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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, May 15, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Anne Roberts, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis (Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meetings of April 10, and April 24, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 2652 West 3rd Avenue (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 28, 2003, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council direct staff to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 2652 West 3rd Avenue to warn any prospective purchasers of contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building. It was also recommended 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, reviewed the report and responded to questions including explanations relating to 336D legalities and procedures.
Council requested staff provide a memo detailing the extent of properties that are in contravention of by-laws and requiring 336D notices
MOVED by Mayor Campbell
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 2652 West 3rd Avenue (Lot O of 3, Block 10, District Lot 192, Plan 774) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws 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 2652 West 3rd Avenue 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
2. Special Review Process for Higher Buildings in the Downtown (File 8100)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated April 25, 2003 in which the Director of Current Planning recommended Council appoint four additional architects to the Urban Design Panel for the purpose of reviewing two buildings proposed in Downtown Vancouver that significantly exceed existing height limits. Council was also asked to approve amendments to the General Policy for Higher Buildings. The General Manager of Community Services supported the recommendations.
Michael Gordon, Planning, along with Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to the mechanism by which the 1997 policy was developed, observation decks, and how the Urban Design Panel will conduct business with international members. They noted this is a cost-recovered project.
Stuart Howard, President of AIBC, spoke in favour of the recommendations. He complimented staff on working with the AIBC to develop an appropriate policy and encouraged the participation of world-class internationally-based architects.
Council requested staff develop a Council workshop relating to architectural principles and guidelines.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT pursuant to Council Policy for enhanced review of buildings significantly exceeding existing height limits, Mr. Adrian Smith, Mr. Ken Yeang, Mr. Richard Henriquez and Mr. James Hancock be appointed to the Urban Design Panel as temporary members for the purpose of reviewing two proposed buildings at 1120 West Georgia Street and 550 Bute Street.
B. THAT the General Policy for Higher Buildings be amended as recommended in Appendix A of Policy Report Special Review Process for Higher Buildings in the Downtown, dated April 25, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 2:42 p.m.
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