REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JULY 30, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at 9:38 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair *Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Fred Bass *Councillor Lynne Kennedy *Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Tim Louis *Councillor Sandy McCormick *Councillor Gordon Price, Vice-Chair *Councillor George Puil *Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of June 25, 2002, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Right-In-Right-Out Diverter at 49th Avenue and Columbia Street (File 5757)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 8, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval on making permanent the temporary right-in-right-out diverter on Columbia Street at 49th Avenue which had been installed on a trial basis.

Fred Lin, Neighbourhood Transportation, reviewed the report and rationale for the recommendation, and noted there had been strong neighbourhood support for the proposed permanent right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the temporary Right-In-Right-Out diverter on Columbia Street north of 49^th Avenue be made permanent, at a cost to Langara College as part of the 1994 CD-1 By-Law Amendment.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors McCormick and Price absent for the vote)

2. Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-Law: New Limousine Classification and Regulations (File 113)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated July 16, 2002, in which the Chief License Inspector sought Council's approval of amendments to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 to include a Sedan Limousine to replace the existing Charter Limousine classification. The amendments will allow sedan and sport utility vehicles of a manufacturer's top quality line to be used as limousines in the City subject to compliance with the regulations in Appendix A of the Policy Report. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Alena Straka, Policy Analyst, Licensing Department, reviewed the report and rationale for the recommendations, and with Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, responded to questions.

The following spoke in opposition to one or more of the amendments:

Shale Lachter, Boardroom Limousine Ltd.
John Palis, General Manager, Yellow Cab/Vancouver Taxi Assn.
Gunter Schlieper, Classic Limousine Service (brief filed)
Debbie Tait, Ritz Limousine
David Hemas, Imperial Limousine

The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:

· the amendments are a step in the right direction but the regulations are too stringent;
· the amendments create more regulations than the City is able to enforce;
· support expressed for introducing sedan service but taxi companies should also be permitted to offer the service as a step up from taxis;
· sedan service is already being offered in most large cities;
· concern expressed regarding increasing the number of vehicles for hire without increasing enforcement;
· concern expressed regarding the ratio of 2 sedans to 1 stretch limousine;
· concern expressed regarding the proposed age limitations of sedans and stretch limousines;
· regulations for vans and SUVs are not addressed in the by-law amendments;
· concern expressed regarding the requirement to own at least one vehicle when the common practice is to lease.

Chris Simpson, Director, Vancouver All-Terrain Adventures Ltd. spoke against the amendments because only limousine and taxi companies had been consulted and they do not take into consideration the type of service his company provides. Mr. Simpson noted sport utility vehicles are not limousines and that chartered all terrain trips are a specialized service. Mr. Simpson expressed concern that the amendments would allow limousine companies to operate SUVs in a market his company created and that SUV limousine drivers may lack four wheel drive training. Mr. Simpson requested that SUVs be classified separately or that Council consider licensing his company separately without the requirements outlined in the proposed amendments.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, acknowledged the sport utility charter business is different than the limousine industry and confirmed the licensing of Mr. Simpson's vehicles would be reviewed separately.

In response to questions, Mr. Teichroeb and Ms. Straka clarified companies are required to have at least one limousine so they do not operate as sedan fleet only, that the own/lease ratio is meant to avoid companies operating under short term leases, that regulation of vehicles for hire is very complicated and staff are putting forward the recommendations as the best first step, and that the Motor Carrier Commission concurs with the conditions contained in the proposed amendments.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the Policy Report dated July 16, 2002, entitled "Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-Law: New Limousine Classifications and Regulations" be referred back to staff to further review the 2:1 ratio of Sedan Limousines and/or Sport Utility Limousines to Stretch Limousine.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Louis, McCormick, Price, Puil and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve amendments to the Vehicles for Hire By-Law No. 6066 to include a Sedan Limousine and a Sport Utility Limousine as new Vehicle for Hire classifications, as well as a Stretch Limousine to replace the existing Charter Limousine classification, and to establish regulations for the licensing and operation of these service providers, generally as outlined in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated July 16, 2002, entitled "Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law: New Limousine Classifications and Regulations".

B. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to bring forward the relevant by-law amendments generally as outlined in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated July 16, 2002, entitled "Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-law: New Limousine Classifications and Regulations".

C. THAT staff report back within one year on the issue of the 2:1 ratio of Sedan Limousines and/or Sport Utility Limousines to Stretch Limousine, and on whether the City should give consideration to opting out of regulating vehicles for hire, with the exception of maintaining standards of safety and maintenance, thereby leaving this responsibility solely with the Motor Carrier Commission.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

VARY AGENDA

The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda to deal with item number four. For clarity, the agenda items are minuted in the order they were dealt with.

4. Bus Transit Priority Study (File 5551)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 16, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of City Plans, recommended actions regarding a consultant's study on the potential for new bus transit priority measures on Hastings, Main, Fraser, Burrard and Georgia Streets.

Rod Malkin, Transportation Engineer, responded to questions regarding the inclusion of and funding for more bus bulges.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the report `Transit Priority Corridors in the City of Vancouver', by Hamilton and Associates, be received for information.

B. THAT the westbound 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. HOV lane on Georgia Street be extended further east to begin at Richards Street.

C. THAT painted left-turn bays be installed on Fraser Street at King Edward Avenue.

D. THAT staff proceed with the installation of bus bulges at the following locations in consultation with local merchants/property owners, using funds previously approved and TransLink cost-sharing as available, and report back to Council for further funding as necessary:

- Fraser Street between King Edward and 28th Avenues, and between 43rd and 47th Avenues

- Main Street between 27th and 30th Avenues

E. THAT staff investigate further, in consultation with TransLink, as part of the Vancouver Area Transit Plan program, with a report back as necessary:

- a transit signal priority system for the Hastings corridor between Renfrew Street and the Downtown, following an operational review of the 98 B-Line signal preemption system on Granville Street;

- bus-only queue jumper lanes combined with signal preemption in the peak periods, peak directions, on Main Street between National Avenue and 2nd Avenue;

- transit/HOV lanes on Burrard Street from Pacific to Pender, in the peak periods/peak directions only;

- improvements to bus reliability.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Kennedy, Daniel Lee and the Mayor absent for the vote)

3. Anderson Street and Lamey's Mill Road Street Improvements (File 5762)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 16, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services presented a plan for roadway and traffic control changes to Lamey's Mill Road and Anderson Street, in order to calm traffic on Lamey's Mill Road, and to improve access to Granville Island and surrounding commercial areas. These changes were developed by staff and a committee of local residents, merchants and property owners, including CMHC.

David Rawsthorne, Neighbourhood Transportation, distributed an additional map showing the proposed changes, reviewed the report and provided rationale for the recommendations. Mr. Rawsthorne responded to questions regarding implications of changes on Anderson Street to cyclists, noting the Bicycle Advisory Committee had been consulted and that the traffic calming balanced against the narrowing of streets results in a net improvement for cyclists. Mr. Rawsthorne also responded to questions regarding the new traffic signal, relocated bus stop, and new pedestrian walkways.

Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, noted the improvements will not relieve the congestion or change the balance of traffic that exists at the entrance to Granville Island, but will help calm traffic significantly.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, and Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, were available to respond to questions.

Mervin Therriault, False Creek South Community Association and David McCann, Area Resident, generally spoke in support of the improvements and offered additional comments and suggestions as follows:

· False Creek South Community Association is generally in support of the improvements;
· Council was urged to support the package because it has been a long arduous process, the improvements are the result of extensive consultation;
· a perfect solution is not possible; if the entire package does not go forward CMHC will not contribute funding;
· cyclists can use Old Bridge Road to Cartwright if they wish to avoid Anderson;
· suggestion was made that sidewalk blockages outside Carter Honda be addressed.

Guy Palmer, Area Resident, expressed concern regarding residents not having the ability to turn from Lamey's Mill Road onto Anderson Avenue. This would create accessibility problems and safety issues for residents.

Howard Teasley, Area Resident, suggested a much less expensive alternative of permitting parking on the south side of Lamey's Mill Road on a trial basis for approximately one and one half years. This would narrow lanes and reduce speeds, although cars would still be able to pass each other slowly. Mr. Teasley noted this proposal would only require paint and signs.

Ward Stirrat, Area Resident, expressed support for Mr. Teasley's proposal. Mr. Stirrat also expressed concern regarding relocating the eastbound bus stop to the west side of the intersection, noting the west side is already congested. Mr. Stirrat requested that the blocks immediately adjacent to Anderson Street, particularly on the west side, be taken into consideration because of the high volume of residential activity and inequitable burden shared by those residents.

In response to a question, Mr. Rawsthorne noted that parking on the south side had been considered but was found to be incompatible with the operation of the bus line and would not be supported by cyclists.

Richard Campbell, (brief filed), on behalf of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC), expressed concern that the proposed widening of Anderson Street will result in increased injuries and fatalities of cyclists and pedestrians due to collisions with motor vehicles. The VACC recommended a four way stop and raised crosswalk at Anderson and the waterfront walkway, maintaining Anderson as three lanes at the intersection of the waterfront walkway, and implementation of traffic calming along Lamey's Mill Road. Mr. Campbell noted most of the measures in the report would address the problems without widening Anderson Street.

In response to a question Mr. Rawsthorne noted heavy trucks (i.e., Ocean Cement) do not do well on speed tables.

MOVED by Mayor Owen
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT the following changes be made to Anderson Street, Lamey's Mill Road and adjacent streets:

i) traffic calming measures on Lamey's Mill Road, between Anderson Street and Alder Crossing, as shown in Figure 1 of the Administrative Report dated July 15, 2002, entitled "Anderson Street and Lamey's Mill Road Street Improvements",
ii) roadway modifications and landscaping, pedestrian amenities and other streetscape improvements on Anderson Street and 3^rd Avenue, as shown on Figure 2 of the Administrative Report dated July 15, 2002, entitled "Anderson Street and Lamey's Mill Road Street Improvements",
iii) a new traffic signal at the intersection of Anderson Street and 2nd Avenue / Lamey's Mill Road,

with funding of $865,000 provided as follows:

Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated - Local Area Traffic Plans and Other Improvements	$ 55,000
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated - Order Numbers 30000170 and 30004451- Anderson & 3rd	$ 479,000
Streets Basic Capital - Order Number 10000446 -Granville/Burrard Seismic Upgrading	$ 131,000
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated - Account Group SCA2H-UNAP (Greenways)	$ 200,000

B. THAT the diversionary traffic measures included in the above be installed as temporary measures for a six month trial period, with permanent installation subject to a re-survey of the neighbourhood and a report to Council.

C. THAT the City authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), with the CMHC share to be $525,000, including 125,000 of work in kind.

D. THAT commencing in 2004, the Traffic Operating Budget be increased by $3,000, and the Streets Operating Budget be increased by $15,000, subject to review as part of the 2004 Operating Budget.

E. THAT staff monitor the waterfront walkway crossing of Anderson Street to ensure that pedestrian safety is not compromised and report back to Council if there are emerging pedestrian safety issues.

carried

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the recommendations include the following three points bolded on page two of the July 29, 2002, letter from the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition:

i) Four Way Stop and Raised Crosswalk at Anderson and Waterfront Walkway;

ii) Maintain Anderson at Existing 3 Lanes at Intersection of Waterfront Path;

iii) Implement Traffic Calming Along Lamey's Mill.

LOST
(Councillor Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

The amendment having lost, Mayor Owen's motion was put and CARRIED with Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to Recommendation A(iii).

5. Greenway/Bikeway: Grandview Highway North Between Victoria and Commercial Drives

At its meeting on April 11, 2002, the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment considered an Administrative Report dated July 16, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering recommended approval of a traffic calming plan that enhances landscaping for the Grandview Cut for the section of the Central Valley Greenway between Commercial and Victoria Drives. Also offered for Council's consideration was the option to approve a traffic calming plan that would enhance landscaping on the north side of Grandview Highway North. Council heard speakers and postponed decision on the recommendations in order to receive additional information from staff.

Accordingly, the Committee had before it a Memorandum dated July 25, 2002, from the General Manager of Engineering Services, which sought Council's approval of a new streetscape design for the area.

Lon LaClaire, Transportation Engineering, briefly reviewed the new design and noted approval is required in time for the SkyTrain opening. Mr. LaClaire also advised SkyTrain had recently agreed to apply the requested greenwall.

The following generally spoke in support of the new recommendations, and offered additional suggestions and comments:

Rod Russell, area resident (petition filed)
Richard Campbell, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) (brief filed)
Barb Wright, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Safety Office

The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:

· area residents are generally in support of the new proposal which includes more trees, a fence along the cut to reduce noise, and hedges to block sight lines and diffuse sound;
· petition with approximately 100 names was submitted which requested:

- proceed now with a cul-de-sac on 8th Avenue at Grandview Highway North;
- consult with residents of East 8th concerning cul-de-sac details; and
- initiate and follow through on traffic calming measures on 6th and 7th between Commercial and Victoria in consultation with residents of those Avenues.

· VACC will continue to consult with staff on the critical and complicated intersection at Broadway and Victoria;
· request was made that through traffic at Commercial Drive be eliminated by allowing only right turns westbound from Grandview Highway North to Commercial Drive;
· the VACC strongly supports a cul-de-sac on 8th Avenue at Grandview Highway;
· suggestion was made for a raised crosswalk at Grandview Highway North and Broadway to increase safety of cyclists and pedestrians using the path along Broadway;
· suggestion was to have weekend closures of westbound Grandview Highway North;
· support was expressed regarding the neighborhood consultation process used by staff.

Mel Kennedy, area resident, spoke in opposition to the recommendations, noting he would like to see traffic calming such as speed bumps and roundabouts, but not diverters and dead ends.

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve Figure 1 of the Memorandum dated July 25, 2002, from the General Manager of Engineering Services, entitled "Greenway/Bikeway: Grandview Highway North Between Victoria and Commercial Drives", to be used to finalize the hard surface elements (curb and gutter, pavement, medians, bike paths, etc) and be the basis for the detailed landscaping plan.

B. THAT staff continue to negotiate with the RTPO on necessary buffering and landscaping features between the existing greenwall at Commercial Station and Grandview Highway North.

C. THAT the local neighborhood committee be acknowledged for all the time spent working with staff on developing an acceptable plan.

D. THAT a temporary cul-de-sac on 8th Avenue at Grandview Highway be implemented as a trial, and that staff consult with the neighborhood on traffic calming concerns regarding 6th, 7th and 8th Avenues, and report back to Council.

E. THAT staff report back on a right turn only from westbound Grandview Highway North onto northbound Commercial Drive.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to Recommendation A)
(Councillor McCormick opposed to Recommendation E)
(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)

The Committee adjourned at 12:28 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JULY 30, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at 12:29 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic 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 Sandy McCormick Councillor Gordon Price Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor George Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Kennedy

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
July 30, 2002

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

Cl.1: Right-In-Right-Out Diverter at 49th Avenue and Columbia Street
Cl.2: Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-Law: New Limousine Classification and Regulations
Cl.3: Anderson Street and Lamey's Mill Road Street Improvements
Cl.4: Bus Transit Priority Study
Cl.5: Greenway/Bikeway: Grandview Highway North Between Victoria and Commercial Drives

Clause 1 and 4

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the Policy Report dated July 16, 2002, entitled "Amendments to Vehicles for Hire By-Law: New Limousine Classifications and Regulations" be referred back to staff to further review the 2:1 ratio of Sedan Limousines and/or Sport Utility Limousines to Stretch Limousine.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Louis, McCormick, Price and the Mayor opposed)

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 3

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to bullet three of Recommendation A)

Clause 5

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 5 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to Recommendation A)
(Councillor McCormick opposed to Recommendation E)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor McCormick

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 Daniel Lee

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver