POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE

Date: November 27, 2001
Author/Local: P. French/7041

RTS No. 2395

CC File No. 5340

Council: January 15, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of City Plans in consultation with the General Manager of Engineering, the General Manager of Park Board, and the Director of the Housing Centre
SUBJECT:	CityPlan Community Visions Program: Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council adopt the Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK) Community Visions, attached in Appendices A and B, as follows:

· Directions categorized as "Approved" to be adopted as written;

· Directions categorized as "Not Approved: Uncertain", not to be adopted but to remain in the text for information; and

· Directions categorized as "Not Approved: Non-support", not to be adopted but to remain in the text for information.

B. THAT Council and Departments use the Sunset and VFK Vision Directions to help guide policy decisions, corporate work, priorities, budgets and capital plans in these two communities; and

C. THAT Council direct the Director of City Plans to report back on an action plan to implement and monitor the Sunset and VFK Community Visions.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A, B, and C.

COUNCIL POLICY

In June 1995, Council adopted CityPlan: Directions for Vancouver as a broad plan for the city. In July 1996, Council approved the CityPlan Community Visions Terms of Reference, [hereafter CCVToR] together with funding and staffing to do Visions in two communities as a pilot project. The purpose of the Community Visions is to bring CityPlan to the local level. In July 1999, City Council approved the continuation of the Community Vision Program through the predominantly single family areas of the city, to complete seven more Visions over the next five to six years.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

This report presents the completed Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK) Community Visions, and details how they meet the criteria set out in the Terms of Reference which Council adopted in 1996. Recommendation A is that the approved Vision Directions be adopted. Recommendation B instructs that the adopted Sunset and VFK Vision Directions be used to help guide decisions affecting these two areas, starting immediately. In addition, recognizing that following up the 20-year Visions will be a long term effort by both the City and community, Recommendation C is for a report back on an implementation and monitoring strategy. Lastly, this report notes, some themes that are apparent now after completion of four Visions covering areas with over 145,000 residents.

BACKGROUND

On many topics, CityPlan calls for local communities to determine more precisely how its city-wide Directions should be carried out locally. The mandate of the Community Visions Program is to "have communities, assisted by staff, develop visions that incorporate a wide range of community interests and describe common ground for moving in CityPlan directions. The program asks each community to implement CityPlan directions in a way and at a scale and pace that suits the community." [CCVToR]

The Vision process requires communities to move forward in CityPlan Directions, but is flexible in how they do that. For example, the city already has enough unit capacity under current zoning to meet the regional population objectives, as noted in the City's adopted Regional Context Statement. Therefore, CityPlan calls for greater neighbourhood housing variety, and housing affordability. The Visions program works with residents to find out what supported types and locations are supported for new housing types, rather than imposing targets. A parallel approach is taken with other topics including services, facilities, parks and transportation.

Visions for KCC and Dunbar, the two pilot communities, were completed and adopted in July and September 1998. A complete evaluation of the pilot program was done and reported to Council, with a recommendation to continue the Visions program throughout the mainly single family areas of the city, most of which have never had any local planning. The communities and the Council-endorsed order of Visions are shown in Map 1.

DISCUSSION

1. The Community Visions

Appendices A and B (LIMITED DISTRIBUTION - on file in City Clerk's Office) contain the Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney Community Visions for Council endorsation. Each contains over 110 Vision Directions on a full range of CityPlan topics that will guide the communities for up to 20 years. They reflect how the communities will balance citywide and community concerns, and meet the challenges of the future. Only a flavour of the Vision Directions can be provided in this summary.

(a) Sunset Vision

Sunset is a community of 31,320 residents, with three major language groups: 27% English, 27% Chinese and 25% Punjabi. The median household income is $39,100 compared to the overall Vancouver median of $35,600. Other than the industrial area south of Marine Drive to the Fraser River, almost the entire area is small lot single family, with secondary suites permitted and common throughout. The area was almost fully developed prior to World War II, and there is now a mix of older "character" and newer redeveloped houses.

Many of the Vision Directions address things Sunset residents are basically happy with, and want to keep and enhance. However, there are also several areas of dissatisfaction with the status quo, where significant improvement is wanted by the community. Here are the key messages.

· The arterial streets need to be tamed, making them easier to cross, safer to walk and drive along, more livable and attractive, even while recognizing that they carry thousands of commuters through the area;

· Individuals, community groups and the police need to work harder to improve safety and crime prevention, noting that Sunset's crime rate is above the average for local areas in the city;

· Better indoor community centre space is needed, with programs for youth and seniors, and replacement of the outdoor pool with an indoor one is desired;

· The low scale and family orientation of the single family neighbourhoods should be kept, while adding new housing variety with compatibly-designed infill and duplexes throughout the area;

· The Main Street "Punjabi Market" and Fraser Street "South Hill" shopping areas are community hearts that should be strengthened as retail centres, and improved as pedestrian experiences;

· Existing parks are appreciated, but should be refitted for more diverse activities; the current park space deficiency should be made up in the under served areas and through street end parks along the Fraser River;

· Community clean-up is a major priority: litter, dumping, poor garbage habits in shopping streets, lanes and parks where are downgrading the neighbourhood; and

· Timely and effective public involvement in decisions should continue and increase.

(b) VFK Vision

VFK has 50,120 residents, with 39% English and 38% Chinese as major language groups. Median income is $41,000 compared to a Vancouver median of $35,600. Most of the area's single family development took place in the 40s and 50s. Lots are larger and houses generally newer than in Sunset, giving the area a more "suburban" character. By the 80s, Champlain Heights, a comprehensively planned development with a mix of housing, parks, and facilities was completed on a large tract of City-owned land in the south-east quadrant. In the 90s, development of city - owned Fraserlands was undertaken, in a similar manner. Long term industrial uses occupy the river-front east of Kerr Street adjacent to Knight Street Bridge across from Mitchell Island.

The key messages from the VFK Vision are:

· The impacts of arterials running through this community also need to be addressed - safety, crossings, livability, appearance;

· Attention to safety and crime prevention is highly supported, noting however that VFK has one of the lowest crime rates among local areas in the City;

· Facilities "gaps" such as lack of community centre-type space in the southwest area and in Fraserlands should be addressed; and the school and retail space components in the Fraserlands plan should actually be built;

· VFK residents value both their single family areas and their planned mixed residential communities, and want to protect both; they supported adding new housing variety with compatibly-designed duplexes, located in a linear fashion along transit routes;

· Victoria Drive and Kingsway/Joyce "Collingwood" are the local shopping streets, to be strengthened and improved, similar to Sunset's areas; the recently renovated Champlain Mall is also important, and the Vision includes Directions to guide any future changes to it;
· Unlike Sunset, VFK is not deficient in neighbourhood park acreage, but residents there would also like to see parks improved for more diverse activities; and lastly

· Timely and effective public involvement in decisions should continue and increase.

2. Adoption of Community Visions Directions

The CCVToR set out criteria which the Vision must meet to be considered valid, which can be summarised as:

· Furthering CityPlan: Visions should cover all CityPlan topics, and move the community in CityPlan Directions; and

· Reflecting informed community opinion: Visions should validly reflect broad community opinion and "common ground", based on informed participation.

(a) Furthering CityPlan

Appendix C describes in detail how Vision Directions carry out the 14 CityPlan Directions. To mention are a few highlights, the Visions:

· Identify which shopping areas should be the foci for neighbourhood centres, and contain Directions on improvement;

· Describe new housing types and locations to meet housing variety and affordability goals. Sunset's current zoning allows about 1,900 more housing units, and the 2021 projected demand is for up to 3,700 more units. The Vision Directions to consider infill and duplexes throughout the area could result in up to another 3,500 more units (net). VFK already has a variety of housing types, but has only about 1,000 unit capacity under current zoning, and a 2021 estimated demand for up to 5,100 more units. The Vision Direction to consider duplexes along transit routes could add about 1,400 units, for a total capacity of 2,500 unit (net). A substantial portion of the 2,600 unit gap between possible demand and capacity may be addressed by two other Vision Directions: one which calls for mixed use developmentin the stretch of Victoria Drive between 44th and 47th Avenues, linking the commercial districts; and another which calls for replanning the industrial lands east of Kerr Street and south of Marine Drive, when the wood products mill closes, for a variety of uses including housing;

· Strongly support housing for seniors; and recognize the City policy to consider site-specific rezonings for non-market/affordable housing projects, SNRFs, and heritage projects;

· Point to ways in which the communities want to improve arterial streets to make living with them more acceptable, while still recognizing their role carrying through-traffic; and

· Identify issues and opportunities with respect to parks and city facilities that are specific to each community. Sunset's aging community centre and park area deficiency contrast with VFK's situation. On the other hand, VFK has some geographical gaps that residents would like addressed.

City Perspectives Panel (CPP)

The CCVToR calls for a panel of respected citizens who live outside the Vision communities to wear a "city hat", and provide commentary on how well the Visions meet CityPlan directions. A seven person City Perspectives Panel was appointed by Council. Many of them attended workshops as observers. As a group, they provided commentary on the Choices Survey as to how the proposed Directions relate to CityPlan and regional plans for the information of community residents filling out the survey. They also reviewed the survey response. The Panel's comments are attached as Appendix G. The CPP feels that the two Visions do fulfill the requirements of CityPlan and the CCVToR. At the same time, they would like to see more discussion of regional perspectives, particularly on housing and transportation.

(b) Reflecting Informed Community Opinion

The CCVToR call for the Visions program to seek common ground and the opinion of the broad community, not just a few people. There are to be avariety of ways for people to be involved, in an informed way. Appendix D provides detailed information on the public participation in the Visions. Below are some highlights.

· General outreach: A variety of methods was used throughout the program to create public awareness, recruit participants, and encourage responses, including attendance at meetings and events of community groups, school PACs, churches, etc.; delivery of three newsletters to every household, business and absentee owner; weekend Visions Fair in each community; and advertisements, media releases and coverage English, Chinese and Punjabi community media;

· Community Liaison Groups: The CCVToR mandate the creation of a Community Liaison Group for each community, made up of a wide range of community volunteers, who are charged with: providing continuity through the process; "watch dogging" to ensure that community input from each step was carried through; advising on outreach; reviewing the draft survey, reviewing survey results, and generally advising staff. The Liaison Group is process-focussed - their job is not to edit community input, nor to select the preferred Directions. The Liaison Groups' comments are included as Appendices E and F, and will be presented to Council by their spokespersons;

· Workshops: Creation of draft Vision ideas and options occurred in widely advertised topic workshops open to anyone interested. The six main topic-specific workshops were augmented by special multi-cultural workshops in Chinese and Punjabi, as well as youth workshops in high schools. Workshop participants were numerous and diverse enough to generate a range of material. Sunset had 342 participants in total; VFK had 439;

· Choices Survey: Broadest possible input on which Vision Directions should be adopted was ensured through an extensive survey, delivered to every household, business, and absentee owner. The survey was in English and Chinese, as well as in Punjabi for the Sunset area. There were about 1,600 responses (17%) in Sunset, and 2,900 responses (18%) in VFK. (For a broad topic, multi-question survey like this, ageneral response rate of 5% - 10% is good). A random sample of survey respondents substantiated the opinion of the general return. Respondents were broadly distributed throughout the community, with a good representation of the language groups, ages, homeowners, and renters; and

· Information: Informed participation was ensured at workshops and in the Choices Survey. Workshops used the over 100 fact sheets created for each community, as well as specially-prepared materials. Examples include household type profiles, home affordability, sources of housing demand, growth projections. For transportation, information was provided on the Transportation Plan, truck routes, transit system, volumes, street design standards, traffic management, parking, and accidents. The Choices Survey, which presented the draft Directions to the community for response, contained background material and "fact boxes" to allow an understanding of the origin and consequences of the Directions.

Overall, the Sunset and VFK Visions meet the criteria of furthering CityPlan, and reflecting informed community opinion. They are also the result of broad, valid input, and a legitimate reflection of community opinion. Staff therefore recommend Council endorse the Vision Directions, as outlined in Recommendation A.

3. Implementation of Sunset and VFK Community Visions

Recommendation B directs that Visions be used to guide city decisions, corporate work, priorities, budgets and capital plans. Beyond that, as noted in Recommendation C, staff will report back with a detailed strategic action plan developed in consultation with community members, as we did for KCC and Dunbar. Many of the CLG members in both Sunset and VFK have expressed interest in being involved in implementation of their Vision. It should be noted that these action plans are posted, and regularly updated, on the Dunbar and KCC Community Web Pages.
(www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/cityplan/visions/dunvplan.htm and
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/cityplan/visions/kccvplan.htm)

4. Overall Messages from Four Visions

Visions are helpful guides to actual community priorities. Now that we have completed four Visions, some common messages are worth noting.

Overall, residents appreciate many aspects of their communities:

· The quality of their existing single family and other residential development;

· The development of mixed use housing above shops in the commercial zones, providing there is better massing and design (now being addressed in the C-2 study);

· The newer city programs that are delivering greenways, bikeways and neighbourhood traffic calming;

· Their accessible community libraries;

· Their community centres and recreation facilities, noting that some older buildings need updating, and possible expansion in relation to area population growth; and

· Their green, pleasant park spaces.

At the same time, we are hearing common messages about issues where there is room for improvement.

· Taming Arterials: There is very strong desire for the City to deal more effectively with the impacts of the arterials that carry commuter traffic through all the communities. A realistic acceptance that they are arterials is coupled with a desire for a quid pro quo: enforcement of traffic rules, better pedestrian safety and convenience in crossing, and improved livability and appearance. This strong message from Visions reinforces the direction of the Transportation Plan on the need for "whole route" studies. Staff note that studies for Knight and Kingsway were endorsed in the KCC Vision action plan to be done in 1999 - 2001. The upcoming report back on Dunbar and KCC Vision implementation will discuss this in more detail;

· Cleanliness: On the east side, cleanliness, garbage overspill, dumping, graffitti and maintenance-on both private and public property-are big issues. The departments and branches that deal with these issues (e.g. Solid Waste, Streets Administration, Property Use Inspectors, Anti Graffitti Program, Park Board maintenance) are aware of the public concern. The Vision program is confirming that the level of concern is very high, and that residents are uncertain about where to go for help with different problems. The City is beginning to respond, with the recent garbage survey, NIST efforts withproblem properties, and liaison with some active community "clean-up" patrols. Visions staff hope to participate with other staff in addressing this issue;

· Improving and Strengthening Shopping Areas: There is a strong interest in all four communities in keeping their local shopping areas economically viable, and improving their appearance and comfort. The City helps merchants in these areas organize themselves into BIAs. We are also undertaking a major retail impact study of the Walmart proposal on S.E. Marine Drive, to determine whether it would adversely affect these areas. However, no major beautification projects have been undertaken by the City since Mt. Pleasant-Main Street in the late 1980s and the Collingwood-Kingsway in 1992. Staff are currently developing, for Council consideration, a "neighbourhood centres" delivery program, half of which will focus on delivering shopping area improvements; and

· Introducing New Housing Types: There is acceptance of some new housing variety in neighbourhoods, with decided preference for low scale, good design, and accompanying schools and services. It is interesting that in Sunset and VFK, while "agree" ratings for any one of the five housing types offered in the survey are modest (53% to 60%), statistical analysis shows that over 80% of the individual respondents agreed with at least one of the new types. That is, while there is diverse opinion on which type of housing, there is broad agreement on some type of housing. (When a housing type Direction did not receive enough agree votes to be supported, but received more agree than disagree votes, it is classed as uncertain. It is not adopted, but remains on the table for discussion in future planning in the area). At the same time, communities have quite varying ideas about locations for new housing. KCC preferred "nodes" around shopping areas; Dunbar and VFK are interested in focussing change along arterials/transit routes; and Sunset is interested in housing opportunities throughout the area. Interestingly, all four communities voted very strongly in favour of seniors housing, in low rise forms. Making these housing directions a reality in ways that acknowledge these differences will be the other half of the "neighbourhood centres" delivery program.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

A number of the Vision Directions in each community address environmental goals including: neighbourhood centres and additional housing along transit routes; support for transit, bike and pedestrian measures; support for keeping and enhancing trees and planting, and for natural water percolation; support for measures related to recycling and energy conservation.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Vision Directions address the facilities and services needs for each community. The Visions recognize and confirm City policies on SNRFs and non-market housing. Directions supporting ground-oriented housing will provide housing suitable for families. Directions regarding greening and parks, and those regarding traffic and transportation, will contribute to the qualities of open space, to safer streets, and to easier bicycling, which are also beneficial to families with children.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The CityPlan direction on City finances is to continue to be cautious about increasing spending, and to use CityPlan to re-direct funds. This direction was taken as a given during the Vision programs, including the workshops and Choices Survey.

Adopting the Vision Directions does not imply an increase to the City's budget. The Visions will help to set priorities and to direct and reallocate funds to programs which achieve the Visions. This will happen over time, extending over the life of the Visions, 15 to 20 years into the future.

CONCLUSION

The Community Visions created for Sunset and VFK through the Community Vision Program succeed in the task set by the Council-adopted Terms of Reference. They are "...visions that incorporate a wide range of community interests and describe common ground for moving in CityPlan directions...in a way and at a scale and pace that suits the community." When adopted, the Vision Directions will provide help provide guidance for both City and community action.

- - - - -

Appendices A and B - LIMITED DISTRIBUTION

Appendix C

CITYPLAN DIRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY VISIONS DIRECTIONS

The Community Visions Program terms of reference specify that the Community Visions must address all CityPlan topics, and move in CityPlan directions. The following notes describe how the Sunset and VFK Community Vision Directions do this. In each case, the overall CityPlan Direction is quoted and the ways in which the Visions promote it are summarized. The level of support at the CityPlan final survey [CityPlan: A Survey of Vancouver Residents, October 1994] is compared with the level of support in the Visions Choices Surveys. Some additional facts that may be helpful are provided in some cases.

The CityPlan topics are: 1. Neighbourhood Centres 2. Neighbourhood Housing Variety 3. Distinctive Neighbourhood Character 4. Accessible, Community-based Services 5. Working Together to Promote Safety 6. Addressing Housing Costs 7. Art and Culture in a Creative City 8. New and More Diverse Public Places 9. Diverse Economy and Jobs Close to Home 10. Transit, Walking and Biking as a Priority 11. Clean Air and Water 12. Downtown Vancouver 13. People Involved in Decision-Making 14. Financial Accountability

1. Neighbourhood Centres

CityPlan Direction

"Create neighbourhoods that provide residents with a variety of housing, jobs and services; create neighbourhood centres that become the civic, public heart of each neighbourhood; and plan the centres with local people to meet the current and emerging needs of residents and local businesses."

Community Visions

Sunset: Confirms two key shopping areas along transit lines (which already have C-2 housing potential) which act as neighbourhood centres; calls for their improvement into better community places; supports mixed use development with improvements to design; supports infill and duplex, throughout the community (i.e. including, but not limited to, sites adjacent to shopping areas); calls for community services to be clustered and accessible; promotes pedestrian and transit amenity in centres. Library and community centre are already located in or adjacent to the centres.

VFK: Confirms three shopping areas along transit lines, (two of which have C-2 housing potential, and one of which already has significant housing variety on adjacent CD-1 sites) which act as neighbourhood centres; supports mixed use housing in two centres with improvements to design; adds duplexes along transit routes, some of which are within walking distance of the centres; promotes pedestrian and transit amenity in centres. Community centres are currently located well outside the potential neighbourhood centres. One library is in a shopping centre, and one outside. Moving these facilities is not called for, but considering shopping areas as locations for new services and facilities is supported.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support for neighbourhood centres [50%] was increased in terms of support for strengthening and improving shopping areas (Sunset 64% - 95%; VFK 65% - 95%). These areas already have housing potential and Vision Directions add to this (see below).

2. Neighbourhood Housing Variety

CityPlan Direction

"Increase neighbourhood housing variety throughout the city, especially in neighbourhood centres; and give people the opportunity to stay in their neighbourhoods as their housing needs change and, by doing so, take a share of regional growth."

Community Visions

Sunset: Existing zoned capacity of 1,900 units could be increased by up to 3,500 units through infill and duplex throughout area. Demand estimate for 2021 is up to 3,700 units, which could be fully met. Seniors' low rise housing is also supported.

VFK: Existing zoned capacity of 1,000 units, could be increased by up to 1,400 units through duplexes along transit routes. Directions on adding mixed use between 44th and 47th Avenues along Victoria Drive, and on replanning industrial lands east of Kerr Street when wood products mill closes, will add undetermined capacity. Demand estimate for 2021 is up to 5100 units, which should be met. Seniors' low rise housing is also supported.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support [50%] has been somewhat increased. Support for infill and duplex in Sunset was 55% - 61%, and for duplex in VFK was 53% - 55%. In addition, statistical analysis of survey responses shows that over 80% of the respondents supported at least one of the five new types of housing offered. Support for seniors housing was 84% - 87%.

3. Distinctive Neighbourhood Character

CityPlan Direction

"Support the creation of a distinctive look and feel for each neighbourhood; and use guidelines based on this character to determine the design of new development."

Community Visions

Sunset: Supports protecting existing residential areas; design review for new single family houses; retention of character and heritage buildings; better design of mixed use development; new housing types subject to design controls; improvements to appearance of local shopping areas; and more greening of parks, streets and lanes; and protection of public views.

VFK: Similar to Sunset.

Level of Support

Support level in CityPlan survey [67%] is parallelled by support for Directions on design review (Sunset 65%/67%; VFK 62%/67%), older character buildings (Sunset 68%/64%, VFK 67%/68%) design improvements for mixed use development (Sunset 79%/75%, VFK 74%/74%).

4. Accessible, Community-based Services

CityPlan Direction

"Provide better access to City services for people who most need them and for people who currently have difficulty getting the services they require; and increasingly deliver services locally and in consultation with users."

Community Visions

Out of the broad range of services in the communities, the Vision workshops focussed on services and facilities that are either provided directly by, or partly funded by, the City.

Sunset: Support for Directions about more focus on seniors and youth in recreation programming and parks; better information on City services especially for newcomers; keeping current library location, as well as upgrading/enlarging Sunset Community Centre at or near current locations in shopping area; locating new facilities/services in shopping areas.

VFK: While supporting existing community centres and libraries staying in current locations, respondents also supported new services being in shopping areas and in areas geographically under-served. Otherwise, similar to Sunset.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support was 70% for a very general statement. The range of agreement for the wide variety of services Directions [Sunset 69% - 83%, VFK 66% -84%] shows which ones have more support.

5. Working Together to Promote Safety

CityPlan Direction

"Improve community safety by emphasizing the prevention of crime and reducing unsafe conditions."

Community Visions

Sunset: Supports individual, community and City effort on community crime prevention, including support for CPCs, and police patrols in the parts of the area with higher crime rates; support for safety in park design and for various Directions related to safety on arterial streets. Support for public consultation in location of treatment facilities under the "Four Pillar Approach".

VFK: Similar to Sunset

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support [84%] generally increased [Sunset 79% - 95%, VFK 77% - 91%].

6. Addressing Housing Costs

CityPlan Direction

"Increase the supply of subsidized and lower cost market housing throughout the city through the use of senior government programs, private sector initiatives, and City regulations and subsidies."

Community Visions

Both Communities:
- Accept, and had no suggestions to add to, existing City tools for non-market housing and SNRFs;

- Support new ground-oriented housing as a way of making units with some single family features available at lower price than new single family houses; and

- Support housing designated for seniors.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan support was 67%. Sunset and VFK support for new housing types is described above. For seniors designated housing, support was higher (Sunset 84%/86%, VFK 86%/87%)

7. Art and Culture in a Creative City

CityPlan Direction

"Make Vancouver a City where creativity is valued and contributes to our cultural, social, and economic development; and expand partnerships between arts organizations, civic institutions, and the private sector that reflect neighbourhood needs, cultural diversity, and the artist's role."

Community Visions

Public arts and culture programs were discussed in the workshops. Arts and culture initiatives were seen as contributing to other Directions, such as improvements toneighbourhood centres, neighbourhood greenways, improvements to arterials, parks and school grounds.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan support was 55%. In VFK, a specific Direction on greater utilizations and expansion of community arts programs was supported (54%/57%).

8. New and More Diverse Public Places

CityPlan Direction

"Ensure that the number and quality of the city's public places (parks, streets, schools, institutions plazas) matches the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse population; and encourage neighbourhoods and businesses to participate in enhancing the city's public places."

Community Visions

Both Communities:
Directions on greening in public streets, improving treatments in parks and school grounds, and preserving public views, support the CityPlan Direction and make it more specific. Other related Directions include improving shopping areas; improving arterials; pursuing greenways; and improving cleanliness and upkeep. Sunset Vision also addresses the park space deficiency in that community.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support was 85%. Support for Directions on greening parks, streets and lanes was generally higher (Sunset 76% - 94%, VFK 82% - 94%).

9. Diverse Economy and Jobs Close to Home

CityPlan Direction

"Increase the number and choice of jobs in the city; and concentrate major job growth in the downtown, maintain industrial areas, and focus other job growth in neighbourhood centres."

Community Visions

This CityPlan Direction can only be addressed in a limited way through local Visions. However, both Visions do call for supporting local shops and services in neighbourhood centres, and for supporting formation of business associations and BIAs.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan support was 58%. Directions relating to strengthening or continuity of shops and services in shopping areas were supported 64% - 87% in Sunset and 70% -93% in VFK. Limiting "big box" or malls that would harm local shopping was supported by 65%/66% in Sunset, 60%/66% in VFK. Supporting business associations or BIAs got 74%/75% agreement in Sunset and 68%/70% in VFK.

10. Transit, Walking, and Biking as a Priority

CityPlan Direction

"Enhance the transportation system to provide a greater emphasis on transit, walking, and biking within and between neighbourhood centres and the downtown; and make better use of the existing street system for moving people and goods."

Community Visions

Both communities have a number of Directions that further the CityPlan Direction, as well as being consistent with the City's Transportation Plan. Both Sunset and VFK emphasize the need to make their arterial streets easier to cross, safer, and easier to live with, even while recognizing their traffic roles. Both communities support bikeways and greenways, and suggest local links. Both communities support better transit service and amenities, with Sunset supporting transit priority measures on Main and Fraser. These Directions are augmented by the Directions on improving shopping areas for pedestrian safety and comfort.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan survey support was 67%. Sunset's 16 transportation Directions were supported by 54% - 84%; VFK's 19 Directions by 52% - 85%.

11. Clean Air and Water

CityPlan Direction

"Make improving the environment a priority in decision-making with particular attention to air and water quality; and to involve individuals and businesses directly in actions that protect and improve the environment."

Community Visions

Most of the Visions topics have an aspect of environmental sustainability inherent in them:

- Transportation and housing Directions that are consistent with City goals to reduce commuting to assist with air quality; and

- Directions related to greening and planting, which furthers air quality, as well as stormwater quality

In terms of Directions specifically labelled "environmental", both communities supported Directions on water conservation, improved air quality, and increasing recycling and composting. In addition, Sunset has a Direction regarding garbage control.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan level of support was 81%. Support levels for the specifically environmental directions are higher: Sunset 84% - 95%, VFK 85% - 89%. Support levels have been quoted above for the Directions on new housing types, transportation, and greening.

12. Downtown Vancouver

This CityPlan section deals with Directions related to the central area, and does not apply to these two communities.

13. People Involved in Decision-making

CityPlan Direction

"Provide opportunities for meaningful participation in a broad range of Council decisions; bring citizens and City staff together to resolve community issues; and ensure a broad constituency takes part in city-wide decisions and neighbourhood planning."

Community Visions

The Visions Program itself is an example of carrying out the CityPlan Direction. Both communities supported Directions calling for involvement in decision-making, with various ideas about ways and means.

Level of Support

Prior CityPlan level of support [65%] was increased [Sunset 91%/92%, VFK 86%/92%].

14. Financial Accountability

CityPlan Direction

"Continue to take a cautious approach towards increasing City spending; use CityPlan directions to re-direct the allocation of the City's budget; and provide more public information on the nature and location of City spending."

Community Visions

The CityPlan Direction was treated as a "given" in the Program. Information on the City's sources of funds was provided in Workshops and the Choices Survey, together with the fact that tax levels, related operating and capital spending would not likely increase. Development Cost Levies and user fees were also noted as possible funding sources.

The Visions provide guidance about the priorities of the communities, and where they would like to see some redirection of City resources. Below are some items on which the City spends, and the level of support for related Directions:

	Sunset Support	VFK Support
Garbage/clean-up services throughout community	95%	no request
Shopping area improvements	82% - 95%	75% - 95%
Crime prevention, incl support for CPCs	86% - 89%	89% - 91%
Library service improvements (hours, collections etc.)	79%/77%	79%/81%
Recreation:
Existing community centre upgrades	76%/77%	no request
Youth services/facilities	77%/77%	76%/78%
Indoor pool (in or close to community)	70%/72%	74%/76%
Ice rink upgrade	no request	62%/65%

Appendix D

Participation Overview

Step	Outreach and Events - Both Communities	Sunset Statistics	VFK Statistics
1. Getting in Touch	· Calls to and meetings with all community organizations; school PACs, associations, community centres, church/temple groups;	22 meetings plus calls	33 meetings plus calls
	· Recruiting of Community Liaison Group, which met at intervals throughout the process;	32 members: range of demographics	32 members: range of demographics
	· Newsletter #1: to all households, businesses and absentee owners, introducing program, advertising Visions Fairs; English, Chinese, Punjabi;	9200 households+	16,300 households+
	· Press release, advertisements for Visions Fairs in local English, Chinese and Punjabi press, Chinese media interviews; school flyers;
	· Set up of community web pages for both communities; and
	· Mini-displays in libraries, community centres, churches/temples, some schools.
2 Creating Ideas	· Visions Fairs: March 2000, two "kick-off" weekends at Sunset and Killarney community centres; interactive displays by City and community groups;	over 600 attendees	over 1000 attendees
	· Creative workshops April - June 2000, developing ideas and options for draft Vision Directions: - main workshops: six topics (3 - 10 hours each), English language but with Chinese small group discussion where desired;	- 149 attendees	- 253 attendees
	- special multi-cultural workshops in Chinese and Punjabi (2 - 3 hours each);	- 143 attendees	- 86 attendees
	- youth workshops at High Schools; and	- 40 attendees	- 40 attendees
	- business association or BIA open houses.	- 10 attendees	- 60 attendees
	· Advertisement for workshops twice in local English, Chinese, Punjabi press; Greater Vancouver TV episode; school flyers; banners;
	· Mini-displays updated in libraries, community centres, churches/temples, some schools;
	· Newsletter #2 January 2001 to all households, businesses, absentee owners; update and reminder re program; English, Chinese, Punjabi.	9200 households+	16,300 households+

Appendix D

Step	Outreach and Events - Both Communities	Sunset Statistics	VFK Statistics
3. Choosing Directions	· Choices Survey with draft Vision Directions; 46 pages with English, Chinese and Punjabi versions: - to all households, businesses, absentee owners; - for targeted households, translated version with the English version; and - special mailing and follow up to random sample.	9200 households+: - 17% return (general and random) - 20%/18% of the returns were in Chinese; 5%/3% in Punjabi	16,300 households+: - 18% return (general and random) - 22%/25% of the returns were in Chinese
	· Outreach to publicize and promote return of surveys: - calls, meetings with community organizations as in step 1 - "meet and greet" at community and school events	23 meetings or events/457 people	69 meetings or events/2463 people
	· Press release; advertisments in local English, Chinese, Punjabi press; school flyers; banners; and
	· Mini-displays updated in libraries, community centres, churches/temples, some schools.
4. Finalizing the Vision	· Upcoming Newsletter #3: "Vision Approved" to all households, businesses, absentee owners summarizing adopted Community Vision; English, Chinese, Punjabi; and	9200 households+	16,300 households+
	· Final Community Vision document: available on request and posted on community web pages.

Appendix E

Sunset Community Vision
Community Liaison Group Statement
November 2001

TO: Mayor Owen and City Council

We, the Sunset Community Liaison Group, have dedicated hundreds of hours over the past two years to ensure that the Vision process, initiated by the City of Vancouver, was open, fair and accessible to all members of our neighbourhood. Several hundred community members participated in the Sunset Vision Fair and Workshops. A set of Vision Directions for the future of Sunset was developed and presented to every household in the community.

We are extremely pleased with the positive response to the Choices Survey. The community responded with a combined return rate of 17%, and a solid majority supported almost every Direction. Our community - with its multi-ethnic makeup, its income disparity and its educational diversity - came together to produce a unified Vision. We, the community of Sunset, believe strongly in positive change. Our Vision is one of a cleaner and safer neighbourhood, with housing that suits our needs, and levels of services that allow us to lead complete lives within Sunset. The people of Sunset want to be involved in the process of reaching these goals.

In order to move ahead with our Vision, we need City Council to accept the Vision and help us by creating policy, providing staffing and supplying long-term funding. We are committed to an ongoing partnership between the community and the City. This needs to begin without delay. We should not lose the momentum that has began as a result of this process.

We want to acknowledge the commitment, hard work and flexibility of the City staff who led us through the Vision process. It has been a delight to work with the planners who know and care about our neighbourhood. Under their guidance, City Hall and staff have become more accessible. City Plan's community-based approach is a very positive way to build a great city, one neighbourhood at a time.

Appendix F

Victoria-Fraserview Killarney Community Vision
Community Liaison Group Statement
November 2001

To: Mayor Owen and City Council

We the VFK Community Liaison group, urge you to support the Directions developed through the Community Visions Program in our part of Vancouver.

The start of the 21st Century marks a significant milestone in our neighbourhood's evolution. When you solicited our community's views on transportation, housing, environment and other neighbourhood issues, we were given the opportunity to learn more about the VFK area and our neighbours. We have worked hard to ensure our diversity was represented, enabling as many as possible to participate in the Visions program.

The Visions Program has helped us come together to begin a conversation about our community's expectations for the future. Improving community safety, reducing the impacts of traffic, and revitalizing shopping areas were top concerns of residents. The community also wanted to preserve and expand our green spaces, and recognized that meeting the social and housing needs of a changing population would be a challenge. In all areas, residents strongly support more participation in decisions about the future of their neighbourhood.

We are looking forward to the next stage when we begin setting and achieving implementation priorities. Please make a commitment today that will carry forward, before they are lost, the community momentum and synergies developed in the Vision process. We are counting on you to adopt our Vision. We ask that you set aside specific funds and staff for implementation.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Appendix G

Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney Community Visions
City Perspectives Panel Comments
November 2001

TO: Mayor Owen and Council:

Our role as the City Perspectives Panel has been to advise on how well the Community Visions for Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney fit with CityPlan, the overall guide for the city and the framework for the Community Visions Program. Community Visions are intended to move in CityPlan directions in a way that suits each community.

We have been involved in the program from the workshops (April 2000) onward. Many of us attended workshops as observers. Our first task was to review the Visions Choices Survey for each community and to provide comments (included in the survey) for community-wide consideration. Our final task has been to review the resulting draft Visions and provide comments to City Council.

We find that the draft Visions do fit well with CityPlan. The draft Visions make good progress on moving in CityPlan directions and bring a local perspective to them. The directions for the two Vision areas are similar because the two areas have similar characters and issues.

We have compared the Vision results to the "Ground Rules", contained in the Program Terms of Reference (Section 1), and have drawn the following conclusions:

1. Visions must include all CityPlan topics.

· Yes

2. Each community must consider information on CityPlan directions that define local, city-wide, and regional needs.

· Yes, for local and city-wide needs. Regional needs were discussed during the program but communities should be made more aware of their importance to CityPlan and Community Visions.

3. Vision options must be derived from community ideas, opportunities, and desires.

· Yes, although care must always be taken to balance the need for staff to structure community workshops with the need for open public discussion of the issues and possible directions.

4. The consequences of Vision directions must be described to the community while considering the "rights" of the neighbourhood and its "responsibility" as part of the city and region.

· Yes, insofar as neighbourhood rights and city responsibilities are concerned. As mentioned above, there needs to be greater emphasis placed on the city's role in addressing regional issues, particularly those related to housing and transportation. With respect to the consequences of Vision directions, there should be more discussion about the costs (along with the benefits) associated with the directions, at least in general terms.

5. Vision options and the preferred Vision must move the community in CityPlan directions.

· Yes, in the Vision survey and final draft Visions.

The two communities have involved themselves in preparation of their Visions and are in full expectation of their implementation. The challenges of implementing the Dunbar and Kensington-Cedar Cottage Visions should be considered when developing an Action Plan for Sunset and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney. Involving the community and obtaining resources will continue to be key factors in making the Visions a success.

CPP members: David Cadman, Darren Chung, Marguerite Ford, James Lee, Judy Glick, Shane Simpson, Suzanne Allard Strutt November 05, 2001

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver