Agenda Index City of Vancouver

1

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JULY 31, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, July 31, 2001, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price, Vice-Chair
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Tim Louis (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sandy McCormick (Leave of Absence)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meetings of June 5 and July 10, 2001, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study Update (File 5553)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 17, 2001 in which the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning provided an update on the progress of the False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study for Council's information.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, reviewed the study and introduced Dale Bracewell, Transportation Engineer, and Karis Hiebert, Planner. Staff provided an overview of the report and responded to questions regarding funding, the expected time frame for major structural changes on bridges considering the upcoming Olympic Bid, as well as expansion of the current ferry system.

The following speakers were in favour of improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings over False Creek; however, concerns were raised and suggestions offered:

Speakers' comments included:

· pedestrians and cyclists must have separate lanes;
· a lower level crossing could impede on increasing marine traffic.
· need more representatives for pedestrians, recreational cyclists and tourists in the stakeholders group;
· when reviewing criteria consider the needs of walkers, runners and disabled as well as connectivity to existing walkways;
· need more graphic material relating to each option;
· with the delay in local improvements Council should consider giving further funding to this study or approve a future study;
· local and minor improvements such as access to bridges could be neglected if too much emphasis is placed on bridge capacity;
· improve current crossings prior to considering new ones.

Ian Adam responded to questions regarding dedicated bike lanes as well as pedestrian and cyclist volumes on Burrard Bridge.

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the Administrative Report dated July 17, 2001, entitled "False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study Update", be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Burrard Bridge Pedestrian and Cycling Environment Improvements

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 17, 2001 in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval to install new signage and sidewalk markings and to modify crosswalks to enhance the shared pedestrian and cyclist environment on the Burrard Bridge.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, introduced Steve Brown, Neighbourhood Transportation. Referring to photos, diagrams and samples of signage, Mr. Brown provided an overview of the report and advised that all recommendations can be implemented in a short period of time.

The following speakers were in favour of improving pedestrian and cycling facilities on Burrard Bridge; however, concerns were raised and suggestions offered:

Speakers' comments included:

· the proposal is a beginning, but does not go far enough - would support recommendations as a temporary measure only;
· the need for bike lanes is not addressed;
· cyclists and pedestrians having to use the same sidewalk puts safety at risk;
· install a barrier to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from falling into traffic;
· provide enough space for all users;
· reduce the eastbound traffic lanes turning south on Burrard Bridge to one lane and widen the pedestrian and cyclist lane;
· install signage advising pedestrians to do shoulder checks prior to passing each other as a measure to reduce cutting in front of cyclists;
· recommendations will increase awareness of unsafe conditions on bridge but do not address issue of sidewalks that are too narrow for cyclists and pedestrians to share.

Ian Adam responded to questions regarding installation of a barrier fence.

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

carried

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Recommendation B be postponed to enable staff to review the engineering report entitled "Burrard Street Bridge Safety Barrier", submitted by one of the delegations, and for staff to review options for dedicating a lane on the Burrard Bridge for bicycle lanes.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

The motion to postpone Recommendation B having lost, Mayor Owen's motion was put and CARRIED with Councillors Bass, Don Lee and Price opposed.

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Earles Street Community Traffic Calming Plan (File 5757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 25, 2001 in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval for the Earles Street Community Traffic Calming Plan.

Melina Scholefield, Neighbourhood Transportation, with the aid of a diagram, provided an overview of the report and reviewed the traffic calming proposals examined.

Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, spoke in favour of the recommendations but suggested that more calming measures be implemented to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Grandview Highway North - Greenway/Bikeway Planning (File 5757/5767)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report date June 22, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of City Plans recommended to Council a traffic calming plan for Grandview Highway North that will form part of the new Greenway/Bikeway that is being developed as part of the Millennium SkyTrain Line. The report also recommends Council approval of additional City funding to complete the design and public process leading to a final report back on the design and remaining City cost to complete the Greenway/Bikeway.

Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Engineer, with the aid of an aerial photograph, reviewed progress to date and provided an overview of the report including major elements proposed. Mr. Pledger introduced Catherine Sinasac, Planner, and Lon LaClaire, Transportation Engineer. Staff responded to questions regarding public consultation.

The following spoke in opposition to the recommendations:

Speakers' comments include:

· there is not enough room on Grandview Highway North to accommodate all the measures proposed and should be closed to westbound traffic;
· development of the triangle site is problematic in that bushes and trees along the north side that acted as a barrier to pollution and noise from trains, busses and traffic have been removed;
· our neighbourhood has been heavily impacted by SkyTrain construction and need more compensation than what is proposed;
· residents have not been adequately notified of this proposal;
· a sheer cliff face on the north side of the Cut will make it difficult to replace vegetation lost;
· proposing a bus loop on Grandview Highway North will pose a safety issue for cyclists and pedestrians using the greenway;
· as well as receiving input from transportation planning staff, input from staff involved in community aesthetics would be beneficial.

The following spoke in favour of the recommendations and offered suggestions:

Speakers' comments include:

· there is potential to create a pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment by replacing lost space through traffic calming measures as was the case in the West End;
· Grandview Highway North is the only opportunity in East Vancouver for a greenway/bikeway so build one that the public will feel safe and comfortable walking and cycling on.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT, due to time constraints, decision on the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated June 22, 2001, entitled "Grandview Highway North -Greenway/Bikeway Planning", be referred to the Regular Council Meeting to be held later that day.

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)

The Committee adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

JULY 31, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 12:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, 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 Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Tim Louis (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sandy McCormick (Leave of Absence)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Price

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
July 31, 2001

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

Clauses 1 and 3

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 3 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

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

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass, Don Lee and Price opposed to Recommendation B)

Clause 4

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Puil

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Puil (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Sullivan (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:31 p.m.

* * * * *

tt010731.htm

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver