ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 17, 2001
Author/Local: Karin Turnbull/7426

RTS No. 02029

CC File No. 4151

Council: May 8, 2001

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Real Estate Services in Consultation with the General Manager, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT:	Designation of 4471 and 4491 Renfrew Street, "German Heritage Plaza" as Permanent Public Park

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the designation of City-owned property known as the German Heritage Plaza (Plaza), legally described as Lot L, S.E. 1/4 of Section 47, THSL, Plan LMP49440 as permanent public park subject to:

a. the existing GVS & DD right -of-way registered on title as 220778M, and the City Engineer reserves the right to acquire a right of way over the same general area in the name of the City should the existing right of way be lost or City access to the right of way is denied; and

b. the Park Board assume maintenance responsibility for the portions of the special sidewalk treatment and facilities related to the Plaza that spill out onto Atlin Street and 29th Avenue (Appendix 'A' - on file in City Clerk's Office).

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Corporate Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

The Vancouver Charter Section 488(5)(a) provides that Council may declare real property as permanent public park by a resolution or by-law of Council.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to have Council designate the Plaza as permanent public park (Appendix 'B' - on file in City Clerk's Office).

BACKGROUND

City Council on May 26, 1987, approved a report designating the majority of City-owned parks as permanent public parks. Recommendation C of that report states in part that the remaining parks are:

"... to be dealt with on an individual basis when the reason for holdover is determined
and/or removed."

The Plaza is a portion of Renfrew Ravine Park which was on the list of remaining parks to be designated. The eventual purchase of the remaining privately owned parcels will complete the rest of the ravine park assembly. This is a slow, ongoing work project.

The Plaza is located on the north side of 29th Avenue between Renfrew and Atlin Streets and is at the south end of the ravine.

PRESENT SITUATION

The property is developed as a mini-park for public use and is leased out by the Park Board who is responsible to enforce the maintenance of the Plaza. It is therefore recommended that the Plaza be designated as permanent public park

The costs of maintaining the park are presently shared between the Park Board and the German community. The Board can absorb the additional maintenance contemplated in the recommendation, but continues to depend on community participation to maintain the entire site.

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