Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

Director of Engineering Services in Consultation with Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Burrard 5th Cinemas - Removal of Parking Covenant and Signal at Burrard and 5th Avenue

 

RECOMMENDATION

A) That the existing parking covenant, a condition of the rezoning for the Burrard 5th Cinemas (2124-2130 Burrard) be modified to allow the owner to charge reasonable parking fees after 6 pm, subject to an agreement, suitable to the Director of Legal Services, for the payment of 50% of the estimated $80,000 cost of a pedestrian signal at Burrard and 5th Avenue.

B) That Council approve the installation of a pedestrian signal at Burrard and 5th Avenue, in advance of the annual signal program, with the City's estimated $40,000 share funded in advance of the 2002 Capital Budget.

COUNCIL POLICY

BACKGROUND

In 1994 the City rezoned 2124-2130 Burrard Street to allow the development of a commercial building with a Cinema complex ( Burrard 5th Cinemas). One of the conditions of this rezoning was that parking be made free to patrons of the development in the evenings. As part of this condition it was noted that the City would be prepared to reconsider this restriction if a resident parking program were instituted in the neighbourhood. Another condition of the rezoning was that the owner would be responsible for 50% of the cost of a pedestrian signal on Burrard street if approved within 5 years.

The owner of this development has requested that the City review the parking restriction and allow reasonable parking charges all day.

DISCUSSION

The City has installed resident parking in the vicinity of the Cinemas. In 1996 Council approved the Kitsilano resident parking program, which resulted in the installation of parking restrictions in the area west of Burrard Street from Broadway to Cornwall. The City also installed several resident zones in the area east of Burrard near the development since the rezoning. These restrictions provide a degree of protection for the community from a variety of outside pressures. Therefore, the City can consider the request to modify the parking covenant to allow reasonable evening parking charges.

The implementation of evening pay parking may increase the parking pressure on the adjacent streets. The parking in the complex is currently well used in the evening and, although it is not obvious that the parking is free, a charge may act as a deterrent. The existing resident parking regulations provide some degree of protection; however, they were more designed for daytime concerns, than the evening pressure from the Cinemas. If this is approved it would likely be necessary to revise the current regulations. This could include extending the time of existing regulations west of Burrard near Cypress to include eveningsand enlarging some resident parking zones. Staff would work with the residents on any affected blocks, and make any supported changes.

When the signal need was reviewed at the end of the 5 year period in 1999, it did not appear necessary and the prior agreement lapsed. Our recent review of this location shows that there is a need for a pedestrian signal at Burrard and 5th Avenue in the evenings even though there are signals on Burrard at 4th Avenue and 7th Avenue. There are a large number of people who cross Burrard at this location in the evening to attend the cinema, and the safer environment that the signal would provide is supported.

PUBLIC INPUT

Notification of this request, and the proposal for a pedestrian signal at Burrard and 5th Avenue, was delivered to 700 households in a 2 block radius of the development (Appendix B).

20 responses were received about the proposal. The majority support a signal, with 7 opposed. 8 oppose the evening pay parking, noting that parking pressure on the surrounding streets is already high, and that this could add to this pressure. 6 support the pay parking. One of the parties that oppose the evening pay parking is the Cinema operator who feels that the City should stand by the original zoning covenant. The Cinema operator strongly supports the provision of a signal.

CONCLUSION

Those who responded raise valid concerns about parking on the neighbourhood streets surrounding the complex. Staff believe that these concerns can be addressed by a strengthening of the resident parking regulations in the nearby areas. There is also a clear need for a pedestrian signal on Burrard at 5th to improve pedestrian safety. Staff therefore support the proposal to permit evening pay parking, and add a pedestrian signal.

* * * * *

pe020328.htm

February 8, 2002

Dear Resident, Homeowner or Proprietor:

The owner of the Burrard Fifth Avenue Cinemas has requested permission from the City of Vancouver to charge for parking after 6 p.m. in the building's underground parking area. There is a daytime charge, but the owner has been required to provide free parking after 6 p.m.

As a condition of support for the cinema owner's request, City staff have requested the owner pay 50% of the cost of a pedestrian signal on Burrard Street at Fifth Avenue. The signal would improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, mainly for people crossing Burrard Street to the cinema.

If you have any questions or comments please reply by fax to the attention of Robert Waite at 604-871-6192, by e-mail at rob_waite@city.vancouver.bc.ca or by telephone to Robert Waite of Engineering Services Parking Branch at 604-873-7217 by February 18, 2002.

RGM/rw
5thAve

LINK TO APPENDIX B

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