Executive Committee, August 28, 2000

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Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Abbotsford held August 28, 2000, at 1 :00 p.m. in the Matsgui Centennial Auditorium

Council Present: Mayor G. Ferguson; and Councillors E. Fast, S. Gibson, M. Gill, G. Peary, 1. Redekop, P. Ross, M. Warawa, and C. Wiebe

Staff Present: City Manager - G. Guthrie; Director of Fire Rescue ServiceslFire Chief -B. Hall; Manager, Legislative Services - M.B. Cote; and Committee Secretary - T. Harder

Staff Present for a Portion of the Meeting: Acting Director of Development ServiceslManager, Current Development - G. Boyle; Environmental Manager -P. Andzans; Senior Planner - T. Mahler; Manager of Engineering Services -1. Duckworth; Dyking, Drainage, and Irrigation Superintendent - F. Wright; Development Engineer - E. Clark; Traffic Engineer - R. Mammel; and Airport Manager - C. Grad

Media Present: Aldergrove Star (part), The News (part), Rogers Cablesystems, and The Times

Public Present: 6

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Ferguson called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p.m.

2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

.1 Executive Committee Minutes - August 21, 2000

Moved by Councillor Gill, seconded by Councillor Wiebe, that the minutes of the Executive Committee of Council held August 21, 2000, be adopted.

E271-2000 CARRIED.

3. BUSINESS OUT OF MINUTES

None.

Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Abbotsford held August 28, 2000, at 1 :00 p.m. in the Matsgui Centennial Auditorium Page 2

4. DELEGA nONS

.I S. Litke, Fraser Basin Council - Integrated Flood Hazard Management

S. Litke, Fraser Basin Council, spoke to his submission entitled "Integrated Flood Hazard Management: Working Together to Reduce the Threat", noting that many areas of British Columbia are at risk of flooding. He detailed the 200-year flood level and current development in the floodplain, outlined the numerous agencies involved in flood hazard management, and stated that a cohesive effort was required to reduce the flood threat and related social, economical, and environmental consequences.

The Joint Program Committee was established to provide a process for inter-agency discussion, information exchange, clarification of roles and responsibilities, and networking to facilitate the implementation of priority actions. The Five-year Implementation Strategy for Integrated Flood Hazard Management aimed to reduce the threat of flooding; protect life, property, infrastructure, economic activity, and the environment; and reduce the risks and costs of flooding in B.C. through proactive mitigation programs.

In response to Council comments and questions, Mr. Litke advised that, while a relationship between the Fraser Basin Council and Washington State agencies would be beneficial, none currently existed; however, the Provincial Government was involved with ongoing discussions and studies with Washington State authorities. He agreed with Council members that Health Regions and correctional facilities located within floodplains should be involved in flood hazard management discussions.

Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Warawa, that the delegation of S. Litke, Fraser Basin Council, discussing integrated flood hazard management, be received.

E272-2000 CARRlED.

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Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of AbbotsfordJ

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held August 28, 2000, at I :00 p.m. in the Matsgui Centennial Auditorium Page 3

.2 R. Lockhart, 32150 Downes Road - Downes Road Posted Speed Limit 5460-02

R. Lockhart, 32150 Downes Road, outlined his opposition to the posted speed limit of 60 kmIh on the portion of Downes Road between Townline Road and Verdon Way, noting that his daughter was recently involved in a vehicular accident on the subject portion of roadway. He believed that the posted limit should be reduced to 50 kmIh given the number of driveways and side streets off Downes Road, as well as the use of the road by farm vehicles and trucks and the need for many area residents to cross the road to access their mailboxes. Mr. Lockhart further suggested that the speed limit in the area of the nearby Northview Community Church be reduced to 30 or 40 kmIh.

While conducting a preliminary investigation of Downes Road to determine whether warrants for photo radar deployment were met, the Integrated Traffic Camera Unit had determined that 85% of motorists traveled more than 20 kmIh faster than the posted speed limit of 50 kmIh. Given that the 851h percentile was generally indicative of a safe driving speed, the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee had recommended to Council that the speed limit in the subject area be increased to 60 kmIh. Public input had been obtained, and staff comments had indicated that some sections of Downes Road were not conducive for higher speeds.

It was observed by some Councillors that Downes Road was becoming a major east/west connector through the City, and that the difficulty of enforcing a posted speed limit in a particular area should not be a determining factor in increasing the limit. Others believed that a reduced speed limit on the subject roadway was impractical, and it was noted that a subdivision application in the vicinity would require re-grading of a portion of Downes Road in order to provide for a 60 kmIh sight line.

Moved by Councillor Peary, seconded by Councillor Wiebe, that the delegation of R. Lockhart, 32150 Downes Road, be received; and that the request for a reduced speed limit on Downes Road, between Townline Road and Verdon Way, be forwarded to the Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee for recommendations to Council.

E273-2000 CARRIED.

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5. REPORTS

5.1 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

.1 W. Richardson, 32151 Downes Road - Rezoning Application - Extension Request <3360-20/R98-92)

Report No. DEV 172-2000 dated August 24, 2000, from the Senior Planner, discussed a request for an extension to the maxinlum 12-month time limit between a public hearing and adoption of a Zoning By-law amendment relative to the W. Richardson property at 32151 Downes Road, The 12-month time limit for rezoning applications was established to ensure that new residents were aware of activities in their area and to allow them with an opportunity to comment on a proposed rezoning. The policy is applied consistently to all rezoning applications. The applicant had requested a 90-day extension in order to review the Downes Road Rural Residential Area Planning Study, which was undertaken in response to Agricultural Land Commission (Land Reserve Commission) decisions that created uncertainty regarding long range land use in the area.

Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Fast that, as recommended in Report No. DEV 172-2000 dated August 24, 2000, from the Senior Planner, the request for an extension to the maximum 12-month time limit between a public hearing and adoption of a Zoning By-law amendment relative to the W. Richardson property at 32151 Downes Road, be denied.

Council members speaking in support of the resolution commented that City policies and regulations should be consistently applied, and it was pointed out that the subject rezoning had proceeded independently of the Downes Road Area Study at the applicant' s request. Concern was expressed by some Councillors, however, regarding roadwork requirements necessitated by the 60 km/h speed limit along the portion of Downes Road fronting the subject lands.

Staff clarified that all area property owners and occupiers had been notified of the increased speed limit and an opportunity for comment had been provided.

The motion was then put and

E274-2000 CARRIED.

Opposed: Councillors Peary and Wiebe

Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Abbotsford held August 28, 2000, at I :00 p.m. in the Matsgui Centennial Auditorium Page 5

.2 Airport Land Exclusion C3040-20/A96-3)

Report No. DEV 170-2000 dated August 23, 2000, from the Director of Development Services, recommended measures to enable the finalization of the exclusion of airport lands from the Agricultural Land Reserve (A.L.R.). A Land Use Plan had been completed, and Official Community Plan and Zoning By-law amendments would be completed in order to ensure that only aviation and aerospace, plus some supporting ancillary uses, could be contemplated for Abbotsford Airport lands. The westerly portion of the land, that would be excluded from the A.L.R., would be rezoned from General Industrial Zone (I2) to Airport Industrial Zone (I7), and Civic Institutional Zone (P I) lands would be rezoned to Agricultural One Zone (AI) to reflect the agricultural use.

In response to Council comments and questions, it was clarified that the agricultural zoning of airport lands would not affect the ability to be used for airport purposes (e.g. runways, navigation equipment, etc.). While car rental agencies and service stations would be permitted as a supporting ancillary use, a rezoning would be necessary for the establishment of a hotel on airport lands.

Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Fast that, as recommended in Report No. DEV 170-2000 dated August 23, 2000, from the Director of Development Services: (1) staff be authorized to prepare amendments to the Airport Industrial Zone (I7) for Council's consideration, as outlined in Appendix I attached to the report; (2) an Official Community Plan amendment be prepared for Council's consideration, as outlined in Appendix II attached to the report; (3) the zoning maps of Abbotsford Zoning By-law, 1996, be modified in accordance with Appendix III attached to the report; and (4) the Mayor and Director of Administration be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding, as outlined III

Appendix IV attached to the report.

E275-2000 CARRIED.

Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Abbotsford held August 28, 2000, at 1 :00 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Page 6

.3 School Site Acquisition Proposal (0470-40)

Report No. DEV 174-2000 dated August 23, 2000, from the Manager, Current Development, reviewed Provincial legislation on school site acquisition. Bill 35, Education Statutes Amendment Act, 1998, and B.C. Regulation 17/2000, School Site Acquisition Charge Regulation, were enacted in January 2000, and provide for new development to contribute towards the costs of acquiring land for new school sites. The City's Official Community Plan policies dealing with schools would be revisited, and the City and School District would establish implementation and administration procedures.

The City would be required to collect a fee from developers, along with Development Cost Charges, and forward the funds to the School District. Local goverrunent would receive an administration fee in the amount of $2,000 per school year, plus 0.1 % of the school site acquisition charges collected, unless a school board and local goverrunent agree otherwise. School District No. 34's proposal included a charge based on school sites having a total value of $7,528,560. A public information meeting was held with respect to the proposed charge.

One member of Council expressed disappointment that local goverrunents were being required to collect funds for school site acquisition, which was the responsibility of the Provincial Goverrunent.

In response to Council questions and concerns, it was clarified that school site acquisition charges would not necessarily be comparable in surrounding jurisdictions, given land costs. Funds from school sites already disposed of could be applied to new school site acquisitions, and multi-level schools and repeat plans were being used, where possible.

Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Redekop, that Report No. DEV 174-2000 dated August 23, 2000, be received from the Manager, Current Development, and School District No. 34' s proposal for the implementation of school site acquisition legislation be referred to the City Industry Development Advisory Committee for review and comment.

E276-2000 CARRIED.

Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Abbotsford held August 28, 2000, at I :00 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Page 7

5.2 FIRE

.I Volkswagen Beetle - Sponsorship (1770-02)

In Report No. FIR 8-2000 dated August 23, 2000, the Director of Fire Rescue ServiceslFire Chief, discussed the sponsorship of a Volkswagen Beetle for use by the Fire and Life Education Division. The Beetle would increase visibility of fire and life safety education within the community and provide an additional vehicle to the Department at minimal cost to the City. Valley Autohouse would be supplying a lime coloured Beetle, as well as all maintenance at no cost to the City. Auto Trim Design had donated a portion of the cost to install decals on the vehicle, and funds for insurance and gasoline were available in the Fire Rescue Services' budget. The vehicle would assist the Department in achieving its number one priority of fire and life safety education.

Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Gibson, that Report No. FIR 8-2000 dated August 23, 2000, be received from the Direct or Fire Rescue ServiceslFire Chief, discussing the sponsorship of a Volkswagen Beetle to be used by the Fire and Life Safety Education Division.

E277-2000 CARRIED.

6. NEW BUSINESS

.I Matsqui Centennial Auditorium - Piano - Sponsorship

Moved by Councillor Fast, seconded by Councillor Redekop that, in conjunction with the B.C. 2000 Community Spirit grant program, for funds to purchase audio-visual equipment and a piano for the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, staff seek options for corporate sponsorship, i.e. Yamaha, for a piano, to make the facility more suitable for use by arts groups.

E278-2000 CARRIED.


.2 Motion to Close the August 28, 2000, Executive Committee Meeting to the Public

Moved by Councillor Redekop, seconded by Councillor Gill, that the August 21, 2000, Executive Committee meeting be closed to the public to consider matters related to Sections 242.2(1) (d) of the Local Government Act. (3 :30 p.m.)

CARRIED.

Certified Correct:

Documents

Executive Committee, August 28, 2000