CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 23, 2003

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, October 23, 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, Sign and Downtown District Official Development Plan By-laws.

PRESENT:

Deputy Mayor Fred Bass, Chair
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth

   

ABSENT:

Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
Councillor Jim Green (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)

   

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tarja Tuominen, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Bass in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development, Sign and Downtown District Official Development Plan By-laws.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Vary order of agenda

Council agreed to vary the order of the agenda to consider Items 3 and 5 after Item 1, as there were no speakers registered for those items. For ease of reference the items are minuted in numerical order.

1. Text Amendment: Zoning and Development By-law (Consequential to SRA By-law)

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary:

To amend the Zoning & Development By-law to include that a person who has not obtained a conversion or demolition permit for a room designated under the Single Room Accommodation By-law will not be able to obtain a development permit in connection with such conversion or demolition.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Nathan Edelson, Senior Planner, Central Area Planning, reviewed the application and provided background leading up to the by-law amendment.

Summary of Correspondence

No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

Council Decision

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth

THAT the application by the Director of Current Planning to amend Sections 3 and 6 of the Zoning and Development By-law to provide that failure to obtain a permit required under the Single Room Accommodation By-law is a basis for refusing to issue a development permit in relation to the same property, generally as set out in Appendix B of the Policy Report "Regulation of Single Room Accommodation" dated September 9, 2003 be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and 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 Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

THAT Council enact the by-law listed below and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and seal the enacted by-law.

CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)

1. A By-law to amend Zoning and Development By-law No. 3575 (Conversion or demolition permit prerequisite to development permit) (By-law No. 8734)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Bass in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development, Sign and Downtown District Official Development Plan By-laws.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Text Amendment: C-2 District Schedule

An application by the Director of City Plans was considered as follows:

Summary:

The proposed amendments to the C-2 District Schedule would result in different form of development for projects in the C-2 zone.

The Director of City Plans recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Trish French, Senior Planner, Community Plans, introduced Tom Staniszkis and Chris Robertson, who have been working with her on this application. Ms. French, with the aid of a powerpoint presentation, reviewed the application and highlighted proposed zoning changes and issues. She also noted the concerns of the two main interest groups: C-2 owners and owners of adjacent properties, as well as suggestions outside the scope of the zoning review. Ms. French pointed out Council has the choice of two versions for amending the C-2 District Schedule: Version 1 - Section 4.3.1 maximum height is 13.8m (45 ft.); Version 2 - Section 4.3.1 maximum height is 12.2 m (40 ft.).

Summary of Correspondence

Council received the following correspondence since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing:

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application.

The following speakers expressed concern with all or portions of the proposed amendments. Several supported either the 40 or 45 foot maximum height.

Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included:

Staff Closing Comments

Ms. French summarized the concerns of the speakers, noting there was split opinion on the overall allowable height. The guidelines to the C-2 zoning show what relaxations will be allowed; there will be additional flexibility on smaller sites. Ms. French offered to pass parking concerns to Engineering Services.

Council Decision

MOVED by Councillor Roberts

CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)

3. Rezoning: 488 Robson Street

An application by Hancock Brckner Eng & Wright Architects was considered as follows:

Summary:

The proposed rezoning would change the zoning from Downtown District (DD) to Comprehensive Development District (CD-1) to permit additional floor area in the project previously approved by the Development Permit Board.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval, subject to conditions set out in the agenda of the Public Hearing.

Staff Comments

Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, Rezoning Centre, explained the application, noting the rezoning application is to add 10,492 sq. ft. in residential floor space. The increased floor space will not create adverse shadowing and will have modest impacts on public and private views. Staff fully support the proposal.

Applicant Comments

Jim Hancock, representing the applicant, was present to answer questions.

Summary of Correspondence

No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

Council Decision

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

A. THAT the application by Hancock Brückner Eng + Wright Architects on behalf of H. Tjoa to rezone 488 Robson Street (Lot J, Block 65, DL 541, Plan LMP 41829) from DD (Downtown District) to CD-1 (Comprehensive Development District) generally as set out in Appendix A to the Policy Report "Cultural Amenity Bonus, Heritage Density Transfer and CD-1 Rezoning: 488 Robson Street" dated September 4, 2003, be approved, including a consequential amendment to Downtown District Official Development Plan to remove the site from all map figures, subject to the following conditions:

B. THAT the application by Hancock Brückner Eng + Wright Architects to amend the Sign By-law (By-Law No. 6510) to establish regulations for the CD-1 in accordance with Schedule B (DD) be approved.

C. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward the following amendments to the Noise Control By-law at time of enactment of the Zoning By-law:

Amend Schedule A (Activity Zone) by adding the following:

"[CD-1 #] [By-law #] 488 Robson Street".

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Rezoning: 1201 West Hastings Street

An application by Mark Ehman, Downs Archambault & Partners Architects, was considered as follows:

Summary:

The proposed rezoning would change the zoning from Central Waterfront District (CWD) and Downtown District (DD) to Comprehensive Development District (CD-1) to permit a mixed-use residential tower and grocery store.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval, subject to the conditions set out in the agenda of the Public Hearing.

Staff Comments

Alan Duncan, Planner, Rezoning Centre, was present to answer questions.

Applicant Comments

Mark Ehman, representing the applicant, was present to answer questions.

Summary of Correspondence

No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application.

Gerry Sieben, on behalf of the Strata Council for the building at 1233 West Cordova Street (brief filed), advised the Strata Council is willing to support the application subject to the developer implementing modifications suggested by the Strata Council. He noted the modifications are not included in the drawings present at the Public Hearing, but will be included with those to be submitted to the City in the development permit application to be presented later this month.

Council Decision

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

Acoustic:

AGREEMENTS:

Engineering Services:

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Text Amendment: 2001 Cassiar Street

An application by LPA Development & Marketing Consultants Ltd., was considered as follows:

Summary:

The proposed text amendment to the CD-1 would permit a phased expansion of the seniors housing including congregate care.

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval, subject to the conditions set out in the agenda of the Public Hearing.

Staff Comments

Lynda Challis, Planner, Rezoning Centre, briefly described the application and noted the applicant will be introducing an amendment to the condition related to the housing agreement.

Applicant Comments

Jack Clerkson, LPA Developments, requested a change to the proposed condition related to the housing agreement. The applicant is willing to secure the required core-needed housing units in the first two Phases of the building and is requesting to be exempt from providing the housing in the third phase.

Rob Whitlock, Senior Housing Manager, confirmed no units will be lost by agreeing to the request. Staff are satisfied the required below-market units will be secured.

Rick Hulbert, Architect, for Beulah Gardens, distributed a handout (on file) outlining a requested change to the building height allowed in the proposed CD-1 By-law amendment for the site. The change will address the difference in the slope on the site. The applicant has consulted with the neighbourhood. Staff, the Urban Design Panel and the neighbourhood support the proposed change.

Ms. Challis advised changes proposed by the applicant for the building height are of a technical nature. Staff support the proposed amendment as it is not a height increase but addresses the slope changes throughout the site.

Summary of Correspondence

No correspondence was received on this application since the date it was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

Staff Closing Comments

Ms. Challis reiterated the proposed change to the housing agreement does not change the numbers. The housing agreement for the site will come back for finalization.

Council Decision

Council supported the amendments to the Housing Agreement and the change in building height as proposed by the applicant.

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

A. THAT the application by LPA Development and Marketing Consultants Ltd., to amend CD-1 By-law No. 3893 for 2001 Cassiar Street (Block 92, Sec. 29 THSL Plan 3104), to permit redevelopment of the site to increase the number or residential units for seniors, including congregate housing, generally as set out in Appendix A to the Policy Report ACD-1 Text Amendment - 2001 Cassiar Street (Beulah Gardens@ dated August 29, 2003 be approved, subject to the following conditions:

B. THAT the draft CD-1 By-law No. 3893 for 2001 Cassiar Street be amended as follows:

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Text Amendment: Downtown Official Development Plan (Car Rental)

An application by the Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:

Summary:

The proposed text amendment to the Downtown District ODP would permit car rental in sub-area K (Granville Street).

The Director of Current Planning recommended approval.

Staff Comments

Lynda Challis, Planner, Rezoning Centre, briefly reviewed the application, noting the proposed text amendment would permit car rental operations between Robson and Drake to serve the local population and tourist trade.

Summary of Correspondence

No correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing.

Speakers

Deputy Mayor Bass called for speakers for and against the application.

Jim Lehto, representing a property owner in 1200 Block Granville Street, spoke in support of the application, noting a car rental operation was a much needed retail and lifestyle option, not possible in the area before, for people who wish to rent a car and not own one.

Council Decision

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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 Louie

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 11:10 p.m.

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