COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

December 2, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

MINUTES

PRESENT:

Mayor Wayne Wright Councillor Jonathan Coté Councillor Jaimie McEvoy Councillor Betty McIntosh Councillor Chuck Puchmayr Councillor Lorrie Williams

ABSENT:

Councillor Bill Harper

STAFF:

Ms. Lisa Spitale - Chief Administrative Officer

Ms. Jan Gibson - Acting Corporate Officer/Director of Legislative Services Mr. G. Dean Gibson - Director of Parks, Culture and Recreation

Ms. Bev Grieve - Director of Development Services

Mr. Gary Holowatiuk - Director of Finance & Information Technology Mr. Jim Lowrie - Director of Engineering Services

Mr. Mark Allison - Senior Planner Mr. John Stark - Senior Social Planner Ms. Jackie Teed - Senior Planner Ms. Stephanie Lam - Committee Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m.

ADDITIONS / DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

MOVED and SECONDED THAT the agenda be amended by:

• Replacing item 12 with revised report

• Adding to correspondence item c – from the River Market

AND THAT the agenda be approved, as amended.

CARRIED.

All members of Council present voted in favour of the motion.

1c.

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The Consent Agenda - Council members may adopt in one motion all recommendations appearing on the Consent Agenda or, prior to the vote, request an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for debate or discussion, voting in opposition to a recommendation, or declaring a conflict of interest with an item.

MOVED and SECONDED

THAT items 9 and 12 be removed from the consent agenda.

CARRIED.

THAT the remaining consent agenda items be removed from the agenda.

CARRIED.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES 1. No Items

PRESENTATIONS 2. No Items

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3. No Items

REPORTS FOR ACTION Chief Administrative Officer

4. Proposed Waterfront Vision Concept Plan, 660 Quayside Drive

Lisa Spitale, Chief Administrative Officer, summarized the report dated December 2, 2013 which presents the proposed waterfront vision concept plan for the Larco development site. Ms. Spitale advised that staff are seeking direction to proceed with the community consultation and zoning amendment process.

Ms. Spitale provided a PowerPoint presentation and reported that the City has been working collaboratively with Larco with respect to drafting a development plan that reflects New Westminster’s values. Staff advised that the Community’s view of the waterfront has shifted over the years, adding that an area which was once focused with industrial use has moved towards commercial use (eg: the River Market, Westminster

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Mark Alison, Senior Planner, and Jackie Teed, Senior Planner, referred to the staff report, and provided the following comments:

• The Plan seeks to include further mixed-used space;

• The Plan has taken into consideration the Downtown Parking Strategy, noting that if the western portion of the parkade is removed, that the proposal will need to consider including additional parking for the Development;

• Tower Two will be the tallest tower in the proposed development, and Tower three will feature townhouses;

• The Concept Plan proposes the creation of a new waterfront street, noting that Quayside could be extended to connect with Begbie Street;

• The Concept Plan has considered many aspects of transportation and access in the area.

Discussion ensued, and the following comments were noted:

• The Proposal features fewer towers, and therefore 200 less units, than noted in the original proposal;

• The Railways, in conjunction with the City, are working on implementing whistle cessation, adding that the proposed plan supports safer sightlines to the railway crossings;

• It was noted that the docks will be able to park Navy vessels or tall ships;

• Staff has conducted an environmental analysis of the lands, and advised that further investigation regarding any potential remediation could be conducted;

• The residential units in the Towers, at this time, are proposed to be strata units;

• Council expressed concerns regarding the access from Hyack Square to the River Market, noting that there are accessibility challenges with the steps. It was suggested that staff investigate options for providing universal access to the site;

• Council suggested that ground level access from the Development to skytrain should be made available;

• Council spoke in support of providing accessible and affordable housing on the waterfront.

Council noted that they look forward to receiving community feedback with respect to the proposed project.

THAT Council direct staff to proceed with community consultation and technical analysis on the proposed waterfront vision concept plan, as outlined in the report dated December 2, 2013.

CARRIED.

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CONSENT AGENDA

Chief Administrative Officer

5. Downtown Parking Strategy – Final Report

THAT Council adopt the final Downtown Parking Strategy and direct staff to continue with the implementation of the strategy’s key directions.

CARRIED.

Director of Development Services

6. Zoning Amendment Bylaw Respecting Allocation of Density within the Central Business Districts (Restricted) (C-4C)

THAT Council direct staff to prepare a zoning amendment bylaw allocating density stipulated in the C-4C Districts.

CARRIED.

7. Production of Medical Marihuana - Zoning Bylaw Text Amendment

THAT Council direct staff to prepare a zoning amendment bylaw that would permit the growing of marihuana in the M-2 Heavy Industrial District;

THAT Council direct staff to forward the potential zoning bylaw text amendment regarding the growing of marihuana to the Advisory Planning Commission for comment.

CARRIED.

8. Development Permit and Development Variance Permit for 744 Twelfth Street and 1204 Eighth Avenue – DS Tactical – Report on consultation and issue notice for Development Variance Permit 00562

THAT Council issue notice that it intends to consider a motion to issue Development Variance Permit 00562 for the proposed development at 744 Twelfth Street and 1204 Eighth Avenue.

CARRIED.

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10. 2013 Child Care Grant Program Request by Glenbrooke Daycare Society

THAT Council receive a copy of the letter from Glenbrooke Daycare Society; and

THAT Council provide a grant in the amount of $1, 400 to Glenbrooke Daycare Society to help cover some of the expenses related to the opening of its second location at 701 Sixth Street.

CARRIED.

Director of Engineering

11. Anvil Centre – Request for Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption

THAT PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. be granted an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063 to conduct night-time work at the times and dates noted in this report for the Anvil Centre project located at 777 Columbia Street.

CARRIED.

13. Development Cost Charge Expenditure Bylaw No. 7648, 2013

THAT Development Cost Charge Expenditure Bylaw No. 7648, 2013 to ratify, confirm and authorize a total expenditure of $2,680,900 from the Development Cost Charge Reserve Funds, be forwarded to Regular Council for three readings.

CARRIED.

Director of Legislative Services

14. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy suggested Principles and Guidelines

THAT this report be referred by Council for public comment, and that Council direct staff to return with an updated report to include residents comments in 2014.

CARRIED.

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General Manager, Electrical Operations

15. Electric Utility Commission: Bylaw Amendment

THAT the Electrical Utility Commission Amendment Bylaw No. 7630, 2013, be advanced to Council for consideration of three readings.

CARRIED.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

9. Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy and Family-Friendly Housing Policy for New Westminster

Council advised that they were pleased to see the City moving forward with the Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy and Family-Friendly Housing Policy, noting that the City must be able to accommodate all demographics.

Council spoke to the changing demographics of the City, noting that it has become common for young families to be living in apartments (eg: ground oriented units, multi- bedroom units, etc.). Discussion ensued, and the following comments were noted:

• Council suggested that the School District be consulted with respect to traffic and pedestrian safety in school zones. John Stark, Senior Social Planner, advised that consultation will continue, adding that programs, such as “Cool routes to school”

have been implemented to promote active transportation;

• With respect to policies that relate to children, Council suggested that children be consulted in order to obtain their feedback regarding the subject;

• Council spoke to the importance of ensuring the City has housing that meets the changing demographic (eg: aging seniors, expanding families, etc.).

Council commended Mr. Stark for his work, noting that New Westminster has been at the forefront for developing these types of strategies.

THAT the report dated December 2, 2013 be received for information.

CARRIED.

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Director of Finance and Information Technology

12. Engineering Users Fees and Utility Rates Bylaw Amendments for 2014

Council spoke to the updates noted in the revised report regarding the Engineering Users Fees and Utility Rates, referring to the report, the following comments were noted:

• There will be a reduction in the multi-family and single-family user rates;

• Secondary suites in homes are also responsible for the service fee. It was noted that illegal secondary suites known to the City are also being charged the fee;

• It was noted that charges for any secondary suites are forwarded to the property owner;

• Council advised that the Multi-Materials BC program has impacted the adjustments to the user fees, and advised that there will be updates to the regulations for recycling pick-up for the New Year.

THAT the attached Engineering User Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 7650, 2013 be referred to Regular Council for three readings (attachment A).

CARRIED.

CORRESPONDENCE

16. Correspondence for Information

Motion to receive the following correspondence:

a) Letter from Metro Vancouver dated November 15, 2013 regarding Metro Vancouver Waste Flow Management and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw No. 280 (Bylaw 280) with attachments

THAT the correspondence dated November 15, 2013 from Metro Vancouver be received for information.

CARRIED.

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b) Courtesy copy of letter from Queens Park Residents’ Association to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure dated November 21, 2013 regarding Immediate 24 Hour Heavy Truck Ban Requested for Royal Avenue, New Westminster

THAT the correspondence dated November 21, 2013 from the Queens Park Residents’

Association be received.

CARRIED.

Councillor McEvoy served the following notice of motion in response to the Queen’s Park Residents’ Association letter dated November 21, 2013:

WHEREAS the Queen’s Park Residents Association has expressed concern regarding truck traffic on Royal Avenue;

AND WHEREAS there has been an increase in truck traffic in the City;

AND WHEREAS this has had a negative impact on citizens;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back and advise Council on the following:

• The feasibility of removing trucks from Royal Avenue;

• Other measures that can be taken;

• Any immediate short-term measures that can be taken.

AND THAT staff report back to the next Council meeting on a timeline and steps to fulfill this resolution.

c) Letter from River Market at Westminster Quay dated December 2, 2013 regarding River Market Comments on Waterfront Plan 660 Quayside Drive

THAT the correspondence dated December 2, 2013 from the River Market be received.

CARRIED.

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NEW BUSINESS No items.

ADJOURNMENT

ON MOTION, the meeting was adjourned at 4:42pm.

Certified Correct,

WAYNE WRIGHT JAN GIBSON

MAYOR ACTING CORPORATE OFFICER