Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-04 Adopted Committee of the Whole Minutes.pdfJanuary 4, 1999 2:00 p.m. Council Chamber PRESENT: Elected Officials: Mayor C. Durksen Councillor T. Baker Councillor J. Clements Councillor C. Gordon Councillor L. King Councillor B. Levens Councillor K. Stewart l. DELEGATIONS Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Appointed Staff: R. W. Robertson, Chief Administrative Officer R. A. Wells, General Manager of Financial and Corporate Services J. R. McBride, Municipal Clerk J. Rudolph, General Manager of Public Works and Development M. W. Murray, General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services T. Fryer, Director of Current Planning S. Karasz, Confidential Secretary Other Staff as Required J. Bastaja, Director of Long Range Planning Chair Mayor Vice Chair Acting Mayor 1.1 Mr. Al Arbuthnot, Publican, Foxes Reach Neighborhood Pub, re the B. C. Liquor Law Review Mr. Arbuthnot spoke in support of his letter dated December 22, 1998 and advised that he was in attendance to make Council aware of a review that the Province has commissioned with respect to B. C.'s liquor laws, noting that recommendations will be made to the Provincial government by January 31, 1998. The review has been undertaken with a view to cutting red tape. One of the proposals being discussed would allow restaurants to serve alcohol without food. This would mean that every restaurant could potentially sell liquor without selling food and Council would have no control. For instance, the ten restaurants in Westgate Mall could become nightclubs and Council would not have a leg to stand on. This practice would lead to "cheap drink" nights and related policing costs. There will be increased drinking by minors and the ability of minors to work in those establishments. Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 2 Mr. Arbuthnot provided Council with an additional information package and asked that Council send a resolution to the Attorney General vehemently opposing any change in liquor licencing that would allow all or any restaurants the ability to serve liquor without food. The Mayor thanked Mr. Arbuthnot for the information he has provided and advised that it will now be forwarded to staff for investigation and a report back to Council. The Municipal Clerk advised that he has not seen any new material from the Province that would affect the 43 restaurants in Maple Ridge that currently hold a "B" Liquor Licence. ACTION REQUIRED -that the Municipal Clerk provide a report to Council on the B.C. Liquor Law Review and the concerns raised by Mr. Arbuthnot. 2. PUBLIC WORKS AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Chair Vice Chair 2.1 Community Forest Councillor T. Baker Councillor 8. Levens A report will be distributed to Council by the Director of Long Range Planning. 2.2 Traffic & Pedestrian Issues -123 Avenue and 210 Street Reference was made to the staff report dated December 4, 1998 regarding the above noted matter. The Municipal Engineer clarified for the Mayor that a painted crosswalk will be installed at 209 Street. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That the report from the Municipal Engineer regarding traffic and pedestrian issues at the intersection of 123 Avenue and 210 Street be received for information. 2.3 BP/30/93 -Development Cost Charge Payback -Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5709-1998 Reference was made to the staff report dated December 2, 1998 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: ) Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 3 RECOMMENDATION 1. That with respect to Building Permit BP 30/93, be it resolved that in view of the necessity for constructing roadworks on 116 Avenue east of 227 Street~ the developer be compensated in the amount of $33,250,00 following the adoption of Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5709-1998; and 2. That Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5709-1998 be read a first and second time and that rules of order be waived and that Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By- law No. 5709-1998 be read a third time. 2.4 SD/18/96 -Development Cost Charge Payback -Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5751 -1998 Reference was made to the staff report dated December 1, 1998 and the Committee agreed to the followmg recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION 1. That with respect to Subdivision 18/96, be it resolved that in view of the necessity for constructing water works in the area of 133 Avenue and 236 Street, the developer be compensated in the amount of $69,438.00 following the adoption of Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5751-1998; and 2. That Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By-law No. 5751-1998 be read a first and second time and that rules of order be waived and that Maple Ridge Development Cost Charge Reserve Fund Expenditure By- law No. 5751-1998 be read a third time 2.5 Rescinding of By-laws One Year After Third Reading Reference was made to the report dated December 1 7, 1998 recommending that eleven by- laws be rescinded in accordance with Council's earlier direction to staff to set a deadline on inactive development applications that are currently at third reading. On question from Councillor Stewart as to whether responses have been received from the eleven applicants, the Director of Current Planning clarified that the applicants and property owners were contacted twice but they did not react. Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 4 Councillor Levens noted that there were other applicants aside for the eleven in question who did respond and paid their fee because they did not legitimately get their applications completed by the deadline date. She asked if any of the applicants in question could actively be working on their cases. The Director of Current Planning responded that staff is sure that these eleven property owners and applicants are not interested. The developments under application for an extension of the deadline will be brought to Council on a case by case basis; Council agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That all readings to the following by-laws be rescinded: Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 4328-1990 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5185-1994 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5062-1994 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5060-1994 Mapfe Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 4993-1993 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5113-1994 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5154-1994 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5167-1994 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5610-1997 Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5411-1996 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Amending By-law No. 5439-1996 2.6 Hillside Development Guidelines (RZ/88/89) (RZ/84/93) (RZ/8/93) (RZ/38/93) (RZ/58/93) (RZ/6/94) (RZ/24/94) (RZ/34/94) (RZ/3/96) (RZ/4/96) (RZ/3/96) Reference was made to the report dated November 3, 1998 recommending that Council endorse the Hillside Development Guidelines attached thereto and that staff be directed to undertake a review of existing regulations to ensure consistence with the guidelines. Councillor King referred to Item 2 on Page 2 which states that "The potential to manipulate building grades to circumvent height regulations was identified. Historically this has been a problem for the District. It was recommended that possible solutions to this issue be incorporated into the Guidelines". She questioned what is being done about that issue and how big the loopholes are in the policy. The Director of Current Planning explained that this was brought up as a concern at the last public workshop on the guidelines and relates to how closely a developer has to follow lot grading at the development stage. It was suggested that the Municipality might want to ) Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 5 tighten the guidelines up to circumvent problems with lot grading plans not being adhered to. This issue will be further looked into by staff. Councillor King noted that the guidelines are new and have not yet been tested. The Director of Current Planning responded that some of the steeper slopes to the east of the Rock.ridge development will be a test of the guidelines. The guidelines will go to public hearing and there will be amendments to the by-law if necessary. The Chief Administrative Officer added that the guidelines are designed to be flexible in their application on direction from Council. The District will monitor them over the next year or so to see if they are meeting the needs of the community. A considerable amount of work has gone into them and he feels they are considerably improved. It is not known if this is the full answer; the developments will be monitored and the best examples will be used in the future. Councillor Levens questioned if the guidelines will apply to the whole of Maple Ridge. She noted that everyone complains about Silver Valley but there have also been problems in the Kanaka Ridge subdivision . . The Director· of Current Planning responded that in terms of universal applicability, the Hillside Development Guidelines are for the whole community and not just Silver Valley. Councillor Clements asked if there is a requirement in the building program to deal with the natural grade. The Director of Current Planning explained that problems occurred because the natural grade was being amended at some point in the development procedure, e.g. the point at which height was measured from was in dispute. In the absence of any lot grading plans, creative ways were being found to create artificial grades from which to measure the height of the dwelling. Even when lot grading plans were adhered to initially, once the home owners purchased the properties, they started putting in retaining walls, etc. These guidelines will alleviate those problems. Councillor Baker questioned if there will be a way for a developer to put in a special submission for Council's consideration in the event a hillside development does not meet these requirements. The Director of Current Planning advised that it is the intent that the guidelines will be put into a formalized by-law. There will be an opportunity to submit a Development Variance Permit application for Council's consideration. The requested variance will be compared to the by-law regulations to see if it has merit and the DVP would have to be approved by Council. RECOMMENDATION Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 6 That the Hillside Development Guidelines attached to the staff report dated November 3, 1998 be endorsed by Council as guidelines to be employed by staff in the interpretation of the Hillside Development Policies of the Official Community Plan; and further that staff be directed to undertake a review of existing regulations to ensure consistency with the said guidelines. 3. FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE SERVICES (including Fire and Police) Chair Vice Chair Nil Councillor J. Clements Councillor K. Stewart 4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION SERVICES . . Chair Vice Chair 4.1 Tree Preservation Policy on Municipally Owned Lands Councillor C. Gordon Councillor L. King Reference was made to the report dated December 15, 1998 recommending adoption of the subject policy .. Councillor Levens questioned if the policy will prohibit the District from cutting down trees on Municipal lands intended for development. The General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services advised that it is not intended that the policy will prevent the District from cutting trees down under those circumstances. He further noted that the District attempts to avoid tree removal if that can be achieved through design. Where removal of a large tree is necessary, staff plants two trees for each tree removed in another location within the park system. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That the policy entitled Tree Preservation on Municipally Owned Property attached to the staff report dated December 15, 1998 be adopted. ) ) Committee of the Whole Minutes January 4, 1999 Page 7 5. OTHER ISSUES Nil 6. ADJOURNMENT 2:325 p.m_. /./// / ----····•·•· ···------/' .------~-=~~---., ---M=~_;x~-- Mayor C. Durksen, Presiding Membe of the Committee /sk .. Chair Vice Mayor Chair Acting Mayor