PLANNING
AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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MINUTES
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An Open meeting of the Planning and
Development Committee was held in the Council Committee Room, City Hall, 4949
Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday, 2017 December 12 at 5:30
p.m.
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PRESENT: Councillor C. Jordan,
Chair
Councillor
D. Johnston, Vice Chair
Councillor
S. Dhaliwal, Member
Councillor
J. Wang, Member
ABSENT: Councillor
P. McDonell, Member (due to illness)
STAFF: Mr.
L. Pelletier, Director Planning and Building
Mr.
E. Kozak, Deputy
Director Planning
and Building
Mr. D. Louie, Assistant
Director Engineering, Transportation
Mr.
A. Namazi, Property Valuator Negotiator 2
Ms. M. Macdonald,
Administrative Officer
The Chair called the Open Committee
meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
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MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON
SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL
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THAT the minutes of the Planning and
Development Committee Open meeting held on 2017 November 28 be
adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON
SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL
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THAT
the delegations be heard.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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a)
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Lucia Abreo
Re:
Laneway Homes in Burnaby
Speakers: Lucia Abreo, Ronald
Reichert, and Barbara Westmaccot
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Ms. Lucia Abreo, Mr. Ronald Reichert,
and Ms. Barbara Westmaccot, Burnaby residents, appeared before the Committee
advocating for laneway homes in Burnaby.
Mr. Reichert stated that
laneway homes contribute to the overall sustainability of a city and provide
for affordable rental accommodation. Many cities in Metro Vancouver have
adopted laneway housing whose experience Burnaby can learn from. The delegation
acknowledged potential issues which may arise from laneway home development
such as parking and privacy; and, offered solutions to mitigate these problems.
Ms. Abreo stated that a
laneway home would allow her family to move into her existing home, giving her
additional support in caring for her aging mother. She also suggested that
laneway homes would increase the number of available affordable rental units in
Burnaby.
Ms. Westmaccot stated that
renovating to include a secondary suite in older homes is difficult and costly
so most people will demolish their home and build anew. A laneway home is an
alternative to secondary suites. The speaker stated a laneway home would allow
adults with special needs to reside close to family members while living
independently. In addition, laneway homes provide rental income to help
homeowners with mortgage payments and are another alternative to high-rise
condo development.
The delegation has received
over 100 emails, in addition to a petition letter from Ms. Joette Heuft and 259
signed petitions from Burnaby residents requesting laneway homes in Burnaby.
The Chair advised five
years ago Council decided to implement a secondary suite program first and once
established, consider implementing a laneway homes program. Possibly in the
next year Council will look at a program for laneway homes.
b)
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Kevin Rakhra
Re:
Zoning - 5254 Spruce Street
Speaker:
Kevin Rakhra
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Mr. Kevin Rakhra appeared before the
Committee regarding his pending building application for 5254/5256 Spruce
Street. Mr. Rakhra provided a chronology of events to date. In October 2015, he
purchased his 1959 non-conforming duplex understanding he would be able to
build (under RA zoning) a large, new single family home with secondary suite. Mr.
Rakhra stated that he has amended his original application to reduce the size
of the home, which included the secondary suite into a crawl space.
Staff advised Mr. Rakhra’s
application pre-dates Council’s decision not to support RA applications with
the exception to modest proposals, pending review of RA residential district
guidelines. Mr. Rakhra proposes to build a 7500 square foot home which
represents 53% of the lot.
The Committee thanked the
delegation and stated staff would continue working with Mr. Rakhra.
No new business was brought before the
Committee at this time.
No inquiries were brought before the
Committee at this time.
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MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DHALIWAL
SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON
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THAT
this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The
Open Committee meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
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_______________________
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________________________
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Monica
Macdonald
ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
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Councillor
Colleen Jordan
CHAIR
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