February 6, 2024 - Minutes
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Planning Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 |
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Place: |
Council Chambers |
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Present: |
Councillor Bill McNulty, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Michael Wolfe (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 January 23, 2024, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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The Chair advised that the order of the agenda would be varied to consider Item No. 1 after item 4. |
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2. |
RICHMOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2024 WORK PROGRAM (File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-ACEN1-01) (REDMS No. 7479227) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment’s 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program, as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Advisory Committee on the Environment 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program” dated January 9, 2024, from the Director of Policy Planning, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
RICHMOND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2024 WORK PROGRAM (File Ref. No. 08-4055-05) (REDMS No. 7476143) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee’s 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program, as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program” dated January 4, 2024, from the Director of Community Social Development, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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4. |
CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2024 WORK PROGRAM (File Ref. No. 07-3070-01/) (REDMS No. 7487416) |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Child Care Development Advisory Committee’s 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Child Care Development Advisory Committee 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Work Program” dated January 3, 2024, from the Director, Community Social Development, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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1. |
(File Ref. No. RZ 23-011557) (REDMS No. 7536337) |
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Staff provided a brief overview of the application. |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Phase 1A includes approximately 1,041 residential dwelling units, with the entire redevelopment of the site anticipated to include approximately 4,300 residential dwelling units, totaling an estimate of approximately 9,000 residents, (ii) the application is in compliance with the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the provision of potential future school sites was considered through the OCP, (iii) in accordance with procedural requirements, the OCP was referred to Richmond School District No. 38 (SD38) for comment when the City Centre Area Plan was adopted in 2009, and consultation with SD38 on the overall Lansdowne Master Plan occurred as part of the Lansdowne |
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OCP Amendment process adopted by Council in November 2023, (iv) SD38 believes there is a future requirement for two new elementary schools in the City Centre, (v) approximately 20% of the site is designated as park, comprised of a linear park (14.5 m wide), public plazas, and large central park, with the linear park being part of a larger City parks initiative with the intention to connect the Olympic Oval Village to Garden City Lands, (vi) should rezoning proceed, the submission and approval of a construction traffic and parking management plan is required before a building permit can be issued, (vii) the City establishes minimum sizes for LEMR units and it is common that LEMR units are larger than the equivalent bedroom size market units, (viii) the Master Plan aims to concentrate density near the Canada Line station, tapering off gradually towards the east, and the minimum targets established in the Affordable Housing Strategy and OCP are achieved, including the requirements for family-friendly units, (ix) there is not expected to be significant grade changes of Alderbridge Way, (x) 16 City trees located on the central boulevard on Alderbridge Way are to be retained and 11 City trees are to be removed, and more details on tree retention and building form and character will be provided through the Development Permit process, (xi) the proposed central park is approximately 4.7 acres out of the 10 acres of total park space and further details of the park will be determined through the Park Master Plan process which will include public engagement, and (xii) any amenity contributions provided as “Interim Amenity Security” would be held in an interim account until Council has determined what form of amenity is to be provided as part of future rezoning applications. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) community amenity contributions and the recommendation for a cash-in-lieu contribution for a future facility elsewhere on the site in Phase 7 in compliance with the OCP and Master Phasing Agreement and (ii) parking space allocation and Transportation Demand Management measures. |
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Staff referred to a memorandum from the Director, Policy Planning and Director, Parks Services (Schedule 1), which provides more information on development density projections, the delivery of parkland and preservation of opportunities for SD38 to secure a site and develop a school on the subject property, highlighting that the proposed application is consistent with the Master Land Use Plan adopted by Council in November 2023. |
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Dan Cupa, Bosa Properties, Jesse Galicz, Vanprop, and Marianne Kwok, KPF (Design Architects), provided a brief overview of Phase 1A, highlighting the creation of 1,041 residential dwelling units, including 141 LEMR units, 151 market rental housing units and 749 strata units, park space, and community amenity contributions. |
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In response to queries from Committee, the applicant representatives advised that (i) the building size and density distribution of the proposed development, comprised of two eight to fourteen-storey buildings, is in line with the OCP, (ii) Parcel 2 and Parcel 5 are designed to comply with Energy Step Code 2 with connection to a low carbon energy system, in compliance with the City’s sustainability requirements, (iii) the unit mix and supply was determined through a market needs assessment and is line with the Affordable Housing Strategy and OCP and will be confirmed through the Development Permit process, (iv) a childcare facility is not required to be incorporated into the development Phase 1A and as per the approved Lansdowne Master Plan OCP amendment there is potential for a large City facility to be secured in subsequent phases of development, (v) the project is designed to appeal to a broader audience and a more luxurious design would result in higher costs to the end user, and (vi) access for delivery services has been incorporated into the development design. |
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Tyler Pronyk spoke in support of the application, noting the need for more rental units and housing, and highlighted the public benefits including park space and green links for pedestrians and cyclists. |
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Ahmed Omran, Director of Community Real Estate and Asset Management, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., spoke in support of the application, noting operational efficiency for the proposed LEMR units. |
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In response to a query from Committee, Mr. Omran noted that during the waitlist and application process, priority is given to those that live within the community or work close by. |
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Alex Mah, Richmond resident, expressed support for the Lansdowne redevelopment, noting the importance of more housing options and the efficient use of space in central Richmond. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the provision of a physical childcare facility/Early Childhood Development Hub, (ii) the developer’s commitment to Richmond’s BC Energy Step Code in compliance with the City’s sustainability requirements, and (iii) the requirement to address any changes in use or density prior to public hearings. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That Richmond Official Community Plan Bylaw 7100, Amendment Bylaw 10523 to amend Section 2.33 map entitled “Pedestrian Environment Map (2031)”, Section 2.5.1 map entitled “A Base for Building a Living Landscape Map”, Section 2.6 map entitled “Base Level Parks & Open Space Map (2031)”, subsection 2.6.3(c) map entitled “Pedestrian Linkages Map”, subsection 3.1.3(c) (Pedestrian Linkages) map entitled “Designated Green Link & Linear Park Location Map”, and Section 3.3.2 Special Precinct 2.0 plan entitled “Special Precinct Character Areas & Major Park and Public Open Space Plan”, to move the North-South “Minor Green Link” east of Cooney Road identified in the OCP Lansdowne Village (City Centre), to along the west side of Kwantlen Street, be introduced and given first reading; |
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(2) |
That Bylaw 10523, having been considered in conjunction with: |
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the City’s Financial Plan and Capital Program; |
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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; |
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(3) |
That Bylaw 10523, having been considered in accordance with OCP Bylaw Preparation Consultation Policy 5043, is hereby found not to require further consultation; and |
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(4) |
That Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500, Amendment Bylaw 10511 to create the “Residential/Limited Commercial (ZMU55) – Lansdowne Village (City Centre)” zone, and to rezone a portion of 5300 No.3 Road from “Auto-Oriented Commercial (CA)” to “Residential/Limited Commercial (ZMU55) – Lansdowne Village (City Centre)” zone, be introduced and given first reading. |
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The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued regarding (i) unit size, (ii) a childcare facility, (iii) the linear park concept, and (iv) tree retention. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day and McNulty opposed. |
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5. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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(i) |
“Most Business Friendly” Award |
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Staff highlighted that the City of Richmond has been recognized as one of Canada's most business-friendly municipalities in the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks' (NAIOP) annual Awards for Municipal Excellence. The award is based on the NAIOP's 2023 annual Cost of Business Survey, which highlights municipalities that create positive business environments. The award will be presented at the February 12, 2024 Council meeting. |
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(ii) |
Rapid Housing Initiative Building Permit |
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Staff advised that the building permit for the Rapid Housing Initiative was issued on February 1, 2024. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:39 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, February 6, 2024. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Bill McNulty |
Shannon Unrau |