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Home My WebLink AboutADP 2023-11-29 minutes.pdf City of Maple Ridge Advisory Design Panel Meeting Minutes November 29, 2023 The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Maple Ridge Advisory Design Panel (ADP) held via Zoom teleconference on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm. PANEL MEMBERS PRESENT Jose Gonzalez, Chair Landscape Architect BCSLA Sang Kim, Vice Chair Architect AIBC Jaswinder Gabri Architect AIBC Niall McGarvey Landscape Architect BCSLA Lindsey Salter Architect AIBC STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Wendy Cooper Staff Liaison, Planner 2 Carolyn Mushata Corporate Officer Emily Davies Committee Clerk 1. CALL TO ORDER – 4:09 pm 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA R/2023-ADP-045 It was moved and seconded That the agenda for the November 29, 2023 Advisory Design Panel Regular Meeting be approved as circulated. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES R/2023-ADP-046 It was moved and seconded That the minutes for the October 18, 2023 Advisory Design Panel Regular Meeting be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS – NIL 5. QUESTION PERIOD – NIL 6. FOR INFORMATION – NIL 7. PROJECTS 7.1. Development Permit No: 2023-017-DP / 22590 116 Avenue The Chair welcomed the project team to the meeting and introduced the members of the ADP. The Staff Liaison provided a brief overview of the project. The project team presented the development plans and answered questions from the Panel. • Maple Ridee - Advisory Design Panel Minutes November 29, 2023 Page 2 of 4 R/2023-ADP-047 It was moved and seconded That the application be supported as the following concerns be addressed as the design develops and submitted to Planning staff for follow up. J. Gabri recused himself from voting on this item. CITY REQUESTED COMMENTS FROM ADP Please comment on the overall form and character of this development and identify issues that the applicant should be aware of. Architectural Comments: • Reevaluate the placement of additional parking spaces in front of Building 1, as it appears to exacerbate the challenging configuration of the site’s access road. Building 1 is pushed uncomfortably close to existing trees to the north and compromises the patios at the back. Consider refining the sitting of Building 1, potentially eliminating the long driveways in order to enhance access and overall site design. • To achieve a smoother scale transition between the existing 2-storey buildings to the east and west, consider exploring alternative massing options, including roof patios at different block-end units. This approach would allow for a gradual step in building height, creating a more harmonious façade towards the adjacent structures. • Consider additional colour of architectural element variations to differentiate units and buildings, aiding wayfinding and contributing to a strong sense of place. • Consider a warmer tone for the brick material along the laneway to enhance the warmth and character of the space. • Explore relocating the electrical cabinet to a more discreet location for a cleaner visual from the access road. • Consider incorporating a heavier base around the units to ground the building. This will also help with bringing the Hardie up from the grade so wet conditions will not cause the Hardie Board to deteriorate • Consider using a full light door at the upper levels Landscape Comments: • Consider deleting long driveways to avoid parking and create a more human-scale driveway experience. • Suggest relocating amenity space to the southwest corner of the site, replacing visitor parking. This adjustment would improve sun exposure and minimize disruption to neighbouring buildings • Ensure that landscape materials march or complement architectural materials in terms of materiality, texture, and colour for a cohesive overall design • Consider alternative locations for the site access sign to optimize visibility and integration within the overall landscape • In the landscape presentation, PMG suggested that the lane serves as a social/communal space of sorts. In order to enhance this function, the panel suggests the asphalt could be switched to pavers, and perhaps the paver pattern could include a soldier course. If the proponent wishes to further enhance the ‘neighbourhood street’ feel, perhaps small pedestrian street lights could be used in the lane. Advisory Design Panel Minutes November 29, 2023 Page 3 of 4 • Consider reducing the height of the wooden fence on the southern side of the property adjacent to the Haney Bypass, as there is a considerable difference in elevation that requires a retaining wall to address the gradient from the road to the backyard. CARRIED UNAMINOUSLY 7.2. Development Permit No: 2023-011-DP / 22490, 22504, 22514 121 Avenue and 12085 Edge Street The Chair welcomed the project team to the meeting and introduced the members of the ADP. The Staff Liaison provided a brief overview of the project. The project team presented the development plans and answered questions from the Panel. R/2023-ADP-048 It was moved and seconded That the application be supported as the following concerns be addressed and a digital version of revised drawings & renderings as the design develops be submitted to Planning staff for follow up. CITY REQUESTED COMMENTS FROM ADP The Planning Department requests that the Advisory Design Panel provide comments on the development proposal. Architectural Comments: • Recommend a more in-depth exploration of the building’s west elevation composition and materiality. Consider diverse treatments that highlight the architectural frame movement, introducing elements such as metal versus wood, vertical panels versus horizontal siding, or continuous façade openings versus discrete windows for a distinctive appearance. • Suggest additional architectural and landscape emphasis on the building’s main residential entrance canopy and leading streetscape. This would improve visibility, wayfinding, and placemaking. The proposed design approach seems appropriate, but the scale seems inadequate when compared to the building’s strong architectural character. • Consider how the main entrance can be further defined. It currently feels dwarfed as it relates to the overall sawtooth massing. • Consider the use of a double door in space permits or additional glazing in the entrance lobby. • Explore the option of incorporating windows on the vertical face of the sawtooth roof design to introduce natural light into the vaulted ceiling space. Landscape Comments: • There seems to be a design disconnect between the strong architectural language and the muted landscape approach. Explore ways to integrate landscape design with the building’s architectural features, drawing inspiration from its verticality, varied volumes, marked angle frames, and other distinctive elements. Advisory Design Panel Minutes November 29, 2023 Page 4 of 4 • Recommend creating a friendlier interface between the laneway and the proposed outdoor amenity along the south edge of the site. Consider increasing permeability to improve accessibility and engagement. • Ensure adequate growing medium, drainage and anchoring is provided for on-slab trees. • The generous amenity space behind the building presents an opportunity to include more design features that could play off the strong form system of the building: - The 4 uses in the amenity area seem disconnected. Efforts should be made to visually tie them together. - There is an interesting pergola at the main front entrance to the building, perhaps a pergola with a similar form could be introduced over the seating area? Perhaps this form could be repeated or appear in another way in the landscape to try and create some ‘branding’. - Consider including garden plots that are of standing height and/or wheelchair accessible. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8. CORRESPONDENCE - NIL 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:34 pm The next regular meeting of the Advisory Design Panel will be held January 17, 2024 Jose Gonzalez, Chair /ed