Agenda Index City of Vancouver

 

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

SEPTEMBER 19, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, September 19, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair

*Councillor Fred Bass (Leave of Absence)

Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee

*Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair

Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price

*Councillor George Puil

Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Diane M. Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator

* Denotes presence during part of the meeting.

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The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda. For ease of reference, the minutes are recorded in numerical order.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Nuisance Building and Property at 6237 Battison Street (File: 2701 )

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August 22, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council declare the condition of the building and property at 6237 Battison Street a nuisance, order the property owner to remove all items from the site and the City Building Inspector and/or designate be authorized to have the work done if the owner fails to do so. It is also recommended the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence a legal action if deemed appropriate. It is further recommended a 336D Notice be filed against the Title to the property to warn any prospective purchasers there are violations of the City's By-laws related to this building and site and that there is a Resolution of Council against the property. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.

Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch, reviewed the report and responded to questions.

Peter Goetze, Owner, advised the bulk of debris on the property has been removed and he intends to move the balance of debris and cars.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council declare that the condition of the building and property at 6237 Battison Street, Lot K, Block A Northwest 1/4 of District Lot 339 Plan 11601 PID 009-044-434 is a nuisance pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter

B. THAT Council approve the attached Resolution and order the Registered owner of the property to remove all debris, miscellaneous items and materials stored in the yards and remove all unlicensed, dismantled or wrecked vehicles parked/stored in the yards within 30 days of a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter

C. THAT in the event of the failure of the owner to comply with the order of Council, Council further orders and hereby authorizes the City Building Inspector to have all miscellaneous items stored in the yards and all unlicensed, dismantled or wrecked vehicles parked/stored in the yardsremoved, disposed of or sold pursuant to Section 324A(2) of the Vancouver Charter . Council further orders that from the proceeds of such sale or disposal shall be deducted for the use of the city the actual costs and disbursements incurred by the city in carrying out the removal, sale and disposal and the remainder of such proceeds shall be paid by the city to the owner

D. THAT in the event of the failure of the owner to vacate the building as ordered by the City Building Inspector OR in the event that the owner fails to allow the City Building Inspector and/or his designate access to the site to carry out the work as outlined in Recommendation C above, 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 6237 Battison Street and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this building and/or property into compliance with City By-laws.

E. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 6237 Battison Street in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are violations of the Vancouver Building, Standards of Maintenance, Untidy Premises, Plumbing Gas and Electrical By-laws related to this property and that there is an order of Council against the property.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Strathcona Community Signs (File: 8024)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August 23, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council approval to authorize the request by the Strathcona Business Improvement Area to design, install and pay for externally illuminated Strathcona Community signs on City property on the median at Powell Street and Cordova Diversion and on the north median at Hastings Street and Vernon Drive.

Tom Timm, Deputy City Engineer, introduced John Clelland, Projects & Community Liaison Engineering Assistant, who reviewed the report and along with Ben Johnson, Central Area Planning, and Peter Viasbord, BIA Coordinator, responded to questions. Engineering has letters of support on file.

The following spoke in opposition to the recommendations:

Speakers' comments included:

· no notifications of banners/proposed new signage or flyers regarding Open Houses were distributed to residential, commercial and community groups in the DTES;
· the City must recognize that removal of a community name is an attack on its residents' identity and removes concept of community;
· DTES identity is being removed by Gastown, Victory Square, Chinatown, Strathcona;
· it is inappropriate for Strathcona to ask for a name change as the DTES is not represented by the Strathcona BIA;
· all proposed locations for signs are in the DTES;
· historically this area has never been referred to as Strathcona - boundary has always stopped at north lane of Hastings;
· DTES is a tolerant community; but do not want community/identity removed;
· if they want to change name, Strathcona should also accept ownership of problems to be resolved and it is doubted that Strathcona wants to do that;
· objections raised to citing Strathcona as "Vancouver's First Neighbourhood"
· petition letter was read indicating that while signage is good, locations are inappropriate; City asked to work with Park Board to find more suitable sites;
· not all Strathcona residents are in support of signage.

The following spoke in support of the recommendations:

Speakers' comments included:

· Strathcona BIA has worked hard to improve and increase pride of community;
· beautification of neighbourhood continuing and this is part of process;
· reasons for choosing these sign locations include high traffic and visibility;
· Strathcona Area Merchants' Society (SAMS) also considered as part of Strathcona
· recommends approval by Council;
· read Heritage Vancouver letter in support of signs; other letters of support have been received by the Strathcona BIA;
· no objection to removing "Vancouver's First Neighbourhood" designation from signs;
· 3,200 notifications were sent out to neighbourhood regarding this proposal;
· business owners in an area that consists of residential, commercial & retail, consider themselves to be part of Strathcona and want to be part of it;
· each community has its own identity, something unique and wants to promote it;
· if City does not think it's right to approve recommendations, what are they going to do with other areas like Gastown, Chinatown when they want to do something specific to their community;
· signage supported; however, suggests wording on sign should acknowledge original First Nations community along with the new community in the area; this would indicate an integrated community.

In response to questions, Ben Johnson reviewed boundary issues. He advised while there is no specific City policy relating to signage, a DTES Public Realm Advisory Committee was formed to facilitate and coordinate projects in the public realm, link up groups to avoid conflicts and assist in collaboration. John Clelland provided a brief explanation relating to guidelines for community consultation relating to signage. He noted that as the Vancouver Courier does not deliver to the Strathcona area and the Province/Sun were on strike, information relating to the proposed signage was placed in both the Ming Pao and Sing Tao newspapers and a newsletter went out covering residential/commercial areas.

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT decision on the Administrative Report Strathcona Community Signs dated August 23, 2002, be postponed to a future meeting to allow staff and community groups to develop a more amenable solution.

CARRIED
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Don Lee, McCormick opposed)

At this point, Councillor Kennedy, Chair, left the meeting and Councillor Don Lee, Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair.

3. East Fraserlands Planning Program - Status Report (File: 8023)

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated September 5, 2002, in which the Director of Current Planning, reviewed the status of the current planning program for the East Fraserlands and outlined key questions to address as the process moves into the next phase.
Rob Jenkins, Assistant Director of Current Planning, Michael Naylor, East Fraserlands Planner, and Tom Phipps, Planner, reviewed the report, the process as it will continue and responded to questions.

At this point in the meeting, Councillor Kennedy returned and assumed the Chair.

Terry Slack, Fraser River Coalition spoke in support of the program with concerns. His comments included:

· site contamination, open spaces, waterfront usage and public safety should be addressed in the study;
· 1½ years spent on developing the Port North Fraser "Land Use Plan" (study circulated); authors (FREMP and Port North Fraser) should be consulted.

Charles Smith, Director, Timberlands & Properties Division, Weyerhaeuser, Applicant, and Jim Moodie, Development Consultant, Moodie Consultants Ltd., Applicant's consultant, reviewed economics of the project and status of work to be done. They advised the study is expected to be completed by March 2003 and noted that zoning is not part of this process as it is not an Official Development Plan. They currently have a good handle on what this project can generate as part of amenity infrastructure budget.

MOVED by Councillor Clarke
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the Policy Report East Fraserlands Planning Program - Status Report dated September 5, 2002, be received for INFORMATION.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass, Don Lee and Puil not present for the vote)

4. The Vancouver Police Historical Society - Lease of City-owned Premises at 238 -240 East Cordova Street (File: 4001)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 10, 2002, in which the Directors of Real Estate, Facility Design & Management, and the Office of Cultural Affairs in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, sought Council approval to regularize the occupancy of the Vancouver Policy Historical Society (VPHS) in the City-owned building at 238 - 240 East Cordova Street. Staff recommended a five-year lease of the currently approved space and requested authorization to seek proposals for the use of the balance of the building. The report also reviewed a request from the VPHS for expanded occupancy to the whole building and capital assistance for resultant upgrades. The General Managers of Corporate and Community Services supported the recommendations.

Sue Harvey, Social Planner, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to proposed amendments to staff recommendations distributed by Inspector Dave Jones, Vancouver Police Department (on file). Ms. Harvey indicated a 10-year lease on a portion of building would be acceptable; however, the proposed amendment is for whole building. She reviewed financial concerns relating to the proposed amendments and the impact on the City. She expressed concern regarding the operational viability of the proposal and the ability of the Museum to raise the required funds.

The following spoke in opposition to the recommendations and submitted proposed amendments (on file):

Speakers' comments included:

· to obtain funding from Cultural Spaces Canada, the Museum needs Council support regarding funding and approval for use of the whole building;
· explained status of building usage and past history;
· circulated photos relating to the school children's program;
· has to be funded for improvements and to ensure access is available;
· Dr. Cohen can assist in fundraising for this project;
· teachers are available to teach at museum.

POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT the decision on the Administrative Report The Vancouver Police Historical Society - Lease of City-owned Premises at 238 - 240 East Cordova Street dated June 10, 2002, be postponed to a future meeting to enable staff to review the proposal put forward by the Vancouver Police Museum.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

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

SEPTEMBER 19, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, September 19, 2002, at 5:00 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:

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
Councillor Fred Bass (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Don Lee (Leave of Absence)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Diane M Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

CITY MANAGER'S POLICY REPORTS

1. CD-1 Text Amendment: Beach Neighbourhood (Area 1B) -

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

A. THAT the application by Pacific Place Developments Corp. to amend CD-1 By-law No. 7675 (# 366) for Beach Neighbourhood (Area 1B) at 500 Pacific Street to add a marina sub-area, be referred to a Public Hearing together with:

B. THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to make application to amend the False Creek North Official Development Plan, By-law No. 6650, to add a marina sub-area in Area 1B Beach Neighbourhood, and that the application be referred to the same Public Hearing together with:

CARRIED
(Councillor Price opposed)

2. Text Amendment: Southeast Granville Slopes Official Development Plan -

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

A. THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to make application to amend the Southeast Granville Slopes Official Development Plan to permit permanent marina use on Water Lot 143, generally as contained in Appendix A of Policy Report Text Amendment: Southeast Granville Slopes Official Development Plan - Permanent Marine Use on Water Lot 143, dated September 17, 2002, and that the application be referred to a Public Hearing;

B. THAT this application and the application by Pacific Place Development Corporation to amend CD-1 No. 7675 (#366) for Beach Neighbourhood (Area 1B) to permit marina use be considered at the same Public Hearing, and that this SEGS application be considered only if the Beach Neighbourhood application is first approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
September 19, 2002

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

Clauses 1, 3 and 4

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1, 3 and 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

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

CARRIED
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, and McCormick opposed)

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 McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Civic Business - Mayor Owen (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT Mayor Owen be granted Leave of Absence (Civic Business) for the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT Councillor Bass be granted Leave of Absence effective for a portion of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2002.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Leave of Absence - Councillor Don Lee (File: 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

THAT Councillor Don Lee be granted Leave of Absence for the Council portion of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2002.

The Council adjourned at 5:04 p.m.
* * * * *

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