Agenda Index City of Vancouver

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

FEBRUARY 21, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, February 21, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

*Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen, Acting Chair (Item 4)
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Fred Bass (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair (Sick Leave)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meetings of January 24, 2002 and February 7, 2002, were adopted.

VARY THE AGENDA

The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda to deal with Item 2 first, and add an additional Item 5. The minutes are ordered sequentially to ensure clarity.

RECOMMENDATION

2. Special Review Process for Higher Buildings in the Downtown (File 2603)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated February 7, 2002, in which the Director of Current Planning recommended an approach for establishing Vancouver's Higher Buildings Advisory Panel (HBAP) and outlined the procedures under which it would operate. It was also recommended that staff report back with a list of nominees for an HBAP to deal with a proposal at 550 Bute Street. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the foregoing.

Michael Gordon, Senior Planner, Central Area Major Developments Group, provided an overview of the report, and with Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, responded to questions related to scope, role composition and authority of the HBA Panel. In response to questions staff advised the Panel would ensure, at modest cost, excellence of buildings which extend above the skyline.

David Hewitt, Hewitt & Kwasnicky questioned the validity of a special design review for his 400 foot building, taking into account heights of adjacent buildings, and the fact his project would also be reviewed by the Urban Design Panel. He further questioned the need to seek outside experts for the HBAP when Vancouver already has its own world class architects.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council adopt the Policy Report dated February 7, 2002, entitled "Special Review Process for Higher Buildings in the Downtown" as a Terms of Reference for the Special Review Process for buildings significantly exceeding the height limits identified in the Downtown District, in accordance with the already adopted General Policy for Higher Buildings, including the establishment of the Higher Buildings Advisory Panel.

C. THAT the Director of Current Planning and the City Clerk report back with a list of nominees for members for a Higher Buildings Advisory Panel to review the proposal in hand for 550 Bute Street;

CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed.)

1. Significant Rezoning Applications - 801 West Georgia Street

The Committee had before it a description prepared by the Planning Department of a Significant Rezoning Application for 801 West Georgia Street (Hotel Georgia) and a memo dated February 13, 2002, in which the Director of Current Planning reviewed the application and presented for Council's consideration a recommendation that the application be processed in the usual manner and not in the context of the Higher Buildings process.

Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, reviewed the application and with Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, responded to questions related to the impacts of parking requirements on the development.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the description of a Significant Rezoning Application for 801 West Georgia Street (Hotel Georgia), prepared by the Planning Department, be received for information.

B. THAT the rezoning application by Bing Thom Architects Inc. for the site at 801 West Georgia Street be processed in the usual manner and not in the context of the Higher Buildings process.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. 600 Granville Street (SkyTrain Station) (File 5559)

Following brief discussion Council agreed to expedite a proposal to provide elevator access to the 600 Granville SkyTrain Station.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the proposal for the construction of a new Granville SkyTrain Station entry and elevator access be expedited; and

FURTHER THAT staff be directed to negotiate with the developer as to what additional resources will be required to expedite the application.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. 961 Denman Street - Dover Arms Neighbourhood Public House Ltd.

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 21, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended Council not endorse the application by Dover Arms Neighbourhood Public House Ltd. to amend the hours of operation on Friday and Saturday
to 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub at 961 Denman Street. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the foregoing.

Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, provided an overview of the report and noted repeated non-compliance with the Smoking By-law and noise issues at the Dover Arms. In response to questions Mr. Gusdal advised once an application is received by the City it must proceed, despite documented disregard for the City's by-laws.

Dennis Coates, Mair Jensen Blair (brief and petition filed) and Vern Campbell, Consultant, advised of the impact nearby licensed restaurants, which function as cabarets, have on the Dover Arms. In regard to the smoking issue Mr. Campbell advised two potential patio areas are under consideration to satisfy the smoking complaints. Regarding the noise complaints Mr. Campbell suggested the violations could emanate from a number of adjacent sources, not only the Dover Arms.

Craig Norris-Jones, General Manager of Coast Plaza Hotels, advised of the need for a level playing field with respect to the Smoking By-law; those that do comply are at a competitive disadvantage.

Danielle Lavier, observed smoking occurs at a number of establishments in the area, and spoke in favour of the extension of hours on Friday and Saturday.

Marty Walsh noted the Dover Arms was one of the better run and operated liquor establishments in the City and spoke in favour of the longer operating hours.

Council noted the difficulty in approving an extension to the hours of operation where there is a documented history, and continued non-compliance with the Smoking By-law.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council, having considered the concerns of residents of the community as determined by neighbourhood notification, the proximity of residential development, noise impacts and bylaw enforcement history, advise the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by Dover Arms Neighbourhood Public House Ltd. to amend the hours of operation on Friday and Saturday to 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub, 961 Denman Street.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

* * * * *

At this point Councillor Kennedy left the meeting on Civic Business and the Mayor assumed the Chair.

* * * * *

4. Fourth Crossing Initiative (Previously Referred to as Third Crossing) (File 5752-1)

At its meeting on February 19, 2002, Vancouver City Council referred consideration of the following motion to a future Standing Committee meeting in order to hear from delegations wishing to speak on this matter. Also before Council was a letter dated February 21, 2002, from the Chair of the Park Board.

MOVED by Councillor Price
SECONDED by Councillor Clarke

WHEREAS Councils in Vancouver have repeatedly stated that a Third Crossing is a low priority for this city for at least the next 15 years;

AND WHEREAS a Third Crossing at Main Street leaves unresolved the problem of vehicle movements through the city, particularly east-side neighbourhoods;

AND WHEREAS the City of Vancouver has and continues to oppose a freeway system;

AND WHEREAS a Third Crossing would promote significant new growth and sprawl in North Shore municipalities and along the Howe Sound corridor;

AND WHEREAS the GVRD Strategic Plan does not priorize the North Shore as a growth area, nor are the North Shore municipalities likely to accept a significant increase in regional growth;

AND WHEREAS there are many other transportation priorities that must be funded as higher priorities by both the public and private sectors (and there is only a limited amount of money available for transportation from our citizens, regardless of the funding body);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver does not support a Third Crossing initiative for the Olympics or prior to a full impact study on North Shore municipalities and the east-side neighbourhoods of Vancouver.

amended

Mr. Andrew Pottinger, TransVision and Mr. Llyle Brade, Ipsos Reid, spoke in support of a Third Crossing and distributed, for Council's consideration, an alternate motion (on file). Mr. Pottinger provided background on the TransVision group and noted a Third Crossing would not only address the costs of congestion - financial, psychological, social, and environmental, but also provide a step forward for the economy of the entire region, from Whistler and beyond, and to the US border. Mr. Brade responded to questions and provided details on the Ipsos Reid TransVision survey results (distributed at the meeting and on file).

Council members questioned results of the Ipsos Reid survey and referenced the lack of key questions in that survey. The lack of factual data to support the review of a Third Crossing was also noted. Council commented on the lack of resources available to apply to this project when so many others are of a higher priority at this time. Council also agreed the Crossing should be referred to as the Fourth Crossing, as the SeaBus already exists as the Third Crossing.

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT the words "initiative for the Olympics or prior to a full impact study on North Shore municipalities and the east-side neighbourhoods of Vancouver" be struck from the last paragraph of the foregoing motion to read:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver does not support a Third Crossing.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Daniel Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed.)
(Councillor Kennedy not present for the vote.)

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Price

THAT all references to "Third Crossing" in the motion be replaced with the words "Fourth Crossing".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Kennedy not present for the vote.)

MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

WHEREAS Councils in Vancouver have repeatedly stated that a Fourth Crossing is a low priority for this city for at least the next 15 years;

AND WHEREAS a Fourth Crossing at Main Street leaves unresolved the problem of vehicle movements through the city, particularly east-side neighbourhoods;

AND WHEREAS the City of Vancouver has and continues to oppose a freeway system;

AND WHEREAS a Fourth Crossing would promote significant new growth and sprawl in North Shore municipalities and along the Howe Sound corridor;

AND WHEREAS the GVRD Strategic Plan does not priorize the North Shore as a growth area, nor are the North Shore municipalities likely to accept a significant increase in regional growth;

AND WHEREAS there are many other transportation priorities that must be funded as higher priorities by both the public and private sectors (and there is only a limited amount of money available for transportation from our citizens, regardless of the funding body);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver does not support a Fourth Crossing initiative for the Olympics or prior to a full impact study on North Shore municipalities and the east-side neighbourhoods of Vancouver.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Kennedy not present for the vote.)

The Committee adjourned at 4:46 p.m.

- - - - -
CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

FEBRUARY 21, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, February 21, 2002, at 4:47 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:

Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Fred Bass (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor Don Lee (Sick Leave)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
February 21, 2002

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

Clauses 1 and 3-5

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 3-5 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
(Councillor Louis opposed.)

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 Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

* * * * *

pe020221.htm

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