Vancouver City Council |
REPORT TO COUNCIL
Date:
July 11, 2003
Author:
Pamela Andrews/
Tina HildebrantPhone No.:
604.873.7268
RTS No.:
3537
CC File No.:
113/3053-1
Meeting Date:
July 29, 2003
TO:
FROM:
The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues
SUBJECT:
Changes to the Zoning and Development By-law for Enhanced Accessibility Provisions
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council ask staff to forward the amendments to the Vancouver Building By-Law that support enhanced accessibility provisions to the Provincial Building Policy Branch, Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, for potential inclusion in future revisions of the British Columbia Building Code.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
I would support the recommendation and note that as an update to this report a further staff report will be coming in September regarding amendments to the Zoning and Development By-law.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's approval to ask staff to forward the amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law that support enhanced accessibility provisions to the Provincial Government for potential inclusion in future revisions of the British Columbia Building Code.
BACKGROUND
On May 16, 2002, Vancouver City Council approved amendments to the 1999 Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL) aimed at improving access in multiple-unit residential buildings. In response to development industry concerns, Council also directed staff to report back on changes to the Zoning and Development By-law to provide a Floor Space Ratio (FSR) exclusion to support the revised Building By-law requirement for a visitable washroom. The changes with floor space implications were to be implemented in August 2003.
After reviewing the options outlined in the March 14, 2003, draft Policy Report, the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues formally endorsed proposed amendments to the building by-law.
On May 13, 2003, Vancouver City Council formally instructed that the revised by-laws be prepared and that they be referred to a public hearing.
The development industry supported a FSR exclusion as a means of encouraging enhanced access to washrooms in residential units. However, since these amendments formally become part of the City by-law in August 2003, no such encouragement is needed. The changes will be required by law, thus a FSR exclusion is unnecessary. As well, the need for a public hearing has been eliminated.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting on July 3, 2003, the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues received an update on changes to the Zoning and Development By-law related to enhanced accessibility provisions. It was noted that the Provincial Government is in the process of amending the British Columbia Building Code and it was suggested that staff forward the revisions to the Vancouver Building By-law regarding accessibility to the Province for potential inclusion.
CONCLUSION
The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues recommends that Council approve the recommendation noted above.
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