Agenda Index City of Vancouver

2

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

MAY 16, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, May 16, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Fred Bass

*Councillor Jennifer Clarke

Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Sandy McCormick (Leave of Absence)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator

*Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

pe020516.htm

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of April 25 and May 2, 2002, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. 1500 Island Park Walk - Installation of Commemorative Greenpeace Plaque

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 4, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services submitted for consideration that Council authorize the installation of a plaque on Island Park Walk which would commemorate the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel.

Tom Timm, Engineering Services, was in attendance to answer questions on this matter.

Dorothy Stowe, on behalf of Greenpeace Canada - Vancouver Chapter, spoke in favour of the plaque installation, noting it would commemorate a momentous occasion which led to the establishment of Greenpeace as a worldwide organization.

Mr. Timm responded to questions concerning plans for other similar projects along the False Creek seawall.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services to install a plaque in the Island Park Walk segment of the False Creek Seawall that commemorates the first sailing of a Greenpeace vessel; the design and location of the plaque to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services; and all costs related to the installation of the plaque to be the obligation of the Vancouver Chapter of Greenpeace Canada.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Clarke absent for the vote)

2. Report Back on Changes to the Vancouver Building By-law to Enhance Accessibility in Residential (Apartment) Buildings, and Outstanding Issues
(File 4651)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated May 1, 2002, in which the Chief Building Official and the Director of City Plans provided an update on discussions with industry representatives regarding the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law, and sought Council approval for the implementation of the amendments (Recommendations A and B). An option of also proceeding with a consultant study to investigate the feasibility of enhancing access to balconies was submitted as Consideration C. The General Manager of Community Services supported Recommendations A and B and submitted C for consideration.

John Robertson, Chief Building Official, provided an overview of the report, and responded to questions concerning washroom sizes, entry doorway widths and balcony accessibility.

Pam Andrews, member of the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues and Vancouver Hospital employee, spoke in favour of the recommendations, and provided comments to emphasize the importance of the proposed changes to the Building By-law. Ms. Andrews advised there must be a removal of barriers to enable people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society.

Peter Simpson, Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, also spoke in favour of the recommendations. He noted the consultation process provided the association with adequate opportunity for input and they looked forward to being further involved should Council approve Consideration C today.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve the proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law, generally as outlined in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated May 1, 2002,  entitled "Report Back on Changes to the Vancouver Building By-law to Enhance Accessibility in Residential (Apartment) Buildings, and Outstanding Issues", to increase accessibility provisions in multiple unit residential (apartment) buildings;

B. THAT Council instruct the Director of Planning to report back on changes to the Zoning and Development By-law to provide for an FSR exclusion to meet the revised accessibility requirements in the Vancouver Building By-law.

C. THAT Council direct staff to undertake a consultant study regarding the feasibility of enhancing access to balconies, to a maximum cost of $15,000 from the 2002 contingency fund.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. 19 Water Street - Gastown Comedy Store Inc.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

4. 1795 Beach Avenue - The Spectra Group of Great Restaurants Inc.

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 30, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended Council endorse an application for a 65-seat Class 'D' pub at 1795 Beach Avenue, subject to conditions. Also put forward for Council's consideration were the options of not endorsing the application, or postponing a decision pending the completion of a telephone survey. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendation and submitted the two alternative options for consideration.

Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, reviewed the report and responded to questions concerning the West End Liquor Licensing Policy, the recommended condition to not allow designated food option seats, and whether this application would result in increased traffic and parking demands.

The applicants were represented by Bert Hick, Rising Tide Consultants, Peter Bonner, Spectra Group of Great Restaurants and Kelly Gordon, Boathouse Restaurants (materials filed), who spoke in favour of the recommendation to endorse the application. Mr. Hick reviewed the application, noting it would result in 24 fewer seats and a reduction in operating hours. Mr. Bonner reviewed the history of this site, noting the ground floor of the restaurant was originally a lounge, back when lounges were allowed in conjunction with restaurants. Mr. Gordon provided information on the Boathouse restaurants.

Gillan Jackson, area resident, spoke in favour of this application, noting he lives 12 floors above the Boathouse and has never experienced noise problems from the restaurant. He also suggested that the application be granted outright, rather than as one of the two neighbourhood pubs allowed in the West End policy.

Carol Korm (brief filed), area resident, spoke in opposition to the application, citing concerns with regard to increased noise, and noted this particular area of the West End already has many licensed establishments.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council, having considered the area residents and business operators of the community to be in favour of the application as determined by neighbourhood notification and public meeting, the proximity of residential developments, traffic patterns, road access, availability of parking, noise impacts, appropriate Council policy, and overall design, endorse the application by The Spectra Group of Great Restaurants Inc., for a 65-seat Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub in conjunction with the existing Restaurant-Class 1 at the Boathouse Restaurant, 1795 Beach Avenue, subject to:

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. 1780 Davie Street - Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 30, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended Council endorse an application for a 40-seat with 20-seat patio Class 'D' pub at 1780 Davie Street, subject to conditions. Also put forward for Council's consideration were the options of not endorsing the application, or postponing a decision pending the completion of a telephone survey. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendation and submitted the two alternative options for consideration.

Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, provided an overview of the report and responded to questions concerning the proposed patio.

Dennis Coates, legal counsel for the Applicant, and Jeff Donnelly, Applicant, (photos filed) spoke in favour of the recommendation to endorse the application for a neighbourhood pub. Mr. Coates reviewed the application, noting there will be reduction in operating hours from the present restaurant use, and further noted the proposed size of the patio may have to be reduced due to issues concerning accessibility. Mr. Donnelly noted that the current operation in this premises is not meeting its full potential and noted that this application fits into the West End policy, and could serve as an example for future operations. Mr. Donnelly also noted that the site, if taken over and operated under its existing Class 1 license, could result in similar problems and operating violations associated with several other Class 1 establishments in the area.

The following speakers expressed opposition to the application:

Comments provided by the foregoing speakers include the following:

· application doesn't fit the policy for the West End;
· applicants have not been forthright as to what exactly is being proposed; adequate plans were not present at the public meeting;
· feel the pub will serve as a destination pub, rather than a neighbourhood pub;
· increased noise is a concern of residents living above the proposed pub, especially during the summer when the patio will be in use and the windows possibly left open.

Staff responded to questions concerning the intent of the West End liquor licensing policy, the likelihood of this location ending up being operated by another operator as a class 1 restaurant with a 2:00 a.m. closing time, and the estimated timeline and cost of conducting a telephone survey in accordance with City policy.

During Council discussion it was noted that a concept plan for the proposed pub operation would be useful.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council postpone a decision on this matter pending the completion of a telephone survey in accordance with City guidelines.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Award of Consulting Contract: Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists (File 1805)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 15, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning recommended that the contract for Professional Services to develop the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists be awarded to Delcan Corporation.

Tom Timm, Deputy City Engineer, introduced David Rawsthorne, Engineer, Transportation Engineering, and Karis Hiebert, Planner, Central Area Major Developments Groups, who provided an overview of the report and responded to questions concerning the proposed cost of the consulting contract, and the community consultation which will take place.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to enter into a Professional Services Agreement contract with Delcan Corporation in consultation with the Director of Legal Services.

CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)

The Committee adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, May 16, 2002, at 4:00 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 Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Sandy McCormick (Leave of Absence)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

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
May 16, 2002

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

Clauses 1, 2, 4 and 5

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1, 2, 4 and 5 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 6

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 6 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Price

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 4:05 p.m.

* * * * *

pe020516.htm

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