February 19, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

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

Also Present:

Councillor Kash Heed (entered by teleconference at 4:15 pm.)

Councillor Michael Wolfe

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 4, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Application by Harjit Sandhu for Rezoning at 11111 Bird Road from School & Institutional Use (SI) zone to Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/L) zone

(File Ref. No. RZ 24-008451) (REDMS No. 7909731)

Staff provided a brief overview of the application.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the current arrangement of the property is due to a lot line adjustment, (ii) the Building Permit issued to the property in February 2023 was to confirm that the current building was constructed in accordance to the BC Building Code and all appropriate zoning, (iii) any future development in this area would be consistent with the current Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing or single family development, (iv) the applicant has stated the purpose of the rezoning is for refinancing purposes, (v) the OCP land use designation for the northern 100 ft. parcel of land is “Park”, which envisions the site as part of an east-west connection in the Richmond trail network, and (vi) discussions have occurred with the applicant on the proposed rezoning of the front portion of the property for a modest increase in density, and (v) in exchange of the proposed rezoning, the rear of the property would be transferred to the City for parks purposes, however the applicant was not agreeable to this option.

Direction was given to staff to circulate to Council the original 2010 Trails Strategy.

Councillor Kash Heed entered the meeting (4:15 p.m.)

Harjit Sandhu, Applicant, referred to his submission, (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and spoke to the history, details and merit of his application submission, highlighting that (i) in 1993, owners of the adjacent properties at 11051 and 11071 were given approval for their rezoning applications, permitting the rezoning of the northern portion of their properties to residential use which increased the density on the southern portion of their properties, (ii) the applicant is willing to engage in discussions with city staff regarding the sale of the northern portion of the property, and (iii) an increase in density will result in an increase in family friendly rental units.

In response to queries from Committee, the applicant advised that he is open to discussions with staff regarding acquisition of the 100 ft. wide northern portion of the subject property at a fair market price.

In response to further queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) should this application be referred back to staff for more information, staff would require additional discussions, drawings, materials and information, (ii) rezoning the subject property may increase its value, (iii) Committee can direct staff to work with the applicant to examine what may be possible to facilitate redevelopment of the front portion of the property and acquisition of the backlands by the City (v) the City has not purchased any of the backlands since 1988, but it is a long term goal of the City to acquire those lands, and (vi) the applicant has applied to rezone the northern portion of the land for  residential use.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) receiving more information about the park acquisition, backlands and redevelopment of the property to make a decision on the application, (ii) creation of the linear strip, (iii) City acquisition of the properties on the buffer strip, and (iv) use of the properties on the buffer strip being subject to the BC Hydro right of way.

As a result of the discussion the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the application to rezone the northern 30.48 m (100 ft.) of 11111 Bird Road from “School & Institutional Use (SI)” zone to “Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RSM/L)” zone be referred back to staff to work with the applicant to examine what and if it may be possible to facilitate redevelopment of the front portion of the property and acquire the backlands.

CARRIED

Opposed: Cllr. Day

2.

Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-SADV1-01) (REDMS No. 7919212)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee’s 2024 Annual Report, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program”, dated January 20, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee’s 2025 Work Program be approved.

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that various Council initiatives and strategies are brought forward to the Senior’s Advisory Committee for their advice and feedback.

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

3.

Richmond Youth Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 07-3425-01) (REDMS No. 7909088)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Youth Advisory Committee’s 2024 Annual Report, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Richmond Youth Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program”, dated January 23, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Richmond Youth Advisory Committee’s 2025 Work Program be approved.

CARRIED

4.

Youth Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024

(File Ref. No. 07-3425-01) (REDMS No. 7898279)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised (i) the youth age group in Richmond was changed when the Youth Strategy was developed, (ii) youth that are connected and engaged in the community have more positive outcomes in terms of health and well-being, and (iii) there are a number of volunteer opportunities specific to youth in the City and with the City’s partners.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Youth Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024, as outlined in the staff report titled, “Youth Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024”, dated January 23, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Youth Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024 be distributed to key partners, local Members of Parliament, local Members of the Legislative Assembly and provincial Ministers whose ministries are related to youth, including the Minister of Children and Family Development, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and the Minister of Education and Child Care; and posted on the City website.

CARRIED

DEPUTY CAO’S OFFICE

5.

Application to amend Housing Agreement Bylaw 9952 (Richmond Centre Phase One)

(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 7907728)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) staff are currently working on the Richmond Housing Authority Council referral, and (ii) the purpose of this staff report is to look at amending the existing Housing Agreement for the Richmond Centre redevelopment to allow the property owner to access the updated Low-End Market Rental (LEMR) rates.

It was moved and seconded

That Housing Agreement (6551 No.3 Rd) Bylaw No. 9952, Amendment Bylaw No. 10634 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

CARRIED

6.

Referral Response: Charging Fees for Parking Allocated to Low-End Market Rental (LEMR) Units in Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA)

(File Ref. No. 08-4057-05) (REDMS No. 7894496)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that the purpose of this report is to enable owners of Low- End Market Rental (LEMR) units to charge occupants for parking.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That, as described in the report titled “Referral Response: Charging Fees for Parking Allocated to Low-End Market Rental (LEMR) Units in Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA)”, dated January 18, 2025, from the Director, Housing Office, changes to the terms of affordable housing agreements used to secure LEMR units to permit a charge for parking as outlined in Option 2 be endorsed by Council;

(2)

That the terms used to enable owners of LEMR units to charge for the use of parking be used in housing agreements for any conditionally approved rezoning applications, being those for which a zoning amendment bylaw has been given third reading and an associated housing agreement has yet to be executed as of February 24, 2025, notwithstanding the terms of any executed rezoning considerations letter; and

(3)

That the terms used to enable owners of LEMR units to charge for the use of parking, be used in any future housing agreement associated with a new or in-stream development application for which conditional approvals have yet to be granted.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with respect to (i) the Provincial Housing legislation related to parking, and (ii) need and associated costs for parking provisions.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllrs. Day and McNulty opposed.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:14 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 Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

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Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Raman Grewal
Legislative Services Associate