March 4, 2025 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 4, 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 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 19, 2025, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Application by Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada to Extend the Temporary Commercial Use Permit at Unit 140 - 11300 No. 5 Road

(File Ref. No. TU 24-049270) (REDMS No. 7939890)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada to extend the Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TU 24-049270) at Unit 140 – 11300 No. 5 Road to permit “Religious Assembly” use be considered for a period of three years; and

(2)

That the application be forwarded to the April 22, 2025, Public Hearing at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers of Richmond City Hall.

CARRIED

2.

Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 08-4055-05) (REDMS No. 7934995)

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that they are aware of the community partnership between YVR, the Pacific Autism Family Network, and the Canucks Autism Network.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the City’s ongoing commitment to remove all types of barriers, including ways to better serve the neurodiverse community, (ii) how the City's Enhanced Accessibility Design Guidelines and Technical Specifications are incorporated into facility development, and (iii) sensory-friendly initiatives.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee’s 2024 Annual Report, as presented in the staff report titled “Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program”, dated February 6, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

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

CARRIED

3.

Seniors Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024

(File Ref. No. 07-3400-01) (REDMS No. 7937435)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) 31% of Richmond’s senior population is 65-74 years old, and 47% is 55-64 years old and (ii) research has shown that aging is not necessarily associated with chronological age, and that multiple factors contribute to aging.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Seniors Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024 as outlined in the staff report titled, “Seniors Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024”, dated February 4, 2025, from the Director, Community Social Development, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Seniors Strategy Highlights Report 2023–2024 be posted on the City website and distributed to key partners, local Members of Parliament, and local Members of the Legislative Assembly, including the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

CARRIED

4.

Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program

(File Ref. No. 01-0100-30-AADV1-01) (REDMS No. 7889019)

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report, as presented in the staff report titled “Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report and 2025 Work Program” dated February 3, 2025 from the Director, Policy Planning, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee’s 2025 Work Program be approved.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Pilot Program under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

Staff advised that effective February 25, 2025, BC Financial Services Authority has launched a pilot program allowing eligible developers with projects of more than 100 development units to extend their early marketing period from 12 to 18 months, providing developers with a total of 18 months to secure the approvals and financing required to complete their project.

In response to a query from Committee, staff advised that while the pilot program is optional, developers would have to opt in at the beginning of a project.

(ii)

Age-Friendly Initiatives

Staff provided an overview of age-friendly cities, noting they are designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors by optimizing opportunities to remain healthy, connected, and able to participate fully in activities of their choosing.

Staff highlighted that (i) in 2024 the City hosted three age-friendly neighbourhood groups in the Broadmoor, Hamilton and East Cambie neighbourhoods, allowing participants to meet, connect, and learn about age-friendly planning and (ii) the City has received a BC Healthy Communities Grant to facilitate a new age-friendly neighbourhood group this spring in the Blundell neighbourhood, and they hope to secure additional funding to facilitate at least one more group in 2025.

Discussion ensued regarding accessibility to the High Street area in the Hamilton neighbourhood, noting the inclusion of a level-grade connection across the building frontage.

(iii)

Youth Engagement on the second State of Youth Report

Staff advised that (i) the Government of Canada is now seeking input from youth living in Canada between the ages of 16 and 29 for inclusion in the second State of Youth Report, (ii) in order to ensure Richmond youth have the opportunity to express their views, the City has circulated information about the online engagement tool to City and community Association and Society staff and the Richmond School District No. 38, and (iii) three dedicated focus groups for youth in Richmond will take place in March to capture a broad range of Richmond youth perspectives.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) mechanisms in place to obtain feedback from Richmond teachers, (ii) collaborating with the Council/School Board Liaison Committee, and (iii) opportunities to engage with different groups of youth.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:19 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 4, 2025.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Bill McNulty
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate