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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
JUNE 17, 1999
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, June 17, 1999, at 4:05 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Philip Owen
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence) |
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CITY MANAGER'S
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Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CLERK TO THE
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Nancy Largent |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
June 17, 1999
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: East Vancouver Farmers' Market - Lord Roberts School
Cl.2: Proposed Amendment Subdivision By-law No. 5208 -
Reclassification of the South Side of the 3500-Block McGill Street
Cl.3: Vancouver Building By-law Revisions
Cl.4: Proposed Wastewater, Stormwater and Watercourse By-law
Clauses 1, 3 and 4
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1, 3 and 4 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 2
MOVED by Councillor Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Clarke, Herbert, Kennedy and Sullivan opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Sharing of Gaming Revenues File: 2633
The City Manager advised the Provincial Government has made an announcement to charities with respect to the sharing of gaming revenues and gaming activities. The City Manager will circulate a copy of the press release as soon as available.
The Council adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
JUNE 17, 1999
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, June 17, 1999, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence) |
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CITY MANAGER'S
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Judy Rogers, City Manager |
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CLERK TO THE
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Nancy Largent |
* Denotes presence for part of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of May 20, 1999, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. East Vancouver Farmers' Market - File: 5303
Lord Roberts School RTS: 831
City Council, at its meeting on May 18, 1999, referred a Motion on the East Vancouver Farmers' Market Society proposal to hold a market at Lord Roberts School to the Planning & Environment Committee, and requested staff to provide information on this matter. The Committee had before it a memorandum from the Director of Central Area Planning dated June 9, 1999 (on file), which provided background and suggested minor changes to the motion, should Council wish to approve it
Dave Thomsett, Senior Planner, Land Use Control, briefly reviewed the background of farmers' markets in Vancouver. Issues raised include zoning, parking, precedent and similar proposals, and competition and equity.
Devorah Kahn, East Vancouver Farmers' Market Society, reviewed the proposal and requested Council to support a market in the West End. Local interest and community involvement were described. There have been enquiries from other areas of the city, notably West Point Grey and Dunbar. Because the Society has found it considerable work to deal with zoning on an individual basis for each market, Ms. Kahn requested Council to consider rezoning all residential areas to permit this use.
Estelle Taylor, West End resident, supported the proposal. Apartment life can be very isolating, and a market would be a good way to get people involved in a positive and welcoming project, including school children.
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, responded to questions regarding enforcement, and past difficulties in controlling street vending n the West End. The situation will be monitored in coordination with other departments, and information provided in the report back if this trial proceeds.
Responding to queries, Mr. Thomsett advised control of farmers' markets through zoning or licensing is difficult. It is best to locate markets on public lands where leases can be cancelled if necessary. Other issues such as competition and parking would be addressed in the report back. Staff could review the issue for all residential districts in the city, should Council so instruct.
Clause No. 1 Continued
Council agreed to support the proposed market at Lord Roberts school on a trial basis as suggested by staff.
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council instruct the Chief License Inspector to withhold enforcement of the Zoning & Development By-law respecting land use on a farmers' market operated by a registered non-profit society proposed for the Lord Roberts School parking lot, 1100 Bidwell Street, for the summer and fall seasons of 1999, on a trial basis, pending a report back after the trial period by the Director of Central Area Planning, on behalf of Land Use & Development towards an application to amend the RM-5A District Schedule.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Daniel Lee not present for the vote)
2. Proposed Amendment to Subdivision By-law No. 5208 File: 5306
Reclassification of the South Side of the 3500-Block McGill Street
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 20, 1999 (on file), in which the Subdivision Approving Officer addressed a proposal to reclassify the properties on the south side of the 3500-block of McGill Street from Category 'C' to Category 'A', for the purpose of subdivision into two parcels in accordance with the minimum parcel size requirements of Category 'A'. The Subdivision Approving Officer and the General Manager of Community Services recommended that the application be refused.
Clause No. 2 Continued
Rick Scobie, Director of Development Services, reviewed the application and gave the rationale for recommending that the reclassification not be approved, with reference to the history of subdivision classification in the city and to the pattern of subdivision in the area. Area notification resulted in more opposition than support for the change. Responding to questions about effective land use, Mr. Scobie indicated there are many opportunities for further subdivision in the city without reclassification. The intent of the classifications was to set standards consistent with neighbourhood patterns in an attempt to stabilize. Council may now see this as too restrictive, or may see it as appropriate to maintain subdivision patterns.
Greg Reid, property owner (brief filed), compared the Subdivision Approving Officer's report on his request to an almost identical proposal on 8400/8500-block Adera Street, which was recommended by staff and approved by City Council. Mr. Reid referenced area character, property values, history, mid-block splits, and assessment, and concluded there is no convincing rationale not to change the subdivision pattern. Property uses and neighbourhood needs have changed. Mr. Reid indicated he is not a builder or a land speculator. His current house is not suitable for his family, and his motivation is to build and live in a new home. Therefore, Council was urged to approve the application.
Mr. Scobie briefly reviewed the circumstances and rationale for the Adera reclassification, and answered questions about lot sizes, potential impacts, and economic incentives. Should Council desire, staff could report back on existing opportunities for subdivision.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council refuse the application to reclassify the properties on the south side of the 3500-block of McGill Street from Category `C' to Category `A' of Schedule A, Table 1, of Subdivision By-law No. 5208.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Clarke, Herbert, Kennedy and Sullivan opposed)
3. Vancouver Building By-law Revisions File: 113
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated June 3, 1999 (on file), in which the City Building Inspector recommended adoption of the 1998 British Columbia Building Code, with amendments set out in the Policy Report, as the Building By-law for Vancouver.
Tom Timm, City Building Inspector, reviewed proposed new Building By-law, which constitutes the first comprehensive revisions since June 1987. The Vancouver Charter grants City Council greater authority to regulate construction than is conveyed by the Municipal Act, and there have been a variety of Council initiatives and innovations to deal with local circumstances, some of which have been adopted by other municipalities.. The proposed by-law will make for greater consistency across the province, which has been advocated by the construction industry, while still retaining Council's authority. The proposed by-law revisions were reviewed, as well as future work required.
The following speakers supported the recommended revisions:
Ed McKinnon, Architectural Institute of BC
Thomas Leung, Structural Engineering Consultants of BC
Andrew Harnsworth, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
Don Pamplin, former Fire Chief
Following are some of the comments made:
· the City was thanked for its consultative approach to these revisions, involving all stakeholders;
· greater consistency throughout the building regulations will be a definite asset;
· there are some areas remaining to be cleared up, but these can be discussed with the staff committee as work continues;
· seismic requirements should apply fully to single and dual-family homes as well as larger buildings; and
· Council's initiatives with respect to sprinklering of one and two-family dwellings have resulted in a 36% improvement in fire loss statistics in the past 7 years (brief from Fire Chief Ray Holdgate dated June 17, 1999 distributed to Council and on file).
Clause No. 3 Continued
Doug Watts, Building Envelope Specialist, responded to questions regarding leaky condos and advised a report on this issue is being prepared in consultation with various stakeholders.
Mr. Timm responded to queries about the extent of Council's jurisdiction over building regulations, and seismic requirements.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the 1998 British Columbia Building Code, amended as provided in Recommendation B, be adopted as the Building By-law for Vancouver.
B. THAT the proposed amendments to the Building By-law, as outlined in the Policy Report dated June 3, 1999, be approved.
C. THAT the plumbing regulations affecting buildings, which currently form part of the Plumbing By-law, be brought into the Building By-law as outlined in the Policy Report dated June 3, 1999.
D. THAT the balance of the Plumbing By-law be combined with the proposed Wastewater, Storm Water and Watercourse By-law, as set out in a report by the Permits & Licenses and Engineering Departments also being considered today.
E. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to bring forward the appropriate By-law amendments.
F. THAT the Certified Professional Program be amended to reflect the changes to the Building By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Chair expressed Council's thanks to staff for this effort.
4. Proposed Wastewater, Storm Water and Watercourse By-law File: 113
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated June 3, 1999 (on file), in which the City Building Inspector and General Manager of Engineering Services requested Council's approval to:
· consolidate a number of by-laws regarding sanitary and storm water systems into a single by-law for clarity and ease of communication:
· revise existing by-laws to update standards;
· increase environmental protection; and
· reflect current senior government legislation and regulations.
Tom Timm, City Building Inspector, introduced the report and briefly explained the context.
Doug Roberts, Manager, Environmental Protection Branch, reviewed the purpose and particulars of the proposed bylaw, which will allow the City to be more proactive.
Mr. Roberts and Mr. Timm responded to questions about fees and penalties, noting that the proposed by-law is intended to control contaminants at the source rather treat them after they get into the City system.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Sewer Use Regulation By-law No. 5320, be replaced by a new by-law incorporating the substantive changes and housekeeping amendments generally as shown in the Policy Report dated June 3, 1999 and Appendix A to the report.
B. THAT sections 2, 8, and 16 (part II) of the Plumbing By-law with minor housekeeping amendments, generally as shown in the Policy Report dated June 3, 1999, and Appendix A to the report, be merged into the new by-law.
Clause No. 4 Continued
C. THAT the Stream Obstruction By-law No. 2884 be merged into the new by-law.
D. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to bring forward the appropriate by-law amendments.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
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