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CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 25, 2001

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, January 25, 2001, at 7:40 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Heritage, Zoning and Development By-laws, Official Development Plans and the Sign By-law.

PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen

Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT: Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Civic Business)

Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor Daniel Lee (Sick Leave)
Councillor Tim Louis (Leave of Absence)

CITY CLERK'S Tarja Tuominen, Meeting Coordinator
OFFICE:

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Heritage, Zoning and Development By-laws, Official Development Plans and the Sign By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Heritage Designation: True Colours Program

(a) Heritage Designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive
(b) Heritage Designation of 2919 East 29th Avenue
(c) Heritage Designation of 2620 Oxford Street
(d) Heritage Designation of 3223 West 37th Avenue

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary: To designate houses which participated in the true colours heritage program.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Gerry McGeough, Heritage Planner, provided a brief introduction to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s True Colours project. The four houses recommended for heritage designation have participated in the second round of grants under the True Colours program. Heritage designation is a condition of receiving the grant. The owners are commended for designating their homes and participating in the program.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application since the date it was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application.

Diane Switzer, Executive Director, Vancouver Heritage Foundation, showed photographs of the restored houses and introduced the homeowners of the four houses which were recommended for designation. The corporate sponsors of the True Colours program, Benjamin Moore Paints and Dunbar Lumber, have provided expertise to restore the heritage homes. By the end of Spring 2001, 12 houses will have been painted as part of the program.

Clause No. 1 (cont’d)

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “A” category, as a protected heritage property.

B. THAT Council approve the designation of 2919 East 29th Avenue, 2620 Oxford Street, and 3223 West 37th Avenue, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “B” category, as protected heritage properties.

C. THAT Council commend the building owners for designating their properties on a voluntary basis and for participating in the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s True Colours project.

D. THAT Benjamin Moore Paints be commended for their contribution and participation in the True Colours project.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Text Amendments: Miscellaneous

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary: The text amendments would correct or clarify various sections of the Zoning & Development By-law, CD-1 By-laws, Official Development Plan By-laws, and the Sign By-law.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Lynda Challis, Planner, briefly explained the application. Every few years, Planning staff propose a package of miscellaneous text amendments. The amendments are considered housekeeping in nature, with no policy implications.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application since the date it was referred to Public Hearing.

Clause No. 2 (cont’d)

Speakers

Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the application by the Director of Current Planning for miscellaneous text amendments to correct or clarify various sections of the Zoning & Development by-law, CD-1 By-laws, Official Development Plan By-laws, and the Sign By-law be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Text Amendments: 1299 West Hastings Street (501 Bute Street)

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary: To amend the CD-1 By-law and Coal Harbour Official Development Plan to reduce the required percentage of non-market housing and increase the allowable residential floor area.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval, subject to the conditions set out in agenda of the Public Hearing.

Staff Comments

Cameron Gray, Director of Housing Centre, advised of the following correction to the draft Coal Harbour Official Development Plan by-law: on the first line of Section 1 (b) -change twenty-five to twenty-two. He further advised he was present to answer questions.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application since the date it was referred to Public Hearing.

Clause No. 3 (cont’d)

Speakers

Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application.

Vanessa Geary, Coordinator, Tenants Rights Action Coalition, spoke in support of the application. The project will help many people to live in affordable housing. Non-market housing is needed in the city. She urged the City of Vancouver to maintain its commitment to affordable housing.

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT the application by the Director of Current Planning to amend the CD-1 By-law for 1299 West Hastings Street (501 Bute Street) and the Coal Harbour Official Development Plan to reduce the required percentage of non-market housing and increase the allowable residential floor area be approved, subject to the following conditions:

(a) THAT the draft by-law to amend Schedule A of By-law No. 6754, being the Coal Harbour Official Development Plan be amended as follows:

1. (b) in the sixth paragraph by deleting the opening words “Twenty-two percent ....

(Italics denote amendment)

(b) THAT, prior to enactment of the CD-1 By-law, the Coal Harbour Arts Complex Contribution Agreement be amended and such other arrangements made as may be necessary to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and the Director of Cultural Affairs to delete 1299 W. Hastings (Lot J, DL 185 and of the Public Harbour of Burrard Inlet, Plan LMP 29893) from the list of Residential Lots for which installments of $1,750,000 (escalated by CPI) for the Arts Complex must be made by Canadian Pacific Properties Inc.

(c) THAT, prior to enactment of the CD-1 By-law, the Social Housing Agreement for Phase 3 of Coal Harbour be amended and such other arrangements made as may be necessary to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and the Director of the Housing Centre to increase the floor space allocated to Lot J, DL 185 and of the Public Harbour of Burrard Inlet, Plan LMP 29893 by 8,966 sq. ft. and to amend the terms for the payment of the purchase price for the site and such other terms as required by the Memorandum of Understanding between Canadian Pacific Properties Inc. and the City of Vancouver dated January 20, 2000.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Text Amendment: I-2 District Schedule

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed amendment would permit floor space relaxations for General Office uses similar to Wholesaling uses.

The Director of City Plans recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Paul Nowlan, Planner, provided a brief explanation of the proposed amendment which would allow uses similar to Wholesale use, such as import brokers or manufacturers agents in I-2 zoned areas. The amendment provides more flexibility, but is a cautious approach in permitting office-type uses in industrial lands.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,

THAT the application by the Director of Current Planning to amend the I-2 District Schedule to permit floor space relaxations for General Office uses similar to Wholesaling uses be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Bass opposed)

5. Text Amendment: 289 Alexander Street

An application by Brook Development Planning Inc. was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed text amendment would allow Artist Studios-Class B and residential units associated with industrial uses.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Lynda Challis, Planner, presented a brief description of the proposed amendment which would allow an artist studio use without an associated residential unit and industrial work /live units in existing vacant ground floor units. Staff support the application and propose it as a pilot project. The site is an appropriate location for a pilot project; it is currently zoned CD-1; the ground floor units are already designed for industrial uses; and there is adequate parking.

Applicant Comments

Chuck Brook, applicant, advised he is in general support of the conditions proposed by staff. However, he requested the following amendments to the draft by-law: the addition of the following new use - Photofinishing and Photography Laboratory; and flexibility with the recommended maximum residential area. The recommended 50% should be applied as a general guideline, instead of a condition; some uses such as jewellery manufacturing may not need an extensive work area.

Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, and Ms. Challis did not support the requested flexibility with the maximum residential area. The maximum 50% guideline will help preserve industrial uses at grade. The application will open some additional opportunities to a market not currently served. Staff will be conducting a post-occupancy review.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Clause No. 5 (cont’d)

Speakers

The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application

The following spoke in support of the application:

· Bill Wallace
· Allison Baker
· Michael Gazetas

The foregoing speakers supported the application based on one or more of the following points:

· the proposal is beneficial to the community;
· it will be a benefit having working artists in a live/work space;
· the addition of photofinishing and photography as a permitted use is supported;
· the proposal will enhance the tone and tenor of the community.

The speakers expressed some concern the amenity area improvements would not be completed.

Ms. Challis noted the arrangements for improvements to the workshop and amenity area were included as a condition of the rezoning application.

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,

THAT the application by Brook Development Planning Inc. to amend the CD-1 By-law for 289 Alexander Street to allow Artist Studios-Class B and residential units associated with industrial uses be approved, subject to the following conditions:

(a) THAT the draft CD-1 By-law for 289 Alexander Street be amended by adding the following new use to the new clause (e): Photofinishing and Photography Laboratory.

(b) THAT in the approval of development applications, the Director of Planning shall have particular regard to the following:

(i) design development to include, where feasible, features, including appropriate door widths, loading bays, electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems, for industrial type development in industrial work/live units;

(ii) design development to orient residential uses on the ground floor away from streets and sidewalks where feasible; and

Clause No. 5 (cont’d)

(iii) design development to provide a minimum of 5.7 m³ of storage space per industrial work/live unit.

(c) THAT, prior to enactment of the CD-1 By-law, the registered owner shall:

(i) obtain acceptance from the Chief Building Official for the Building Code equivalencies required for combining industrial and residential use; and

(ii) make arrangements, to the satisfaction of the Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, for provision of improvements of a reasonable standard to the workshop and amenity area.

- 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. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare and bring forward the necessary by-law amendments.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

1. A By-law to designate heritage property, and to amend By-law No. 4837, being the Heritage By-law (1210 Lakewood Drive ) By-law No. 8284
MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the by-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. A By-law to designate heritage property, and to amend By-law No. 4837, being the Heritage By-law (2919 East 29th Avenue) By-law No. 8285
MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the by-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

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

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS (CONT’D)

3. A By-law to designate heritage property, and to amend By-law No. 4837, being the Heritage By-law (2620 Oxford Street) By-law No. 8286
MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the by-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. A By-law to designate heritage property, and to amend By-law No. 4837, being the Heritage By-law (3223 West 37th Avenue) By-law No. 8287
MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the by-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver