Regular Council for Workshop

Monday, March 17, 2025

3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, Second Floor & Zoom

New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal Avenue

We recognize and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. As a City, we are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER & LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda of the March 17, 2025 Regular Council for Workshop meeting be approved.

3.

MINUTES

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council for Workshop meeting held on March 3, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.

PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS

4.1

Lower Twelfth Street Study Area

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

To seek Council’s endorsement in principle on key questions for the Lower Twelfth Street area study, and to seek Council’s support to complete key current City studies and report back on their implications for the area, prior to proceeding with next steps of the study.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the updated Employment Strategy and exploration of potential institutional uses be completed, and staff report back to Council on the implications of this work to the Lower Twelfth Street Plan, prior to completing the Evaluation Framework necessary to begin processing the catalyst project applications, as recommended by the City’s Senior Management Team.

  2. THAT the Lower Twelfth Street work continue to prioritize spaces for users such as artists, crafts people, artisans, and other creators, recognizing the inclusion of these spaces likely requires trade-offs with other public benefits (e.g. amount of affordable housing), and higher residential densities to support project viability.

  3. THAT the preliminary Massing Principles and Massing Concept in Attachment 1 of the March 17, 2025 report titled “Lower Twelfth Street Area Study Update”, including building heights ranging from 6 to 15 storeys at the northern portions of the study area, and heights up to 40 storeys at the southern end of the study area, be used to guide planning for the Lower Twelfth Street area and the catalyst applications, recognizing these would exceed the legislated densities within Transit-Oriented Development Areas, but potentially reduce the proposed heights and densities being proposed by all the catalyst projects.

  4. THAT staff further explore changing the Official Community Plan designations of some properties on the outer edges of the study area to enable development of townhouses or multi-unit residential buildings to provide an appropriate transition between the study area and adjacent blocks.

4.2

Response to Council Motion: "Re-establishing Vancouver Canucks Outdoor Community Gatherings"

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

This report responds to Council’s motion from the January 27, 2025 meeting on “Re-establishing Vancouver Canucks Outdoor Community Gatherings” and provides Council with information to provide staff with direction.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the report titled “Response to Council Motion: ‘Re-establishing Vancouver Canucks Outdoor Community Gatherings,’” which outlines the operational and financial impacts as well as revenue generating opportunities associated with hosting outdoor/indoor Canucks playoff events, be received for information.
  2. THAT staff be provided with feedback and any direction on whether and/or how to proceed with planning for the 2025 NHL playoff series.

4.3

Vision Zero Update

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

To provide an overview of Vision Zero, the Safe System Approach, and phases of forming a Vision Zero Task Force, and to provide a draft Letter of Invitation and draft Terms of Reference for the Vision Zero Task Force.

• Recommendation

  THAT the Terms of Reference for the Vision Zero Task Force, included as Attachment #2 to the staff report titled “Vision Zero Task Force” dated March 17, 2025 from the Director, Engineering Services, be endorsed.

4.4

Liquid Waste Management Plan Presentation for Members of GVS & DD

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

To provide the City of New Westminster Council the updated Interim Draft Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) adopted at the November 29, 2024, GVS&DD Board meeting and request support for the submission of the final plan to the Ministry of Environment and Parks following adoption by the GVS&DD Board.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the updated Interim Draft Liquid Waste Management Plan, adopted at the November 29, 2024, GVS&DD Board meeting, be received for information.
  2. THAT the final Liquid Waste Management Plan be approved for submission to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, following adoption by the GVS&DD Board.

5.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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