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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-02 Adopted Committee of the Whole Minutes.pdfOctober 2, 2000 12 :30p.m. Council Chamber PRESENT: Elected Officials Mayor A. Hogarth Councillor C. Gordon Councillor J. Harris Councillor F. Isaac Councillor L. King Councillor K. Morse Councillor C. Speirs Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Appointed Staff R. W. Robertson, Chief Administrative Officer T. Fryer, Municipal Clerk J. Rudolph, General Manager of Public Works and Development M. W. Murray, General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreation Services P. Gill, General Manager of Corporate and Financial Services C. Carter, Director of Planning The meeting was chaired by Councillor Speirs. l. DELEGATIONS/STAFF PRESENTATIONS -Nil 2. PUBLIC WORKS AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Note: The following items have been numbered to correspond with the Council Agenda: 902 ALR/47/99 -20515-20785 Powell Reference was made to the staff report dated September 13, 2000 recommending that the subject application to exclude approximately 8 hectares of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve not proceed to the Land Reserve Commission. Note: The Committee recommended on August. 28 _that the _application proceed to the Land Reserve Commission and that recommendation was deferred at the September 12, 2000 Council Meeting to today's meeting pending further information from staff. Mr. John Duguid of Genesis Development Consultants Ltd. submitted a report from CanAsia Environmental and Engineering Ltd. dated September 29, 2000. He noted that the conclusion of that report is that the soils are unsuitable for agricultural use. ) Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page2 He further referred to Section 5. 0 Conclusion which notes that the soil in the four study parcels is not fertile; attempts to fertilize/amend the soil may significantly impact the environmental status of the nearby McKenney Creek and given the relatively small size of each parcel, the economic, agronomic and environmental implications to possibly enhance the soil will likely make agriculture impractical and unviable. He added that the report addresses the questions that were unanswered at the September 12, 2000 Council meeting regarding the decision making role of the Land Reserve Commission and Council. He provided an interpretation of Section 20.1 regarding Council's decision making powers with respect to lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve. The Director of Planning advised that Council's policies for the ALR reflect work that has been done with the Commission and deals with the issue of exclusion. Mr. Duguid stated that he wants to clarify Council's powers with respect to exclusion. The Mayor noted that the Agrologist's report has provided new information that was not included in previous applications. He feels that based on that information, and the fact that the District is not the Land Reserve Commission and does not work under the same guidelines, it would be appropriate to forward the application to the Commission. The applicant has met all the requirements under Council's procedures and he would like to see the Commission comment and then have Council look at the potential use. He further noted that the present zoning on lands does not allow the property owner to carry on an agricultural use in any sort of productive manner, even under the ALR regulations. Councillor Isaac questioned if Council has to agree with the Land Reserve Commission's decision. The Director of Planning advised that the Commission has the final say; if the District supports the application and the Commission denies it, that would be the end of it. If the District and the Commission supported the application, the properties would come out of the Agriculture Land Reserve. The District would then have to decide the OCP designation and zoning on the excluded properties. Councillor Gordon expressed concern at this point that there was no formal recommendation on the floor. She stated that she is not supportive of the application going forward to the Land Reserve Commission. The Municipal Clerk read the recommendation agreed to by the Committee on August 28th which was deferred at the September 12th Council Meeting, namely that the application be authorized to proceed to the Agricultural Land Commission. He further explained that the original staff recommendation presented to the August 28th Committee ) Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 3 of the Whole Meeting was that the application not proceed to the Commission and it was changed by the Committee to read that the application proceed to the Commission. Councillor Gordon advised that previous Councils had significant discussion with the Land Reserve Commission (formerly the Agricultural Land Commission) and looked at that area as an appropriate buffer as it provides an appropriate gradation of uses. She is not in favour of extending the urban boundary and this particular application came with a subdivision plan and proposed urban uses. The four parcels of land are quite appropriate in their current uses. Although the Agrologist's report does not support soil based agriculture, there are many other kinds of agriculture that are not soil dependent. Councillor Harris stated that he wants to emphasize that his main issue is whether ALR applications for exclusion should be forwarded as a matter of policy to the Land Reserve Commission. He would like to see the District standardize the procedure and make it consistent for all who apply. They will then know that their application will go to the Commission. If the applications go to the Commission, they can follow a standard and consistent procedure throughout the Municipality and the Province. If the applications come to Council, they should all go to the Commission as a matter of policy. Councillor King stated her opposition to ALR applications automatically going to the Commission without a Council resolution. Acting Mayor Speirs expressed agreement with Councillors Gordon and King. Councillor Morse expressed her support with respect to the suggestion made by Councillor Harris that the application process needs to be standardized. She feels that the District should be allowed to support the application or not support it. There is a need for an agricultural plan as a sub-set to the Rural Plan and it would assist in the transition because it would deal with transition areas in more detail than either the urban or rural plans. She appreciates the Agrologist's report and would like to see that type of report come forward for all ALR applications. Mayor Hogarth advised that this area is umesolved through the Rural Plan process and consistent with what Councillor Morse has stated. If Council is going to support agriculture, there should be an agricultural plan in place. If Council supported non-soil dependent uses in the agricultural plan, they would be saying that lands could turn into a greenhouse use, which might not be accepted by the neighbourhood. This area was noted in the Rural Plan as a transitional zone. Councillor King referred to the Mayor's remarks respecting greenhouses and stated that because the applicants are currently in the ALR, they could put up a greenhouse tomorrow. Councillor Gordon clarified that she earlier used greenhouses as an example of non-soil based agriculture and does not want it misinterpreted that she would like to see that use Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page4 approved for this area. Transitional zones of large acreages make the best buffer; the way it is used now is quite sufficient. At some point, Council has made a decision as to where the urban and rural interface is and those who are in the urban areas realize a significant return on their land because of their ability to subdivide. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested sending a transcript of this debate to the Land Reserve Commission rather than submitting additional information to them. Councillor Morse suggested that not all the ALR boundaries are based on soil classification and sometimes the boundaries are strictly political. She reiterated that is where an agricultural plan would help. Acting Mayor Speirs noted that that the properties to the north of the road provide a good buffer between agriculture and residential areas. Councillor Harris reiterated that the issue in front of the Committee is whether to send the application to the Commission or not. The Committee, with the exception of Acting Mayor Speirs and Councillors King and Gordon, agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That Application ALR47/99 (for property located at 20515, 20625, 20695 and 20785 Powell Avenue) to exclude the property described in the staff report dated August 14, 2000 from the Agricultural Land Reserve, be authorized to proceed to the Land Reserve Commission. (Acting Mayor Speirs, Councillors King and Gordon opposed). The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That a record of the discussion on Application ALR/47/99 at the October 2, 2000 Committee of the Whole Meeting be forwarded to the Land Reserve Commission. 903 ALR/37199 -11565 and 11567-248 Street, 24224, 24248, 24284, 24320, 24354, 24380, 24414, 24494, and 24550-116Avenue Reference was made to the staff report dated September 1, 2000 recommending that the subject application to exclude 13 properties from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) _ _) not be authorized to proceed to Land Reserve Commission. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 5 Note: This Item was deferred from Committee of the Whole Meeting of September 18, 2000 pending receipt of further information. M. Getson of24414 -116 Avenue, M. Workman of24320-116 Avenue, R. McBryan of 24380 -116 Avenue and L. Stadniuk of 24284 -116 Avenue made presentations in support of the subject application. Several Councillors noted that the Agrologist's report has not been received. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That Application ALR/37/99 (for properties at 11565 and 11567-248 Street, 24224, 24248, 24284, 24320, 24354, 24380, 24414, 24494, and 24550 -116 Avenue be deferred to the October 16, 2000 Committee of the Whole Meeting. 904 DP/9/00 -Development Permit Area XXX Watercourse Protection and Development Permit Area XXXVIII Watercourse Protection -23688 Kanaka Creek Road and 23725 Kanaka Way Reference was made to the staff report dated September 15, 2000 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal DP/9/00 respecting property located at 23688 Kanaka Creek Road and 23725 Kanaka Way. 905 DP/18/00 -23573 and 23688 Kanaka Creek Road -Development Permit Area XXX Watercourse Protection Reference was made to the staff report dated September 15, 2000 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal DP/18/00 respecting property located at 23573 and 23688 Kanaka Creek Road. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 6 906 DVP/37/00-20210-113BAvenue Reference was made to the staff report dated September 19, 2000 with respect to the subject application to permit the creation of a lot that has less width than is permitted in the Zoning By-law. Mr. Gary Lycan made a presentation in support of the application. The Committee agreed to the following amended recommendation: AMENDED RECOlt'IMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to notify qualifying property owners that approval of DVP/37/00 respecting property located at 20210 -113B Avenue will be considered by Council at the October 31, 2000 meeting, noting that approval of DVP/37/00 is subject to the applicant providing an enhanced landscape sound barrier. The Committee further agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That staff be directed to review the standards for noise mitigation in Industrial Parks in Maple Ride when the properties abut residential lands so that the same standards apply for all applicants. 907 Maple Ridge Community Heritage Commission Amending Bylaw No. 5928-2000 Reference was made to the staff report dated September 19, 2000 and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That Maple Ridge Community Heritage Commission Amending By-law No. 5928- 2000 be read a first and second time and that rules of order be waived and Maple Ridge Community Heritage Commission Amending By-law No. 5928-2000 be read a third time. 908 TransLink Report on Fraser River Crossing _) Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 7 Reference was made to the staff report dated September 25, 2000 and the Committee, with the exception of Councillor Harris, agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the staff report entitled TransLink Report on the Fraser River Crossing dated September 25, 2000 be received; and further that the Fraser River Crossing recommendation adopted by TransLink at their September 20, 2000 Board Meeting endorsing in principle the development of a tolled, high-capacity crossing of the Fraser River in the 2000 Street Corridor be supported. (Councillor Harris Opposed). 909 Silver Valley Planning Study Reference was made to the staff report dated September 26, 2000 providing an update on the above noted study. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That the staff report entitled Silver Valley Planning Study dated September 26, 2000 be received for information. Additional Agenda Item 910 Temporary Industrial Use Permit TIUP/11/00 and Development Permit DP/11/00 - 14140, 14160, 14170, 14180 and 14250-256 Street Reference was made to the staff report dated September 28, 2000 with respect to the above noted applications and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to notify qualifying property owners that approval of TIUP/11/00 respecting property located at 14140, 14160, 14170, 14180 and 14250 -256 Street will be considered by Council at the October 31, 2000 meeting; and Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 8 That the issuance of TIUP/11/00 and DP/11/00 be approved subject to the conditions and requirements outlined as outlined in the staff report dated September 28, 2000 being met; and That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal TIUP/11/00 once the conditions and requirements as outlined in the said report have been addressed; and further That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign and seal DP/11/00 once the conditions and requirements as outlined in the said report have been addressed. 3. FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE SERVICES (including Fire and Police) 931 583 Coronation Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets -Request for permission to Conduct Tag Days Reference was made to the staff report dated September 15, 2000 recommending that the subject request be approved. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMJl!IENDATION That the request from the 583 Coronation Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets for permission to conduct Tag Day soliciting on October 20, 21 and 22, 2000 be approved. 932 Criminal Record Check Fees/or Homestay Families Reference was made to the staff report dated September 22, 2000 recommending the above noted matter and the Committee agreed to the following recommendation contained therein: RECOMMENDATION That the staff report dated September 22, 2000 entitled Criminal Record Check Fees for Homestay Families be received, and further that the current fee structure for criminal record checks for Homestay families be maintained. Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 9 933 Community Policing Office -Fibre Optic Cable Report Reference was made to the staff report dated September 19, 2000 recommending that the monthly operating costs be included as a sharable cost with Pitt Meadows. The Committee agreed to the following recommendation: RECOMMENDATION That the staff report entitled RCMP -Pitt Meadows Community Policing Office dated September 19, 2000 be received, and further that the monthly operating costs (estimated at $1500 per month) of the fibre optic link to the Pitt Meadows Community Policing office be included as a sharable cost in the District's cost-sharing agreement with the District of Pitt Meadows. 4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION SERVICES 95 l Greater Vancouver Regional District -Business Plan and Implementation Options for Strategies for Regional Arts and Cultural Development in Greater Vancouver Reference was made to the staff report dated September 26, 2000 entitled Inter-Municipal Arts and Cultural Plan recommending that Council endorse the five points listed. The Acting General Manager of Community Development, Parks and Recreational Services provided an overview of the report. The Committee agreed to the following action being taken: ACTION REQUIRED That the staff report entitled Inter-Municipal Arts and Cultural Plan dated September 26, 2000 be forwarded to the October 10, 2000 Council Meeting without a recommendation. 5. CORRESPONDENCE 98 l New Westminster and District Labour Council -Amendment to the Municipal Elections Act Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 10 Reference was made to the letter dated August 31 , 2000 from the above noted organization requesting support for an amendment to the Municipal Elections Act to provide four hours free from work on Municipal Election Day. RECOMMENDATION That a letter of support be sent to the New Westminster and District Labour Council regarding their proposal to amend the Municipal Elections Act to provide four hours free from work on Municipal Election Day as requested in their letter of August 31, 2000. 982 Simon Fraser Health Region -Fall Prevention Initiatives Reference was made to the letter dated September 11, 2000 from the above noted organization asking for a letter of support for their fall prevention program for inclusion in their proposal to Health Canada for grant money. RECOMMENDATION That a letter of support be forwarded to the Simon Fraser Health Region regarding their fall prevention initiatives as requested in their letter of September 11, 2000. 983 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) -Municipal Leaders' Statement on Climate Change Reference was made to the letter dated September 15, 2000 from the FCM requesting support for their Municipal Leaders' Resolution on Climate Change which will be submitted to federal negotiators. RECOMMENDATION That a letter be sent to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in support of their Municipal Leaders' resolution on Climate Change as detailed in their letter of September 15, 2000. 984 Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) -Alternate Access for Rivers Heritage Education and Communications Centre -Request for Partnership Funding Committee of the Whole Minutes October 2, 2000 Page 11 Reference was made to the letter from ARMS dated October 19, 2000 regarding the above noted matter. RECOMMENDATION That the letter from the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) dated October 19, 2000 requesting partnership funding for the construction of an alternate access to the Rivers Heritage Education and Communications Centre be forwarded to the upcoming budget deliberations. 6. OTHER ISSUES 6.1 Maple Ridge Exotic Animal By-law No. 5755-1999 Councillor King asked if Council could be provided with a status report on the above noted by-law at the October 16, 2000 Committee of the Whole Meeting. ACTION REQUIRED That the Municipal Clerk report on the status of the Exotic Animal By-law at the October 16, 2000 Committee of the Whole Meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT 3:40 p.m. Acting Mayor C. Speirs Presiding Member of the Committee. /sk