Minutes of the Special Joint Advisory Committee meeting held April 25, 2017

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT R. Bickel – Parks, Recreation & Environment Advisory Committee (PREAC) I. Brown – PREAC J. Jakobsen – PREAC C. Avis – PREAC A. Fodchuk – PREAC H. Sharma – PREAC D. Turner – PREAC J. Baker – Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) D. Faulks – CDAC A. Hanes – CDAC G. Mathies – CDAC J. Rogers – Council Liaison – PREAC – arrived at 8:15 p.m. A. Weisgerber – Council Liaison – PREAC D. Screech – Mayor

REGRETS L. McCrank – PREAC J. Skrlac – CDAC S. Ali – CDAC K. Porter – CDAC R. Mattson – Council Liaison – CDAC H. Rast – Councillor Liaison – CDAC

ALSO PRESENT S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration L. Chase, Director of Development Services J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering J. Crockett, PREAC Recording Secretary D. Miles, CDAC Recording Secretary 18 members of the public 0 members of the press

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and the Advisory Committee members introduced themselves.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOVED BY: I. Brown SECONDED: H. Sharma THAT the agenda be amended to include items 5(a)(i) and (ii); AND THAT the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED
MINUTES, RECEIPT & ADOPTION OF
CHAIR’S REPORT
PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) Portage Inlet Protection Society

D. Critchley, Portage Inlet Protection Society Director, spoke to the Committee regarding the rezoning proposal for Christie Point and stated his concerns regarding building height, density, tree preservation, and the declining bird population. He noted that the Portage Inlet Protection Society objects to this development application and that four stories with 322 units is the maximum that should be permitted for the site.

i) Letter dated April 21, 2017 from T. Morrison, EcoPacific, Re: Christie Point Redevelopment MOVED BY: A. Hanes SECONDED: J. Jakobsen THAT the letter dated April 21, 2017 from T. Morrison, Re: Christie Point Redevelopment be received. CARRIED

ii) PIPS Submission dated February 2017, Re: Christie Point Redevelopment MOVED BY: A. Hanes SECONDED: J. Jakobsen THAT the submission dated February 2017, Re: Christie Point Redevelopment be received. CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
REPORTS
CORRESPONDENCE
NEW BUSINESS

a) Christie Point Rezoning Application (2951 Craigowan Road)

The Director of Development Services gave a PowerPoint presentation and summary of the report to the Committee specifically highlighting:

site context and characteristics;
OCP context;
rezoning process, including what rezoning can and cannot address;
proposed uses, density including a description of the floor space ratio calculation, setbacks, and height;
parking; and
environmental issues.

The Director of Development Services stated that should the rezoning application be approved, variance applications are anticipated afterwards to address issues that the rezoning process cannot and that this is not due to a failure in the process.

The Director of Engineering spoke to the transportation impact assessment undertaken by Bunt and Associates and reviewed by Opus International Consultants Limited. He noted that current congestion is a result of existing regional traffic. The Director of Engineering stated that significant areas of consideration for infrastructure improvements by the applicant include:

improvements on Shoreline Drive, including potential parking pullouts, sidewalks, lighting and bike lanes;
improvements to the Shoreline Drive/Island Highway intersection with possible signalization and pedestrian crosswalk;
installation of a westbound merge lane on Island Highway, west of Shoreline Drive; and
promotion of alternative, sustainable transportation modes with the paving and potential widening of the Shoreline Trail, linking Shoreline Drive to Island Highway.

The Director of Development Services described the proposed community amenity contributions and the anticipated additional permits and agreements required. She discussed displacement of existing residents, the proposed compensation package by the applicant, and the creation of new market rental housing units. She reiterated that the proposal meets the Town’s Official Community Plan goals for the site.

H. Grey-Wolf, Vice President of Development for Realstar, provided an overview of the existing housing composition at Christie Point and noted the strong sense of community. She gave an overview to the Committee of the proposed project, noting that current tenants will receive first right of refusal for new units. She described the tenant relocation package that will be provided and outlined the proposed community amenity contributions. Ms. Grey-Wolf described regional rental rates in comparison to Christie Point and stated that future rental rates have not yet been established.

F. D’Ambrosio, project architect, spoke to the Committee regarding the technical design concepts; design changes made to reflect community input received; the effect of increased population and building form; site qualities; protection of the natural and cultural environment; building mass and footprints; dark skies initiatives; sea level rise mitigation; and vegetation. He highlighted the public access and open space management.

J. Potter, Bunt and Associates, spoke to the Committee in regard to the traffic management particularly the extension of the merge lane on Island Highway; new traffic signal at Shoreline Drive and Island Highway; pedestrian crosswalk; and the sidewalk on Shoreline Drive from Christie Point to Island Highway. He stated that post-development transportation simulation models show an improvement over the existing situation and that the proposed changes are in keeping with the Transportation Master Plan.

The Committee, staff and applicants discussed:

potential range of rental rates;
public access, including interpretive signage and trail amenities such as garbage cans;
trees and other vegetation to be planted;
potential gardening areas for Christie Point residents;
sensitive environmental zones to be protected with park style fencing;
accessibility and the convertibility of units, including wider doorways;
pedestrian crosswalk functionality and its role in promoting local businesses;
Shoreline Drive design, traffic volume and speed;
parking and potential options to restrict from Shoreline Drive;
bus service and stop locations;
car sharing and installation of electric vehicle charging stations and distribution boards to accommodate future needs;
project phasing and timeline;
impact of density on project feasibility; and
timing of installation for the off-site improvements.

MOVED BY: A. Hanes SECONDED: J. Jakobsen THAT the report dated February 8, 2017 from the Planner titled “Rezoning – 2951 Craigowan Road (Christie Point)” be received for information. CARRIED

MOVED BY: I. Brown SECONDED: A. Hanes THAT the meeting be extended by 45 minutes. CARRIED

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: I. Brown

J-01-17 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that, if Rezoning Application No. 2016/05 - 2951 Craigowan Road is approved, the proposed developer-funded intersection improvements at Shoreline Drive and Island Highway be completed before construction begins at the Christie Point property. CARRIED

MOVED BY: D. Faulks SECONDED: C. Avis

J-02-17 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the proposed pedestrian crosswalk at Shoreline Drive and Island Highway be reviewed, including potential alternative design options such as above or below grade configurations. CARRIED

MOVED BY: J. Jakobsen SECONDED: H. Sharma

Minutes of the Special Joint Advisory Committee meeting held April 25, 2017

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL