March 21, 2023 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Place:

Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair
Councillor Alexa Loo
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Andy Hobbs

Also Present:

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 February 22, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

April 4, 2023, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

APPLICATION BY 1265028 B.C. LTD. FOR REZONING AT 8180 HEATHER STREET FROM “SINGLE DETACHED (RS1/E)” ZONE TO THE “SINGLE DETACHED (RS2/A)” ZONE

(File Ref. No. RZ 17-791280) (REDMS No. 7031674)

Staff reviewed the application and noted that (i) the property will be subdivided into two single-family lots with the western lot accessed from Heather Street and the eastern lot accessed from Dixon Avenue, (ii) there is an existing owner-occupied single-family dwelling on the subject property with no secondary suite, (iii) a minimum one-bedroom secondary suite is proposed for each new dwelling, and (iv) a landscape plan and securities will be provided.

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that concerns raised by a neighbour regarding the retaining wall has been addressed by the applicant.  

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10433, for the rezoning of 8180 Heather Street from “Single Detached (RS1/E)” zone to “Single Detached (RS2/A)”zone, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

2.

APPLICATION BY GROOTENDORST'S FLOWERLAND NURSERY LTD. FOR A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE “AGRICULTURE (AG1)” ZONE TO PERMIT AN ADDITION TO A SINGLE- FAMILY DWELLING AT 15140 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY

(File Ref. No. ZT 23-009334) (REDMS No. 7129346)

Staff reviewed the application and highlighted that the application is to allow an addition to the existing single-family dwelling to accommodate accessibility features.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that the zoning text amendment is required in order to allow a Building Permit application to be considered for the addition to the existing dwelling.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10448, for a Zoning Text Amendment to the “Agriculture (AG1)” zone to permit an addition to an existing single-family dwelling at 15140 Westminster Highway for the purposes of accommodating accessibility features, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

3.

APPLICATION BY MATTHEW CHENG ARCHITECT INC. FOR REZONING AT 7511 ST. ALBANS ROAD FROM “SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED (RS1/E)” ZONE TO “HIGH DENSITY TOWNHOUSE (RTH1)” ZONE

(File Ref. No. RZ 18-818548) (REDMS No. 6969884)

Staff reviewed the application and highlighted that (i) the proposal is to permit the development of five three-storey townhouse units, (ii) vehicle access will be through an easement registered on title of the adjacent property to the north at 7433 St Albans Road, (iii) the subject site includes a hammerhead turnaround at the south end of the site to enable vehicles to turn-around on-site, which will improve traffic safety for the existing townhouse development at 7433 St Albans Road and the proposed development (iv) seven trees on site are identified to be removed and five trees on the neighbouring property are to be retained and protected, and (v) the subject development will achieve Step 4 of the Energy Step Code.

In reply to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) there is an access easement registered on Title of 7433 St. Albans Road to provide vehicle access to the future developments of the subject site, (ii) St. Albans has been identified in the City Centre Area Plan as a key cycling route, (iii) there are many townhouse complexes it the City with more than 12 units sharing one driveway,
(iv) disclosure of access agreements registered on Title is the responsibility of conveyancing professionals such as notaries or lawyers when transfering properties, and (v) to retain Tree # 685 at the south east corner of the site one unit would need to be removed from the front, however that tree is not recommended for retention as it has been determined to be of poor quality as deemed by the project arborist and City arborist.

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10446, for the rezoning of 7511 St. Albans Road from “Single Family Detached (RS1/E)” zone to “High Density Townhouse (RTH1)” zone, be introduced and given first reading.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Day

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Local Government Development Approval Process Review

Staff advised that the Province is continuing to advance their work on the local government development approval process review and City staff will be attending an upcoming session on development finance tools which may include potential additions to new categories in which Development Cost Charges may be charged.  

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:33 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, March 21, 2023.

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Sarah Goddard
Legislative Services Associate