the tree protection bylaw address the contributions to the community and neighborhoods that large significant trees make, as well as seek to preserve large healthy trees.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) maximum number of trees required for replacement, (ii) the intent of the tree protection bylaw being to protect healthy trees, (iii) structurally unstable trees are not protected by the bylaw, and (iv) creation of a series of bulletins outlining the new amendments and processes.

Sharon MacGougan, President, Garden City Conservation Society referred to her submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and commented that protecting habitats and significant trees is very important. She stated that she would like to see some wording in the Bylaw acknowledging wildlife trees.

Further discussion ensued regarding the bylaw’s intent to allow staff to precipitate the removal of hazardous trees and to ensure the replacement and planting of significant trees in the same location. 

Staff advised that this bylaw gives them a regulatory authority that is very important when addressing specific situations of willful damage.  The authority is not used unless warranted and staff will continue to monitor a new tree even after a year if they see that it is needed.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057, Amendment Bylaw No. 10343 amending regulations for the enhanced protections of significant trees be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(2)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Amendment Bylaw No. 10348 introducing the security deposit amounts for tree survival and tree replacement related to building permit and subdivision be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(3)

That Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 7321, Amendment Bylaw No.10348 introducing tickets related to the amendments to the tree protection bylaw be introduced and given first, second and third reading;

(4)

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10339, which would amend provisions for the protection of trees, be introduced and given first reading;

(5)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10339, 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; and

(6)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100 and 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10339, 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, is found not to require further consultation.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued in regards to (i) the term biodiversity in place of landscaping (ii) maintenance of wildlife trees when not hazardous, (iii) the maintenance time being extended from one year to two years for new trees and (iv) definitions of hazardous trees, standing dead trees and dying trees.

As a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff review tree regulations and options to incorporate the following:

(1)

The word “landscape” be removed and replaced with “mature trees” and “biodiversity”

(2)

The maintenance of wildlife trees when not in a hazardous state, and

(3)

The effects of English Ivy planted around trees.

The question on the referral motion was not called, as discussion ensued with regards to creating communication around the pros and cons of the Ivy plant.

The question on the referral motion was then called and CARRIED

3.

BC Housing’s SAFER Program
(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 6772537)

Discussion ensued regarding the City of Richmond sending a resolution to the the Lower Mainland Local Government Association requesting that UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) request the Provincial Government and BC Housing for increase to the maximum rent ceiling and monthly payment amounts provided by the BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Rents (SAFER) program

Further discussion ensued regarding the (i) disparity in rental rates (ii) the City’s commitment to playing a leadership role in creating affordable housing and (iii) the need for Provincial and Federal government funding to reach this goal.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the staff report titled “BC Housing’s SAFER program,” dated January 5, 2022 from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information;

(2)

That the City of Richmond write to the provincial government, including the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Richmond’s Members of the Legislative Assembly and BC Housing to advocate for an increase to the maximum rent ceilings and monthly payment amounts provided by the BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program; and

(3)

That the City of Richmond send a resolution to the LMLGA ( Lower Mainland Local Government Association)  requesting that UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) request the Provincial Government and BC Housing for an increase to the maximum rent ceiling and monthly payment amounts provided by the BC Housing Shelter Aid for Elderly Rents (SAFER) program

CARRIED

4.

Referral Response on Public Access Along the Steveston Waterfront and Proposed Amendments to the Steveston Area Plan
(File Ref. No. 08-4060-05-01 ) (REDMS No. 6773172 )

Staff provided a brief summary highlighting key components and proposed amendments to the Steveston Area Plan and providing direction on the preferred location of the waterfront walkway including provisions for  pedestrian access from Bayview Street with the ultimate objective of providing a continuous walkway over the long term in this area. 

Discussion ensued regarding (i) concerns of further development of residential along the Steveston walkway; (ii) the current zoning of 3880 Bayview Street, (iii) no provisions for public access at 3866 Bayview Street, (iv) enhancement of the plan for the waterfront network, and (v) mixed commercial/residential use on waterfront lots that have been a permitted use in the Steveston Area Plan since 1986.

Further discussion ensued regarding amendments that were made to the Steveston Area Plan in 2017 reducing height and density along the south side of Bayview Street.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 10344, to revise policies on public access to and along the waterfront in the Steveston Village Riverfront area contained in Section 2.4 of the Official Community Plan (Steveston Area Plan), be introduced and granted first reading.

(2)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 10344, 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 programs and plans, in accordance with Section 477(3)(a) of the Local Government Act.

(3)

That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 10344, 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, is found not to require further consultation.

CARRIED

As a result of discussion around continuous access and walkability along the waterfront the following referral motion was introduced:

To bring forward amendments to the Steveston Area Plan on the south side of Bayview Street between 3^rd Avenue and No. 1 Road by:

(1)

Removing the allowance of mixed commercial/residential uses from all plans on the waterfront.

(2)

Holding active rezoning applications in abeyance until such time as the referral is addressed.

(3)

Providing a map of the building at 3866 Bayview Street and the walkway around the end of it to examine a way to connect the two sites together.

CARRIED

4A.

PRESALE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS RAISING HOUSING PRICES

Discussion ensued regarding the presales of condos and townhouses occurring before the homes are built which can increase the final price. Investors then flipping the property causing local buyers to pay far more then the original price making new homes unaffordable. As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff be directed to research whether the City of Richmond can require that developers marketing their units for sale in all new developments must give local buyers an exclusive opportunity to purchase new homes before sales are open to the rest of the world, and that this would include presales and sales upon completion of the units.

The question on the referral motion was not called as further discussion ensued in regards to this referral was worth researching, as not much is known about how residential units created within the city are actually marketed and consumed.  There is a substantial amount of presale and resale before the units are bought by the final occupier.

The question on the referral motion was then called and CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Agricultural Land Commission

Staff advised Committee of Agricultural Land Commission’s approval of a non-farm use application at 11371 No. 3 Road.

(ii)

Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy Update

Staff advised Committee that most Council endorsed comments from Richmond on the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth strategy were incorporated by Metro Vancouver and that staff anticipate further discussions with Metro Vancouver staff on the draft strategy.

(iii)

YVR Land Use Plan

Staff advised Committee that YVR is looking at commercial development opportunities on Sea Island Way but any specific development plans are years away and engagement with the City of Richmond will be required.

(iv)

Census Update

Staff advised that on February 9^, 2022 Statistics Canada will be releasing its first set of data from the 2021 Census

(v)

Building Activity for 2021

Staff advised that the value of approved construction was $719 million in 2021. Commercial and industrial construction appears to be strong and there has been a resurgence in single family construction.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:30 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, February 8, 2022

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate