CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

MARCH 23, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at approximately 12:10 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke (leave of absence) Councillor Lynne Kennedy (civic business) Councillor Gordon Price (leave of absence) Councillor George Puil (civic business)
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on
Transportation and Traffic
March 23, 1999

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:

Cl. 1: Downtown Streetcar
Cl. 2: Correction of Street Name from Toderick Street to Todrick Street
Cl. 3: Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plans - Priorities and Process

Downtown Streetcar
(Clause 1)

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Bellamy opposed to Recommendation B)

Clauses 2 and 3

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 2 and 3 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Chiavario File: 1254

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,

THAT Councillor Chiavario be given leave of absence from May 9 - 20, 1999.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

* * * * *

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

MARCH 23, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at approximately 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Sam Sullivan, Acting Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor George Puil (arrived from civic business during item 1)
ABSENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke (leave of absence) Councillor Lynne Kennedy (civic business) Councillor Gordon Price (leave of absence)
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Denise Salmon

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of February 23, 1999, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Downtown Streetcar File: 5558

At its meeting on February 23, 1999, City Council referred consideration of the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated February 2, 1999, to a future Standing Committee meeting, to allow speakers to be heard.

Clause 1 Cont'd

The Committee had before it the Administrative Report dated February 2, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services summarizes the results of a study undertaken to investigate possible routes for a streetcar system in the downtown, including preferred route options, costs analysis, and recommends next steps to be taken.

Richard Johnson, Planner, Neighbourhood Groups, provided Council with an update on the report, and with the aid of overheads, described Phase 1 and 2 route options. He noted the routes show potential opportunities for expansion of the system and before major changes to the streetscape or land use are made, the extensions shown on the plan should be considered. Mark Zaborniak, Traffic Management, responded to questions on cost recovery. It was further noted there is, at present, no capital funding for this project; however, choice of an alignment now would allow for advance planning and preserve options for possible future construction.

The following delegations, while offering general support, raised the following issues:

Bob Mckay, Greystone Properties Ltd. (brief filed) (support for Phase 1)
Peter Withers, Vancouver Board of Trade (support for Phase 1)
Lisa Card, Hill's Indian Crafts

(representing Dorothy Martin, Gastown property owner)

Guy Wera
Alec Caruth, Downtown Vancouver Association (material, map filed)
Charles Gauthier, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Assoc.

· request deletion of the Portside Loop, which Greystone's consultants advise would prove structurally problematic, to allow Greystone to complete viaduct design work to avoid delaying approvals and the construction of the new trade and convention centre
· the need to integrate streetcar service with the rest of the transportation system serving the downtown
· opposed to Phase 2 extension - peninsula already well served by transportation options; fixed rails will degrade traffic flow
· concern with overall capital cost compared to upgrade of the bus system
· concern with proposed routing along Water Street, as street is already congested with tour buses, horse-drawn carriages, and delivery trucks which are unable to use the narrow lane
· the three block diversion off Cordova to Water should be deleted from the route options; Cordova, not Water Street is in need of revitalization

Clause 1 Cont'd

· public transit should be owned by the taxpayers and paid for from the tax base
· concern for safety of cyclists travelling streetcar routes and recommended bike lanes be provided along these routes
· need for a circuitous downtown streetcar route , including Burrard Street, in addition to a fast, efficient, dependable system with 3-4 minute service to draw commuters
· opposed to Phase 2 as proposed; Davie, Denman, Robson to Pacific Boulevard recommended
· system must link with BC Transit
· streetcar should be step-free, with platforms at stop locations
· streetcar routing must be considered as part of the Downtown Transportation Plan
· selection of correct technology is fundamental to the streetcar system's future sustainability
· opposed to alignment on Pacific Boulevard - interferes with arterial road system
· Main Street corridor should be utilized, and would provide opportunity to revitalize Downtown Eastside
· concern with uncertainty of impacts on future rezonings, development permit applications, and land use in addition to limitations on future development relative to Recommendation B contained in the report
· Phase 3 should be considered in the context of the Downtown Granville Street mall study, and be part of the overall Downtown Transportation Plan

The following delegations expressed general opposition to Downtown Streetcar as currently proposed; points raised included the following:

Don Weber, BOMA (brief filed)
Guy Palmer
Harry Goldberg
Marc Venot
Dale Laird

· opposed to extending South False Creek Line anywhere until a proper business case has been completed which justifies the initiative, including a cost comparison with alternate forms of public transportation
· concern with safety related to a fixed rail system, especially for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and bicycles
· the private sector should be given the opportunity to develop and operate the system
· ways to link the Airport with the waterfront must be examined

Clause 1 Cont'd

· initiative will result in greater taxes and levies
· concern Phase 0 of the Streetcar route from Vanier Park to Science World will impact bus service to residents, including seniors, living adjacent False Creek/Granville Island
· concern with noise level of streetcars, and impact on Chinatown during the summer months when the Chinese Market locates along Keefer Street, between Main and Gore
· CHAPC, at its meeting on December 8, 1998, expressed concern with canopy envisaged for potential streetcar stop on Columbia north of Keefer, and its impact on views of the Keefer triangle
· proposal not required, scope needs to be widened and interface with GVTA considered
· specific routes are recommended in report, with alternate routes left unprotected (i.e. Abbott or Gore alternative to Columbia)
· mid-block vacant land could be utilized to move the streetcar away from on-street traffic

The following spoke generally in favour of the proposal, and raised the following points:

John Whistler, BEST and SPEC
Jim Lehto
George Pratt, Aquabus

· support for proposal and recommendations contained in the report
· report provides opportunity for a new transportation system that ties in struggling portions of the downtown with the city's newer areas
· fixed rail system would provide the basis for longer-term investments by both the public and private sector and be good for the development community
· opposed to westbound route on Water Street, which would negatively impact the street's unique tourist vehicles; keep routing on Cordova, it needs the help
· consider Main Street, rather than Columbia, as route from Science World, and encompass the old Police Station, Law Courts, and the transportation interchanges (Greyhound, SkyTrain)
· in favour of the Funky Rail
· concern the demonstration run of the Funky Rail during summer months be priced fairly, with consideration given to the False Creek ferries which provide mini-cruises of the Creek

Clause 1 Cont'd

- - -
(Councillor Puil arrived from civic business during discussion of this item)
- - -

In response to questions from Council, staff advised Main Street had been considered as part of the streetcar system; however Columbia offers less impact on parking, loading, bus stops, and does not require removal of the curb lane. In addition, Main is a major utility corridor, and further distance travelled would increase cost. Staff also noted the Pacific Boulevard issue will come before Council later this year, to allow opportunity for further discussion on preservation of a corridor adjoining the Plaza of Nations and Pacific Boulevard.

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT, extending from the South False Creek line, Council endorse a routing from Science World to Waterfront Station via Quebec, Columbia, and Cordova Streets as Phase One, and a general routing from Science World to Roundhouse Community Centre, along Pacific Boulevard and Davie Street as Phase Two of the Downtown Streetcar System.

B. THAT Council instruct staff to consider the proposed streetcar corridors when undertaking rezoning, development permit applications, area planning studies or other projects that affect roads, in locations that are affected by the study.

C. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to seek Senior Government funding for a portion of the first part of the streetcar project, from Granville Island to Waterfront Station.

D. THAT Council instruct staff to report back on a proposed work program and funding requirements to undertake detailed design and cost analysis of Phase One and Phase Two.

E. THAT the Loop from the CP Station to the Trade and Convention Centre not be part of the work program at this time.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Bellamy opposed to B, Councillor Puil opposed to A-E)

2. Correction of Street Name from Toderick Street

to Todrick Street File: 5526

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated December 11, 1998 (on file), in which the City Manager seeks Council approval for renaming Toderick Street to Todrick Street, as requested by R. Lloyd Todrick. Both he and City Archives agree the street was named for his grandfather, James Banks Todrick. Also before Council was background material, including a petition from residents of Toderick Street requesting the name remain as currently spelled. Council, on January 5, 1999, agreed to postpone consideration of the report's recommendations to allow opinions from residents to be reported back to Council.

Noel Peters, City Surveyor, provided Council with background and a brief overview of the report.

Frank Cantafio reminded Council the petition from Toderick Street residents requests retention of the current spelling of the street name. He advised residents, including himself, have accumulated many memories over the years associated with Toderick Street. Some residents have also voiced concern with the need to change their legal papers to conform to the proposed new street name. Although residents understand the need to recognize Mr. Todrick, Mr. Cantafio urged Council consider alternatives rather than approving the staff recommended street name change.

The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT the name Toderick Street remain as presently spelled;

FURTHER THAT records held at the City's Archives be corrected in terms of the name originally intended in the 1920s, and Archival staff be requested to examine ways to publicly reference the correct name on the street.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Puil opposed)

3. Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plans -

Priorities and Process File: 5757

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 2, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends public comment be sought, through a discussion paper, on how the City establishes priorities for neighbourhood traffic calming plans and the process for conducting these plans. Staff would report back to Council to establish a policy on the foregoing.

Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, provided Council with a brief overview of the report, and in response to a question from Council regarding emergency access, advised a review of temporary traffic measures in the City is currently underway.

The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT the discussion paper contained in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated February 2, 1999, be presented to Resident Associations and the public for comment, and that staff report back on the results with recommendations on the methods for establishing priorities and the process for neighbourhood traffic calming plans.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

- - -
(Councillor Puil left the meeting at this point on civic business)
- - -

The Committee adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver