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CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

JUNE 22, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 22, 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 Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil
ABSENT:	Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence) Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business) Councillor Sam Sullivan
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

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
Transportation and Traffic
June 22, 1999

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

Cl.1: Pender Street Design - Hamilton to Carrall Streets
Cl.2: Parking Restrictions for Large Vehicles
Cl.3: Proposed Corner Bulges for Pedestrian Crossings

on Major Streets - Victoria Drive

Cl.4: Napier Street and Semlin Drive - Chicane

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1-4 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. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

_ _ _ _ _

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JUNE 22, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, June 22, 1999, at approximately 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Gordon Price, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Items 1 and 2) Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor George Puil (Items 2, 3 and 4)
ABSENT:	Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence) Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Items 3 and 4) (Civic Business) Councillor George Puil (Item 1) (Civic Business) Councillor Sam Sullivan
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Denise Salmon

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of June 1, 1999, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Pender Street Design - Hamilton to Carrall Streets File: 5501

At its meeting on June 1, 1999, Council deferred consideration of the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated May 17, 1999, subject to a report back in three weeks on results of preliminary consultations with the various stakeholders located along both sides of Pender Street that would be affected by the proposal

Clause 1 Cont'd

brought forward by Mr. Villegas. Accordingly, the Committee had before it the May 17th Administrative Report (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Central Area Planning, recommends a new street design for Pender Street between Hamilton and Carrall Street that improves the pedestrian, cycling, and transit environment. Also before the Committee for consideration were cross-sections (circulated at the meeting and on file) of additional design options presented to various interest groups, and a final adjusted original, which emerged from discussion of the options.

With the aid of renderings, Lon LaClaire, Transportation Engineering, provided design details and feedback received from interest groups on the following:

Option 1 - Original Modified: The original proposed design with addition of central median between Carrall and Abbott Streets. Removal of four parking spaces on north side.

Option 2 - Bicycle Boulevard: Two treed medians to separate bike lanes from other vehicular traffic.

Option 3 - Transit Boulevard: Two treed medians to separate transit buses from general traffic.

Option 4 - Grand Boulevard: Large central median with one or two traffic lanes on either side. Design might allow vehicle parking or pedestrian open space on large central median with two rows of trees.

Option 5 - Original Adjusted Proposal: Original proposal with minor modifications added after meeting with interest groups. Removal of four parking spaces on north side.

Mr. LaClaire advised positive feedback on how the concept of great streets could be applied to Vancouver in future had been received from those who attended the meetings; however at this time on Pender Street, the original proposal with minor modifications was the favoured option (Option 5). Mr. Lewis Villegas also provided comments on the proposals.

The following spoke in favour of Option 5, with points raised noted below:

Ronald Bijok, Chair, CHAPC
Don Buchanan

Clause 1 Cont'd

Carmen Mills
Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
Phil Hall, Downtown Cyclist Network
Cheeying Ho, BEST

· concern with safety issues associated with Grand Boulevard; could become barren, expensive urban space
· preference for Original Adjusted Proposal, which would provide more sidewalk space for merchants, and their associated activities traditional to the area
· specific design directives are necessary to encourage people to enter Chinatown from the new Europa complex and mall currently under construction; Greenways group should be given mandate to extend street activity into Chinatown
· support for Original Adjusted Proposal as the best and most expedient solution for bringing bike lanes into the downtown
· develop what works in Vancouver, don't copy what goes on elsewhere

In response to a question from Council regarding continuation of Pender bike lanes beyond Victory Square, staff advised both the upcoming upgrade to the fire protection system, and report on the Downtown Transportation Plan will help address this issue.

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Pender Street between Hamilton and Carrall Streets be reconstructed with improved pedestrian, cycling and transit facilities, as outlined in the Adjusted Original Proposal (Pedestrian Boulevard) as presented this day, with funding of $560,000 provided from the 1999 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

B. THAT further pedestrian, cycling and transit improvements on Pender Street be approved from the GreenLinks fund in the amount of $480,000.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

_ _ _ _ _

Councillor Puil arrived from Civic Business at this point during the meeting.
_ _ _ _ _

2. Parking Restrictions for Large Vehicles File: 5651

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 4, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends amendments to the Street and Traffic By-law that would address concerns raised over the restrictive nature of said By-law, particularly with regard to recreational vehicles.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, introduced Ralph Yeomans, Manager of Parking Enforcement, who provided Council with an overview of the report, and advised the staff recommendation, if approved, would allow for loading/unloading activities, visitors, and short-term parking of large vehicles. It was also noted enforcement is generally on a complaint basis.

Lila Gooding (brief filed), advised her motor home is her only means of transportation. She would like to park in front of her house, as her lot does not contain a driveway nor allow space for off-street parking. Problems with access to, or usefulness of, the vehicle's alarm were noted as a drawback to parking elsewhere.

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT the Street and Traffic Bylaw No. 2849 be amended to exclude vehicles of less than 2.2 metres in height from the definition of large vehicles.

B. THAT the Street and Traffic Bylaw No. 2849 be amended to permit on-street parking of large vehicles, excluding trucks, for up to 3 hours, between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, abutting property used for residential, public park, school, or church purposes.

C. THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to prepare the necessary amendments to the Street and Traffic Bylaw.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

_ _ _ _ _

Councillor Kennedy left on Civic Business at this point in the proceedings
and did not return for the remainder of the meeting.
_ _ _ _ _

3. Proposed Corner Bulges for Pedestrian Crossings

on Major Streets - Victoria Drive File: 5757

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 7, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends corner bulges to improve the pedestrian crossing conditions on portions of Victoria Drive at Napier, Charles and Grants Streets.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, introduced Scott Edwards, Traffic Management, who with the aid of a slide presentation, provided an overview of the report.
Rod Johnson, resident, and Pauline Kendall, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, spoke in support of the recommendations, with the following comments noted:

· as a traffic light is unlikely at this time, support corner bulges
· support for city's direction of pedestrian safety, cycling and transit; supportive of traffic initiative in the neighbourhood
· bulges will help address pedestrian visibility

Colleen Gem, resident, spoke in opposition to the corner bulges, and advised bulges would not deal with car volume and speed issues. She noted apparent lack of community involvement in the project, as only residents living one block either side of Victoria Drive had been notified. She urged Council approve installation of a pedestrian-actuated light to better address pedestrian safety issues.

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council approve street changes as described in the Administrative Report dated June 7, 1999, to improve the pedestrian environment at the intersections of Victoria Drive at Grant, Charles and Napier and that funding of $48,000 be allocated from Account 30000326; "Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated - Local Area and Other Improvements"; and

FURTHER THAT additional annual costs of $1,500 related to ongoing maintenance be reflected in future Operating Budgets, without offset.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Napier Street and Semlin Drive - Chicane File: 5757

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 4, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services presents survey results of a proposed chicane for Napier Street and Semlin Drive, and recommends proceeding with installation.

Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, with the aid of Leo Megaro, Neighbourhood Transportation, provided Council with an overview of the report. In response to questions from Council, staff noted meetings will be held with the neighbourhood to discuss chicane landscaping options; a report back on speed humps is expected in the fall.

Eileen Mosca (material filed), Robin Barnett, and Colleen Gem, area residents, spoke in opposition to installation of a chicane at Napier Street and Semlin Drive, with the following comments noted:

· the chicane will cause traffic to divert on to adjacent streets
· the nearby church exacerbates the traffic situation, with wedding, funeral, and church traffic throughout the week
· all surveys received from residents beyond the original one block survey area were against the chicane
· a number of parking spaces will be lost upon installation of the chicane
· traffic is forced down Napier Street due to traffic diverters installed throughout the Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood
· traffic volume, not speed is the major problem
· signage is required to indicate where parking is not allowed
· traffic counts for the report back must take into account the nearby school's scheduled summer and winter breaks

Petronella Vander Valk (brief filed), and Frank Zupan (brief filed), area residents, spoke in favour of the chicane proposed for Napier Street and Semlin Drive, with the following comments noted:

· in favour of temporary, trial installation of chicane at Napier and Semlin
· use of Napier has increased significantly over the years due to traffic calming devices on neighbouring streets, and increased commuter/commercial vehicle traffic
· speed of cars along this portion of Napier creates safety concerns for residents, patrons of St. Francis Of Assisi church and daycare, residents of Napier Lodge, and bike route patrons

Clause 4 Cont'd

· the chicane is a non-diversionary device that should not increase traffic on other streets
· if the chicane does not meet the needs of the community other neighbourhood streets including Parker, Venables and Adanac should be opened to share the traffic load

Council members suggested the need to work with both the church and nearby school on options to help alleviate the traffic/parking situation in the surrounding neighbourhood, i.e. passenger drop-off zones. Council also requested traffic counts not proceed during summer and Christmas school breaks; staff so agreed.

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT a temporary chicane be installed at Napier Street and Semlin Drive, with funding of $1,000 from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Number 30000326 (traffic calming).

B. THAT following the trial period of approximately six months after installation, area residents be surveyed, traffic counts be taken and the results be reported to the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver