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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
JANUARY 29, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, January 29, 2004 at 2:00 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Anne Roberts, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence) |
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Leave of Absence - Civic Business) | |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
CONSIDERATION
1. 1641 Commercial Drive - Private Liquor Store (File 2604)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 12, 2004, in which the Director of Current Planning sought Council advice on a development application to change the use of a portion of an existing building at 1641 Commercial Drive from retail to private liquor store (beer only). The General Manager of Community Services submitted for consideration the options of favouring or not favouring the application.
Bill Boons, Manager, Processing Centre - Development, reviewed the report and responded to questions (brief submitted - on file).
Dave Crown, General Manager, and Tannis Roop, both of Avanti's Pub (Applicant), spoke in support of the application. Their comments included:
· reviewed history of Avanti's licensing application;
· Avanti's is a 65-seat pub; approximately 50 restaurants with straight drinking seats on Commercial provide strong competition; approval of this application is necessary in order to compete;
· the Applicant has incurred approximately $60,000 in expenses for this application;
· if application is successful, more people would be hired;
· staff report relating to neighbourhood response is misleading as it does not reveal that the application has been changed to beer only;
· loading time would be reduced even if volume increased;
· security would not be an issue;
· no change of product/use is requested;
· there would be only 300 sq. ft. of retail space; therefore, would not compete with government liquor store; intent is to serve niche market, regular clients and provide better prices.
Mr. Boons clarified the notification process and calculations.
Mr. Crown and Ms. Roop responded to questions relating to clientele, neighbourhood response, reaction from nearby government liquor store, government discount and projected revenue, hours of operation, traffic and operational concerns.
The following spoke in favour of the application:
Gary Robinson
Stuart McKenna
Patricia Blue
Colleen Hayes
Speakers' comments included:
· convenient to those who do not drive;
· concerns regarding chronic drinkers in Victoria Park are not valid as these drinkers do not go to Avanti's for off-sales; pub does not have impact on the negative situation in the park;
· ownership has changed over years, but has always been professional and responsible;
· ample street parking available;
· regarding separation guidelines: Avanti's already has off-sales available; therefore, no competition and no increase in product for neighbourhood;
· concerns regarding loading facilities would not be resolved by rejecting this application;
· encourages constructive dialogue with all parties to resolve not reject;
· Avanti's has a strong community sense, supporting diversity and choice.
The following spoke in opposition to the application:
James Evans
Sherry Dance, BCGEU (letter submitted - on file)
Gilles Doré, Provincial Liquor Distribution Branch
Speakers' comments included:
· Sunday is only day of peace in the neighbourhood because the liquor store is closed; approval of this application would create noise and loitering problems on that day;
· group of residents have been working with police and Vancouver Parks and Recreation to resolve concerns regarding Victoria Park; approval of the application would exacerbate the negative situation;
· application does not meet criteria set by Council;
· the neighbourhood is served well by liquor store and Avanti's already has off-sales;
· jobs created would be non-Union and at minimum wage;
· liquor stores are not profit-driven and are responsible to community;
· liquor stores have easier access;
· Avanti's does get government discount, but looking for bigger discount;
· there is more crime related to private liquor stores;
· approval of this application would be the beginning of privatization.
In response to questions, Ms. Dance advised that the BCGEU will oppose all private liquor stores in British Columbia to keep union jobs, described training process for BCGEU liquor store employees and advised that government stores are now implementing private security systems to reduce crime.
Mr. Boons clarified City policy regarding private liquor stores. Guy Gusdal, Licensing Coordinator, clarified off-sales (beer only) criteria.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the Director of Planning be advised that Council would not favour approval of Development Application Number DE407287 for a Private Liquor Store (Beer only) at 1641 Commercial Drive.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
RECOMMENDATION
2. West 33rd Avenue Street Improvements, Arbutus to Angus and
1925 West 33rd Avenue - Arbutus Gardens - Allocation of Community Amenity Contributions (File 5762)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 6, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought allocation of a portion of the Community Amenity Contributions from 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens), approval and funding for changes to West 33rd Avenue between Arbutus Street and Angus Drive and approval and funding of neighbourhood traffic calming and cycling improvements.
David Rawsthorne, Assistant Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to bicycle routes. He noted that guidelines are pending and suggested further discussion take place when they are available.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the changes to West 33rd Avenue shown on Figures 1, 2 and 3, as well as other cycling improvements and traffic calming measures outlined in the Administrative Report West 33rd Avenue Street Improvements, Arbutus to Angus and
1925 West 33rd Avenue - Arbutus Gardens - Allocation of Community Amenity Contributions, dated January 6, 2004, be implemented at an estimated total cost of $960,000, with a $595,000 contribution from the developer of Arbutus Gardens and the remaining balance of $365,000 to be funded as follows:
· $265,000 allocated from Community Amenity Contributions generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue, and;
· $100,000 provided from Streets Basic Capital Account SCA4A-UNAP, Arterial Improvements Unappropriated (Account #30003217).
B. THAT Council allocate $190,000 in Community Amenity Contributions generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens) to future pedestrian and cycling improvements and traffic calming on neighbouring local, residential streets, subject to report back by staff.
C. THAT commencing in 2005, the Traffic Operating Budget be increased by $2,000 subject to review as part of the 2005 Operating Budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan not present for the vote)
CONSIDERATION
3. Proposed High Building - Height Increase from 300 ft. to 400 ft.
550 Bute - Development Application 407110 (File 2604)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 7, 2004, in which the Director of Current Planning sought Council advice regarding the proposed height of a development application to construct a 43-storey retail/hotel/office/residential building at 550 Bute and 1133 Melville, where the proposed height exceeds the permitted 91.44 m (300 ft.) under the provisions of the DODP and the General Policy for Higher Buildings. The General Manager of Community Services submitted an option in favour of the height increase for Council's consideration.
Ralph Segal, Senior Development Planner, reviewed the report and with Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, responded to questions relating to access by transit, impact on economic development, architectural benefits resulting from the height difference of 300 ft. to 400 ft., LEEDS standards, landscaping, design function versus aesthetics including the use of specific materials, the City's Higher Building Policy and zoning.
Dave Hewitt, Hewitt Kwasnicky, Architect, responded to questions relating to landscaping and use of indigenous materials.
The following spoke in opposition to the increase in height:
Brad Joseph
Mona Low (letter and petition of 31 submitted - on file)
Speakers' comments included:
· acknowledged that the new building design is better than the design originally proposed; however, views will not be increased - three view corridors (ocean, Stanley Park, mountains) will be eliminated;
· tower should be slimmed down and site developed for public good; proposed design does not benefit nearest neighbours.
Mr. Beasley reviewed the process of balancing the right to develop and minimizing impact on residents. He noted there are on-going discussions with the Vancouver Real Estate Board regarding realtors' discussing proposed new developments with clients. He also noted this project will now be presented to the Development Permit Board to be refined and residents' concerns will not be ignored.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
That the Development Permit Board be advised that Council would favour the proposed increase in building height to 121.92 m (400 ft.) for the construction of a 43-storey retail/hotel/office/residential building at 550 Bute as submitted under Development Application 407110.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT staff report back on adding green building policy and CO2 off-set policy as part of the City of Vancouver's Higher Building Policy.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councillor Bass requested a memo from staff detailing the proportion of unoccupied dwelling units in Downtown Vancouver and if there is anything that can be done.
The Committee adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 29, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, January 29, 2004, at 4:40 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations and actions of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Deputy Mayor Louis
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator |
* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Louis in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
January 29, 2004
Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment. Its items of business included:
1. 1641 Commercial Drive - Private Liquor Store
2. West 33rd Avenue Street Improvements, Arbutus to Angus, and
1925 West 33rd Avenue - Arbutus Gardens - Allocation of Community Amenity Contributions
3. Proposed High Building - Height Increase from 300 ft. to 400 ft.
550 Bute - Development Application 407110
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment at its meeting of January 29, 2004, as contained in Items 1-3, 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 Green
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS
1. Eburne Lands (File: 3258)
Council had before it a memo from the Deputy City Manager, dated January 29, 2004.
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
A. THAT Council authorize as a first option full 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, and failing this, that the Deputy City Manager negotiate the best arrangement possible.
B. THAT the City Manager be authorized to encourage the North Fraser Port Authority to resurrect and proceed with site subdivision on the basis of A above.
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass, Cadman and Roberts opposed)
(Councillor Ladner not present for the vote)
The Council adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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