Following closed-door meetings between councillors and legal counsel, the City of Richmond is publicly crying foul at the Vancouver Airport Authority’s decision to “unilaterally” go ahead with its submission to Transport Canada to rezone parts of central Richmond in preparation for a new runway.
The city contends the airport is putting the cart before the horse.
“There is no valid reason for pushing these changes through without due proper process, particularly given that the proposed runway is not anticipated to be built for decades,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a news release.
Last week, the city issued its news release — with several stated concerns — that was quickly countered by a release by the airport, which claims it was merely proceeding with the first steps in “protecting for its future runway options” and that “this is the beginning of a robust, federally mandated process governed by Transport Canada, which includes a detailed consultation schedule.”
The authority said it “remains committed to timely and authentic community consultation as we strive to sustainably meet the air travel needs of British Columbia.”
Transport Canada has the authority to amend Richmond’s Official Community Plan to ensure safe flight paths beneath City Centre. This means building heights for developments under a new flight path could be further limited — something that runs contrary to the city’s goal of densifying City Centre for transit-oriented development.
As an unintended consequence, Coun. Alexa Loo said the new zoning requirements for the runway at Vancouver International Airport could prompt even more real estate speculation in Richmond.
Loo said Lansdowne Centre, which is “ripe for development,” could be impacted.
The city stated the changes could “negatively impact property owners who’ve made significant investments based on existing policies.”
Loo suggested a long battle could ensue and even grassroots community groups opposed to the flight path (such as environmental groups) could be unknowingly influenced by real estate lobbyists with a stake in the City Centre, or elsewhere.
Loo said the proposal leaves many uncertainties. But, she said city council should be open to solutions if Transport Canada overrules the OCP.
“If that is the plan, we as a city need to step back and say maybe we need to rethink the OCP. Maybe density goes further south of Granville along No. 3 Road?
“Council has a tendency to say, if it’s not contemplated in the OCP then end of discussion, let’s walk away,” said Loo.
The city is in an apparent irreconcilable situation as it and many councillors often espouse the benefits of airport growth and yet they have pushed forward with building residential towers hundreds of metres away from an airport they know must expand to accommodate such growth.
And while the city’s news release noted the city supports the “evolution of the airport,” Loo questioned: “Where do you want them (the airport) to go?”
The jobs are not insignificant for locals, businesses need to move goods and the airport brings in tourists, said Loo.
The possible use of the third runway for loud takeoffs is also a concern for the city.
“Without full analysis of the noise and safety impacts of using the new runway for takeoffs, the impacts on the community and quality of life are unknown and thus unacceptable to the City,” stated the city, which claims the airport rejected its request to limit takeoffs except under special circumstances.
