Agenda Index City of Vancouver

2

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

JULY 11, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, July 11, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair

*Mayor Philip Owen

Councillor Fred Bass

*Councillor Jennifer Clarke

Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil

ABSENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (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.

pe020711.htm

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of June 13, 2002, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Significant Rezoning Application - 500 and 600 Pacific Street

The Committee had before it a description of a Significant Rezoning Application which has been submitted by Pacific Place Developments Corp. for 500 and 600 Pacific Street (Beach Neighbourhood Area 1A and 1B).

Michael Gordon, Rezoning Planner, provided an overview of the three main components of the proposal and highlighted the major issues to be taken into consideration during the processing of this application.

Mr. Gordon and Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, responded to questions concerning policies on area view corridors and marina coverage, proposed building heights, and the status of Area 6A.

During discussion, Council members asked questions and/or expressed concerns regarding views, public access to False Creek, water crossings, marina capacities, how much of False Creek has already been covered by marinas, and what the impacts of the proposed marina would be on George Wainborn Park. Staff were directed to take these issues into consideration during the project analysis and public consultation process.

MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the description of a Significant Rezoning Application for 500 & 600 Pacific Street, prepared by the Planning Department, be received for information.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Clarke absent for the vote)

2. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 311-317 Water Street (File 2701)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 30, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended a 336D notice be filed against the title to the property at 311-317 Water Street to warn any prospective purchasers that there are violations of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building. It wasalso recommended the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action, at her discretion. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the foregoing.

Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection, with the aid of photographs, reviewed the various by-law violations in regard to this building and the history of enforcement measures taken in an attempt to bring the property into compliance. Mr. Sweeney noted that since the completion of the report a buyer has come forward with an offer to purchase the building.

Gary Wong, Legal Counsel for First Mortgage Inc., advised that the registered owner of the subject property was not in a position to carry out the necessary work to bring the building into compliance with by-laws. He noted the property was under contract to be purchased; the prospective buyer has 90 days to remove subject clauses, and is fully aware of the situation. Therefore, filing a 336D notice against the Title would serve no purpose. Mr. Wong noted it was his clients' wish that the City be put in a position to carry out the remediation work to the property.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 311 - 317 Water Street (Lot A ex E 40 ft, Block 9, District Lot 541, Plan 210) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.

B. THAT the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the premises located at 311 - 317 Water Street and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this building into compliance with City By-laws.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Clarke absent for the vote)

3. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 1628 Marpole Avenue (File 2701)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 14, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended a 605 Notice be filed against the title to the property at 1628 Marpole Avenue so that any prospective purchasers will be warned there are violations of the approved Development Permit and a related Heritage Revitalization Agreement for this property. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of the foregoing.

Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection, reviewed the report, noting it was recommended the current 336D Notice filed against the title to this property be changed to a 605 Notice, which specifically deals with heritage related issues such as this.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 605 Notice against the title to the property at 1628 Marpole Avenue (Lot 2, Block 38, District Lot 526, Plan LMP30847) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the approved Development Permit and a related Heritage Revitalization Agreement for this property.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Clarke absent for the vote)

4. 1066 West Hastings Street - 457239 BC Ltd.

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 26, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended Council endorse an application by 457239 BC Ltd. for a 98-seat with 20-seat patio Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub at 1066 West Hastings Street. The General Manager of Community Services also recommended approval.

Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, reviewed the Administrative Report, noting the application represents a relocation of seats from the applicant's former Starfish Cabaret establishment.

John Teti, Chair, Bar Watch, advised that, while he has some reservations, he would support the application in the spirit of wanting to see the City move forward with the many applications from licensees for seating capacity increases at their establishments. He noted there are many bars sitting at three-quarters capacity, waiting for approval to increase the seating to match the fire policy capacity. Mr. Teti suggested the industry be requested to hire certified professionals to provide the City with updated fire capacity reports, as is done in other municipalities.

Mr. Gusdal and Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, responded to questions concerning
the process for dealing with the capacity increase applications, the length of time required for the Fire Department to update fire capacity reports, and whether additional resources are required in this area to help expedite the process. Staff were requested to provide further information as to what can be done to expeditiously deal with these applications, how other municipalities utilize certified professionals and whether it may be an appropriate measure for the City of Vancouver.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council, having considered the majority of area residents and business operators to be in favour of the application as determined by neighbourhood notification, the proximity of residential developments, traffic patterns, road access, availability of parking, noise impacts and overall design, endorse the request by 457239 BC Ltd., for a 98-seat with 20-seat patio Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub at 1066 West Hastings Street, subject to:

v. The signing of a Good Neighbour Agreement prior to the issuance of a Business License;

vi. No exotic entertainment/dancers or off-premise sales;

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Owen absent for the vote)

5. 1900 Pender Street Traffic Calming (File 5757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 19, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services outlined and recommended approval of traffic calming measures that were developed in consultation with the neighbourhood bounded by Victoria, Nanaimo, Hastings and Venables, to deal with the speed and traffic volume concerns on the 1900 block of Pender Street, without diverting traffic to adjacent streets.

Jim Hall, Transportation Engineer, provided a brief overview of the subject area, and introduced Steve Brown, Neighbourhood Transportation, who reviewed the five main components of the proposed traffic calming plan. Mr. Brown noted it is critical that the left turn bays on Hastings Street be completed prior to the installation of the other measures, in order to accommodate traffic which will be diverted by the plan.

Michael Doyle (brief filed), advised he is a teacher at Macdonald Elementary School, and introduced Sara Loum, one of his grade seven graduates. Mr. Doyle spoke in favour of the proposed traffic calming plan, noting that this section of East Pender is used by motorists as way of bypassing traffic on Hastings, creating an unsafe environment for students and, in particular, the school crossing guards. In addition to the proposed plan, Mr. Doyle suggested installing a stop sign on the corner of East Pender, west bound at Semlin, laying reflective striping to increase visibility of crosswalks, and implementing street parking restrictions to increase motorists' visibility of crosswalks, traffic signs and crossing guards. He noted these measures should be carried out prior to the installation of the left-turn bays on Hastings, in time for the start of school in September.

Sara Loum advised she has been a safety patrol officer at Macdonald School for the past two years, and spoke in favour of the proposed traffic calming plan. Miss Loum noted that cars are often travelling quickly and do not stop when the safety patrollers put out their signs.

Lance Balcom, area resident, spoke in favour of the traffic calming plan. He urged Council to move ahead with staff's recommendations, and noted that he did not feel they needed to be delayed until the installation of the left-turn bays were completed on Hastings Street.

Blair Redlin, area resident, also spoke in favour of the traffic calming, however, he was strongly in support of the left-turn bays being completed prior to any diversionary measures being installed. He advised the left-turn bays will be necessary to provide residents access to the neighbourhood once the diversionary measures are in place.

In response to a question concerning installation of a stop sign as requested by Mr. Doyle, staff noted studies show that four-way stops in residential areas are less safe than two-way stops. Staff also responded to questions on proposed timelines, and advised of measures that can be taken immediately to address safety concerns in the area, particularly adjacent the school.

A Council member suggested the City's achievements in the area of traffic calming and streets design be documented in a publication as a way of informing citizens and other municipalities of the City's success with these innovative measures.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the traffic calming plan for the neighbourhood of 1900 block Pender Street, as outlined in the Administrative Report dated June 19, 2002, entitled "1900 Pender Street Traffic Calming", be installed on a temporary basis, for a 6 month trial period.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Owen absent for the vote)

The Committee adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

JULY 11, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, July 11, 2002, at 3:45 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:

Deputy Mayor Daniel Lee
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (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 Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Price

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Daniel Lee in the Chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
July 11, 2002

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

Clauses 1-5

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

* * * * *

pe020711.htm

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