Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-15 Public Hearing Minutes.pdf City of Maple Ridge PUBLIC HEARING September 15, 2015 The Minutes of the Public Hearing held in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia on September 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Elected Officials Appointed Staff Mayor N. Read K. Swift, Acting Chief Administrative Officer Councillor C. Bell F. Quinn, General Manager of Public Works and Councillor K. Duncan Development Councillor B. Masse C. Carter, Director of Planning Councillor G Robson D. Denton, Acting Corporate Officer Councillor T. Shymkiw A. Gaunt, Confidential Secretary Councillor C. Speirs C. Goddard, Manager of Development and Environmental Services A. Kopystynski, Planner 2 Mayor Read called the meeting to order. The Manager of Legislative Services explained the procedure and rules of order of the Public Hearing and advised that the bylaws will be considered further at the next Council Meeting on September 29, 2015. The Mayor then called upon the Manager of Development and Environmental Services to present the following items on the agenda: Note: Councillor Shymkiw excused himself for discussion of Item 1 at 7:04 p.m. as he has a property in the immediate area. 1) 2014-014-RZ Maple Ridge Zone Amending Bylaw No. 7071-2014 Legal: Lot 3, Section 28, Township 12, NWD Plan 3007 Location: 13316 235 Street From: RS-3 (One Family Rural Residential) Public Hearing Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 2 of 6 To: R-1 (Residential District) and RS-1b (One Family Urban (Medium Density) Residential) Purpose: To permit a subdivision into 13 lots. The Acting Corporate Officer advised that no correspondence was received on this item. The Manager of Development and Environmental Services provided a PowerPoint presentation which included the following: • Application Information • Subject Map • Official Community Plan Context • Neighbourhood Context • Site Characteristics • Development Proposal • Proposed Subdivision Plan • Terms and Conditions John Sellers Mr. Sellers identified the location of his property. He expressed concern with the retention of specific trees on the property damaged as a result of the recent wind storm. He asked about a bank on the properties to the north and at the end of his area which runs to a flat area he believes to be a drainage area. He expressed concern with what will be done with the bank due to extensive water runoff when the house next to his was being built. Don Bowins – DK Bowins & Associates Inc. Mr. Bowins advised on the tree retention plan and the stormwater management and drainage plans for the proposed development. Susan Chambers Ms. Chambers asked about the siting of two rows of buildings proposed. She expressed concern with the impact of the view from her residence as a result of the height of the proposed buildings and the grading of the site. She would like to see the large trees on the site retained. Don Bowins – DK Bowins & Associates Inc. Mr. Bowins provided clarification on the site lines of the property and advised that views from neighbouring houses will not be impacted. He also advised that trees which have been identified as dangerous trees by an arborist will be removed and replanting will be done. Note: Councillor Shymkiw returned to the meeting at 1:14 p.m. Public Hearing Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 3 of 6 2) 2015-212-RZ Maple Ridge Zone Amending Bylaw No. 7161-2015 Purpose: To amend the Maple Ridge Zoning bylaw to prohibit the sale of liquor and wine in grocery stores by adding the following under Part 4, GENERAL REGULATIONS, Section 401(3); g) The sale in or from a grocery store, or in or from a store located in a grocery store, of beer, cider, wine or spirits, or any other product intended for human consumption, that contains more than 1% alcohol by volume, except a product produced primarily for cooking purposes The Acting Corporate Officer advised that correspondence in support of the application was from Mike Olson, Overwaitea Food Group, Save On Foods. The Planner provided a PowerPoint presentation which included the following: • Background • Alternatives and Decision • Location Map • Recommendation Vance Campbell Mr. Campbell read from a prepared statement. On behalf of the BC Wine Institute and the wineries the Institute represents he spoke in opposition to the proposed bylaw. He outlined reasons why the industry he represents supports the sale of BC wines in grocery stores. Mike Olson – Vice President, Overwaitea Food Group Mr. Olsen spoke in opposition to the proposed bylaw and outlined the views of the Overwaitea Food Group as to why the sale of BCVQA wines should be allowed in grocery stores. Harvey Gigun Mr. Gigun spoke against the proposed bylaw. He expressed that public feedback to the Provincial Government indicated support for convenient access to alcohol, particularly in grocery stores and that the implementation of a one km rule will be contrary to this. He asked that Council vote against the proposed bylaw. Mr. Gigun provided his presentation to the Acting Corporate Officer. Public Hearing Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 4 of 6 Brad MacKenzie Mr. MacKenzie spoke in favour of wine in local grocery stores and is opposed to the one km rule proposed in the bylaw. Larisa Waddell Ms. Waddell spoke to the number of liquor stores already found in the community and expressed that she did not feel Maple Ridge required more locations where alcohol can be purchased. She expressed concern with the potential of easy access to liquor in grocery stores and that persons selling liquor in grocery stores will not be educated as to the process of obtaining identification. Jeff Guignard - ABLE BC Mr. Guignard identified ABLE BC as an advocate for the private liquor industry. He did not feel that wine should be represented as an agricultural product and expressed concern over the negative impact on the private liquor industry should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine. He also expressed concern with the sale of wine moving from an age controlled environment to one that is not controlled. He asked that the same restrictions be put in place for grocery stores as those for private and public liquor stores Yvan Charette Mr. Charette identified himself as the operator of the Haney Hotel. He requested that the bylaw proposing a one km rule be imposed in order to create a fair playing field for all. He expressed concern with the negative impact of the sale of wine in grocery stores on his livelihood. He stated that his main concern is having all on an equal playing field and felt that the one km rule will allow for that. He reiterated his request that the bylaw be implemented. Paul Flett Mr. Flett identified himself as the owner of the Foxes Reach Pub and Liquor Store and spoke against the bylaw. He expressed concern that grocery stores will be provided with blanket allowances to sell liquor and do not consider wine a controlled substance. He questioned why the rezoning process is not being used to regulate the proposed sale of wine in grocery stores in that a rezoning request will go through a Public Hearing. Mr. Flett stated that a level playing field is in the best interest of all. Joe Tarnowski Mr. Tarnowski identified himself as an owner of a liquor store in Maple Ridge and spoke in opposition to the bylaw. He outlined his concerns with the shortcomings of the Provincial liquor reform policies and the impact on private liquor stores should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine. He spoke to possible issues with NAFTA and challenges in other countries in which grocery stores are requesting the sale of all alcohol products. He expressed concern with the manner in which Bill 22 licenses were provided by the Liquor Control Board and indicated that he felt this was not a level playing field in that this was done in favour of grocery stores. Public Hearing Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Cherie Delaney Ms. Delaney is opposed to the bylaw. She expressed the need to keep the sale of alcohol out of grocery stores and that there are already many ways to purchase wine in Maple Ridge. She supports a zoning bylaw amendment to prohibit alcohol sales in all grocery stores. Mike Olson Mr. Olson provided clarification on licenses available and the Bill 22 licenses. Clarence Campbell Mr. Campbell responded to the contention that minors will be able to purchase and steal wine from Save On Food stores. He provided an example of a new store in Surrey and indicated that this store has not had any issues with minors due to the security on site. He outlined controls in place and indicated these will be the same as those for prescription and cigarette sales. Mr. Campbell felt there are differences between sales of alcohol in liquor stores and sales of wine in grocery stores. He also spoke to the questions around licenses, NAFTA and other trade agreements. Paul Flett Mr. Flett echoed his previous statement that this is a zoning issue and should be debated at a Public Hearing. He contended that the store in Surrey has had issues. Larissa Waddell Ms. Waddell expressed that BCVQA wines can already be purchased and that people are knowledgeable about the wines. Joe Tarnowski Mr. Tarnowski expressed his concern with the grandfathering of licenses and Bill 22 licenses. He advised that questions related to the number of licenses available have not been answered by Provincial representatives. Mike MacKenzie Mr, MacKanzie expressed that he is opposed to any government control which tells him where he can buy wine or beer. Yvan Charette Mr. Charette reiterated his request for a level playing field. He stated that in terms of convenience, there are currently liquor stores beside grocery stores in many instances in Maple Ridge. Mr. Charette expressed concern that big business is driving this decision and that without help from local Council, his business is at risk. Brock Rogers Mr. Rogers identified himself as the owner of three liquor stores in town. He spoke in favour of the one km rule. Public Hearing Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 6 of 6 Kimberly McGregor Ms. McGregor expressed concern with the potential ease of access to alcohol in grocery stores. She urged Council to make it difficult for minors to access alcohol. 3. ADJOURNMENT – 8:05 p.m. _______________________________ N. Read, Mayor Certified Correct ___________________________________ D. Denton, Acting Corporate Officer