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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
APRIL 12, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, April 12, 2001, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
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CITY MANAGER'S
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of March 15, 2001, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of
469, 477, 483 and 491 East 10th Avenue File: 2701
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 13, 2001, in which the City Building Inspector recommended a 336D Notice be filed against the title to the properties at 469, 477, 483 and 491 East 10th Avenue in order to warn prospective purchasers of contraventions of City by-laws related to these properties. It was also recommended that the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action if she deems it appropriate to do so. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the foregoing.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection, with the aid of graphics, reviewed the report.
Wayne Helfrich and Lise Guillemette, property owners, reviewed the work undertaken by them since purchasing the four homes. They noted they are willing to bring the homes into compliance with City building codes and convert them into two-family dwellings, however, they will require additional funds to complete the work. They requested the 336D Notice not be placed on title until refinancing approval has been obtained.
Mr. Sweeney and Carlene Robbins, Manager, By-law Administration, responded to questions concerning the owners' request for a delay.
It was suggested decision on this matter be postponed to the next Standing Committee meeting date in order to enable staff to explore options with regard to the owners' request.
The following motion by Councillor McCormick was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT consideration of this matter be referred to the next meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment, in order to receive additional information from staff.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)
2. Proposed Amendment to Subdivision By-law No. 5208
Reclassification of Property at 2502 West 33rd Avenue File: 5308
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 27, 2001, in which the Subdivision Approving Officer recommended that an application by the owner of the property at 2502 West 33rd Avenue to reclassify the property for the purpose of subdivision be refused. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendation.
Graham Lougheed, Subdivision and Strata, reviewed the report and, along with Rick Scobie, Director of Development Services, responded to questions regarding the potential for subdivision under the current Zoning and Subdivision By-laws.
Alex Polacco, speaking on behalf of the applicant, noted the owner was desirous of replacing the current house on the property. The lot in question is one of the largest in the area and building the biggest house allowable would be much more disruptive to the neighbourhood than two smaller houses. Mr. Polacco further advised the need for affordable, single family housing is increasing, while the market for larger "monster" homes has diminished. He also noted that two smaller homes would not result in increased traffic or negative impacts to the neighbourhood.
Mr. Scobie, in response to a question, noted that established City policy would not support subdivision on this lot due to its size.
Several Council members expressed support for a review of City policies in order to explore possibilities for facilitating increased density within the context of City programs such as CityPlan and Community Visions, taking into consideration the priorities and visions of these programs. The City Manager agreed to follow up on this matter.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council refuse the application to reclassify the property at 2502 West 33rd Avenue from Category `D' to Category `A' of Schedule A, Table 1, of Subdivision By-law No. 5208.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 622 East Broadway - Seoul Social Club
Class 'A' (Social Club) Liquor License File: 2612-15
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 29, 2001, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended that an application for a Class 'A' Liquor License at 622 East Broadway not be endorsed, but also offered for consideration the option to defer decision on the application to allow further neighbourhood consultation. The General Manager of Community Services also recommended the application not be endorsed, and submitted the choice of deferral for consideration.
Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, reviewed the Administrative Report and, along with Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, responded to questions regarding special events licensing and possible restrictions on hours of operation.
Rick Erdman, HOST Consulting, and Jonathan Baker, lawyer, spoke on behalf of the Applicant, and comments made include the following:
· club facility is small (photo provided - on file), providing a meeting spot for members and their guests only;
· applicant is willing to amend his application to reduce the hours of operation and restrict occupancy to 50;
· a small social club such as this will not exacerbate existing problems in the area (map distributed showing nearest liquor-licensed establishments - on file);
· applicant is a responsible individual who would like to make a contribution to the Korean community.
Dr. Kimme, President of the Seoul Social Club, advised his wish was to provide assistance to his community, helping members integrate into western society. He noted normal attendance at any given time would probably be about 25-30 people and special, larger events such as wedding receptions would occur perhaps five times per year. Dr. Kimme advised adjacent business operators in the neighbourhood are supportive of his application and he feels his social club will not negatively impact the surrounding area, but will help to improve it.
The following two speakers were not supportive of the application for a Class `A' liquor license, and their points are summarized below:
Jim Pearce
Dr. A. Lacombe
· area in question has become more livable in last several years, but social problems caused by drugs, alcohol and prostitution continue to plague the neighbourhood;
· not opposed to a liquor licensed facility in general, but don't believe this is the right type of facility for the neighbourhood; intended clientele will not be residents of the surrounding community but will be travelling to the facility from other parts of the city.
· proposed location is near the intersection of Fraser and Broadway, which is the main problem spot for the community;
· residents on 10th Avenue directly behind the club have expressed concerns about noise, especially late at night, and increased traffic with regard to safety of children playing on the side streets, demand for parking spaces, and car break-ins.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council, having considered the opinions of area residents and business operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood notification and a public meeting, and having considered the proximity of residential developments, traffic patterns, road access, availability of parking , noise impacts and the overall design, endorse the application by the Seoul Social Club for a 50-seat Class `A' (Social Club) liquor license at 622 East Broadway, subject to:
(i) A Time-Limited Development Permit.
(ii) A signed Legal Agreement for a new establishment prior to the first renewal of the Development Permit which will include a provision to hold the seating capacity to current numbers, regardless of any changes to the seating capacity regulations as a result of the Provincial Liquor License Regulations review.
(iii) The signing of a Good Neighbour Agreement prior to the issuance of a Business License.
(iv) The hours of operation limited to 3:00 p.m. to 12 midnight Saturday and Sunday; 5:00 p.m. to 12 midnight Monday to Friday.
(v) Entertainment (karaoke) to cease at 12:00 midnight and no live amplified entertainment be permitted.
- CARRIED
(Councillor McCormick opposed)
4. 3088 and 3188 West 41st Avenue - Age Restriction File: 4551
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
5. The Public Realm and Streetscape Element of the
Broadway/Commercial Drive SkyTrain Station
Precinct Plan and Parking By-law Changes File: 5559/113
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 23, 2001, in which the Director of City Plans and the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council endorsement of the Public Realm and Streetscape element of the Broadway/Commercial Drive SkyTrain Station Precinct plan, and recommended changes to the Parking By-law as part of an overall parking management plan for the area.
Frank Ducote, Senior Urban Designer, City Plans, with the aid of display boards, reviewed various aspects of the proposed plan and its initiatives for creating public spaces, and provided an overview of the proposed Parking By-law amendments. Mr. Ducote, along with Lon LaClaire, Engineer, Downtown Transportation Plan, responded to questions concerning facilities to accommodate cycling.
Barb Wright, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Safety Office, spoke in support of the proposed plan, including the proposal to shift the area's main focal point from Broadway/Commercial to 10th Avenue and Commercial. Ms. Wright spoke favourably of the process used during preparation of the plan, noting the community was involved and listened to. She did, however, note that the area was in immediate need of street furnishing amenities, such as garbage cans, and queried the status of plans for a bus-driver facility on Grandview Highway North.
Mr. Ducote, Wayne Pledger, Rapid Transit Office, and Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, responded to comments and queries raised by the foregoing speaker.
The following motion by Councillor McCormick was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council endorse the Public Realm and Streetscape element of the Broadway/Commercial Drive SkyTrain Station Precinct Plan (Appendix B of the Administrative Report dated March 23, 2001), as a basis to guide capital planning, service plans and private initiatives;
B. THAT $90,000 for pedestrian lights and street furniture be allocated from existing funding in the Street Beautification and Street Trees Account #300000131;
C. THAT the following amendments to the Parking By-law for development in the Broadway/Commercial Drive station area, and the residential area south-east of the VCC Station be approved, as detailed in the Administrative Report dated March 23, 2001, and Appendix C of that report:
1. reduce minimum parking requirements for multiple residential use;
2. reduce minimum parking requirements for retail, service, office, restaurant, cultural, recreational, fitness centre and health care office uses; and
3. introduce a maximum parking standard for office, retail and service uses;
D. FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-law for enactment.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
APRIL 12, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, April 12, 2001, at 4:32 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: |
Deputy Mayor Fred Bass
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
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CITY MANAGER'S
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Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Bass in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
April 12, 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 469, 477, 483 and 491 East 10th Avenue
Cl.2: Proposed Amendment to Subdivision By-law No. 5208
Reclassification of Property at 2502 West 33rd Avenue
Cl.3: 622 East Broadway - Seoul Social Club
Class 'A' (Social Club) Liquor License
Cl.4: 3088 and 3188 West 41st Avenue - Age Restriction
Cl.5: The Public Realm and Streetscape Element of the Broadway/Commercial
Drive SkyTrain Station Precinct Plan and Parking By-law Changes
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)
Clauses 2 and 5
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 2 and 5 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 3
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor McCormick opposed)
Clause 4
Clause 4 was withdrawn from the agenda.
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.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Board of Variance - April 25, 2001 - Meeting Location
File No: 4113
Councillor Don Lee advised of concerns expressed by stakeholders and community members with regard to the choice of location for a Board of Variance meeting to be held in the Downtown Eastside community regarding the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board's five development applications for new facilities in the area. The concerns had to do with the remoteness of the chosen location (400 Alexander Street) in terms of safety.
The Council requested the City Manager consult with staff in this regard, to ascertain if it would be possible to locate a more suitable venue for this meeting to take place.
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The Council adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
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