REPORT TO COUNCIL

ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

SEPTEMBER 27 and OCTOBER 5, 2000

A reconvened Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Wednesday, September 27, 2000, at 7:30 p.m. and continued on Thursday, October 5, 2000 at the Plaza 500 Hotel, Ballroom, 500 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Relocation of Casino-Class 1 - 26 S.W. Marine Drive
Grand Casino Equipment & Management Ltd. File: 2633-1

At its meeting on July 27, 2000, the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment agreed that due to time constraints the meeting be reconvened on September 27, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. to hear remaining delegations. On September 27, Council agreed to continue hearing speakers at the next regularly scheduled Plannng & Environment Committee meeting on October 5, 2000 at 2 p.m.

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 14, 2000, in which the Chief License Inspector, in consultation with the Directors of Planning and Social Planning, recommended that Council endorse the request by Grand Casino Equipment & Management Ltd. to relocate its Casino-Class 1 to a new building to be constructed on a rear portion of the property at 26 S.W. Marine Drive, subject to an agreement that the casino currently operating at 725 S.E. Marine Drive be permanently closed. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the recommendation.

On September 27, 2000, City staff addressed concerns raised by presenters. Rob Jenkins, Assistant Director, Current Planning Initiatives Branch, clarified that the proposed Marine Drive Highway Oriented Retail (HOR) policies for I-zoned lands on the south side of Marine Drive were unlikely to have an impact on the casino application. Jeff Brooks, Director, Social Planning advised that under Council policy, this application to relocate an existing casino would not result in two casinos. Barb Windsor, Deputy Chief License Inspector and Sgt. Don Smith, Vancouver Police, were also in attendance to answer Council’s questions.

On October 5, staff responded to Council’s further questions concerning the application. Paul Teichroeb clarified that the City had not directly recieved a letter from the Vancouver Richmond Health Board, but that it came through a community group. Jeff Brooks reiterated that the larger square footage of the proposed location would not allow more gaming tables than the current license allows at the casino’s existing location. Sgt. Don Smith provided statistics from which he concluded that there was a decrease in street crime in various areas around the existing location, as well as the proposed location, over the last two years.

The following spoke in favour of the recommendation on September 27:

• Gail White, BC Lottery Corporation
• Karen Atchison
• Amanda Boyd
• Stanley Sim
• Janet Kolof
• Vicki Kuhl
• Gary Jackson
• Fatima Nanji
• Richy Bogle

On October 5, the following persons spoke in favour:

• Simon Lu
• Gordon Walker
• Peter Clark
• Brian Wade
• Lou Hilford
• Jerry Zipurski
• Doran Libin

Speakers who supported the application commented that:

• the Applicant has followed all rules for the process of casino relocation set out by the Province and the City
• the City and charities receive funds from the casino
• no alcohol is allowed in the casino at its existing or proposed locations; rather it is the hotel in which the casino is currently located which serves alcohol and there is no hotel in the proposed location
• there will be no change in the number of gaming tables permitted in the existing or proposed locations
• conditions for the casino employees in the proposed location will be significantly improved (parking, employee lunch area, air circulation, security, etc.)
• Council has already aproved the site on which the casino wants to relocate for class 1 Casinos through zoning
• the current location is closer to a residential neighbourhood and schools than the proposed location - Marine Drive would be a large barrier between the proposed location of the casino and the neighbourhood
• no slots or VLTs because not allowed by City ( in the case of slots) or Province (in the case of VLTs) in either the existing or proposed casino
• the casino is a significant and good employer.

The following spoke on September 27 opposing the recommendation:

• Lloyd Gordon
• John Volrich
• Daljit Sidhu
• Stephanie Bogaert
• Florence Derksen
• Agnes Wang
• Ken Mui
• Kirsten Gimbert
• Leung Seto
• Dan Tidball
• Mr. Suni, Manager, Quality Inn
• Gordon Hansra
• Candy Li
• Jim Bruton
• Sean Wong
• Herman Liu
• Ernie Culley
• Klara Vander Molen
• Connie Fogal
• Jasbir Mor
• Alice Gmuer
• Angela Vanikantius
• Anthony Ng

On October 5, the following spoke in opposition:

• Beatrice Parton
• Cindy Bryant

Speakers in opposition commented:

• this is not a relocation but will potentially result in two casinos: one at the proposed site and one in the existing hotel site
• due to the larger size of the new building on the proposed site, expansion of the number of gaming tables will result in future - legislation and regulations contolling size now can be changed
• the proposed HOR policy will result in hotels built proximate to the casino and will make the casino incompatible with allowed HOR uses
• the casino could in future apply for a liquor licence and build a restaurant or bar
• they were concerned about what future business may go into the Quality Inn if it is vacated by the casino (e.g. strip club, etc)
• and zoned industrial should be used for industrial/technology uses, not casinos
• potential negative impact issues on the neighbourhood would result from the relocation, including increase in crime; it is too close to residential neighbourhood and schools.

George Cadman, solicitor for the Applicant and Leonard Libin, Applicant made concluding remarks urging support for this proposal and indicated that this is the thrid attempt in 7 years made by the applicant to relocate in Vancouver. They refuted each of the points made in opposition.

Council agreed to debate the item as Unfinished Business at the October 17, 2000 Regular Council meeting.

The Committee adjourned at 4:10 p.m.