REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ISSUES

December 13, 2001

RTS No: 2466
CC File No.: 4657/3053-1
Council: February 5, 2002

CONSIDERATION

1. Enhanced Accessibility for Residential (Apartment) Buildings

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has reviewed the Policy Report dated October 16, 2001, entitled "Enhanced Accessibility for Residential (Apartment) Buildings", the proposed building code changes to provide enhanced accessibility for residential buildings, and the minutes of the Council meeting following the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment on November 1, 2001. The Committee strongly supports the original three recommendations of the Policy Report (which enhances accessibility and visitability) as set out below, and the changes detailed in Appendix A entitled "Summary of proposed accessibility changes to VBBL".

· That Council approve the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law, generally as outlined in Appendix A, and the distribution of an accessibility enhancement checklist, included as Appendix B, to increase accessibility provisions in multiple unit residential (apartment) buildings.

· That Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to prepare and bring forward for enactment, the by-law amendments generally as outlined in Appendix A'.

· That Council direct staff to report back on the costs and terms of reference for a consultant study on the applicability of the proposed amendments to townhouse forms of development, used for residential and live/work purposes.

However, the Committee notes that Council approved the following:

That Council approve in principle the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law, generally as outlined in Appendix A of Policy Report Enhanced Accessibility for Residential (Apartment) Buildings, dated October 16, 2001, and the distribution of an accessibility enhancement checklist, included as Appendix B of Policy Report Enhanced Accessibility for Residential (Apartment) Buildings, datedOctober 16, 2001 to increase accessibility enhancement provisions in multiple unit residential (apartment) buildings; and

FURTHER THAT Staff work with UDI and the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association to develop more detailed and comprehensive wording to the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law and report back to Council as soon as possible.

The Committee acknowledges the concerns of the builders represented by UDI and the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHB). The Special Advisory Committee also notes it represents the concerns of Vancouver's disabled community.

Therefore, the Committee requests that Council request City staff to include a representative from the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues at any meetings to develop more detailed and comprehensive wording to the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law.

(signed) "Katherine Taylor" (signed) "Paul Tubbe"
Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager supports this proposal and would note to Council that the Chief Building Official has already invited representation from the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues at a forthcoming meeting with UDI and the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association. This meeting is currently scheduled to take place on Monday, February 4, 2002, at which it is anticipated agreement can be reached on the Building By-law changes to be presented to Council.

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