Court of Revision Minutes - June 16/98 meeting

CITY OF VANCOUVER
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COURT OF REVISION
June 16, 1998
A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 16, 1998 at approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT: Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)

CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Gil Mervyn
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this Council resolve itself into a Court of Revision for the purpose of hearing complaints against the proposed assessments or the accuracy of frontage measurements, or any other complaint which persons interested may desire to make and which is by law cognizable by the Court, Mayor Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COURT OF REVISION
LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS
Projects by Petition Court #584
Lane Lighting
Pavement, Curbs & Trees - Higher Zoned
Pavement, Curbs & Trees - Local Residential
Lane Pavement - Higher Zoned
Lane Pavement - Local Residential
Speed Deterrent Humps
Sidewalk
Projects by Initiative Court #585
Pavement, Curbs and Trees - Local Residential
Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks
Sidewalk Reconstruction

Before Council was a report from the Collector of Taxes with respect to Local Improvement Court of Revision Numbers 584 and 585.
COURT NO. 584 - PROJECTS BY PETITION
June 16, 1998
The Collector of Taxes certified that the projects in this report have been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficiently signed petition.
COURT NO. 585 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE
June 16, 1998
In the report from the Collector of Taxes, it was noted that Projects 15,16, 18 ,25, 26, 29, 30 and 34 were objected to by at least more than one-half the owners of the properties who represent at least more than one-half the total value of all the properties on each project. Therefore, these projects were defeated.
In addition, Project 24 was opposed by one of the two owners affected and it was not possible to confirm the position of the remaining owner. This project was therefore withdrawn at this time.
As an appendix to the Report of the Collector of Taxes, it was also recommended that Project 23 be withdrawn due to the review of this project as part of the Greenways extension public process.
In a further report dated June 16, 1998, the Collector of Taxes advised of a correction to Project 27. The commercial rate of $49.12 per foot had been adjusted to $40.38 per foot.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Special Assessment Roll for Court Nos. 584 and 585, submitted by the Collector of Taxes, dated February 3, 1998, be approved, with the corrections and changes as noted herein.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COURT OF REVISION
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the Court of Revision rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COUNCIL
RECEIVE REPORT OF COURT OF REVISION
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Court of Revision be received.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
General Manager of Engineering Services’ Administrative Report
Local Improvements Subsequent Procedure
May 28, 1998
Prior to considering the recommendations in the Administrative Report dated May 28, 1998, the following delegations were heard and actions taken as follows:
Project No. 584/010
Rasham Dhesi, 1200 Block Waverley, spoke in favour of the project, but queried why the originally estimated cost per foot had increased from $2.45 to $3.35 per foot.
Art Blomquist, Assistant Superintendent, Street Lighting, advised the higher cost was due to the use of a more expensive fixture, but that this would result in lower maintenance costs.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/023
Anne Buonassisi, 1600 Block East 2nd, spoke in opposition to the project due to the distribution of costs between single family residents and a condominium development, resulting in an unfair burden of costs on some property owners. Ms. Buonassisi also expressed opposition to the planting of trees as part of the project.
Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, advised there were nine properties which would be eligible for considerations of special relief of 25% of the rate.
Peter Bremner, Local Improvements Engineer advised consideration could be given to the specimen and location of tree planting to address the concerns raised.
Ye Chu, 1600 Block East 2nd. spoke in favour of the project.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/024
Thom Geise, 3200 Block West 4th, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/025
Rauli Rantanen, 2300 Block Blenheim, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/033
Lisa Nash, speaking on behalf of a Commercial Property located in the 2700 Block Maple, requested that consideration be given to paving the entire lane, noting that the current project will leave approximately 20 feet of the lane at the rear of the property and the north/south section unpaved.
Nicole Matheson, 2000 Block West 11th, registered to speak in favour of paving the entire lane, but did not speak.
Peter Bremner, Local Improvements Engineer, advised an earlier petition to pave the entire lane had failed, and to do so now, would require a new petition. Mr. Bremner agreed, however, that the 20 foot section behind this property could be included in this project.
John Mathers and Carol Haber, 2000 Block West 11th, and Lisa Nash, 2700 Block Maple, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/37
Gary Ladd, 5300 Block Inverness, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,
That this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/040
Alan Carscadden, 1900 Block Parker, registered as being in favour of this project, but requested consideration be given to paving only the centre strip, rather that full width of the lane as proposed, as this would be more environmentally sensitive.
Peter Bremner, Local Improvement Engineer, advised the Petitioner had been given the choice between full or partial paving, and this petition had been based on full paving. The material accompanying the petition advises of the option for partial paving, but does not provide a choice. If not in favour of full paving, the property owner is advised not to sign the petition.
It was suggested the petition form be revised to provide a clearer explanation of the options for paving and give the opportunity of expressing a preference.
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT this project be re-balloted.
- LOST
(Cllrs. Bellamy, Clarke, Herbert, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price
and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED
(Cllr. Sullivan opposed)
Project No. 584/041
Helen Widman, 4300 Block Balkan, advised she did not support the project as she preferred strip rather than full paving, as proposed by the petition.
Elizabeth Vander Zaag, 4200 Bock Prince Edward, expressed concern the paving of the lane would result in a loss of the limited green space in the area and possible damage to existing hedges and other vegetation which is located along the property line. Ms. Vander Zaag also expressed concern for the safety of children which currently play freely in the lane.
Peter Bremner, Local Improvement Engineer, advised paving could be done to ensure existing hedges are not damaged.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED
(Cllr. Sullivan opposed)
Project No. 584/045
Elliott Cristall 00 Block West 13th, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this project be approved .
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/050
Andre Haiduk, speaking on behalf of his mother, 300 Block East 63rd, expressed concern regarding the ability of his mother, who is on fixed income, to pay the rates related to this project.
Staff provided information regarding the Property Tax Deferral Program.

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 584/051
Gary Ladd, 5300 Block Inverness, registered support for the project, but did not speak.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this project be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Project No. 585/017
Sandra Morten, 700 Block West 19th, expressed opposition to the project, noting she preferred the street be left as it is. Ms. Morten expressed concern regarding the cost of the project and questioned the need to undertake all of the work at this time. She also noted one owner was not available to respond to the initiative.
Peter Bremner, Local Improvements Engineer, advised this portion of Heather Street was part of the north/south bikeway. The condition of the street was poor and the project would provide new pavement, curbs and trees.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this project be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Council then considered the Administrative Report dated May 28, 1998.
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT Recommendations A and B of the General Manager of Engineering Services, as contained in the Administrative Report dated May 28, 1998, and quoted below, be approved, taking into account the specific actions taken this day:
A.THAT the projects "by petition" in Court #584 be approved.
B.THAT projects by "Initiative Principle" in Court #585 be approved except for the defeated items and special item #24 as explained in this report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services report back to provide options for dealing with the issue of width of lane paving.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * *
The Council adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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