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REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

NOVEMBER 8, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, November 8, 2001, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair *Mayor Philip Owen (Civic Business) Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor Gordon Price Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair (Civic Business) Councillor George Puil (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Laura Kazakoff, 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 Thursday, October 18, 2001, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Amendment of Council's Resolution Regarding Nuisance/Dangerous Building at 207 Union Street and 796 Main Street (File 2701)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 25, 2001, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council rescind its Resolution of June 14, 2001, ordering that the building at 207 Union and 796 Main Street be demolished. It was further recommended that should the owner of the building not apply for a Building Permit by December 17, 2001, this matter would then be brought back to Council for further consideration. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Carlene Robbins, Manager, By-law Administration, provided an overview of the report and its recommendations.

Peter Cruickshank, an owner of an adjacent property, expressed concern with regard to the length of time it may take for the redevelopment of the subject property to commence.

Ms. Robbins responded to questions concerning the building permit process and timeframe.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council rescind its Resolution dated June 14, 2001, ordering that the building at 207 Union Street and 796 Main Street (Lot 10, Block 20, District Lot 196, Plan 184, PID 015-644-316) be demolished; and

B. THAT, in the event the owner fails to apply for a development and building permit for redevelopment of the building by December 17, 2001, or fails to commence construction within 30 days of the issuance of a building permit, the City Building Inspector is directed to refer this matter back to Council for consideration as to whether the building should be ordered demolished pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Grant to "Save Our Living Environment" (File 2251)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 17, 2001, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for a grant of $50,000 to "Save Our Living Environment" (SOLE) to enable it to continue for another year its program of supplementary cleaning of public spaces in the Downtown Eastside.

Bob Ross, Engineering Services, reviewed the report, noting the program provides employment for area residents and helps meet the special challenges faced in this community.

Ken Lyotier, United We Can, noted the large number of local people who are involved in this program and other programs of SOLE.

Wendie Galczik, President, CUPE Local 1004, acknowledged the excellent work being done by SOLE but raised concerns with regard to the safety of workers involved in this program, and queried whether they are operating under the same WCB regulations as City workers. Ms. Galczik also offered a suggestion that perhaps the $50,000 could be used to provide one person with gainful employment.

Mr. Lyotier advised that all persons involved in the program are covered by insurance through the Ministry of Human Resources. He also noted that United We Can has had a continuing dialogue with CUPE 1004, which he would like to see continue. Mr. Lyotier provided information with regard to employment opportunities which may arise through involvement in the micro-cleaning program, noting some people end up with full-time jobs in graffiti removal, recycling, or at the bottle depot.

Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, noted there has been an increase in CUPE 1004 positions in sanitation over the last few years, and further advised there has been no reduction in 1004 work in the Downtown Eastside as a result of the SOLE efforts.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council approve a grant of $50,000 to Save Our Living Environment (SOLE) for supplementary cleaning of sidewalks, lanes and public spaces in the Downtown Eastside in 2002, as outlined in the Administrative Report dated October 17, 2001, entitled "Grant to Save Our Living Environment", with funding provided from the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Victory Square Lighting Project (File 8104)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 29, 2001, in which the Director of Current Planning, in consultation with the General Manager of Parks and Recreation, and the General Manager of Engineering Services, sought Council's approval of $100,000 from the Downtown Eastside Capital Funds for implementation of the Victory Square Lighting Project. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Ben Johnson, Central Area Planning Branch, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the proposed lighting project.

Nathan Edelson, Planner, Downtown Neighbourhoods Group, PC Joe Chambers, Vancouver Police Department, and Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, responded to questions and comments concerning current users of the park, drug trafficking activities in and adjacent the park, and possible opportunities for events programming.

The following people addressed the Committee in support of the proposed lighting project:

· Richard Evans, Friends of Victory Square
· Steve Traviss, Vancouver Community College
· Constantine Pappas, Pappas Furs.

Comments offered by the foregoing speakers included the following:

· staff are to be commended for their work on this project;
· collaborative approach to this project has created many meaningful alliances; as the light project has emerged, so has the vision for the neighbourhood;
· lighting will attract more people to the park, creating a safer, more welcoming atmosphere;
· other ideas which have been discussed include children's play apparatus, a veterans' commemorative wall and a possible Jazz and Blues Society event;
· lighting project is part of a long-term solution for the neighbourhood and is an imperative first step towards making Victory Square more user-friendly and encouraging more pedestrian activity;
· letters of support for the project have been received from the Remembrance Day Observance Committee, Silk Road Task Force, and Heritage Vancouver;
· lighting project should be part of a major park redevelopment; would like to see Victory Square developed into a must-see tourist attraction in the city.

Lori Mackay, Director of Vancouver East District, Parks & Recreation, responded to questions concerning whether increasing the requested budget would provide economic benefits by allowing bulk purchase of light bulbs. A Council member requested information on the types of bulbs which are proposed to be used for this project.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council approve a budget not to exceed $120,000 for the Victory Square Lighting Project, subject to project approval by the Park Board and the receipt of committed funds from the "Friends of Victory Square"; funding to be provided from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization capital funds approved in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Owen absent for the vote)

4. CD-1 Rezoning: 955 Burrard Street (Downtown YMCA) and 969 Burrard Street & 1017-1045 Nelson Street (First Baptist Church) - Major Planning Issues

(File 5303/5306)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated October 31, 2001, in which the Director of Current Planning, in consultation with the Director of the Housing Centre and Director of Social Planning, sought Council's direction on significant policy issues raised by a rezoning application submitted by Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects on behalf of the Downtown YMCA and the First Baptist Church to rezone their sites at 955 and 969 Burrard Street and 1017-1045 Nelson Street from DD and RM-5B to CD-1.

Staff recommended that Council consider a rezoning application for comprehensive development which at minimum would achieve the retention of existing heritage resources, the replacement of existing affordable housing and the provision of child daycare. Other possible density increases, particularly for the provision of recreational facilities, were presented for consideration. Staff's recommendations are laid out in the report as A through D and the consideration items are put forward in E and F. As an alternative to Recommendations A-D and Consideration E and F, an alternative option of not considering the rezoning application as currently submitted was put forward as Consideration G. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of A through D, and presented E and F for consideration, or G for consideration as an alternative to A through F.

Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, reminded Council that this matter is not yet being referred to Public Hearing and as such Council was not being asked to express a decision on the rezoning, but only if they will further consider several propositions. Mr. Beasley further advised the purpose of the report was to provide information on significant issues raised by the rezoning application, such as density increases, and to review those issues in the context of City policies.

Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, with the aid of site maps and charts, provided a detailed review of the significant issues of this rezoning application and related City policies, as laid out in the report. Mr. Mondor provided explanations and rationale for the recommendations and consideration items contained in the staff report.

Mr. Mondor and Mr. Beasley responded to questions concerning density increases, possible floor space ratios, heritage retention possibilities, community amenity contributions, zoning boundaries, density bonus transfers, and affordable housing.

Bill Stewart, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Vancouver, and Reverend Greg Anderson, First Baptist Church, expressed appreciation to City staff for their hard work in dealing with this rezoning application and requested Council's support to move ahead with the further processing of the application.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council will consider the application by Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects to rezone 955 Burrard Street (Downtown YMCA) and 969 Burrard Street & 1017-1045 Nelson Street (First Baptist Church) from DD and RM-5B respectively to CD-1, to permit increased density for dwelling and institutional uses, such rezoning may include the following for report back as part of the rezoning referral report:

In regard to the YMCA proposed rezoning:

(a) a bonus for the retention, restoration and designation of the YMCA "B" building, at minimum its original Burrard and Barclay Street facades, in a sympathetic surrounding redevelopment, subject to submission of pro forma analysis, support by the Vancouver Heritage Commission, and a Heritage Revitalization Agreement;

(b) a transfer of density from the two YMCA-owned vacant lots at 1017-1019 Nelson Street on the First Baptist Church development site to the YMCA site at 955 Burrard Street;

(c) an FSR exclusion for that portion of the floor area of the proposed YMCA which is to be used for licensed childcare, subject to the usual City terms and conditions;

In regard to the First Baptist Church proposed rezoning:

(d) a heritage density bonus for the premium cost of seismic upgrading and/or the restoration and designation of the interior of the municipally designated First Baptist Church, subject to submission of a pro forma analysis, taking into account the value of shifting density off the Church footprint, support by the Vancouver Heritage Commission, and a Heritage Revitalization Agreement;

(e) a shift of potential residual density from the municipally designated First Baptist Church footprint at 969 Burrard Street to the adjoining property at 1017-1045 Nelson Street,, the residual density amount to be determined through technical check and urban design analysis, and taking account of the heritage density bonus for interior designation and/or seismic upgrading of the church;

(f) a density bonus for the provision of new affordable rental housing, subject to pro forma analysis and a Housing Agreement; and

(g) an FSR exclusion, not exceeding 929 m² (10,000 sq. ft.) normally allowed for ancillary facilities, for the proposed First Baptist Church community ministry building, OR an amenity bonus if it is proposed to be used as a social service amenity facility, subject to its operation as a self-contained facility by a Council-approved non-profit provider of social services, such as youth services, identified as a civic priority, and secured in the public domain under terms and conditions to ensure public access.

B. THAT Council is NOT prepared to consider any rezoning of this site which does not include heritage preservation and enhancement efforts on the Downtown YMCA ("B") and First Baptist Church ("A") buildings and which does not replace existing affordable rental housing at 1021 to 1045 Nelson Street on the First Baptist Church site.

C. THAT Council is NOT prepared to consider any off-site density transfer, unless it is specifically heritage bonus density and only if the total floor area which can be considered on the site cannot be acceptably accommodated there.

D. THAT Council will consider increases in maximum building height but limited to the discretionary maximum in the DD ODP for the YMCA site and the conditional maximum in the RM-5B District Schedule for the First Baptist Church site.

E. THAT Council will consider a density increase for that portion of the floor area of the proposed new Downtown YMCA which is to be used as a public recreational facility (and not school and residence or hotel floor area), subject to securing the excluded space in the public domain under terms and conditions to ensure public access, for report back as part of the rezoning referral report.

F. THAT Council will consider in-kind as well as cash payment of the required Community Amenity Contributions (CACs), and Development Cost Levy (DCL) relief in lieu of heritage bonus density, through Heritage Revitalization Agreements, for report back as part of the rezoning referral report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Owen absent for the vote)

5. Emergency Temporary Winter Shelters - 1321 Richards Street and

9 West Hastings Street (File 4659)

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Committee adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

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CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

NOVEMBER 8, 2001

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, November 8, 2001, at 4:30 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 Don Lee Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Sandy McCormick Councillor Gordon Price Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Mayor Philip Owen (Civic Business) Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business) Councillor George Puil (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Don Lee in the chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
November 8, 2001

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

Cl.1: Amendment of Council's Resolution Regarding Nuisance/Dangerous Building at 207 Union Street and 796 Main Street
Cl.2: Grant to `Save Our Living Environment'
Cl.3: Victory Square Lighting Project
Cl.4: CD-1 Rezoning: 955 Burrard Street (Downtown YMCA) and 969 Burrard Street & 1017-1045 Nelson Street (First Baptist Church) - Major Planning Issues
Cl.5 Emergency Temporary Winter Shelters - 1321 Richards Street and 9 West Hastings Street

Clause 1

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND BY
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND BY
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY

Clauses 3 and 4

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 3 and 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 5

Withdrawn from this agenda.

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver