Vancouver City Council |
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTMARCH 27, 2003
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, March 27, 2003, at 2:15 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
Councillor Anne Roberts, Chair
*Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green, Vice-Chair
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Tim Stevenson
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen WoodsworthCITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator
*Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of
February 27, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Performing Arts Lodge - Bayshore Affordable Housing (File 4656)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 14, 2003, in which the Director of the Housing Centre sought Council's approval for the revised proposal by Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) Vancouver for the affordable housing component in Bayshore Gardens.
Cameron Gray, Director of Housing Centre, provided an overview of the Administrative Report, and introduced representatives of PAL Vancouver who wished to address the Committee.
Phil Boname, President, PAL Vancouver, spoke in support of staff's recommended approval of the revised proposal for the Bayshore Gardens affordable housing. He noted that the society has made substantial progress and design advancements in regard to this proposal.
Joy Coghill, PAL Vancouver, provided information regarding PAL, noting it represents a huge community of persons once employed in the performing arts, such as technicians, camera operators, and performers.
Murray Hamilton, Vancouver Resource Society, spoke on behalf of the Zajac Foundation, and expressed opposition to staff's recommendation. Mr. Hamilton noted that in his opinion, PAL Vancouver has not fulfilled its obligations in regard to funds raised for the affordable housing component, and therefore he felt that Council should now endorse the proposal by the Zajac Foundation.
Mr. Gray responded to questions concerning options open to Council should PAL be unable to fulfill their funding obligations in the required timeframe, and whether the revised proposal is in keeping with the spirit of the original.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the revised Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) Vancouver proposal for the Bayshore Gardens affordable housing, in particular the inclusion of twelve PAL Partner units, as outlined in the Administrative Report dated March 14, 2003, entitled "Performing Arts Lodge - Bayshore Affordable Housing" and contained in their January 31, 2003, submission (on file with the City Clerk), noting that final approval is subject to report to Council in May or June 2003;
AND FURTHER THAT no legal rights or obligations will arise or be created for the City of Vancouver, Bayshore Gardens Development Limited Partnership or PAL Vancouver until City Council gives final approval for the project and all legal documentation is prepared and fully executed on terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the City's Director of Legal Services.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NOTE FROM CLERK: Although the following two items were scheduled separately on the Agenda, many delegations who spoke to the Committee provided comments in regard to both items. Therefore, the two items have been minuted together.
2. Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing: New Regulations (File 2610/2611-1)
3. Provincial Liquor Licensing Policies - Council Motion (File 2610/2611-1)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated February 28, 2003, in which the Chief License Inspector in consultation with the Director of City Plans, reviewed recent changes to Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing Branch regulations, and made recommendations in regard to what the City has to do to respond to them.
The Committee also had before it the following motion, which had been postponed to this meeting by Vancouver City Council at its meeting on February 27, 2003:
"MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Stevenson
WHEREAS the provincial government has introduced significant changes in liquor licensing policies - including hours of operation, licensing types, and new licensees - that have planning, zoning and regulatory implications for municipalities; and
WHEREAS the provincial government plans to close government liquor stores and distribution centres and turn over all beverage alcohol sales to for-profit companies; and
WHEREAS similar changes of policy in Alberta led to a tripling of the number of liquor stores and caused the Calgary and Edmonton police departments to report significant increases in alcohol-related crimes; and
WHEREAS it appears that responsibility for more policing costs and social services may be downloaded to local governments; and
WHEREAS studies show Alberta's changes have led to higher consumer prices, more stores with less genuine selection, marginalized workers, a host of social problems, and in real terms, decreasing government revenues; and
WHEREAS there has been no opportunity for public discussion and community input into these far-reaching changes
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we urge the Provincial government to institute a moratorium until the end of 2003 to allow municipalities adequate time to develop the appropriate regulations and policies to regulate the sales and distribution of liquor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council request the Provincial government to provide a formal vehicle - perhaps through the appointment of a commissioner, a committee of MLA's, or similar means - to allow for discussion with communities and municipal input into these issues.
Postponed"
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed the Policy Report, noting it addresses a broad range of issues and provides an overview of the Provincial changes over the last three years, how they affect the city, and makes recommendations for City responses to these changes over the short and long term. While reviewing staff's recommendations,
Mr. Teichroeb pointed out that there will be a dual system in place for a number of months, whereby some applications which have been in the system for a time will need to be processed under the old guidelines.
Mr. Teichroeb, along with Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, and Bill Boons, Co-Manager of Processing Centre, Development Services, responded to questions concerning time limited development permits, and licensed hours of operation, in particular Sunday hours. Inspector Dave Jones, Vancouver Police Department, responded to questions concerning the Police perspective of the Provincial changes, and policing enforcement costs in relation to downtown liquor establishments.
Trustee Noel Heron, Vancouver School Board, reaffirmed the School Board's 14-year policy with regard to no liquor establishments within 1000 feet of a school.
Harold Kalke, Salt Lick Projects Ltd., and John Kettlewell, Elephant Walk Pub, spoke in support of staff recommendations in regard to beer and wine stores.
Dave Crown, President, BC Liquor Licensee and Retailers' Association, spoke in support of staff's recommendations. He noted that beer and wine store outlets have well-trained staff, and are responsibly managed.
The following people also addressed the Committee in regard to the recommendations contained in the Policy Report. Many of the speakers expressed concerns with regard to the City's current liquor licensing process and expressed support for longer operating hours. Several speakers expressed opposition to the motion (see above) urging the Provincial government for a moratorium.
John Teti, Chair, Barwatch
Simon Evans
Alan Clogg, Vancouver Hotel Association
Eli Gershkovitz, Steamworks Brewing Company
Sam Yehia, Cambie Hotel (materials filed)
Trevor McGee, Malone's (materials filed)
Paul Jacobs
Gillan Jackson
Phil Moon
Roger Gibson, BC Cabaret Association
Ian Wadell
Angus Praught, Gayvan.com Travel Marketing
Steve Bauer, Pumpjack Pub
Vince Marino, Pumpjack Pub
Jim Deva, Davie Village Business Improvement Association
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· City's liquor licensing process is onerous and needs to be streamlined; good operators do not need to be micro-managed;
· Several speakers expressed support for Sunday hours to 2:00 a.m. and/or 4:00 a.m. closing times for other nights;
· The downtown eastside moratorium needs to be revisited;
· The new Provincial regulations are sufficient and should be given a chance;
· Staff recommendations regarding restaurants are "overkill" and unwarranted; under new provincial regulations only restaurants over 50 seats will be able to have food optional seats, and not all restaurants will choose to have a bar;
· Enforcement measures can and should be taken against those restaurants which operate as "de facto" bars;
· Guidelines concerning licensed establishment locations and their proximity to one another should be flexible rather than stringently applied; should assess each application on its own merits;
· City's licensing processes need to be modernized; and
· Staff's recommendations are not in the interest of the public, City, or industry.
The following people spoke in support of the motion calling on the Provincial government for a moratorium:
George Heyman, President, BC Government and Service Employee's Union (materials filed)
Gerry Wentworth
Al Engler
Marnie Hewlett, BC Nurses Union
Jude Kenny (brief filed)
Guy Wera
Michael Morrow (copy of petition asking Province to replace Robson St. LDB liquor store filed)
David Knowles
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
All of the speakers expressed opposition to the privatization of liquor stores;
· The Provincial government's plans to regulate liquor sales are radical and will allow an unrestrained proliferation of liquor outlets and the public has not been properly consulted; liquor retail outlets could double or triple in a matter of months;
· Alcohol cannot be sold in corner grocery stores without having negative social impacts, which is why rice wine had to be removed from grocery stores and put under LCLB control;
· More than 50 BC municipalities have passed a motion asking the Provincial government for a moratorium;
· Liquor sales require well-trained employees, as is found in government liquor stores; government employees know how to identify intoxicated customers and have clear direction not to serve them;
· Support expressed for extensive public consultation, with direct input from health industry professionals;
· Privatization will lead to the loss of many jobs which provide a living wage; and
· Increased access to liquor outlets will result in negative social impacts, such as violence and alcohol related injury.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT discussion and decision on the Policy Report dated February 28, 2003, entitled "Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing: New Regulations" be referred to the Regular Council meeting on April 8, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Campbell absent on Civic Business)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT decision on the Council motion entitled "Provincial Liquor Licensing Policies" be referred to a future meeting, to be determined by the City Clerk's Office, following discussion with those speakers who were registered but not present at the time this matter was dealt with.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Campbell absent on Civic Business)
NOTE FROM CLERK: Following the meeting, after contacting registered speakers as requested, it was determined that this motion would be scheduled as Unfinished Business on the Regular Council meeting agenda of April 8, 2003, along with the Policy Report.
The Committee adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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|
CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 27, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday,
March 27, 2003, at 6:50 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Deputy Mayor Tim Louis
|
ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Civic Business) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Louis in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Approval of 2003 Special Events - Celebration of Light (File 4201)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting on March 11, 2003, postponed decision on this matter to a future meeting pending the receipt of additional information from staff.
Before Council was a Memorandum dated March 18, 2003, from Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator, as well as a Memorandum dated March 27, 2003, from the City Manager.
MOVED by Councillor Green
A. THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2003; and approve a budget of up to $400,000 for City services, funded from the General Government Account.
B. THAT the Police Department provide the necessary staffing to police the 2003 Celebration of Light event with $307,000 funded from the General Government account, and the balance from within the Police Department 2003 budget using staff reconciliation time or other budget adjustments.
C. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Chief Constable and the General Manager of Parks and Recreation, and the Celebration of Light Society, report back in October on 2003 event impacts with recommendations on continuing or changing the event to reduce City cost of policing.
Carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT A. be amended by striking out the amount $400,000 and inserting $392,000.
LOST (Tie Vote)
(Councillors Bass, Green, Ladner, Roberts and Sullivan opposed)
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT A. be amended by striking out the amount $400,000 and inserting $350,000.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Stevenson and Sullivan opposed)
The amendments to the main motion having lost, the main motion was put and CARRIED with Councillor Roberts and Deputy Mayor Louis opposed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
March 27, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Performing Arts Lodge - Bayshore Affordable Housing
Cl.2: Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing: New Regulations
Cl.3: Provincial Liquor Licensing Policies - Council Motion
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1-3 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
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 Cadman
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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