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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-26 Workshop Agenda and ReportsCorporation of the District of Maple Ridge COUNCIL WORKSHOP A GENDA July 26, 2004 9:00 am. Blaney Room, 1st Floor, Municipal Hall The purpose of the Council Workshop is to review and discuss policies and other items of interest to Council. Although resolutions may be passed at this meeting, the intent is to make a consensus decision to send an item to Council for debate and vote or refer the item back to stafffor more information or clarification. REMINDERS July 26 Closed Council July 27 Council July 29 Special Council Following Workshop 7:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. ADOPTION OF THE A GENDA MINUTES - July 19, 2004 PRESENTATIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Discussion of September 13 Town Hall Meeting on Homelessness 4.2 Review of R-3 (Special Amenity Residential District) Zone - (Compact Single Family Housing) A' Staff report dated July 21, 2004 recommending that staff prepare a report on a process for reviewing the use of compact single family housing. Council Workshop July 26, 2004 Page 2 of 3 5. CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence has been received and requires a response. Staff is seeking direction from Council on each item. Options that Council may consider include: Acknowledge receipt of correspondence and advise that no further action will be taken. Direct staff to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the subject matter. Forward the correspondence to a regular Council meeting for further discussion. Once direction is given the appropriate response will be sent. 6. BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL 7. MA TTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT 8. ADJOURNMENT Checkedy. Date: JA 2- Council Workshop July 26, 2004 Page 3 of 3 Rules for Holding a Closed Meeting A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following: personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality; personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity; labour relations or employee negotiations; the security of property of the municipality; the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality; law enforcement, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment; litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; an administrative tribunal hearing or potential administrative tribunal hearing affecting the municipality, other than a hearing to be conducted by the council or a delegate of council the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; information that is prohibited or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; (1) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objectives, measures and progress reports for the purposes of preparing an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal report] a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting; the consideration of whether a council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection of subsection (2) the consideration of whether the authority under section 91 (other persons attending closed meetings) should be exercised in relation to a council meeting. information relating to local government participation in provincial negotiations with First Nations, where an agreement provides that the information is to be kept confidential. -3-3604" CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF MAPLE RIDGE MAPLE RIDGE TO: Her Worship Mayor Kathy Morse DATE: July 21, 2004 and Members of Council FILE NO: 6930-20 FROM: Chief Administrative Officer ATTN: Council Workshop SUBJECT: Review of R-3 (Special Amenity Residential District) zone - (Compact Single Family Housing). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The District of Maple Ridge has established large scale neighbourhood developments based on small lot fee simple housing, such as those in the Albion area. There are many benefits to this type of housing in that it creates more compact development and can offer affordable housing appropriate for families. However, the demands it can place on infrastructure such as road networks, has raised concerns about the access for emergency vehicles, public safety, etc. Other concerns are identified as well. For this reason, Council is requested to direct staff to report back on a process for reviewing the use of compact single family housing in the District. RECOMMENDATION: That a report be prepared on a process for reviewing the use of compact single family housing in the District. BACKGROUND: There are benefits associated with smaller lot development. Research provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation indicates that Maple Ridge attracts family oriented households seeking affordable housing. This research also conffi -ms that fee simple ownership is particularly attractive to those interested in purchasing a home. Smaller lot development assists in meeting these preferences and needs while encouraging more compact development within the municipality, thereby making more efficient use of its developable land. The Maple Ridge Official Community Plan considers small lot development within a more general category of Compact Housing. It states: 9-x Compact Housing is located in areas where housing can be related to physical features such as creeks, ravines or else close to community facilities or the town centre.. ..It is suitable for families with children. Relevant policies within the Official Community Plan are as follows: 24. Policy: Maple Ridge will encourage the development of greater density housing near commercial centres, and where appropriate near transit routes. 50. Policy: Maple Ridge will encourage the development of Neighbourhood Commercial centres within walking distance of neighbourhoods on a scale to serve 1500 to 3000 residents. The Albion area provides an example where this development has occurred on a large scale. Anecdotal reports indicate general concerns with this development such as: • Small back yard space being used as storage, not as amenity, or off street parking, which places greater stress on existing parks and on public roads for off street parking. • This area does not provide its residents access to shops and services within walking distance. Furthermore, it traditionally has been poorly served by public transit. Service is expected to improve with changes initiated by the Area Transit Plan. In addition a new West Coast Express station is proposed for the area. • Minimum road width standards have also been relaxed, raising concerns about the ability of emergency vehicles to maneuver in these circumstances. This public safety concern has been exacerbated by narrow minimum lot widths (7.9 meters) and the use of off-street parking. SMALL LOT DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING: Although referred to in the Official Community Plan, at present there is no concrete definition of locational criteria within the Zoning Bylaw that could be used to determine appropriateness of rezoning proposals for smaller lot development. Such criteria could include: • Setting limits to the overall size of Development Areas that exclusively provide this style of housing, and greater focus on creating more housing mix. • Adequate provision of accessible parks. • Proximity to the downtown core or other commercial centres that offer a satisfactory range of services. • Proximity to frequent public transit links. -2- CONCLUSION: This report has been forwarded out of concerns that have been generated from existing R- 3 Special Amenity District Zones. In order to address these concerns, it is recommended that Council direct staff to prepare a report that outlines a process for reviewing the use of compact single family housing in the District. .0 1~0~ Prepared by: Diana Hail ane PickerigM(MCIP / by: F?thik Quinn, P.Eiig., PMP GM: Public Work4IDevelopment Services I - A Concurrence: J. L. (Jim) kule Chief Administrative Officer DHIbjc -3-