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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
MARCH 25, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, March 25, 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: |
Councillor David Cadman (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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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 February 26, 2004, were adopted.
INFORMATION
1. Significant New Rezoning Application - 33 West Pender Street (File 5307)
The Committee had before it a description of a Significant New Rezoning Application for 33 West Pender Street, prepared by the Planning Department. Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, and Abigail Riley, Planning Analyst, provided an overview of the application and responded to questions relating to density, building height, parking and proposed retail.
RECOMMENDATION
2. Nuisance and Dangerous Building at 1942 West 2nd Avenue (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 25, 2004, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council declare the building at 1942 West 2nd Avenue a nuisance and dangerous to public safety and order it be demolished with a chain-link fence erected around the site to prevent dumping. Staff also recommended a 336D Notice be filed against the title to the property in order to warn prospective purchasers of By-law violations regarding the property and that there is an Order of Council against the property. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch, along with Carlene Robbins, Manager, By-law Administration, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to the inspection process, the decision to demolish a building and the steps taken regarding this specific building. Mr. Sweeney advised the owner has received correspondence indicating the specific concerns, that the owner has not applied for permits and the City has no knowledge of the intent of the owner relating to this property. It was also noted it would be very expensive to bring this building to a habitable state and it was only approved as a single-family dwelling.
Jesus Alvarez, owner, made the following comments in opposition to the recommendations (letters submitted - on file):
· reviewed occupancy/tenancy of building and difficulties arising relating to these individuals;
· reviewed history relating to Residential Tenancy Branch and City staff;
· advised he would get the permits required to restore the building;
· victimized by occupants of the building;
Scott Anderson, Bluegrass Painting Services, spoke in opposition to the recommendations indicating he was prepared to do work to restore the house, but needed to wait until legalities were resolved.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council declare that the building at 1942 West 2nd Avenue, Lot 12, Block 226, District Lot 526, Plan 590 PID 015-287-327 is a nuisance and dangerous to public safety pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.
B. THAT Council approve the Resolution attached to Administrative Report Nuisance and Dangerous Building at 1942 West 2nd Avenue dated February 25, 2004 , and order the property owner to pull down and demolish the building and to provide a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the property within 30 days of a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.
C. THAT in the event that the owner fails to comply with this order of Council, Council further orders and hereby authorizes the City Building Inspector, in his discretion, to carry out the work outlined in paragraph (B) above pursuant to Section 324A(2) of the Vancouver Charter.
D. THAT in the event of the failure of the owner to allow the City Building Inspector and/or his designate access to the site to carry out the work as outlined in paragraph (B) above, the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the building located at 1942 West 2nd Avenue, and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding in order to bring the building and site into compliance with the City By-laws and Council's resolution.
E. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 1942 West 2nd Avenue, in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are violations of the Vancouver Building, Electrical and Standards of Maintenance By-laws related to this property and that there is an order of Council against the property.
F. THAT Council hereby directs the City Building Inspector to withhold action with respect to Paragraphs B, C & D above on the condition that the owner of the property:
1) applies for the required Coordinated Special Inspection Permit to determine the requirements for re-occupancy of this building; and
2) obtains all subsequent required permits (as determined by the City Building Inspector or his delegates) for the repairs to this building within 60 days from the date of this resolution.
In the event that the owner fails to comply with paragraphs 1 and 2 above, Council hereby authorizes the City Building Inspector and Director of Legal Services to carry out the terms of Council=s Resolution outlined in paragraphs B, C and D.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 2534 East Georgia Street - Warning to Prospective Purchasers (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 3, 2004, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council direct a 336D Notice be filed against the title to the property at 2534 East Georgia Street in order to warn prospective purchasers of by-law violations. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch, reviewed the report.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 2534 East Georgia Street, Lot 6, Block 78 S Half District Lot THSL Plan 2016A PID 014-162-164 in order to warn prospective purchasers that this building has been used as an illegal marijuana grow operation on two occasions and there are contraventions of the Vancouver Building and Electrical By-laws related to this unapproved use.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 435 East 50th Avenue - Warning to Prospective Purchasers (File 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 26, 2004, in which the City Building Inspector recommended Council direct a 336D Notice be filed against the title to the property at 435 East 50th Avenue in order to warn prospective purchasers of By-law violations regarding the property. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection Branch, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to legal implications.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the title to the property at 435 East 50th Avenue (Lot 11, Blocks 18 & 19, District Lot 650 NHlf, Plan 7022) in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are contraventions of the Zoning and Development By-law related to this property.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. City of Vancouver Advertising Policy (File 1161)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on March 9, 2004, referred this matter to the March 25, 2004 meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee in order to hear delegations.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated March 1, 2004, in which the Director of Communications provided information to Council relating to City advertising policy, activities of the Corporate Communications Division since it was established in 1993, the criteria for advertising decisions and how publishers can seek clarification if they have concerns about how the policy has been applied in specific cases.
Syd Baxter, City Clerk; Catherine Clement, Director of Communications; and Paul Heraty, Communications Coordinator, reviewed the report and responded to questions relating to policies, vanity ads, journalism standards, considerations relating to specific target markets including technology, readership, budgets and criteria for placement of ads.
Gareth Kirkby and Rick Smith, XTRA West (brief submitted - on file) spoke indicating concerns regarding the City's advertising policy. Their comments included:
· the current advertising policy prevents Council from reaching specific communities;
· results of Angus Reid market surveys show unless reaching out specifically to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-gendered communities, invitations to participate in community issues are not considered aimed at them;
· the City has been made aware that advertising on a last-minute basis is available, but no improvement has been seen;
· not recognizing multi-cultural aspect of Vancouver;
· Charter of Rights requires City Hall to eliminate systemic discrimination;
· Council should make it clear to staff that content control should cease;
· targeting gay/lesbian community media will bring out talent and involvement in City life.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council receive Administrative Report City of Vancouver Advertising Policy, dated March 1, 2004, for INFORMATION; and
FURTHER THAT staff report back on strategies and budgeting implications to include media outlets relating to the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans-gendered and other diverse communities in the City's advertising policy.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Campbell and Councillor Ladner not present for the vote)
6. Provincial Cuts to Women's Centres (File 1263)
At its meeting on March 23, 2004, Vancouver City Council referred the motion relating to this issue to the Standing Committee meeting on March 25, 2004, in order to hear from members of the public.
Councillor Woodsworth introduced the motion and the following spoke in support:
Caryn Duncan, Vancouver Women's Health Collective
Bev Meslo, NAC-BC Society
Wendi Lawrence, Vice-President, BCGEU
Marilyn Young
Anna Withers
Speakers' comments included:
· women are being targeted for budget cuts;
· dissemination of incorrect facts and arrogant attitude from BC government is marginalizing women and eroding women's rights;
· advocacy work and services are critical to women Province-wide;
· encouraged Councillors to speak directly to Provincial ministers;
· budgets cuts will impact the City of Vancouver greatly; many BC women with reduced options will relocate to Vancouver where there is still some support;
· Council must function as advocates for women who cannot speak for themselves;
· women's centres serve as only place of safety for many women;
· women should not have to rely on benevolence of any government for protection;
· women's resource centres are the focus of many communities, not just for women in some communities, but for men also in an effort to keep families together;
· BCGEU is not supporting this motion strictly from a Union perspective, but as part of the community supporting women and women's programs;
· United Nations has criticized BC specifically regarding services for women.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
WHEREAS women's centres in British Columbia are critical to the health, safety and well-being of women; and
WHEREAS women's centres provide a wide range of direct services to women including information and referrals, support groups, crisis intervention, stopping the violence counselling, specialized victim's assistance, job entry programs, life skills workshop, legal aid workshops, volunteer training, child care services, housing registries, food programs, clothing exchanges, networking, advocacy and community outreach; and
WHEREAS over 300,000 women and girls receive direct services from women's centres every year; and
WHEREAS the majority of these women are in poverty and/or victims of violence; and
WHEREAS women's centres are their lifeline in the community; and
WHEREAS the provincial government is eliminating all core funding for women's centres as of March 31, 2004; and
WHEREAS five women's centres in Vancouver - Vancouver Status of Women, Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, Phillipine Women's Centre, South Asian Women's Centre, Vancouver Women's Health Collective, are among the 37 B.C. women's centres that will lose their core funding on March 31 and may be forced to close; and
WHEREAS the closure of these women's centres, on top of the massive provincial cuts to other services to women, will have a devastating impact on women in our community; and
WHEREAS it costs less than a dollar a day for every woman in B.C. to fund women's centres which is a small price to pay to ensure the safety and welfare of women;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
A. Vancouver City Council urge the provincial government to rescind plans to cut core funding for women's centres on March 31, 2004;
B. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council urge the provincial government to continue to provide core funding for all 37 women's centres in B.C.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to B.)
The Committee adjourned at 4:28 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 25, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 4:28 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 Tim Stevenson
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager | |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Diane Clairmont, Meeting Coordinator | |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
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
March 25, 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. Significant New Rezoning Application- 33 West Pender Street
2. Nuisance and Dangerous Building at 1942 West 2nd Avenue
3. 2534 East Georgia Street - Warning to Prospective Purchasers
4. 435 East 50th Avenue - Warning to Prospective Purchasers
5. City of Vancouver Advertising Policy
6. Provincial Cuts to Women's Centres
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment at its meeting of March 25, 2004, as contained in Items 1-6, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
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 Woodsworth
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Taxes on Empty Apartments (File 1551)
Council requested a memo back from staff to advise if there is any way to tax vacant apartments differently than those occupied full time.
The Council adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
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