May 20, 2025 – Minutes

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au (by teleconference)
Councillor Carol Day
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Kash Heed
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Alexa Loo (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty
Councillor Michael Wolfe

Claudia Jesson, Corporate Officer

Call to Order:

Mayor Brodie opened the proceedings at 5:30 p.m.

1.

TEMPORARY USE PERMIT (TU 25-008196)

(Location: 8620 and 8660 Beckwith Road; Applicant: The City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH25/3-1

It was moved and seconded

To allow a Temporary Commercial Use Permit for the properties at 8620 and 8660 Beckwith Road, to permit a “Parking, non-accessory” use.

CARRIED

2.

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW 9000, AMENDMENT BYLAWS 10655 AND 10663 AND RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 10656 (RZ 23-033712)

(Location:  9000 No. 3 Road; Applicant:  Panatch Group)

Staff provided a memorandum on table with a corrected version of Schedule 1 to Attachment 8 of the report titled “Application by Panatch Group for Rezoning at 9000 No. 3 Road from the “Gas & Service Stations (CG1)” Zone to the “Commercial Mixed Use (ZMU61) – No. 3 Road and Francis Road (Broadmoor)” Zone”, for Council’s consideration (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1).

Applicant’s Comments:

In response to queries from Council, Kush Panatch, Panatch Group, noted (i) a Statutory Right of Way (SRW) was discovered along the eastern property line when the property was surveyed, and (ii) research found the developer of the neighbouring property to the east had planted trees within the SRW at the time of construction of their development, which was unknown by the property owners of that development until recently when they where informed the trees are required to be removed due to the SRW.

Written Submissions:

Andrey Gayday (Schedule 2)

Rigel Pascual (Schedule 3)

Chris Jensen (Schedule 4)

Submissions from the floor:

Chris Jensen spoke to his written submission (Schedule 4), as a homeowner at 8080 Francis Road and direct neighbour to the subject site, outlining his objection and concerns regarding the proposed development.

In response to queries from Council, Mr. Jensen noted (i) the SRW has been a surprise to everyone that lives along the area, not just the trees, but the stretch of yard as well, and (ii) Rideau Neighbourhood Park is the closest neighbourhood park, but not always reasonable to walk there due to health concerns; having a yard is preferred.

Staff advised (i) a portion of the site noted as the greenspace is located on the subject property, (ii) the speaker also mentions the BC Land Title Act, Section 36, which refers to a city having received an application or a declaration from the Supreme Court to identify those areas as an encroachment, of which the City has not received any such request nor declaration from the Supreme Court, (iii) there are 11 bylaw size trees proposed for removal within the SRW area or adjacent to, as well as within the building envelope, and the required excavation for the parking structure that would also be required, (iv) the applicant had indicated at this time they can plant approximately 10 new trees on site, and through the Development Permit process staff can work with the applicant to examine if more trees can be planted on the property, (v) with respect to drainage, perimeter drainage will be addressed through the Building Permit application process where all properties are required to install perimeter drainage to ensure they are maintaining and managing their on-site storm water, (vi) shadowing on the east adjacent property is limited to the evening hours and late afternoon hours, (vii) with respect to the SRW itself, no encroachment is permitted into the SRW area, which is approximately three metres wide, however a fence can be installed within the SRW area, (viii) parking on the south side of Francis Road is located east of the subject property frontage, not within the frontage of this property and would not be excluded as part of the servicing works at this time, (ix) with respect to the consultation process, as part of the rezoning application, early notification is sent to area residents living within 100 metres of the subject property, as well as the signages installed on the property, (x) the applicant held a meeting with the strata of 8080 Francis Road and the strata of the nearby property to the south to make them aware of the development proposal and to discuss the application, and (xi) infrastructure capacity and the submitted traffic study has been reviewed by the City.

In response to queries from Council, staff advised (i) three trees are being retained in total, one is a City tree and two are considered neighbouring trees, (ii) the SRW area has a total width of six metres, divided equally between the subject property and the neighbouring property, (ii) a fence can be built within the SRW on the common property line, (iii) grass can be installed in the SRW area along with some small shrubs and other types of greenery that would be reviewed through the Development Permit process itself, and (iv) the proposed building massing has been pushed as far to the west and north towards the corner in order to reduce any shadowing impacts to the neighbouring properties.

PH25/3-2

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10655 be given second and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as a brief discussion ensued noting (i) the proposed development will provide rental units and retail space, (iii) a loss of trees as a result of the SRW, and (iv) encouragement of the applicant to work with the residents of the 8080 Francis Road townhouse complex, to consider potential landscaping options for the SRW green space.

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

PH25/3-3

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10663 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

PH25/3-4

It was moved and seconded

That Official Community Plan Bylaw 9000, Amendment Bylaw 10663 be adopted.

CARRIED

PH25/3-5

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10656 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

3.

RICHMOND ZONING BYLAW 8500, AMENDMENT BYLAW 10665

(Location: City Wide; Applicant: City of Richmond)

Applicant’s Comments:

The applicant was available to respond to queries.

Written Submissions:

None.

Submissions from the floor:

None.

PH25/3-6

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10665 be amended to correct the reference to section 5.2.1 to a reference to section 5.20.1.

CARRIED

PH25/3-7

It was moved and seconded

That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10665 be given second and third readings.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

PH25/3-8

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:17 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the Regular meeting for Public Hearings of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Mayor (Malcolm D. Brodie)

Corporate Officer (Claudia Jesson)