CITY OF VANCOUVER
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
FEBRUARY 15, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, February 15, 2001, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Chair)
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CITY MANAGER'S
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Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
*denotes presence for a portion of the meeting
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of January 25, 2001, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 3332 East 25th Avenue File: 2701
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 22, 2001 in which the City Building Inspector recommended approval to file a 336D Notice against the property at 3332 East 25th Avenue to warn prospective purchasers of violations of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-law related to this building. It was further recommended the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action if she deems it appropriate. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.
Peter Sweeney, Building Inspections Branch, and Sy Jung, Property Use Inspector, reviewed the report and responded to questions.
The following motion by Councillor Louis was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 3332 East 25th Avenue, Lot 6 Block 1 North West 1/4 of Section 50 THSL Plan 1769 PID 014-333-899, in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the premises located at 3332 East 25th Avenue and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this building into compliance with City By-laws.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Clarke, Price and Mayor Owen not present for the vote)
2. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 2106 Grant Street File: 2701
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 26, 2001, in which the City Building Inspector recommended approval to file a 336D Notice against the property at 2106 Grant Street to warn prospective purchasers of violations of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-law related to this building. It was further recommended the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action if she deems it appropriate. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspections Branch, and Julio Araya, District Property Use Inspector, reviewed the report and responded to questions.
The following motion by Councillor Louis was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 2106 Grant Street (Lot 1 of 4 of A, Block 139, District Lot 264A, Plans 385 and 1771) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the premises located at 2106 Grant Street and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this building into compliance with City By-laws.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price not present for the vote)
3. Noise By-law - Miscellaneous Amendment) File: 113
(Hours for Refuse Collection)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 9, 2001, in which the Director of Environmental Health sought approval to address noise issues related to the commercial collection of refuse in the Downtown. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.
Nick Losito, Director, Environmental Health, reviewed the report and responded to questions.
Alan Brewer, BFI Canada Inc., on behalf of members of the Waste Management Association of BC, spoke in favour of the recommendations, if specific issues including the following were addressed:
· the Waste Management Association would like to be a participant in City-appointed task forces relating to their industry (e.g. the Urban Noise Task Force); they were not pleased with being advised of recommendations made by the Task Force and not being part of the process
· while the industry understands concerns relating to residential areas and access to alleys, City of Vancouver should provide the following support:
* access to alleys in order to operate safely after 7 a.m.
* improved parking enforcement; vehicles to be towed promptly providing access to containers; a direct number would be helpful
* creation of more no-go zones
* telephone poles, etc. may be impediment to garbage trucks
* involvement in long-term planning; the City should ensure unobstructed access to containers when considering building approvals and/or consider designated areas for servicing refuse containers
Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services, suggested Mr. Brewer meet with City Parking Enforcement personnel to address specific concerns.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Noise Control By-law be amended to modify the boundaries of the Downtown Area corresponding to Area "A" of Schedule C (Administrative Report dated January 9, 2001) of the by-law to remove the area bounded by Nelson Street, Helmcken Street, Burrard Street and Richards Street.; and
Clause No. 3 (cont'd)
B. THAT the Noise Control By-law be amended to modify the boundaries of the Downtown Area corresponding to Area "B" of Schedule C (Administrative Report dated January 9, 2001) of the by-law to remove the area bounded by Beatty Street on the east, Nelson Street on the South, Granville Street on the West to Barclay on the north, Richards Street on the west and Robson Street on the North.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price not present for the vote)
4. Rail Noise Issues - Commissioner/Wall Street File: 3755
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 23, 2001, in which the Director of Environmental Health sought approval to address railway noise issues in the Wall Street neighbourhood. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.
Nick Losito, Director, Environmental Health, reviewed the report and responded to questions. It was noted that railway noise can be regulated only by the federal government.
The following spoke in favour of the recommendations:
Perry Bulwer, area resident
Barbara Fousek, Area Resident
Shane Simpson, Burrardview Neighbourhood Association,
Janet Woo, on behalf of Libby Davies, MP, Vancouver East
Speakers' comments included:
· efforts have been made to resolve the noise problem created by train whistles with CPR and various agencies for approximately ten years
· concerns were expressed regarding the larger noise issue including train shunting, idling, vibration; CPR has made minimal, but insufficient changes to improve the situation
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
· CPR has initiated a community advisory panel comprised of neighbourhood participants, CPR representatives and a facilitator from the Justice Institute in an attempt to mediate/mitigate neighbourhood concerns; Canadian Transportation Agency will participate as a resource; first meeting scheduled February 26, proposals to be prepared for March
· City is asked to conduct a new noise study to be completed prior to recommendations being prepared by the community advisory panel
· should the community advisory panel process not be successful, the neighbourhood would come back to Council to discuss further options; if a resolution is found, the City is asked to assist in monitoring the process
· request for a strong letter from the City in support of the noise mitigation effort; the letter could suggest the creation of a Noise Management Plan (similar to the Vancouver Airport model ) as a "default" option
Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services, noted measures could be taken to upgrade safety factors; however, these options should be investigated only if the community advisory panel is not successful in resolving the problem.
The suggestion was made that a noise management plan could be established similar to the model used by the Vancouver Airport Authority to mitigate noise concerns.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council request Canadian Pacific Railway, and by extension the West Coast Express, to cease using train whistles at the controlled crossing located at the north foot of Victoria Drive.
B. THAT Council communicate to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Canadian Pacific Railway and West Coast Express, the City's strong support of the Wall Street Area residents' request for mitigation of the noise impacts from the CP Railway activities in the vicinity of Wall Street, including the elimination of whistling at the Victoria Drive crossing.
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
C. THAT, should the efforts under Recommendations A and B of Administrative Report dated January 23, 2001, fail to address the whistling noise at Victoria Drive, a railyard noise management committee relating to the Commissioner/Wall Street issue be established; and
FURTHER THAT staff report back with recommendations on the options available to address insurance and liability issues related to the prohibition of whistling at Victoria Drive; and
FURTHER THAT Canadian Pacific Railway be requested to establish a permanent monitoring station at this location.
D. THAT the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board conduct a noise study to be completed prior to the end of March 2001.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Price and Puil not present for the vote)
5. Moratorium on SkyTrain Extension
At its meeting on January 30, 2001, Vancouver City Council referred the following motion to the February 15, 2001 meeting of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment in order to hear speakers:
MOVED by Cllr. Bass,
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis,
WHEREAS the provincial government's reluctance to implement TransLink's automobile levy combined with the extremely high costs of further SkyTrain construction have has created a fiscal crisis in transportation funding in the Lower Mainland;
AND WHEREAS the high costs of further SkyTrain expansion will be borne by taxpayers for decades: The total capital costs are Phase II Commercial Drive West SkyTrain option to Granville--$579 million (1999 dollars) vs. Rapid Bus--$88 million (1999 dollars);
AND WHEREAS George Puil, the Chair of Translink, has stated that, SkyTrain Phase 2 will likely not be extended west of Vancouver Community College for a decade, by which time both the route and SkyTrain technology may no longer be the best choices;
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
AND WHEREAS the Vancouver City Council supported the extension of SkyTrain to Granville Street on the basis that the provincial government would pay 2/3 of the cost only if the expensive SkyTrain option was the choice of technology used;
AND WHEREAS public consultation which preceded the City's adoption of SkyTrain technology was restricted and focused on a part of one corridor--Broadway to Arbutus;
AND WHEREAS the people of the GVRD have not been offered specific plans for all transportation in the region, including total costs, choice of transit technology, and routes of automobiles, buses, transit and other forms of transportation;
AND WHEREAS the people of Vancouver have not been given an opportunity to express their views on the routes and technology on currently-planned rapid transit expansion, including the Richmond/YVR transit line currently under limited study;
AND WHEREAS the Grandview Woodlands Area Council and adjacent neighbourhood organizations have unanimously opposed the expansion of SkyTrain along the Grandview Cut west of Commercial Drive;
AND WHEREAS a SkyTrain terminus at the Finning lands north of Vancouver Community College would result in further destruction of the Grandview Cut and little benefit to local residents and provide no connection to other transit;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Vancouver calls on all parties concerned with funding and construction of the extension of SkyTrain west of Commercial Drive to place a moratorium on further work until completion of the following three tasks:
1) Development of an overall, long-term, fully-costed and up-to-date regional transportation plan;
2) A full environmental assessment of that plan, and,
3) After development of the plan and the environmental assessment, extensive region-wide public consultation in order to make appropriate modifications to the plan.
- referred
Council agreed the speakers' list would be declared closed once those in the room wishing to speak, but not registered, were added to the list.
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
The following motion by Councillor Sullivan was put and lost. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT delegations registered to speak on the motion regarding a Moratorium on the SkyTrain Extension be limited to three minutes speaking time.
- lost
(Councillors Bass, Clarke, Daniel Lee, Louis, and Mayor Owen opposed)
(Councillor Puil not present for the vote)
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT delegations registered to speak on the motion regarding a Moratorium on the SkyTrain Extension be limited to five minutes speaking time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Wayne Pledger, Manager, Vancouver Rapid Transit Office, and Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services, reviewed the status of the SkyTrain Extension and responded to questions relating to costs, technology, public involvement, logistics, and the environment.
The following spoke in favour of the motion:
Jayka Mayne
Mari Piggott
Megan Ellis, Neighbours for Fair Transit
Peter Royce
Casey Wolf
Janis Hanen
Craig Sahlin
Carolyn Clark
Roger Hanna
Terry Taylor, Vancouver Natural History Society
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
Colin Stark, Canadian for Direct Democracy
Gavin Ross
Miranda Mallinson
Barbara Stowe
David Beach
Polly Hlookoff, area resident
Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
Speakers' comments included:
· removal of trees causing ecological and conservation deterioration relating to air quality and endangerment of natural wildlife habitat
· public involvement has been insufficient, documentation is not accurate and up to Fall of 1998 was misleading
· financial figures are inconclusive and should be reviewed with full public consultation including all neighbourhoods affected over the next 10 years
· SkyTrain Public Events schedule sponsored by either City of Vancouver or Rapid Transit Project Office was submitted (on file)
· diverting transit away from Broadway would be detrimental to neighbourhoods
· an alternative transit option should go along Broadway; current option omits a significant portion of Broadway Corridor
· transit users want quick, accessible and inexpensive service combined with sound environmental principles; willing to wait longer for service if this could be accomplished
· VCC station is actually 4 blocks from VCC (up-hill); concerns expressed as to who will use extension and how will it be paid for
· buses through Finning land would be preferred and underground option along Broadway should be considered
· Grandview Cut should be left alone; erosion is already a concern
· amount of east side green space already disproportionate with other city areas
· copy of the April 12, 1999 report prepared by Alan Greer "Review of Rapid Transit Project" was submitted (on file)
· there was a call for resignation of all bureaucrats and politicians who were aware of the Greer report at the time it was written
· moratorium should be approved pending response to queries arising from the Greer Report
· concern was expressed relating to potential for negative impacts as demonstrated at other SkyTrain stations (drugs, criminal element)
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
The Chair invited the Honourable Jenny Kwan, Minister of Community Development, Co-operatives and Volunteers (MLA Vancouver-Mount Pleasant), to participate in the discussion. She stated the current government is committed to work with Vancouver and respective agencies to find a solution to ensure the current level of public transit is not jeopardized.
Due to time constraints, Council agreed to hear the remaining registered speakers at the February 22, 2001 meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment.
The Committee adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
FEBRUARY 15, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, February 15, 2001, at 6:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Philip Owen
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
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CITY MANAGER'S
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Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane M. Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
February 15, 2001
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 3332 East 25th Avenue
Cl.2: Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 2106 Grant Street
Cl.3: Noise By-law - Miscellaneous Amendment (Hours for Refuse Collection)
C1.4: Rail Noise Issues - Commissioner/Wall Street
C1.5: SkyTrain Moratorium
Clauses 1-4
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1-4 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 5
Council agreed to hear the remaining registered speakers at the February 22, 2001 meeting of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment.
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. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
NOTICE OF MOTION
The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Cllr. Louis and recognized by the Chair:
Transit Services File: 5559
WHEREAS: City of Vancouver transportation plans and policy statements endorse the principle that more and better public transportation services are needed in the City and the region for social, environmental and transportation purposes;
AND WHEREAS; the average peak period 'wait time' or service frequency that transit users experience in the Greater Vancouver region is already one of the worst of any major Canadian metropolitan area;
AND WHEREAS; officials of TransLink have publicly stated an intention to cut bus services in the region as a result of an anticipated funding shortfall;
AND WHEREAS; transit users throughout the region were promised more - not less -services when TransLink implemented its June, 2000 across-the-board transit fare increase;
AND WHEREAS; transit fare were increased with the understanding that services would be improved;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT; the City of Vancouver strongly oppose any cuts to existing transit services in the City, and the region at large.
- Notice
The Council adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
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