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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-18 Adopted Committee of the Whole Minutes.pdf) _ _.,J October 18, 1999 12:30 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 Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Appointed Staff R. W. Robertson, Chief Administrative Officer J. Hertzog, Acting Municipal Clerk J. Rudolph, General Manager of Public Works and Development M. W. Murray, General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services M. Rossi, Planner S. Karasz, Confidential Secretary Other Staff as Required P. Grootendorst, Mngr. of Fire Operations D. Spence, Manager of Community Fire Safety The meeting was chaired by Acting Mayor Baker. 1. DELEGATIONS/STAFF PRESENTATIONS 12:30 p.m. 1.1 Fire Department -Update on Activities Peter Grootendorst, Manager of Fire Operations, and Dane Spence, Manager -of Community Fire Safety, were in attendance. The Manager of Fire Operations provided an update on the Fire Department's public education programs, noting they held three open house at the Fire Halls during Maple Ridge's 125th Anniversary celebrations. Their Annual Fire Prevention Week took place in October and was very well received with a large tum-out. As a new initiative, Search and Rescue was invited to put on a display at Fire Hall No. 1 and it is hoped to make this an annual event. Also, the school program for Kindergarten-Grade 3 is well underway. He reported that a check of the Fire Department's systems indicates that they are Y2K compliant and they do not anticipate any problems other than some changes to the telephone system. On the off chance there is a problem, they have a contingency plan to use emergency generators in the Fire Halls in the event that power is interrupted. He advised that in late October, the Fire Department will install a traffic preemptive device at 224 Street and Dewdney Trunk Road on a trial basis. The device recognizes Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 2 sirens in both directions for quite some distance and turns the light green for traffic to clear and allow emergency vehicles to go through the intersection safely. The device goes through the proper sequence of lights to avoid accidents. It is a sophisticated piece of equipment and works for police, fire and ambulance services. The Fire Department is looking forward to using it. He added that the after-hours by-law enforcement initiative is working out effectively. The Manager of Community Fire Safety reported that during the period July 1 to September 30th, the Fire Department responded to 306 calls for assistance. 55 Calls (18%) were false alarms and another 18% related to burning complaints. Misuse of fireworks, mainly by relatively young people, has resulted in 12 calls to date. A video on this topic is being show in the schools. He noted that the District has tightened up its regulations but misuse is still a problem. He reported on the pre-incident planning program which is underway, noting that 400 plans are at various stages of completion and the Fire Department is pleased with the way the project is progressing. The Fire Department has done some preliminary space planning for future Fire Hall 4 in the Albion area. Councillor King questioned if it would be helpful to look at what regulations other Municipalities have in place for fireworks. The Manager of Community Fire Safety responded that has been done in the past but it may be appropriate to re-visit it. The Mayor referred to noise complaints and questioned if the by-law enforcement officer uses a noise meter in, responding to complaints and how the District's Anti-noise by::.law relates to the use of that equipment. The Manager of Community Fire Safety advised that matter comes under the jurisdiction of the By-law Enforcement Office. The Mayor thanked the Fire Department staff for their presentation and commended the Fire Department on the effective way in which they carry out their programs. 12:40 p.m. 1.2 Council Indemnity Committee Mr. Pat Smith, Chair of the above noted Committee, introduced the other members on the Committee as follows -Bernice Gehring, Danny Griffin, Bonnie Telep, Wayne Hamaguchi and Peter Hill. Mr. Smith explained that the Committee has been given the responsibility of reviewing the current remuneration of Council and will come forward with a recommendation within the next three years. The Committee then met privately with Council to explain the scope of their review and obtain input from Council prior to beginning their work. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 3 2. PUBLIC WORKS AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Note: Owners and/or Agents of Development Applications may be permitted to speak to their applications with a time limit of 10 minutes. 2.1 RZ/48/98-23315 -Dewdney Trunk Road -C-1 to C-2 Reference was made to the staff report dated September 17, 1999 recommending that the subject application to permit the development of a community commercial shopping mall be denied on the basis it is not consistent with Official Community Plan policy and the Commercial designation for the property. This item was deferred from the October 4, 199 meeting at the request of the applicants to allow them to be in attendance. Mr. Kevin Urbas advised that he is representing the applicant, who is currently out of the country. He advised that the applicant has not been successful in leasing the property out and wants to rezone it to C-2 to provide him with a greater potential for the commercial component. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That Application RZ/48/99 (23315 Dewdney Trunk Road), to rezone property described in the memorandum dated September 17, 1999 from C-1 (Neighbourhood Commercial) to C-2 (Community Commercial), be denied. 2.2 RZ/51/99-23688 Kanaka Way-RS-3 and RS-lb to CD-1-93 Reference was made to the staff report dated September 28, 1999_ recommending that the subject application to permit subdivision into 9 lots be forwarded to Public Hearing. Councillor King noted that this area is the subject of the Horseshoe Creek pilot study. She questioned if the development proposal is impacted in any way by the study or if there is any different treatment of the creek recommended because of the pilot study. The General Manager of Public Works and Development Services advised that there is no relationship between this case and the study; there is no overlap. Councillor King stated that the public will have questions and prior to the Council Meeting, she wants some information on the Horseshoe Creek pilot study, how this development is going to be conducted and if there is anything that the District ought to be doing differently because of the pilot study. The Planner advised that there was some confusion regarding the interpretation of the guidelines of the pilot study. Based on one interpretation, the proposal that is before the Committee adheres completely to the guidelines. It has been reviewed by the Ministry of Environment and they are in agreement with it. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 4 The Acting Mayor suggested that the Councillors talk to the Manager of Environmental Affairs if they need further clarification prior to the Council Meeting. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That application RZ/51/99 (23688 Kanaka Way) to rezone property described in the staff report dated September 28, 1999 from RS-3 (One Family Rural Residential) to RS-lb (One Family Urban [medium density] Residential) and CD-1-93 (Amenity Residential District) be forwarded to Public Hearing, noting that the conditions to be met prior to Public Hearing and prior to final consideration of the Zone Amending By-law are detailed in that report and that the accompanying Official Community Plan· Amending By-law be forwarded to the same Public Hearing. 2.3 RZ/56/99-23874 and 23884 -118 Avenue-RS-3 to CD-1-93 Reference was made to the staff report dated September 29, 1999 recommending that the subject application to permit subdivision into 4 lots be forwarded to Public Hearing. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That application RZ/56/99 (23874 and 23884 -118 Avenue ) to rezone property described in the staff report dated September 29, 1999 from RS-3 (One Family Rural Residential) to CD-1-93 (Amenity Residential District) be forwarded to Public Hearing, noting that the conditions to be met prior to Public Hearing and prior to final consideration of the Zone Amending By-law are detailed in that report. 2.4 DVP/57/99-12128 and 12138 Laity Street Reference was made to the staff report dated September 30, 1999 recommending execution of the subject application to waive the requirement to upgrade 121 Avenue to full urban standards and to allow overhead wiring service connections to two homes on Laity Street. On question from Councillor Stewart, the Planner clarified that the request to allow overhead wiring service connections applies to Laity Street only and not 121 Avenue. Councilor Gordon noted that Council wants to encourage underground wiring and stated that it would seem to her that when people are developing these little pieces one at a time, money should be taken in trust to make sure that underground wiring of the area eventually occurs. The Planner explained that the individual connection that goes to homes is underground. The current policy does not require money in lieu of undergrounding in established urban areas to permit underground services in the future. The District has taken security in I Committee of the Whole Minutes October I 8, I 999 Page 5 some urban growth areas where undergrounding was not practical but has not done so within the existing urban area. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to notify qualifying property owners that approval of DVP/57/99 respecting the property located at 12128 and 12138 Laity Street will be considered by Council at the November 9, 1999 Meeting. 2.5 SD/15/99-20105 and 20141 Telep Avenue Reference was made to the staff report dated October 1, 1999 recommending that the applicant be permitted to phase the parkland and school site payments for the above noted subdivision to create two lots. RECOMMENDATION That the applicant for SD/15/99 (property located at 20105 and 20141 Telep Avenue) be permitted to phase the parkland and school site payments for Lots 22 and 26, Plan LMP 26079. 2.6 SD/56/99 -(118 Avenue West of 239 Street) -Development Cost Charge Reduction - Road Component Reference was made to the staff report dated September 28, 1999 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That with respect to Subdivision 56/99, be it resolved that in view of the necessity for constructing roadworks on 118 Avenue west of 239 Street, the road component of the Development Cost Charges payable by the subdivider be reduced by $6400.00, reflecting the Development Cost Charge By-law service costs and the cost of the works. 2.7 RZ/33/99-12689-227B Street-RS-1 to R-1-By-law No. 5832-1999 Reference was made to the staff report dated October 8, 1999 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein in support of the subject by-law to create one lot. RECOMMENDATION Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 6 That Maple Ridge Zone Amending By-law No. 5832-1999 be read a first time. 2.8 DP/27/98 -11970-232 Street and two lots on Dewdney Trunk Road Reference was made to the staff report dated October 12, 1999 recommending execution of the subject permit for a gasoline bar, convenience store, restaurant and car wash. At the request of Councillor King, the Planner displayed drawings showing the measures that have been taken to protect the adjacent residential area from noise, etc. from the subject commercial facility. The Planner explained that the operator of the facility has offered to put a restrictive covenant on title as part of the rezoning to restrict the hours of operation. The covenant will be on the title of the gasoline station. . There have been a number of screening measures taken to mitigate the impact on the residential area. The gasoline station is 3 to 4 fe et lower than the residential area. There is a six foot fence with very heavy landscape screening between the store and the residential area. The store at one time included a fast food outlet with a drive-through window but that component has been eliminated. The carwash is automatic as opposed to a wand-wash. The lighting for the service station will be kept at a level that is below the height of the fences along the back and there will be shields on the lights. Councillor Clements noted that the sign is a modified low level sign. He questioned if that type of signage is covered in the Sign By-law and if it something we might see on other sites as well. The Planner advised that this is the third project where the signs have been modified. In future applications it will be recommended that the low level signage be required in a Development Permit area where there is the potential to impact on the character of the neighbourhood. The Development Permit regulations take precedence over the Sign By- law. He further clarified that if it is Council's wish to replace the existing signs, there would have to be an amendment to the Sign By-law. Councillor Gordon stated that she will vote in favour of the Development Permit although she was opposed to the · rezoning until Council established a policy for commercial development adjacent to residential areas. She further expressed concern about the residential area being higher than the gasoline station, noting that sound travels upward. A brief discussion ensued on lights in another new commercial development that have resulted in complaints to the District. The Planner explained that measures have been taken to require the facility to make modifications which have been delayed due to supplier problems. Councillor Levens questioned why the Sign By-law regulations are different than the Development Permit regulations with respect to low level signage. She suggested that this issue be included in the review of the Sign By-law that is currently underway. ) Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 7 Councillor King noted that the Development Permit is more of a policy mechanism and she prefers to work with policy in the matter of signage as it provides some flexibility Councillor Clements stated that his concern is that the regulations be consistent. The General Manager of Public Works and Development Services noted that the Committee is concerned that there be a level playing field and advised that he can generate a staff report on this issue. ACTION REQUIRED -that the General Manager of Public Works and Development Services provide a report to Committee regarding the regulations governing low level signage in commercial developments. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION 2.9 That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal DP/27/98 respecting property located at 11970 -232 Street and two lots fronting on Dewdney Trunk Road. DP/44199 -23233 Kanaka Way Reference was made to the staff report dated October 6, 1999 recommending execution of the subject permit for 18 townhouse units. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: • RECOMMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal DP/44/99 respecting property located at 23233 Kanaka Way. 2 .10 Building Department Statistics for September, 1999 Reference was made to the staff report dated October 7, 1999 and the above noted statistics appended thereto. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the Inspection Services Department Building Statistics for the month of September, 1999 be received for information. 3. FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE SERVICES (including Fire and Police) 3 .1 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign -Request to Solicit Donations Committee of the Whole Minutes October 18, 1999 Page 8 Reference was made to the staff report dated October 4, 1999 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the request from the Salvation Army for permission to conduct their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign throughout the malls and on Municipal streets from November 20, 1999 to December 24th, 1999 be approved. 3.2 Taxation Exemption By-laws for Partnerships This item was withdrawn from the Agenda. 4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION SERVICES Nil 5. OTHER ISSUES Nil 6. ADJOURNMENT 1:50 p.m. Acting Mayor T. Baker, Presiding Member of the Committee /sk