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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
APRIL 24, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 3:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Anne Roberts, Chair |
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 Planning and Environment meeting of March 27, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Significant New Rezoning Application: 1201 West Hastings Street (File 5305)
The Committee had before it a report which advised of a significant new rezoning application for a 30-storey residential tower, five 3-storey townhouses and a 1-storey grocery store at 1201 West Hastings Street. Alan Duncan, Planner, briefly reviewed the application and responded to questions regarding parking allotment and the lack of local shopping in the area.
2. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 6835 Balaclava Street, 6875 Balaclava Street and 3275 West 53rd Avenue (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 7, 2003, in which the City Building Inspector recommended that a 336D Notice be filed against the Certificate of Title to the properties at 6835 Balaclava Street, 6875 Balaclava Street and 3275 West 53rd Avenue to warn any prospective purchasers there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to these buildings. It also recommended the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal action if deemed appropriate. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspections Branch, reviewed the history of infractions pertaining to these properties. Mr. Sweeney also noted that staff have requested Legal Services staff to pursue an injunction, and requested that Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to proceed accordingly.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file 336D Notices against the titles to the strata lots at 6835 Balaclava Street and 3275 West 53rd Avenue (Strata Lots 1 and 4, District Lot 194, Strata Plan VAS2866) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence legal actions or proceedings in relation to the premises located at 6835 Balaclava Street, 6875 Balaclava Street and 3275 West 53rd Avenue and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in those actions or proceedings, in order to bring the buildings into compliance with City By-laws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Reconsideration of 2003 Cultural Grant Application (File 2051)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 7, 2003, in which the Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs conveyed the results of the reconsideration process requested by one Cultural Grant applicant, and made a recommendation based on the outcome of that process. The General Manager of Community Services submitted the recommendation for consideration.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, and Alice Niwinski, Cultural Planner, reviewed the criteria used in the grant consideration process and responded to questions regarding limitations of the cultural grant budget.
Michel Pan, Basil and Thyme Jazz Society, spoke in support of the Society's request for reconsideration of the deferral of its project grant application for $20,000 to the next project deadline. Mr. Pan noted the society has produced two successful festivals so far and pointed out that until the grant is approved bookings cannot be made which will jeopardize the festival.
MOVED by Mayor Campbell
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT debate and decision on the recommendation contained in the Administrative Report dated April 7, 2003, entitled "Reconsideration of 2003 Cultural Grant Application", be referred to the Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2003, as Unfinished Business.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
4. Reconsideration of Community Services Grants Applications (File 2151)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 8, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning provided the results of the reconsideration process which was initiated by nine Community Services Grants applicants, and made recommendations based on the outcome of that process. The General Manager of Community Services submitted A to J2 for consideration.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, reviewed the report, the Community Services Grant reconsideration process, the rationale for the recommendations, and responded to questions.
Discussion took place on the serious impact heath care and social service budget cuts are having on women, children, and families. Judy Rogers, City Manager, and Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning noted that in light of the cuts, a review is being undertaken on how to deal with the increased competition for grant funding.
The following appeared as delegations to appeal the recommendation of the Director of Social Planning regarding their grant:
Jennifer Lawrence, PLEA
Carol White, KidsSafe Community School Coordinator
John Fuerst, KidSafe Project Society
Leslie Moore, End Legislated Poverty
Cecilia Diocson, Philippine Women Centre of BC
Bill Britton, Volunteers for Intergenerational Programs
Alan Iser, Volunteers for Intergenerational Programs
Margaret Birrell, Executive Director, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
The following appeared as delegations to appeal the recommendation of the Director of Social Planning regarding the grant to Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter:
Alice Lee, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter
Victor Wong, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter
Nancy Ho on behalf of Reverend Margaret Marquardt
Fay Blaney, Aboriginal Women's Action Network
Dave McIntosh, Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Karen Duncan, Vancouver Women's Health Collective
Nancy Ho on behalf of Debbie Schaubroeck
Sheila Day
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT debate and decision on the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated April 8, 2003, entitled "Reconsideration of Community Services Grants Applications", be referred to the Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2003, as Unfinished Business.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
5. Parking Meters - Broadway - West of Burrard and Arbutus - Burrard to
12th Avenue (File 5654)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 27, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services reviewed parking in the West Broadway business area from Burrard to Blenheim Streets and recommended the installation of parking meters on a portion of this area to improve street usage for the area merchants. The report also recommended that the General Manager of Engineering Services continue to work with the local businesses to improve parking usage.
Bob MacDonald, Parking Engineer, briefly reviewed the report and was available to respond to questions.
Rick Hobbs, Senior Property Manager, Bastion Development Corp., spoke in support of the recommendations, noting that parking meters would improve the parking situation for retailers in the 2500-2700 blocks of West Broadway which has resulted because of increased residential density in the Arbutus brewery area.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Parking Meter By-Law 2952 be amended to allow for the installation of parking meters on Broadway, and adjacent side streets, from Burrard to Blenheim, as show on Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated March 27, 2003, entitled "Parking Meters - Broadway - West of Burrard and Arbutus - Burrard to 12th Avenue", with a rate of $1.00 per hour.
B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services install meters at Broadway and Arbutus, and on West Broadway and adjacent side streets from Trafalgar to Macdonald, generally as shown on Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated March 27, 2003 entitled "Parking Meters - Broadway - West of Burrard and Arbutus - Burrard to 12th Avenue", and continue to discuss parking options with the local businesses to improve street usage, which may include further meter installations.
C. THAT the estimated $110,000 one-time cost to purchase and install parking meters and part-year maintenance and coin collection costs in 2003 (ongoing cost estimated at $15,000 annually) be funded from increased meter revenues.
D. THAT the Director of Legal Services bring forward the amendments to By-Law 2952 to reflect Recommendation A of the Administrative Report dated March 27, 2003, entitled "Parking Meters - Broadway - West of Burrard and Arbutus - Burrard to 12th Avenue".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
6. Development of Downtown Skateboard Facility - Quebec & Union Streets (File 4151)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 8, 2003, in which the General Manager of Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services, the Director of Current Planning, the Director of Social Planning and the Director of Risk and Emergency Management recommended the development, on a trial basis, of a street-style skateboarding facility on a portion of road allowance bounded by Expo Boulevard, Quebec and Union Streets.
The City Manager commented in the report that in addition to the $195,000 Capital Cost, the annual cost impact on the revenue budget is $14,800 plus lost parking revenue of approximately $40,000. The City Manager also set out an additional recommendation designating operating costs to the Park Board.
Mark Vulliamy, Manager of Research and Planning, Park Board, reviewed the report and noted responsibility for maintaining and operating the skateboard plaza site will be transferred from Engineering Services to Park Board for the duration of the project, that the installation will be coupled with the addition and designation by Park Board of `skateable' elements in Andy Livingstone Park in order to create a desirable route for skateboarder access from the Stadium SkyTrain Station to the facility. Park Board will manage the site with a view to ensuring harmonious relationships between the users and the surrounding community and conduct a review of the success of the initiative after two years of operation. Mr. Vulliamy with Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services and Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, responded to questions regarding washroom facilities, public consultation, lighting, traffic and crosswalk configuration, graffiti control and the opportunity to include public art.
The following speakers expressed support for the proposed skateboard facility:
Lana Mauro
Nancy Chiavario
Cory McIntyre, President, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Chris Young, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Lee Ann Slade, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Alistair Reynolds, , Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Gwalliga Hart, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Aaron Orlando, Secretary, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Travis Cutler, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
Jason Lamarche, Vancouver SkatePark Coalition
The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:
· skateboarders need a visible location downtown;
· the SkatePark Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to work in conjunction with government, the community and Community Centre Associations toward safe skateboarding;
· the police are in support of the proposed skateboard facility;
· BMX bike groups are in strong support of the park;
· although helmets are difficult to enforce, there is signage in parks and most skateboarders in skate parks wear helmets;
· skateboarders are not necessarily associated with the graffiti problem;
· graffiti is considered both vandalism and art, where skateboarding is a sport;
· skate park design, attention to detail and the use of granite etc. will greatly enhance the appearance of the park; graffiti occurs less in the nicer parks;
· skateboarding keeps kids out of trouble, is good exercise and many skateboarders cross over from snowboarding;
· the west side of the City needs more skate parks;
· skate parks take skateboarders off the streets and draws them away from negative activity.
The following spoke in opposition to the proposed skateboard facility:
Matt Taylor
Dick Bogue, City Gate Strata Council
Janice Lovell
Patsy McMillan
Gary Godfrey
The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:
· support was expressed for skate parks in general, however, this location will bring with it graffiti, litter and noise;
· a site should be chosen that does not impact local residents;
· Council should consider a Portside Park on the waterfront just east of the Seabus Terminal on Waterfront St.;
· there are already too many noisy activities and events near City Gate, i.e. Indy, 3 on 3 Basketball, Snow Jam and the recently approved Street Hockey Tournament;
· concern was expressed that City Gate residents were not notified or involved in the process;
· concern was expressed regarding safety, i.e., unsupervised activity, washrooms across two lanes of traffic; the washroom are closed unless there is supervised activity in Andy Livingston Park; there is open drug injection and no safe drop-off or pickup point;
· concern was expressed regarding the City's commitment to graffiti removal.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the development on a trial basis of a "street- style" skateboard plaza on the site bounded by Quebec Street, Union Street and Expo Boulevard be approved, at a cost of $195,000, with the source of funding to be the Park Board's "skateboard facility" allocation in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan.
B. THAT the responsibility for maintaining the skateboard plaza site be transferred from Engineering Services to Park Board, with final arrangements to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services and the General Manager of the Parks and Recreation.
C. THAT the Park Board cover all Park Board operating costs for this facility under their Global Budget without an increase in Added Basic.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Louie and Woodsworth and the Mayor absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 24, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 7:12 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: |
Councillor Tim Stevenson, Deputy Mayor
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Stevenson in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
April 24, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl. 1: Significant New Rezoning Application: 1201 West Hastings Street
Cl. 2: Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 6835 Balaclava Street, 6875 Balaclava
Street and 3275 West 53rd Avenue
Cl. 3: Reconsideration of 2003 Cultural Grant Application
Cl. 4: Reconsideration of Community Services Grants Applications
Cl. 5: Parking Meters - Broadway - West of Burrard and Arbutus - Burrard to
12th Avenue
Cl. 6: Development of Downtown Skateboard Facility - Quebec & Union Streets
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 2, 5 and 6 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
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 Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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