ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 16, 2000
Author/Local: R.Pecarski/7810

RTS No. 01552

CC File No. 1755

Council: June 20, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of City Plans in consultation with Chief Building Official and Director of Legal Services
SUBJECT:	Amendment to Vancouver Development Cost Levy By-law No. 8149: Temporary Buildings

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the Vancouver Development Cost Levy (DCL) By-law No. 8149 be amended to provide a reduced flat rate DCL for temporary buildings of $10.00 per Building Permit.

B. THAT, if Council approves Recommendation A, the Director of Legal Services be instructed to also amend the City's seven area-specific DCL By-laws to provide the same rate for temporary buildings.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.

COUNCIL POLICY

On January 28, 1999, Council approved implementing the Vancouver Development Cost Levy (DCL) By-law, which took effect January 28, 2000. In the Vancouver DCL By-law, rates are:

- $26.91 per square metre for most uses (e.g., residential, commercial);
- $10.76 per square metre for all non-residential uses in industrial zones; and, - $5.49 per square metre for daycare or school use.

Exemptions, as defined in the Charter, are provided for churches, social housing, residential projects involving less that four dwelling units, and renovations.

Erection of a temporary building, structure or shelter (which includes tents), requires issuance of a Building Permit. In the Vancouver Building By-law, temporary is defined as a period not exceeding twelve months.

PURPOSE

This report recommends amending the Vancouver DCL By-law to provide a reduced rate for temporary buildings. Should Council approve this recommendation, a draft by-law amendment is included for enactment later today (Appendix A). Further, staff recommend amending the City's seven area-specific DCL by-laws to reflect this decision.

BACKGROUND

Section 523D of the Vancouver Charter enables Council to establish DCLs where anticipated development will contribute to the need for one or more capital projects. Capital projects include: sewer, water, drainage and highway facilities; providing and improving park land; daycare facilities; and, replacement housing.

The Building By-law requires a Building Permit for temporary buildings. Under current Charter provisions a DCL payment is required for all Building Permits. There is no provision for exempting temporary buildings. Temporary buildings range from a one-day erection of a 3.5 square metre tent (e.g., for a backyard wedding reception) to a one-year placement of portable trailer, connected to city services. Within this range of temporary buildings are the numerous festivals and events of various durations, including the Children's Festival, Molson's Indy and Bard on the Beach.

DISCUSSION

By definition, temporary buildings have a short duration and many of these repeat every season. Staff believe the range of growth-related impacts from temporary buildings range from very little to some modest impacts. In all cases, the impacts are less than those for a permanent building and staff believe a reduced rate for temporary buildings is warranted. Further, staff believe it appropriate to establish a nominal DCL rate for temporary buildings. If this is not done, staff are concerned that increased costs of erecting temporary buildings (especially tents) will further reduce the permit compliance rate for these structures.

To expedite provision of a reduced rate for temporary buildings so that the current tent season (e.g., festivals, etc.) is not unduly affected a simple, nominal flat rate DCL is recommended.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommend that temporary buildings should have a reduced DCL rate to reflect their limited growth-related impacts due to the short duration and repeat nature of many of these Building Permits.

- - - - -

APPENDIX A

BY-LAW NO.___

A By-law to amend By-law No. 8149
being the Vancouver Development Cost By-law

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:

1. Section 2 of By-law No. 8149 is amended by adding the following subsection:

"(j) "temporary building" means a temporary building, structure or shelter for which a permit is required, as set out in the Building By-law."

2. Subsections 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), and 3(g) of By-law No. 8149 are amended by renumbering them subsection 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), and 3(h), respectively.

3. Section 3 of By-law No. 8149 is amended by inserting immediately after subsection (b) the following:

"(c) the levy is $10.00 for use of a temporary building or temporary buildings; and"

4. This By-law comes into force and takes effect on the date of its passing.

DONE AND PASSED in open Council this ___ day of ___ 2000.

(signed) Philip W. Owen
Mayor

(signed) Ulli Watkiss
City Clerk

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver