REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
NOVEMBER 20, 2003
Vancouver City Council |
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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 20, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, November 20, 2003, at approximately 2:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Anne Roberts, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Jim Green (Civic Business) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of October 23, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Areaways Adjacent to 640 West Pender Street (File 5807)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 28, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning, sought Council concurrence for the continued use of a portion of the existing areaway along West Pender Street for mechanical and Electrical systems and sought Council's approval to deny the request by Simon Fraser University (SFU) to use an existing areaway along Granville Street for meeting, photocopy and storage rooms and require the area to be decommissioned as a prerequisite of the development proposal. As an alternative, the option of a volumetric lease was submitted for consideration.
Mike Thomson, City Surveyor, reviewed the report and responded to questions.
Roger Bailey, Merrick Architecture, spoke on behalf of the Applicant in support of the recommendations stating that the areaway is part of Vancouver's history and should be retained. In response to a question, he stated that in future, if the need arose, the area could be used for other purposes.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to enter into a standard encroachment agreement for that portion of the existing areaway along the Pender Street frontage of 640 West Pender Street, the same as shown in heavy outline on Appendix "A" of the Administrative Report Areaways Adjacent to 640 West Pender Street. dated October 28, 2003, the areaway to be used for maintaining existing mechanical and electrical systems. The agreement to be drawn in accordance with the Encroachment Bylaw, containing the standard provisions for termination, annual fees, and indemnities and to otherwise be to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and General Manager of Engineering Services, and be subject to the decommissioning of the balance of the Pender Street areaway as shown hatched on Appendix "A". The decommissioning to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services.
B. THAT Council support the General Manager of Engineering Services in requiring that the existing areaway along Granville Street, the same as shown in heavy outline on Appendix "B" of the Administrative Report Areaways Adjacent to 640 West Pender Street dated October 28, 2003, be decommissioned as a prerequisite of the new development (DE407019) at 640 West Pender Street.
CARRIED
(Councillor Woodsworth opposed to B)
(Councillors Bass and Stevenson not present for the vote)
2. Eburne Lands Subdivision - Park Conveyance Payment-in-Lieu and Fraser River Waterfront Walkway (File 3258)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated October 28, 2003, in which the Subdivision Approving Officer, in consultation with the Director of City Plans, General Manager of Engineering Services, Director of Legal Services, Director of Real Estate Services and General Manager, Parks and Recreation, sought Council acceptance of a payment-in-lieu of park conveyance, regarding the subdivision of the Eburne Lands at 9149 Hudson Street, legally described as Block 1, District Lots 318, 3869 and 3871, Plan 19037, and that the Approving Officer not require a continuous waterfront walkway through the site. The City Manager recommended approval of Recommendation A and as an alternative to B recommended that a continuous waterfront walkway through the site not be required, but that a bikeway/pedestrian pathway be constructed by the Applicant.
The Committee also had before it a memorandum dated November 4, 2003 from the General Manager of Parks and Recreation recommending that Council not accept payment-in-lieu, but support the dedication of a 3.3 acre park parcel on the waterfront along the entirety of the proposed TransLink bus barns site and that public right of ways be established along the water with the matter of physical access to be resolved through development permits.
Rick Scobie, Subdivision Approving Officer and Ann McAfee, Director of City Plans, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to current zoning implications, relationship to the current Greenway Plan and future mixed-use zoning possibilities.
Daniel Lipetz, Vice-President, Development, Eburne Development Ltd., spoke on behalf of the Applicant (submitted map - on file). Comments included:
· reviewed why land was sold to TransLink and how its economic value would be preserved;
· the City will have future opportunities to obtain additional amenities through rezoning;
· land should be retained for future waterfront use;
· payment-in-lieu could be used for parkland elsewhere;
· introducing a park will create conflict between industry and water use;
· Port Authority developed land use plan with extensive public consultation in 1999 and the Eburne site was identified as a key industrial node;
· walkways should go around industrial areas, not through;
· Council is urged to act expeditiously as financing hangs in the balance;
· in June 2003, Council supported industrial land strategy; this is first opportunity to act on this policy.
Sheri Plewes, Vice-President, Capital Management and Engineering, TransLink, presented the proposed project and responded to questions relating to employee parking, marine services, the application process and additional cost relating to redesign of the bus barns if this proposal is not accepted (presentation submitted - on file).
The following spoke against the recommendation to accept payment-in-lieu and in favour of the Vancouver Park Board alternative to create parkland:
Commissioner Eva Riccius, Park Board
Commissioner Suzanne Anton, Park Board
Ivan Bulic, SPEC (overhead presentation)
Don Larson (photos submitted- on file)
Diane King, Southwest Marine Drive Ratepayers' Association
Judy Williams, Co-Chair, Fraser River Coalition (letter submitted - on file)
Claudia Laroye, Marpole Business Association
Terry Slack, Fraser River Coalition
Thomas Nichols (brief submitted - on file)
June Binkert, Save Our Parkland Association
Wendy Turner (letter submitted - on file)
Liz Haan, Marine Drive Ratepayers' Association
Helen Spiegelman, Dunbar Residents' Association
Bev Ramey, Vancouver Natural History Society (brief submitted - on file)
Vivian Bevis, West Southlands Ratepayers' Association
Donna Battye, Strata VR 1850
Norm Zottenberg, Vice-President, Marpole/Oakridge Community Association
Speakers' comments included:
· Vancouver Park Board resolved unanimously to not accept payment-in-lieu and to create parkland instead;
· specifics contributing to making this area globally significant are largest salmon run in world, migratory bird population, transportation artery, employment opportunities and contributions to economy and sustainability;
· reviewed history and impacts of industrial activity on Eburne Slough;
· Marpole is green space deficient;
· By-law requiring 10% of subdivision be set aside for green space has been ignored;
· with slight reconfiguration, park would be compatible with TransLink plans;
· Council urged to comply with its own policies;
· Council has rare and one-time opportunity to set aside land on Fraser River waterfront for future benefit of Vancouver;
· support expressed for industrial land preservation; however, Council asked to consider impact on environment and citizens of Vancouver;
· concern expressed that general public was not included in the process;
· TransLink's ferry proposal would cause pollution;
· bigger security concern is with barges turning in close proximity to Arthur Lang Bridge;
· lack of community dialogue undermines public belief in good will of involved parties;
· concern expressed that GVTA could expropriate the site;
· the proposal is not viable as Richmond Island is under Richmond jurisdiction;
· amount of payment-in-lieu has not been revealed and land is more valuable than money.
The following spoke in favour of the recommendations:
Graham Farstad, Port Fraser Authority (brief submitted - on file)
Gary Williams, G. L. Williams and Associates Limited
Doug Purdy, LPA Development and Marketing Consultants
Speakers' comments included:
· public process started in 1998 with participation of port users general public;
· received environmental input; acknowledged challenge between industry and environmentalist interests;
· problem with marine-oriented industry is direct interface with water;
· identified linkages that could occur not on waterfront, but as close as possible;
· critical for Port to retain Eburne land as prime industrial site due to minimal land base;
· all habitat will be protected; Applicant is working with Department of Fisheries and FREMP to ensure development is in keeping with responsible ecological approach;
· proposal meets GVRD call for jobs near populated areas;
· Council should consider industrial land policies and respect those policies;
The following spoke in favour of postponing a decision until options are determined by various groups working collaboratively:
Mike Romaine
Doug Warkenton, Marpole resident and small business owner.
Speakers' comments included:
· comprehensive approach should be taken to ensure long-term viability of Fraser River;
· leadership needed to determine viable options and encourage good corporate citizenship along Fraser River;
· Council urged to postpone decision until staff, general public and Applicants have an opportunity to review available options;
· concern expressed that payment-in-lieu would disappear into park board budget and not specifically benefit the Marpole area.
Mitch Anderson, Board Member, Labour Environmental Alliance Society, spoke only about the need for the Society to develop a log sort yard on the site (letter submitted - on file).
In response to questions, Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager; Rick Scobie, Subdivision Approving Officer; and Piet Rutgers, Director of Planning and Operations, Vancouver Parks & Recreation, commented on the following:
· implications of potential expropriation by the GVTA;
· role of the Approving Officer and the Applicant;
· effects on marshland and fish;
· notification process;
· road access to the waterfront site;
· process for allocation and spending of payment-in-lieu.
MOVED by Mayor Campbell
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council authorize a payment-in-lieu of park conveyance, regarding the subdivision of the Eburne Lands at 9149 Hudson Street, legally described as PID: 007-044-640, Block 1, District Lots 318, 3869 and 3871, Plan 19037.
B. THAT Council support the Director of City Plans and General Manager of Engineering Services in not requiring a continuous waterfront walkway through the site, but that a bikeway/pedestrian pathway be constructed by the applicant along West 75th Avenue, including street end improvements to enhance public access and use of the Hudson Street and Bentley Street ends and along Hudson Street and Bentley Street between West 75th Avenue and the waterfront, and subject to an option to purchase Richmond Island for public park purposes with an accompanying right of first refusal, to the satisfaction of Director of Legal Services and Director of Real Estate Services.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Ladner, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and Mayor Campbell opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT THE Committee recommend to Council
THAT TransLink not appropriate the property at the Eburne Land site.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Ladner, Louie, Roberts, Stevenson, Sullivan, Woodsworth and Mayor Campbell opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT TransLink and the North Fraser Port Authority work with City staff and the community to develop a pathway and park public amenity along the waterfront on the Eburne Land site.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
The Committee adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, November 20, 2003, at 6:25 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Deputy Mayor Raymond Louie
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell(Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Louie in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
POLICY REPORT
1. CD-1 Rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street and Heritage Revitalization Agreement at 1160 West Georgia Street (File 5304/5051)
It was noted that in the memo dated November 17, 2003 relating to this item, the date for the Public Hearing should be December 10, 2003 not December 20, 2003
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
A. THAT the application by James K.M. Cheng Architects, to rezone 1120 West Georgia Street (Lot G, Block 18, DL 185, Plan LMP1597) from DD to CD-1, adding Dwelling Units and General Office Live-work as permitted uses, and allowing an increase in building height to 183 m (600 ft.) and an increase in floor space ratio to 12.81, be referred to a Public Hearing together with:
(i) revised plans received September 9, 2003;
(ii) draft CD-1 By-law provisions, generally as contained in Appendix A of the Policy Report CD-1 Rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street and Heritage Revitalization Agreement at 1160 West Georgia Street dated November 10, 2003; and
(iii) the recommendation of the Director of Current Planning to approve, subject to conditions contained in Appendix B of the Policy Report CD-1 Rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street and Heritage Revitalization Agreement at 1160 West Georgia Street dated November 10, 2003.
FURTHER THAT the application be referred to the same Public Hearing;
AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-law for consideration at the Public Hearing.
D. THAT, should the CD-1 rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street be approved, Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to enter into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement to secure the rehabilitation, voluntary code upgrading, protection and on-going maintenance of the exterior and interior of the "B" Heritage Register building at 1160 West Georgia Street;
AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-law to authorize the Heritage Revitalization Agreement for consideration at the same Public Hearing.
E. THAT, should the CD-1 rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street be approved, Council by by-law designate as municipally-protected heritage property the "B" Heritage Register building at 1160 West Georgia Street;
AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-law to designate as municipally-protected heritage property the "B" Heritage Register building at 1160 West Georgia Street for consideration at the same Public Hearing.
F. THAT, should the CD-1 rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street be approved, Council authorize the Director of Legal Services and General Manager of Engineering Services to conclude and sign the agreements outlined regarding the Sculpture Garden set out in Appendix B of the Policy Report CD-1 Rezoning at 1120 West Georgia Street and Heritage Revitalization Agreement at 1160 West Georgia Street dated November 10, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
November 20, 2003
Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment. Its items of business included:
1. Areaways Adjacent to 640 West Pender Street
2. Eburne Lands Subdivision - Park Conveyance Payment-in-Lieu and Fraser River Waterfront Walkway
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment at its meeting of November 20, 2003, as contained in Items 1 and 2, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
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
The Council adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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