Burnaby public meetings in 2023
34 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission
The commission adopted the July 11, 2023 meeting minutes unanimously. It referred a biodiversity park proposal from the Wildscaping Our Neighbourhood Society to staff. It received several reports for information, including the State of the Urban Forest and updates on UniverCity amenities and departmental operations. It also approved a donation to support the City’s 2023 United Way Workplace Campaign, all carried unanimously.
- Adopted minutes of July 11, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Referred Wildscaping biodiversity park information to staff (unanimous)
- Received Urban Forestry State of the Forest report for information (unanimous)
- Approved donation to support 2023 United Way Workplace Campaign (unanimous)
- Received UniverCity community amenities update for information (unanimous)
- Received Parks, Recreation and Culture operational update for information (unanimous)
Planning and Development Committee
The Committee approved a parking and transportation demand management policy for residential sites within 800m of SkyTrain stations. It also approved several housekeeping amendments to the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw and received reports on urban forestry and the OCP process.
- Approved Transit-Oriented Development Parking and Transportation Demand Management Policy (Unanimous)
- Approved staff report on costs for transportation demand and street parking management (Passed; Councillor Gu opposed)
- Approved staff investigation into affordable housing contributions from reduced parking savings (Passed; Councillor Gu opposed)
- Approved housekeeping amendments to Burnaby Zoning Bylaw, 1965 (Unanimous)
- Adopted July 12, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Received Urban Forestry Strategy - State of the Urban Forest report for information (Unanimous)
- Moved OCP update verbal report to October 11, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
City Council Meeting
City Council rejected a proposal for a new City Hall at Civic Square, instead selecting the current Deer Lake campus site. Council also approved a new District Energy Policy and several municipal contracts for furniture, sidewalk expansion, and road salt.
- Selected current City Hall campus at Deer Lake as the site for new City Hall (Unanimous)
- Approved Burnaby District Energy (DE) Policy effective January 1, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Approved $1,258,828 contract with Heritage Office Furnishings Ltd (Unanimous)
- Approved $1,429,000 contract extension to Mainroad Maintenance Products LP for de-icing salt (Unanimous)
- Approved $256,132 contract increase to R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd for sidewalk expansion (Unanimous)
- Approved temporary closure of Patterson Avenue (Kingsway to Central Blvd) Oct 27, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Authorized entry to 4539 Bond Street and 3526 Smith Avenue for unsightly premises cleanup (Unanimous)
- Approved $36,000 in operating grants to four community organizations (Unanimous)
Board of Variance
The Board approved variances for retaining wall and fence heights at 74 Ellesmere Avenue but denied a request for accessory building width at the same address. The minutes for a retaining wall appeal at 71 Warwick Avenue N. were incomplete.
- Approved retaining wall height increase to 3.06m at 74 Ellesmere Avenue (3-1)
- Approved fence height increase to 2.60m at 74 Ellesmere Avenue (3-1)
- Denied accessory building width increase to 8.18m at 74 Ellesmere Avenue (0-4)
- Adopted July 6, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Executive Committee of Council
The Executive Committee approved four community operating grants totaling $36,000. The Committee also established the reference names for the temporary Cameron Community Centre and Library location and advanced the naming protocol to Council.
- Approved minutes from July 5, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
- Approved referencing the temporary location at City of Lougheed Shopping Centre as 'Cameron Community Centre and Library (temporary location)' and/or 'Temporary Cameron Community Centre and Library' (Unanimous)
- Advanced the naming protocol for the temporary Cameron Community Centre and Library to Council for approval (Unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 grant to The Society to End Homelessness (Unanimous)
- Approved $4,000 grant to Vancouver Chinese Film Association (Unanimous)
- Approved $20,000 grant to Burnaby Family Life Institute (Unanimous)
- Approved $2,000 grant to The Maple Leaf Singers (Unanimous)
Public Safety Committee
The committee approved updates to the Community Police Advisory Committee Terms of Reference and renamed the body to the Community Safety Advisory Committee. It also referred a presentation on human sex trafficking to the Burnaby/New West Task Force on Sexually Exploited At Risk Youth for further action.
- Adopted June 28, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Referred human sex trafficking presentation to Burnaby/New West Task Force on Sexually Exploited At Risk Youth to write a letter to the Federal Justice Minister (Carried)
- Approved updates to Community Police Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (Unanimous)
- Authorized staff to increase recruitment and participation in advisory committees (Unanimous)
- Renamed Community Police Advisory Committee to Community Safety Advisory Committee (Unanimous)
Environment Committee
The Committee adopted the minutes from June 15, 2023, and received two information reports regarding the State of the Urban Forest and the City Energy Strategy. Staff advised against participating in a cigarette butt recycling program and discussed bear-proof bin feasibility.
- Adopted June 15, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Received 'Stage 1: Urban Forestry Strategy - State of the Urban Forest' report for information (Unanimous)
- Received 'City Energy Strategy - Existing Facilities Low Carbon Transition Update' report for information (Unanimous)
- Staff advised against participating in TerraCycle's cigarette butt recycling program
Public Hearing
Council unanimously voted to terminate public hearings for three zoning amendments and one Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment. The items included a mixed-use development, rental townhomes, a self-storage facility, and housing density policies.
- Terminated public hearing for REZ#21-47 (4472 Hastings Street) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for REZ#22-04 (Bevan Street and Marine Drive) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for REZ#22-24 (3945 Myrtle Street) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for OCP Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2023 (Housing Choices program) (Unanimous)
City Council Meeting
Council approved a $3.045M grant for 911 service upgrades and authorized a new Public Notice Bylaw. The city decided to abandon plans for a cover at the Central Park Outdoor Pool and approved a $10,000 charitable donation from the RCMP Musical Ride. Several rezoning applications were advanced to future public hearings.
- Accepted $3,045,000 UBCM grant for Next Generation 911 funding (Unanimous)
- Approved interim use of city website and eNewsletter for statutory public notices (Unanimous)
- Abandoned plans to install a cover at Central Park Outdoor Pool (Unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 donation from RCMP Musical Ride to Canadian Cancer Society and Honour House Society (Unanimous)
- Approved alterations to mixed-use development plan for REZ #20-27 at Palm Avenue (Unanimous)
- Advanced rezoning for McGill Public Library at 250 Willingdon Ave to future Public Hearing (Unanimous)
- Advanced rezoning for high-density residential at 6470 to 6508 Silver Ave to future Public Hearing (Unanimous)
- Received Draft Swangard Stadium Revitalization Study for information (Unanimous)
Community Heritage Commission
The Commission approved a request for staff to provide a joint training session for the Community Heritage Commission and Social Planning Committee in fall 2024. Staff provided updates on the Housing Choices Program and the conservation of the Central Park Entrance Gate.
- Approved request for joint training session on Chinese Canadian Reconciliation process for fall 2024 (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from June 22, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
Public Hearing
Council held a public hearing to consider a rezoning application for a high-rise residential building with street-fronting retail and underground parking. One resident spoke in opposition regarding the lack of rental units and greenhouse gas emissions from the parkade. The hearing was terminated, but the minutes do not record a final vote on the rezoning approval.
- Terminated Public Hearing for Rez. #21-30, Bylaw No. 14584 (Carried Unanimously)
- Adjourned meeting at 5:45 p.m. (Carried Unanimously)
City Council Meeting
Council approved the development of a community and social infrastructure needs assessment and strategy, including a planned resource centre in Lougheed Town Centre. Three rezoning applications for mixed-use, rental, and storage developments were advanced to first reading and future public hearings.
- Approved community and social infrastructure needs assessment and strategy (Unanimous)
- Authorized application to UBCM's Complete Communities program for funding (Unanimous)
- Directed development of a community resource centre in Lougheed Town Centre (Unanimous)
- Advanced REZ #21-47 (4472 Hastings Street) five-storey mixed-use development to Public Hearing (Unanimous)
- Advanced REZ #22-04 (Edmonds Town Centre Plan) 183-unit rental townhouse development to Public Hearing (Unanimous)
- Authorized Highway Closure Bylaw for REZ #22-04 contingent on Second Reading (Unanimous)
- Advanced REZ #22-24 (3945 Myrtle Street) five-storey self-storage facility to Public Hearing (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from July 10, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
Financial Management Committee
The Committee approved a request to the Province for a 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) rate to fund affordable housing. It also approved adjustments to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw and increased mural grant funding.
- Approved 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) rate for housing initiatives (Unanimous)
- Approved adjustments to the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw effective Jan 1, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Increased maximum contribution for murals from $3,500 to $7,000 per mural (Unanimous)
- Authorized a new non-statutory reserve for MRDT net revenue from online platforms (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from May 23, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
- Forwarded Period 05 financial report to Council
Planning and Development Committee
The Planning and Development Committee unanimously recommended that Council reject the 'Proposed Interim TOD Parking Policy.' The Committee instead directed staff to prepare a new report based on the Transportation Demand Management Plan and conduct a thorough analysis of parking requirements and neighborhood impacts.
- Recommended Council reject the 'Proposed Interim TOD Parking Policy' (Unanimous)
- Directed staff to prepare a report to Council based on the upcoming Transportation Demand Management Plan including a Parking Demand Management Plan (Unanimous)
- Directed staff to perform a thorough analysis of parking requirements and neighborhood impacts for TOD Parking Policy recommendations (Unanimous)
- Referred the 4420 Marine Drive development proposal to staff for review (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from the June 14, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission
The Commission received reports on the alcohol in parks pilot program and enhancements to the Christine Sinclair Community Centre. Members also reviewed a draft study for Swangard Stadium revitalization featuring six upgrade and redevelopment options ranging from $25M to $170M.
- Adopted June 13, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Received 'Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program - Evaluation Framework' report for information (Unanimous)
- Received 'The Christine Sinclair Community Centre: Enhancing Public Use' report for information (Unanimous)
City Council Meeting
Council approved advancing Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments for the Housing Choices Program to public hearings. Multiple construction contracts were awarded for the Cameron Community Centre, RCMP detachment, and road works. A request for a Central Park Pool Cover contract was referred back to staff for more options.
- Approved advancing Housing Choices Phase 1 OCP and Zoning Bylaw amendments to public hearing (Unanimous)
- Approved $3.75M contract award to Graham Construction & Engineering LP for Cameron Community Centre & Library (Unanimous)
- Approved $309,344 contract award to Safe Community Partners IPD team for new RCMP Detachment validation phase (Unanimous)
- Approved $455,429 contract award to Jack Cewe Construction Ltd. for Major Traffic Management Projects - Package II (Unanimous)
- Approved $120,808 contract award to B.A. Blacktop Infrastructure Inc. for lane paving (Unanimous)
- Approved $94,395 contract increase to Canadian Turner Construction Company Ltd. for Laurel Street Works Yard (Unanimous)
- Approved fee waiver for drop-in Parks, Recreation and Culture fees on July 17, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Referred Central Park Pool Cover report back to staff for more options and details (Unanimous)
Board of Variance
The Board of Variance approved two appeals for zoning bylaw relaxations regarding retaining wall height and front yard depth. A third appeal regarding building height at 7425 Haszard Street was introduced but the provided record ends before a decision was reached.
- Approved variance for 2.16m retaining wall height at 3859 Elmwood Street (Unanimous)
- Approved variance for 10.09m minimum front yard depth at 5535 Halifax Street (2-1)
Executive Committee of Council
The Executive Committee of Council approved several operating, program, and festival grants for local organizations. The committee also authorized funding for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event and a retroactive grant for Veterans Affairs Canada.
- Approved $72.44 retroactive grant to Veterans Affairs Canada (Unanimous)
- Approved $3,000 for Spirit of the Children Society National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve $3,000 for Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve $1,500 for Culture Chats BC Association (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve $4,000 for BCIT Student Association Burnaby Community WinterFest (Unanimous)
- Approved operating grants of $5,000 for Royal Canadian Legion Branch #148 and $10,000 for Burnaby Volunteer Centre Society (Unanimous)
- Approved $5,000 program grant for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver and denied grant for Junior Achievement of BC (Unanimous)
- Approved recreation sports grants of $1,500 for Renbu Dojo Kenda Club and $1,750 for Burnaby Minor Softball Association (Unanimous)
Public Safety Committee
The Committee unanimously adopted the minutes from the April 26, 2023, meeting. The remainder of the session consisted of presentations on transit safety, youth academies, and the receipt of various information reports and memoranda.
- Adopted April 26, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Public Hearing
Council held public hearings for three zoning bylaw amendments. The hearings for the industrial mezzanine at 8063 North Fraser Way and the rental development at 7388 Southwynde Avenue were terminated. The record for the MacPherson Avenue application is incomplete.
- Terminated public hearing for REZ #22-11 (8063 North Fraser Way) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for REZ #22-02 (7388 Southwynde Avenue) (Unanimous)
Community Heritage Commission
The Community Heritage Commission approved forwarding a report to Council to seek authorization for community engagement regarding the heritage designation of the South Burnaby Cenotaph. The Commission also adopted the minutes from April 13, 2023, and received updates on the Community Archives Strategy and the Burnaby Village Museum Honour Rolls Display.
- Approved minutes from April 13, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Forwarded report to Council requesting authorization for communication and community engagement regarding the South Burnaby Cenotaph heritage designation (Unanimous)
- Received Burnaby Village Museum Honour Rolls Display report for information (Unanimous)
City Council Meeting
City Council presented the 2023 Environmental Awards to six recipients for stewardship and sustainability. The meeting also included an annual activity update from the Vancouver Airport Authority.
- Adopted minutes from May 30 and June 5, 2023 (Unanimous)
Environment Committee
The Environment Committee recommended that Council endorse a preliminary draft of the Building Retrofit Strategy for further development. The committee also approved funding and programming for World Rivers Day and requested a staff report on tree recycling bylaws.
- Approved $5,000 for World Rivers Day promotion and Indigenous programming (Unanimous)
- Declared September 24, 2023, as World Rivers Day (Unanimous)
- Approved World Rivers Day community celebration program at Burnaby Village Museum (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council endorse the preliminary draft of the Building Retrofit Strategy (Unanimous)
- Referred TreeCycle Canada delegation to staff to report on feasibility of treecycling triage approach in bylaws (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from May 18, 2023, meeting (Unanimous)
Planning and Development Committee
The Committee referred the Rental Use Zoning Policy Review to staff for further information and analysis. A report on the status of market and non-market rental units was forwarded to Council for information.
- Adopted May 10, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Referred Rental Use Zoning Policy Review to staff for further information (Unanimous)
- Forwarded Rental Housing Summary report to Council for information (Unanimous)
Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission
The Commission adopted the minutes from its May 9, 2023, meeting. The session primarily consisted of presentations and correspondence regarding community amenities, safety concerns at Burnaby Lake Arena, and aquatic program waitlists.
- Adopted May 9, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Mayor's Task Force on Unsheltered Community Members
The inaugural meeting established the task force's terms of reference to develop a coordinated response to homelessness. The group identified three immediate priorities for follow-up regarding winter shelters, population needs, and health supports.
- Approved adding correspondence from The Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby and Verity Gray to the agenda (Unanimous)
- Identified priority to explore feasibility of two winter shelters including location and operation
- Identified priority to determine the number and location of the unsheltered population
- Identified priority to define the role of Fraser Health program supports for unsheltered people
Executive Committee of Council
The Executive Committee recommended several Large and Small Scale Festival Burnaby Grants and various community programming and operating grants for Council approval. The committee also approved two immediate community program grants and denied four specific grant applications.
- Approved $1,500 in-kind grant to BC Society of Model Engineers (Unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 grant to Tsleil-Waututh Nation for Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve 5 Large Scale Festival Grants totaling $55,000 (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve 2 Small Scale Festival Grants of $5,000 each (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve $5,000 programming grant for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council deny grants for Polycan Health Centre, CentreCanada Newcomer Services Society (2 events), and Nikkei National Museum Farmers Market (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve $5,000 operating grant for Odd Squad Productions Society (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council approve two $2,500 recreational sport grants for Metro Ball Hockey Association (Unanimous)
Access Advisory Committee
The Committee adopted the minutes from its April 27, 2023, meeting. Members received a presentation on governance and legislative requirements under the Accessible BC Act and reviewed staff memoranda regarding taxi accessibility, seniors' programs, and infrastructure.
- Adopted April 27, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)
International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee
The Committee recommended that Council authorize up to 10 City delegates to participate in a Burnaby Board of Trade mission to the Netherlands in September 2023. The meeting also included a review of a draft itinerary for a Mesa delegation visit in August 2023 and an invitation for the Mayor to lead a delegation to Guiyang, China.
- Approved recommendation for Council to authorize up to 10 City delegates for the Netherlands trade mission (Unanimous)
- Adopted minutes from the May 15, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
City Council Meeting
Council approved a pilot program allowing responsible alcohol consumption in four specific parks from June 23 to October 30, 2023. The city will implement a new bylaw and update the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009 to penalize violations. Council also requested that consumption areas be clearly marked with signage.
- Approved pilot program for responsible alcohol consumption in Confederation Park, Central Park, Keswick Park, and Edmonds Park (June 23 – Oct 30, 2023)
- Authorized City Solicitor to bring forward the Burnaby Responsible Consumption of Alcohol in Parks Bylaw 2023
- Authorized amendments to the Burnaby Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009 to impose penalties for alcohol bylaw violations
- Adopted minutes from May 8, 2023 Open Council meeting and May 30, 2023 Public Hearing (Zoning) (Unanimous)
Board of Variance
The Board of Variance approved two appeals for residential construction variances related to retaining wall height and principal building height. One appeal was withdrawn by the homeowner, and another was partially recorded.
- Approved retaining wall height variance to 2.74m at 5535 Monarch Street (4-1)
- Approved building height variance to 9.44m at 7028 Mawhinney Close (4-1)
- Appeal for 6195 6th Street withdrawn
- Adopted May 4, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Special Council Meeting
Council received departmental presentations for the draft 2024-2028 Capital Plan, which proposes $363.6 million for 2024. Staff detailed significant projects and identified several projects for removal from previous plans across multiple departments. No formal votes were taken on the plan's adoption during this meeting.
- Proposed $363.6 million total for 2024 Capital Plan
- Proposed $215.2 million for Lands and Facilities 2024 plan
- Proposed $88.3 million for Engineering 2024 plan
- Proposed $26.7 million for Parks, Recreation and Culture 2024 plan
- Proposed $9.4 million for Information Technology 2024 plan
- Proposed $6.7 million for Burnaby Fire 2024 plan
- Proposed removal of Bob Prittie Metrotown Library Renovation - Phase 2 from previous plan
- Proposed removal of Fire Stations #1, #6, and #9 construction from previous plan
Public Hearing
Council unanimously voted to terminate public hearings for three rezoning applications intended to establish conceptual master plans for high-density mixed-use developments. No specific buildings were proposed under these applications; they serve as guidelines for future site-specific rezoning.
- Terminated public hearing for Rez. #22-15 (7000 Lougheed Highway) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for Rez. #22-28 (6800 Lougheed Highway) (Unanimous)
- Terminated public hearing for Rez. #20-32 (7252, 7264, 7282 Kingsway and 7255 Edmonds Street) (Unanimous)
Financial Management Committee
The Financial Management Committee recommended that Council support the payment of RCMP retroactive pay. The committee also recommended that Council receive several status updates on federal funding, IT projects, civic buildings, and parks and recreation projects.
- Adopted April 18, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council receive 2022 Canada Community-Building Fund Update report (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council support payment of RCMP retroactive pay (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council receive IT Project Portfolio Status Update report (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council receive Major Civic Building Projects Status Update report (Unanimous)
- Recommended Council receive Major Parks, Recreation and Culture Capital Projects Update report (Unanimous)