CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 27 AND 30, 2000

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Monday, March 27, and reconvened, with the same members present, with the exception of Councillors Kennedy and Puil, on Thursday, March 30, 2000, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall for the purpose of hearing delegations on Phase 2 Rapid Transit - Commercial Drive West. The Minutes have been consolidated for ease of reference.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Lynne Kennedy (sick leave March 30th) Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil (absent March 30th) Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair, for the purpose of hearing delegations on the Phase 2 Rapid Transit - Commercial Drive West.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Phase 2 Rapid Transit -

Commercial Drive West; Public Process

Vancouver City Council, following the meeting of the Standing Committee on CityServices and Budgets held on March 16, 2000, received the Policy Report dated March 14, 2000, on Phase 2 Rapid Transit - Commercial Drive West, and referred recommendations B through E, as contained in that report, to a Special Meeting of Council to hear delegations from the public.

Jane Bird, Project Manager, City's Rapid Transit Office, provided a brief introduction, and noted the purpose of the consultation process was two-fold: to relay the consultants' findings to the public, and receive public input on preferred options. Bob Post and Rick Cook, of the consultant team for the Phase 2, were also in attendance to respond to questions. At the reconvened meeting Ms. Bird advised a number of meetings with citizens had been held during the week, which resulted in staff's suggested amendment to Recommendation D as set out below (italics indicate proposed amendment):

D. THAT staff meet with the Province and TransLink to establish a process for the westerly extension and report back on a work program and budget to participate in the design of this extension, including:

- a plan for public realm improvements on Broadway with a view to implementing those improvements concurrently with construction of the SkyTrain extension, thereby realizing any economies, with any additional improvements to be considered for the City Capital Plan Program; and

- a plan that addresses the issues of a tunnel under the corridor, both during construction and in-service operation, with particular regard for the heritage and aesthetic value of properties along 10th Avenue and the medical precinct at VGH.

Staff responded to questions regarding funding details of the proposed plan, and provided information on costs and potential noise and vibration impacts resulting from boring the proposed tunnel under 10th Avenue.

Circulated for Council's information, on March 27th, were two additional pieces of correspondence, Reference Materials, dated March 27, 2000, in which staff provided Transportation Analysis and Public Process updates, and correspondence from the City of Richmond, regarding issues related to planning of Vancouver-Richmond Rapid Transit line (both on file).

The following delegations spoke in opposition or raised concerns with respect to one or more of the Policy Report's recommendations:

Henry Hawthorn, Chair, VCPC (brief on file)
Bev Ballantyne (in favour of Recommendation E) (brief on file)
Gavin Ross
Don Buchanan
Nancy Chiavario (brought forward issues discussed at Mt. Pleasant

Community Centre meeting)

Margaret Kent
Robert Hicks (material filed)
Deming Smith, S.P.E.C.
Phil LeGood
Malcolm Johnson (brief on file)
Charles Walker
Peter Boothroyd
Ray Straatsma, BEST (in favour of Recommendation E) (brief on file)
Isabel Minty
Miranda Mallinson
Andre Pekovich
Marilyn Bell (read letter from Davis family)
Myson Effa
Dan O'Brien
Marjorie Schuman (brief on file)
Roderick Louis (brief on file)
Michael Pearlman
Henry Lew

Summary of points raised included:

· service on the Broadway corridor must be an integral part of an overall transportation system design, not an ad-hoc, piecemeal decision
· the planning framework must be longer than the 20 years used in the current study
· transit planning, including choice of technology and decisions on capital investment, must be done taking into account future adjacent land use and densities, including creation of centres for employment, housing and services
· a decision on north-south route(s) and appropriate technology to connect Richmond and the airport to downtown Vancouver is a minimum requirement before an informed decision can be made
· RapidBus is a flexible, affordable system that is an appropriate match to the population density anticipated for the Broadway corridor over the immediate future; it can also be enhanced and expanded as demand requires
· if SkyTrain is the option chosen, it should not be extended beyond Commercial Drive until north/south routing and technology is decided upon; a system to ensure payment by riders is required
· support for RapidBus, from VCC to UBC, to travel down middle of the street, withefficiency measures such as signal priority and off-vehicle fare payment; this option would cause no long-term disruption during construction and provide the opportunity to create a great street with attractive pedestrian amenities
· SkyTrain underground will result in more car volume on Broadway
· either a bus or LRT system will make better use of funds, with LRT a viable alternative to link SkyTrian to the Finning site
· a RapidBus network covering the entire city could be funded for the cost of SkyTrain on the Broadway corridor
· concern with environmental impacts on the Grandview Cut, and the need to ensure replacement of any removed vegetation
· lack of proposed service to Mt. Pleasant community, and need to ensure RapidBus continues to serve Broadway
· street-grade LRT is a good system and could contribute to the streetscape
· regional priority has determined the north-east sector most in need of rapid transit; if built west of VCC, ridership and land use must be considered, and the need to build beyond VGH questioned
· travel time between destinations are essentially the same for the SkyTrain to Granville plus Rapid Bus vs. All Rapid Bus
· the broader regional context needs to be considered; a city-wide RapidBus network, plus expanded regular system needs to be explored
· if RapidBus were used through the entire corridor, 300 new trolley buses could be purchased and their operating costs paid for the next 20 years
· if we cannot afford to build SkyTrain to UBC, how can we afford to build it to Richmond
· the proposed option to UBC will take 6 minutes longer, with a portion of the route underground, and require a transfer in a previously seamless journey
· the city requires a system that works for all residents, there is not longer a need to subsidize high-tech industry any longer (i.e. Finning site)
· new urban rail is not justified for Vancouver; the bus system in Curitiba, Brazil is used by 75% of persons travelling to work, and runs at full cost recovery
· LRT, not subways, attracts motorists from their cars and increases business along its routes
· for the cost of building a subway from Broadway station to UBC, five equal distance LRT lines could be built
· the City should request the Province to contribute to transit, not to a particular technology
· commit to using least-cost transportation planning model for Broadway Corridor
· the Arbutus Corridor should be completed as a commuter rail, using existing rail, which would be less expensive than an LRT system
· SkyTrain on Lougheed uses valuable lines, and the project should be stopped before more money is spent; a cheaper alternative is to retain existing bus and trolley routes and the B-line along Lougheed form North Road to UBC
· no SkyTrain west of Commercial Drive
· concern with crime that surrounds all SkyTrain stations, with no supervision on most trains; LRT and buses are constantly supervised and more convenient
· the planned route along 10th Avenue was not widely advertised in pamphlets or flyers distributed by the City
· the constant vibration from the tunnelled portion of the route under 10th Avenue will have a major impact on both the ambience of a neighbourhood , and foundations of one of the highest concentrations of designated Heritage buildings in the city
· both the geotechnical structure of the land intended for boring the tunnel, and a number of underground streams would increase the projected costs of the project
· re-consider plan to tunnel under the residential streets of Mount Pleasant
· the use of hydrogen engine/Ballard fuel cell buses should be explored for use on the transit corridor
· Council, on behalf of Vancouver must give clear, well considered direction to TransLink -- a network of LRT lines would provide efficient travel, excellent streetscape and attractive, safe, non-polluting vehicles with spectacular scenery

The following delegations spoke in general support of the Policy Report's recommendations, but raised a number of points as set out below:

Tom Dunphy (brief on file)
Bernie Magnan, Vancouver Board of Trade
Joy Bradbury
Bob Laurie, Finning Canada
Mark Venot (material filed)
Mark Betteridge, Vancouver General Hospital
Barry Pearce, Vice-President,

Planning and Operations, Vancouver General Hospital

Martha Welsh, Mt. Pleasant Business Improvement Area
Hugh Dempster
Christopher Stanbury (brief on file) (opposed to 10th Avenue routing)
Cyril Knudson (prefers above-ground SkyTrain)
Peter Arbuckle, Arkle Development Services Ltd.

Summary of points raised included:

· in favour of SkyTrain, but disappointed it will be tunnelled
· suggested routing changes to allow SkyTrain to service entire Broadway corridor rather than detouring to Finning site
· from both a local and regional perspective, the option of SkyTrain to Granville with RapidBus beyond is the most feasible and effective way of serving the Broadway corridor
· proposed routing option would service the Finning site, and play a significant role in building employment in the City
· Finning's priority is a rapid, effective, efficient and safe means of transportation for its employees; QLT Therapeutics in favour of northern alignment
· although in favour of SkyTrain, concerned with Finning station design; needs to move two blocks south-west to integrate all proposed area amenities
· the proposed VGH medical biotechnology project, shortly to be the subject of a formal application, will provide almost 3,000 jobs on-site, be a powerful generator
of jobs outside the precinct, and bring large returns to the public purse -- the recommendations contained in the report offer the best opportunity of combining rapid transit, and addressing people's travel needs
· it is important to link the VGH site with the newly zoned high-tech I-3 lands via rapid transit
· while offering strong supports for Recommendations B-E, discussion is required on form of construction to ensure lasers and sensitive medical equipment are not impacted by construction vibrations, etc.
· seamless transit, that is convenient and provides 24-hour access is important to VGH, one of the City's significant employers, and its employees; transportation is also important hen recruiting staff
· need to extend SkyTrain beyond VGH precinct questioned
· support in principle, does not want LRT transit line down the middle of Broadway, or any existing on-street parking removed
· Mt. Pleasant BIA to play a significant part in design of the proposed station at Kingsway and Broadway
· underground transportation works well, i.e. Toronto, London, and is reliable
· concern with single exit at each station, and projected travel times
· SkyTrain will cause property values to increase not decrease

Victor Gallagher urged purchase of the Arbutus Corridor.

In response to requests from members of the public who did not have the opportunity to register to speak after Monday evening's meeting, the Mayor noted the list was now closed.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT the Speakers' List for Rapid Transit Phase 2 be opened to any citizens that wish to speak.

- not put

After brief discussion, Council agreed to hear additional speakers present at the March 30th meeting, at the conclusion of hearing the registered delegations.

In response to questions from Council, Rapid Transit Office staff advised they will confirm with TransLink ridership projections and carrying capacity, for report back. Mr. Post, of the Phase 2 Consultant Team, provided details on varying costs per kilometre to build LRT. Ms. Bird advised the route was advertised as the Broadway route, as transit passengers would exit and enter through stations on Broadway.

- - - - -

The hearing of the public having concluded, Mayor Owen advised a decision on this matter would be made at the next regular meeting of Council, on April 4, 2000, under Unfinished Business.

- - - - -

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. Sullivan,
SECONDED BY Cllr. McCormick,

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council recessed at 10:03 p.m. on March 27, and
adjourned at 11:30 p.m. on March 30, 2000

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver