Agenda Index City of Vancouver

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

JULY 25, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, July 25, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil

*Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Daniel Lee (Sick Leave)
Mayor Philip Owen

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Diane M. Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence during part of the meeting.

pe020725.htm

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of June 27, 2002, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 8475 Ontario Street

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 26, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended approval to file a 336D Notice against the property at 8475 Ontario, Unit No. 102, strata lot 2, to warn prospective purchasers of contraventions of the Vancouver Building By-law related to this building. It was further recommended that the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action if deemed appropriate. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.

Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch, reviewed the report and responded to questions. He advised that in a subsequent discussion with the realtor, the sale of this property has not been successful as outstanding orders against the property were found.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
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 8475 Ontario Street, Unit No. 102 (Strata Lot 2, District Lot 322, Strata Plan VR424) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Vancouver Building By-law 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 8475 Ontario Street, Unit No. 102 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 Sullivan absent for the vote)

2. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 3476 East 4th Avenue (File: 2701)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 8, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended approval to file a 336D Notice against the property at 3476 East 4th Avenue, to warn prospective purchasers of contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.

Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch and Paul Dmytriw, Property Use Inspector, reviewed the report and responded to questions.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 3476 East 4th Avenue, Lot 12, Block 93, Section 29 THSL Plan 3672, PID 012-337-480, in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

3. a) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area (GBIA) Plan and Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines (File: 8008/5302)
b) Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Study - Recommendations for the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area (File: 8008)
c) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area - Area-Specific Development Cost Levy (File: 8008)

The Committee had before it Policy Reports dated June 27, 2002 as follows:

a) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area Plan and Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines in which the Director of City Plans, in consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services, the General Manager of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Legal Services sought Council adoption of an Area Plan and Rezoning and Development Policies and Guidelines and to refer amendments to the Zoning and Development By-law to Public Hearing.

b) Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Study - Recommendations for the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area in which the Director of City Plans and the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the General Manager of Parks and Recreation sought Council approval of an implementation approach relating to the Still Creek Enhancement and Rehabilitation Study.

c) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area - Area-Specific Development Cost Levy in which the Director of City Plans in consultation with the General Managers of Engineering Services and the Park Board, and the Directors of Finance, Social Planning and Legal Services sought Council approval to establish an area-specific Development Cost Levy (DCL) for the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area, including a boundary, rate and allocation strategy.

The General Manager of Community Services supported all recommendations.

Harv Weidner, Area Planner, reviewed the reports and responded to questions. He advised that at their meeting on Monday, July 22, 2002 , the Park Board endorsed the plan for Still Creek (letter dated July 24, 2002 - on file).

Dr. Ann McAfee, Co-Director of Planning, responded to a question relating to zoning flexibility around industry, criteria for I-2 and I-3 zoning and how this relates to residential areas and the Grandview Boundary/Still Creek areas.

The following spoke in support of the recommendations:

Speakers' comments included:

· Still Creek plans as proposed are beneficial to long-term development of the area;
· Still Creek Committee projects include programs designed to heighten public awareness, prepare public education brochure for schools and work with City staff on community visions project for this area;
· Still Creek enhancement funding should be used for the creek, not sidewalks.

The following spoke expressing specific concerns regarding the recommendations:

Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (documents submitted - on file)

Speakers' comments included:

· comparison of cost levy differences in various municipalities to create high-tech developments; DCL seems high in comparison to other municipalities; Council should carefully consider the DCL rate as this affects where developers decide to go;
· Grandview Boundary Industrial Area is important and the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition is concerned they were not consulted;
· concern was expressed that excessive amount of property along the roadway would be taken.

Mr. Weidner responded to questions regarding DCL rates and advised staff would be pleased to discuss issues with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition. He also advised the plan will take 50 years and land compensation would be negotiated as necessary.

Dr. McAfee advised guidelines not referred to public hearing will be reviewed and input will be sought.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Vancouver City Council adopt the following wording from motion A of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation letter, dated July 24, 2002.

postponed

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT the motion to adopt the foregoing wording from motion A of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation letter, dated July 24, 2002, be postponed indefinitely.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

MOVED by Councillor Price
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Vancouver City Council reaffirm policies relating to Still Creek Enhancement adopted by Vancouver City Council in 1988.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area (GBIA) Plan and Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines (File: 8008/5302)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council adopt the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area Plan and the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines as summarized in the Policy Report Grandview Boundary Industrial Area (GBIA) Plan and Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines, dated June 27, 2002, and attached as Appendices A & B respectively.

B. THAT Council rescind the following documents:

generally in accordance with Appendix C of Policy Report Grandview Boundary Industrial Area (GBIA) Plan and Rezoning & Development Policies and Guidelines, dated June 27, 2002 and that the application be referred to a Public Hearing;

FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary amending by-law for consideration at the Public Hearing.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Guidelines adopted in this term of Vancouver City Council were rescinded by the required 2/3 majority of Council members present)

b) Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Study - Recommendations for the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council endorse the ten year action plan contained in the Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Study (Lees & Associates, March 2002) as outlined in Appendix A at an estimated cost of $1.2 million, subject to continuing funding from the Still Creek Enhancement Fund, the GVRD Still Creek Facility Renewal / Replacement Capital Budget, senior government green funding and environmental grants from private sector sources;

B. THAT Council endorse the 10 to 50 year action plan as contained in the Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Study (Lees & Associates, March 2002) as outlined in Appendix A in principle, subject to more detailed investigation of the costs and benefits of the individual projects, completion of an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan for Still Creek, and report back from staff on the results of this further study.

C. THAT the report back from staff contain a review of the Best Management Practises contained in the Still Creek Enhancement and Rehabilitation Study and an implementation program for cost-effective and appropriate actions.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

c) Grandview Boundary Industrial Area - Area-Specific Development Cost Levy (File: 8008)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council adopt the area-specific Development Cost Levy by-law for the Grandview Boundary Industrial Area, and that the area shown in Appendix A of Policy Report Grandview Boundary Industrial Area - Area-Specific Development Cost Levy, dated June 27, 2002 be established as the Development Cost Levy district.

B. THAT a rate of collection for the Grandview Boundary area-specific Development Cost Levy be set at $2.00 per sq. ft., for industrial uses and $.50 for non-industrial uses, not to exceed 10% of the building permit value, except for daycare and school uses (K to 12) where the rate would be $0.10 per sq. ft.

F. THAT following the adoption of the Grandview Boundary area-specific Development Cost Levy, and the setting of any proposed increase in the city-wide Development Cost Levy, staff monitor the impact on development in the Grandview Boundary area, and report back to Council if there is a need to adjust the area-specific rate.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Proposed Rezoning of 1610 - 1660 Powell Street (Welcome Home Centre) -

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated May 24, 2002, in which the Director of Current Planning in consultation with the Director of Housing Centre and the Director of Social Planning sought Council advice on policy issues relating to rezoning of 1610 - 1660 Powell Street for "Welcome Home Centre" an abstinence-based educational/vocational residential campus providing training for up to 150 individuals. Two alternatives were offered for Council consideration, whether to consider the facility at this proposed industrial location, or elsewhere in the City. If Council was prepared to consider a rezoning application at this location, a minimum amount of industrial space and maximum amount of residential space were recommended. Two recommendations were also put forward to seek further information and analysis which would provide guidance to both the proponent and staff.

Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, reviewed the report. With reference to a letter dated June 20, 2002 from the Director of the John Volken Foundation (Appendix E of Policy Report Proposed Rezoning of 1610 - 1660 Powell Street - Welcome Home Centre - Major Planning Issues dated May 24, 2002), it was noted that if Council would approve Recommendation B, the proponent requested that decision on both Recommendations E & F be postponed until after completion of the proposed study.

Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning, and Mr. Beasley responded to questions relating to working with the proponent to find another site, future funding of the site, demographics of similar facilities in other areas, and staffing of the facility.

Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, advised that to date there has been minimal public involvement as no formal application has been made. He also reviewed possible alternative locations and considerations relating to the selection of an alternative site.

The following spoke on behalf of the proponent.

Speakers' comments included:

· many individuals in Vancouver with health concerns need assistance;
· single type of intervention is not always successful; those having experienced various types of intervention would benefit from the proposed therapeutic community model;
· reviewed model components and cited examples of similar facilities, including Delancy Street in San Francisco (photographs circulated);
· therapeutic model does not allow participants to leave at will; if they leave, they are out of program;
· Welcome Home is not United Furniture Warehouse (owned by Mr. Volken); it is a charitable foundation.
· Powell Street property is owned by John Volken Foundation.

Mr. Beasley advised other cities may not have as aggressive a policy to save industrial land as does Vancouver. Therefore, placing this type of facility may be easier in those cities. Staff also advised that while Vancouver would not normally accept a non-industrial user in an industrially-zoned area, this is considered a unique circumstance.

Mr. Ryan, in response to a question from Council, advised the facility would be available to Vancouver residents; however, the nature of street living makes determination of residency difficult. The Powell Street location is preferred based on models in other communities.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council is prepared to consider an application to rezone the site at 1610-1660 Powell Street from M-2 to CD-1 for a Residential Educational/Vocational Campus (Welcome Home Centre) that combines Vocational/Trade and other School Uses and Special Needs Residential Facility - Group Living, but not Dwelling Use.

B. THAT Council is prepared to consider a facility offering an abstinence-based residential program providing counselling, life skills training, education, vocational and trade training, and employment-oriented rehabilitation, which responds to the findings of a staff-proponent study of the experience with similar facilities in other cities, particularly regarding location characteristics, the ages and number of student-clients, staffing, partnerships with businesses in the community, and affiliations with established schools, colleges and universities, such a study, including on-site interviews where appropriate, to be at the proponents' expense and prior to submission of any rezoning or development application, as the case may be.

C. THAT Council applauds the magnitude of private funding which is proposed for developing the Welcome Home Centre facility and then supporting its core program on an ongoing basis, subject to confirmation of the adequacy and reliability of long-term operational funding from private sources.

CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to A)

5. Applying the LEEDTM Rating System (File: 3501)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated July 8, 2002, in which the Directors of Current Planning and City Plans, in consultation with the General Managers of Engineering Services and the Park Board, the Chief Building Official, and the Directors of Facilities Development, Real Estate Services, Finance and Risk Management sought Council approval for the work plan and budget to complete the review of the LEEDTM Rating System , to report back on potential costs/benefits to the City, strategies for implementation and potential mechanisms to encourage the application of LEEDTM standards to private development. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendation.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council approve the work plan and budget to complete the review of the LEEDTM rating system for new buildings developed by the City, at a cost of $75,000, and instruct staff to report back on potential costs/benefits to the City, strategies for implementation, and potential mechanisms to encourage the application of LEEDTM standards to private development; source of funds to be the Contingency Reserve and 2003 budget.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Council requested the staff presentation be made at a regular meeting of Council in the Fall.

The Committee adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

JULY 25, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, July 25, 2002, at 5:15 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:

Acting Mayor, George Puil
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Daniel Lee (Sick Leave)
Mayor Philip Owen

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Diane M. Clairmont

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Acting Mayor Puil in the Chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
July 25, 2002

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

Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 5

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 5 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Guidelines adopted in this term of Vancouver City Council were rescinded by the required 2/3 majority of Council members present)

Clause 4

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to A)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Puil (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT Councillor Puil be granted Leave of Absence for the Public Hearing on Thursday, July 25, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Clarke (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor Price

THAT Councillor Clarke be granted Leave of Absence for the Public Hearing on Thursday, July 25, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 5:17 p.m.

* * * * *

pe020725.htm

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver