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REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JANUARY 30, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan, Vice Chair
ABSENT:	Councillor Gordon Price (leave of absence)
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of December 12, 2000, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Proposed Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066 File: 2801

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 10, 2001, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended an amendment to Section 2 of the Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6606, by firstly, expanding upon the definition of a taxicab to include a mini-van with four side doors, and secondly, bring the definitions of a handicapped cab and

dual taxicab into conformance with the accessible taxi definition in the recently amendedMotor Vehicle Act Regulations. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed the report and provided details of related reports expected to be before Council shortly. He also advised discussions are currently underway with the Motor Carrier Commission regarding recent changes in licensing regulations and related jurisdictional matters.

John Palis, Manager, MacLures Cabs, spoke in support of the report's recommendations, and highlighted the need for mini-vans with four side doors to address the demand for a larger taxicab vehicle capable of transporting five passengers and their accompanying luggage more comfortably than the standard sedan taxicab.

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council approve an amendment to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 as outlined in the Administrative Report dated January 10, 2001, which expands upon the definition of a taxicab to include a mini-van with four side doors.

B. THAT Council approve an amendment to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 as outlined in the Administrative Report dated January 10, 2001, which brings the definitions of a handicapped cab and dual taxicab into conformance with the accessible taxi definition in the recently amended Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.

C. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to bring forward the appropriate bylaw amendments.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Downtown Transportation Plan Update File: 5560

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 16, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services and Director of Current Planning submitted, for Council's information, an update on the progress of the Downtown Transportation Plan.

Doug Louie, Downtown Transportation Engineer, and Jeffrey Patterson, Planner, Downtown Transportation, with the aid of schematic drawings, provided an overview of the report and responded to questions regarding surveys results outlined in the report's appendix. Reference was also made to the regional computer model being utilized in development of the Plan. Discussion followed on transportation demand management (TDM) techniques used by large employers in the US, and movement of both goods and tourists, and the impact of same on the resident population.

Alec Caruth, Downtown Vancouver Association, (brief filed) urged the big picture be established prior to focusing on micro planning issues. Specifically, the DVA wants to make and keep downtown Vancouver accessible to all modes of transportation and challenges the validity and practicality of "capping" parking at 34,000 (commuter) spaces.

Don Buchanan, West End Residents Association, and Ray Straatsma, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, spoke in support of work to date on the Downtown Transportation Plan and the public consultation process. The need for additional workshops throughout the planning process was recommended. Recognition of the division between residents and businesses was applauded, and the need to find and design solutions to ensure the city continues to be an attractive place to live, shop, entertain, etc. stressed. Mr. Straatsma suggested the 3rd Crossing be deleted from the Plan's terms of reference due to the number of other urgent transit needs in the region, the scarcity of resources, and the increased road capacity into the downtown such a crossing would generate.

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

RECOMMENDED

THAT the report of the Director of Current Planning and the General Manager of Engineering Services be received for information.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. West Georgia Street Redesign File: 5762

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 16, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning recommended a cross-section design for West Georgia Street between Chilco and Pender Streets and advised on the results of a public consultation process on design options. A companion report dealing with the design of the “S” curve next to Lost Lagoon at the entrance to Stanley Park will be presented to Council at a subsequent meeting.

Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, with the aid of slides, provided Council with an overview of the report, and described consideration Options 'E' and 'F' as contained in the report, and set out below:

E. THAT Council approve on-street bike lanes along both the north and south curbs as the future cross-section of West Georgia Street.

(On-street bike lanes provide the safest, straight, direct route with increased visibility. For recreational cyclists, there is an off-street recreational route just north of Georgia Street along the Coal Harbour waterfront. This bike lane option, Option “C” in Attachment C is supported by the Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition.)
OR
F. THAT Council approve on-street bike lanes along the south curb and a combination of in-boulevard bike paths and on-street bike lanes on the north side as the future cross-section of West Georgia Street.

(This option respects the pedestrian realm. There is not the same safety concern with respect to the in-boulevard bike path on the north side as there are fewer cross streets (only one at Denman) and consequently less weaving onto and off the street. This option, Option “A/C” in Attachment C is preferable from an urban design perspective, as less road widening is required (0.65 metres vs. 2.15 metres for the dual bike lanes) and the remaining boulevard green space on the north and south sides would be more equal and noticeable).

Staff responded to questions regarding choice of trees for the boulevards, rationale for not pursuing the centre median option, proposed vehicle and bike lane widths, and the need to address the pedestrian/vehicular traffic situation at the Denman and Georgia intersection. Discussion followed on why Georgia Street was chosen over Alberni Street as the commuter bike route, and the need for documented statistics to demonstrate the demand for the Georgia Street route. In response to questions from Council staff advised of safety concerns with the option preferred at both open houses (Option "A" Attachment C of the report), as cyclists travelling in the boulevard at the approach to intersections are not visible to cars turning right. It was noted the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee preferredRecommendation E, as set out above.

The following delegations spoke in support of Recommendations A-D, and Consideration item 'F' as contained in the Administrative Report:

Don Buchanan
Marie-Claire Seebohm, West End Residents Association (brief filed)
John Irwin

The following points were noted during discussion:

· initial preference for original Option A presented at open houses, which had the largest public support; however after staff presentation outlining safety concerns, Option A/C favoured
· as a compromise will support Option A/C (Recommendation F), as it requires less roadway widening and maintains a larger green boulevard than Recommendation E
· the need to consider goals for cycling in the city as set out in the City's Transportation Plan
· Recommendation E (on-street bike lanes along both the north and south curbs) would increase times for crossing Georgia Street
· the need to address traffic problems associated with the Denman and Georgia intersection , and impacts of both the nearby Bayshore residential development and tourists unfamiliar with the city
· the need for a connection to the Seawall

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT the future cross-section of West Georgia Street from Chilco to Pender Streets incorporate the following features:

i) cycling facility;
ii) a wide sidewalk, a double row of trees and a grass boulevard;
iii) eastbound bus-stop between Chilco and Gilford Streets;
iv) westbound bus-stop near Stanley Park to serve residents and park users; and

B. THAT West Georgia Street between Chilco and Pender Streets be reconstructed at a total cost of $750,000 with funding of $500,000 provided from Streets Capital Account 30003153 - Georgia, Gilford to Denman andan additional $250,000 through cost-sharing from TransLink.

C. THAT the West Georgia Street cycling improvements be submitted for cost sharing through the Province’s Cycling Network Program.

D. THAT Gilford Street be closed to traffic turning off Georgia Street but allow right-turning traffic to exit from Gilford Street onto Georgia Street.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The following motion by Councillor Louis was put and lost.

THAT the future cross-section of West Georgia Street from Chilco to Pender Streets incorporate the following features:

v) reduction of one lane of traffic;
vi) a median;

- LOST

(Councillors Clarke, Don Lee, McCormick, Puil, Sullivan
and the Mayor opposed to v)

(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick,
Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed to vi)

The following motion by Councillor Louis was put and lost.

THAT Council approve Option A, with the addition of a boulevard down the middle of Georgia Street, as set out in Attachment "C" of the Administrative Report dated January 16, 2001.

- LOST

(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick,
Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed.)

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

RECOMMENDED

THAT the following additional features be incorporated into the future cross-sectionof West Georgia Street from Chilco to Pender Streets:

v) no change in number of traffic lanes;
vi) no median;
vii) downtown streetcar route accommodated in north boulevard.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to v and vi)
(Councillors Louis and Puil opposed to vii)

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

RECOMMENDED

E. THAT Council approve on-street bike lanes along both the north and south curbs as the future cross-section of West Georgia Street.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

NOTE FROM CLERK: For clarification, the consolidated motion, as approved, follows:

A. THAT the future cross-section of West Georgia Street from Chilco to Pender Streets incorporate the following features:

i) cycling facility;
ii) a wide sidewalk, a double row of trees and a grass boulevard;
iii) eastbound bus-stop between Chilco and Gilford Streets;
iv) westbound bus-stop near Stanley Park to serve residents and park users;

v) no change in number of traffic lanes;

vi) no median;
vii) downtown streetcar route accommodated in north boulevard.

B. THAT West Georgia Street between Chilco and Pender Streets be reconstructed at a total cost of $750,000 with funding of $500,000 provided from Streets Capital Account 30003153 - Georgia, Gilford to Denman and an additional $250,000 through cost-sharing from TransLink.

C. THAT the West Georgia Street cycling improvements be submitted for costsharing through the Province’s Cycling Network Program.

D. THAT Gilford Street be closed to traffic turning off Georgia Street but allow right-turning traffic to exit from Gilford Street onto Georgia Street.

E. THAT Council approve on-street bike lanes along both the north and south curbs as the future cross-section of West Georgia Street.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to A v) and A vi).)
(Councillors Louis and Puil opposed to A vii.)
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to Recommendation E.)

The Committee adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

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CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

JANUARY 30, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at 11:55 a.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 Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Gordon Price (leave of absence)
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

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
January 30, 2001

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

Cl.1: Proposed Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law No. 6066
Cl.2: Downtown Transportation Plan Update
Cl.3: West Georgia Street Redesign

Clauses 1 and 2

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause1 and 2 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 3

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to A v) and Avi).)
(Councillors Louis and Puil opposed to A vii.)
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to Recommendation E.)

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. Louis,
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Puil File: 1254

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,

THAT Councillor Puil be granted Leave of Absence for February 22, 2001 and March 4 - 11, 2001.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. ‘Toque Tuesday’ File: 4659

Councillor Bass provided an update on contributions received toward 'Toque Tuesday', sponsored by Canada's only national fund raising association to find solutions for people who are homeless.

The Council adjourned at 12:00 noon

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver