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CITY OF VANCOUVER
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 24, 2003
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A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development and Sign By-laws.
PRESENT:
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Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Anne Roberts
*Councillor Tim Stevenson
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ABSENT:
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Councillor Fred Bass (Sick Leave)
Councillor Raymond Louie (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
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Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator
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*indicates presence for a portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development and Sign By-laws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. TEXT AMENDMENT: 1099 Main Street
An application by Perkins & Company Architecture and Urban Design Inc. was considered as follows:
Summary:
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The text amendment would convert unbuilt retail and institutional floor area to residential floor area, and increase the total floor area by importing heritage density to the site. Consequential amendments would also be made to increase the total number of dwelling units permitted and adjusting the number of non-market units required.
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The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.
Staff Opening Comments
Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, with the aid of a model, provided background and an overview of the proposed text amendment and noted the building height is consistent with the original form of development. He further noted a Community Amenity Contribution is not required in this instance because density will be increased by the transfer of heritage density, which is exempt from CACs. Mr. Mondor responded to questions from Council on issues related to heritage density transfers, and the potential for adding an additional non-market housing unit to the development.
Applicant Comments
John Perkins, Perkins & Company Architecture and Urban Design Inc., the applicant, was present to respond to questions. Eric Martin, BOSA, provided an historic overview of the project and commented on the lack of market incentives, including low pedestrian traffic, to support additional retail at street level. He further noted the existing retail setback does not provide the opportunity for good signage.
Summary of Correspondence
Council received the following correspondence on this application:
Speakers
The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application.
John Storm, area resident, spoke in opposition to the application, and noted he had been misinformed by his real estate agent regarding the height of the new tower. Mr. Storm also noted the lack of nearby retail shopping, and the difficulty he would have with bags of groceries on SkyTrain. He also disagreed with allowing the heritage density transfer, as this precedent could justify future exceptions leading to an informal change in policy.
Staff Closing Comments
Mr. Mondor concluded by noting the 750 dwelling units currently occupied in the CityGate development provide an insufficient population to support the kind of store most have in mind for grocery shopping. He also noted the growing amount of banked heritage density is devaluing that resource and it is in the public interest to use up this density.
Council Decision
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the application by Perkins & Company Architecture and Urban Design Inc., on behalf of Bosa Developments Corp., to amend CD-1 By-law No. 6744 for the site at 1099 Main Street to convert unbuilt retail and institutional floor area to residential use and to allow an increase in total residential floor area through a transfer of heritage density, be approved, together with:
(i) draft CD-1 By-law amendments, generally as contained in Appendix A of the Policy Report "1099 Main Street (Citygate Phase VIII): CD-1 Text Amendment" dated March 6, 2003; and
(ii) the recommendation of the Director of Current Planning to approve the application along with a consequential amendment recommended by staff to increase the number of dwelling units permitted and adjust the number of non-market units required.
CARRIED
(Councillor Louis opposed)
2. TEXT AMENDMENT: Sign By-law - Oversized Banners
An application by the Director of City Plans was considered as follows:
Summary:
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The proposed amendments would restrict the size and coverage, and require sign permits for banner signs with exceptions in the DD and BCPED Districts.
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The Director of City Plans recommended approval.
Staff Opening Comments
Michael White, Planner, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview of the proposed text amendment, and noted facia signs, made of lightweight materials, that otherwise meet the definition of a billboard, may be portrayed as banner signs and not subject to current billboard regulations. These banner signs are not required to have sign permits, defeat the intent of banner regulations to limit third party advertising, and the larger sized banners pose safety risks as well. Mr. White and Dr. Ann McAfee, Co-Director of Planning, responded to questions related to the immediate need for the recommended text amendment, as opposed to a complete review and report back on the City's Sign By-law. Mr. White noted current regulations, which permit banners to remain in place for five years, are now under review.
Summary of Correspondence
No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.
Speakers
The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application.
The following speakers spoke in regard to the application:
Norm Gallicano, Real Estate Manager, Viacom Outdoor
Bruce Richardson, Director of Legislation, Pattison Outdoor
David Woodman, Supergraphics Screenprinting Ltd.
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· many of Viacom's clients would like to erect banners, which would provide a good option for revenue; however, in order to operate within the City's by-law, clients have been turned away;
· if Council were to approve banners, clients could be accommodated;
· banners can be done tastefully and safety issues addressed;
· staff need to work with the industry, BIA's, Strata Councils and the public when reviewing the Sign By-law;
· an Industry Task Force could be struck to address this issue;
· product lines change over time and now is the time to look forward with a new perspective;
· graphic capabilities today allow for entire buildings to be wrapped; new products could allow entire city streets to be covered with pressure sensitive graphics;
· recent explosions in technology allow for many new graphic options; and
· urge Council to accept graphics as a good idea.
Staff Closing Comments
In response to questions, Dr. McAfee advised a report is expected to be before Council in the fall which would provide an in-depth review of the Sign By-law. Mr. White provided additional details on allowable banner advertising, noted exemptions allowed in the amendment, and explained if the text amendment before Council was approved, this would prevent the installation of additional illegal banner signs.
Council Decision
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the application by the Director of City Plans to amend the Sign By-law to:
(i) restrict the size and coverage of banner signs on exterior building faces to 4m2, generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report "Oversized Banner Signs (Amendment to Sign By-law)" dated March 13, 2003, except for banner signs in the DD and BCPED Districts displaying events organized and presented by a non-profit society or public agency; and
(ii) require sign permits for banner signs that are larger than 4m2 or that are secured on all four sides by a rigid frame or high-tension cables, generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report "Oversized Banner Signs (Amendment to Sign By-law)" dated March 13, 2003;
be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. TEXT AMENDMENT: Section 10 - Zoning & Development By-law (Liquor)
An application by the Director of City Plans was considered as follows:
Summary:
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Section 10 text amendment regarding retail stores and liquor sales.
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The Chief License Inspector in consultation with the Director of City Plans recommended approval.
Staff Comments
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, was present to answer questions.
Summary of Correspondence
No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.
Speakers
The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application and none came forward.
Council Decision
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT, as an interim measure to provide City land use control pending completion of the comprehensive review of liquor regulations, the application by the Director of City Plans to amend the Zoning and Development By-law, generally as outlined in Appendix B to the Policy Report "Provincial Liquor Control and Licensing: New Regulations" dated February 28, 2003, prohibiting liquor sales in conjunction with other commercial or retail uses, and prohibiting food-optional lounges in restaurants, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Stevenson absent for the vote)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted, and the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare and bring forward the necessary by-law amendments.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT Council enact the by-law before it this evening to amend Sign By-law No. 6510, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and seal the enacted by-law.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. A By-law to amend Sign By-law No. 6510 (By-law No. 8661)
The Special Council adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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