CITY OF VANCOUVER
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Planning Department
Current Planning
Rezoning Centre
M E M O R A N D U M July 15, 2004 | |
TO: |
Mayor Campbell and Councillors |
COPY TO: |
J. Rogers, City Manager
|
FROM: |
D. Thomsett, Senior Rezoning Planner |
SUBJECT: |
CD-1 Text Amendment - Open House on Slot Machines at the Racecourse |
On July 7th, staff held an open house on the rezoning at the Hastings Community Centre. The area notified of the open house and the Public Hearing included approximately 5,000 property owners within the area from Nanaimo Street to Boundary Road, the waterfront to Charles Street.
The purpose of the open house was for staff and the proponents to explain the proposal through a series of display panels, to be available to answer questions, and to provide forms for those wishing to make comments.
About 160 people attended over a three hour period. A total of 84 people filled out comments forms, with 36 generally in support of the proposal, and 48 generally opposed to the proposal.
A summary of comments made is as follows:
Generally in Favour:
Save the racetrack:
· Like to see more development in this area - hate to see the track move elsewhere
· To keep the racetrack going.
· It's good revenue, create jobs, jobs, jobs and entertainment for young and old people.
· The horse racing industry needs slots to survive.
· My job depends on the slots.
· My son has special needs and has been employed at Hastings Park for four seasons.
· The horse racing culture needs to be preserved - the Racecourse serves the whole province.
· The added benefit of saving the industry is a benefit other slot proposals do not have.
· Will benefit the City, the horse owners and hundreds of breeders all over the province.
· The Racetrack can't compete with casinos without slot machines.
· I visited Fraser Downs, with slots, and found it to be very customer friendly and very safe.
· The racetrack used to be the only place you could go to bet - we need to be able to compete.
· Having slots would provide the racetrack to be on a level playing field.
· We are not asking for a free handout to run the business.
· Should our business have to close, it will have a huge trickle-down effect.
· We need the revenue from slots to increase purses.
· Other racetracks have benefited from slots, so why not Vancouver?
· Our only racetrack is in trouble.
· It's only fair, if Fraser Downs has slots, why not Hastings?
· Exciting game (the king of sport) Horse Racing, family entertainment.
Revenue and community benefits:
· Vancouver can use the money - why have people go to Burnaby or Richmond to spend it?
· City benefits from increased revenue; community benefits from the portion they receive.
· Rather than send Vancouver people to Burnaby, why not keep the money here?
· I own my own home and wouldn't mind my taxes to go down.
· To keep the park green, the cash needs to come from Vancouver's entertainment dollars.
· Let's keep the cash in our own municipality.
· Revenue from slot machines has been going into neighbouring municipalities for years.
· The funds provided would enable the City to accomplish what everyone wants.
· Economic stimulus to the local economy with the creation of jobs and spinoffs.
· Need money from the track to support maintenance and policing for greening Hastings Park.
· If we get slots, there will be money to make a very nice park. Also for security.
Little impact on the neighbourhood:
· Won't impact the neighbouring community in a big way.
· Concerns about parking are out of proportion to the probable reality.
· They have plenty of parking and with that would come more security.
· Will have minimum impact because they have the parking and space already in place.
· The number attracted solely to slots would be hardly noticeable compared with the PNE.
· Traffic is not a problem even if we do get slots.
· Good transit service will take a lot of the people coming.
· The noisy Harley crowd do not seem attracted to slot machines.
· Crime will not increase, but decrease with the addition of slots.
Slots are a form of entertainment:
· Instead of us going to Burnaby and have fun, why don't we have it close to home?
· Go for the machine. We support you guy!
· We need to provide entertainment and activities for a broad range of interests.
· It's too far to travel to get to a casino.
· Slots already approved at the Plaza of Nations, so the moral impediment has been removed.
· It is not the poor, but middle and upper classes that predominantly gamble.
· If addiction to gambling is a problem, we as a society can ban it but prohibition never works.
· Give me the slots so as I don't have to go to Burnaby.
· Slot machines bring tourist here.
Racecourse in Hastings Park:
· Already have all sorts of parks - Hastings Park is totally different.
· Let's have some fun for old timers and young people in our own backyard.
· There has been gambling on the site for 115 years - why change that?
· Green space needs to be spread around local neighbourhoods, not in one large area.
· They are park friendly.
· Would like to see slots and horses and greening all as one.
· Gambling has occurred at the racetrack for over a century - it precedes the current park.
· Without the track the greening of Hastings Park would backfire on the community.
· Will improve security in the park if there is more activity and more people.
· The present area of parkland is sufficient.
· The grandstand is fairly well isolated from nearby homes.
Other:
· Could have a yearly independent review of the lease.
· We need to allow for many definitions of community.
· Council has a responsibility to encourage innovation and allow for new programs and ideas.
· Approve the slots and then ensure they are entirely contained and the area secured.
· An unworkable suggestion of a Councillor to stable the horses in the racetrack infield.
· What stops usage for those that become addicted to anything is support programmes.
· This is not a casino with tables etc. as residents are trying to tell everyone.
Generally Opposed
Gambling:
· No positive outcome to a family in which one or more family members gamble.
· All "profit" represents money not being spent on other services and purchases.
· Many Low income families in the neighbourhood more easily compromised than on W. Side.
· Social costs outweighs the profits - up to $1.50 for every $1.00.
· Will increase the number of gambling addicts.
· Gambling addicts spend food money for their children, steal from their family and others.
· Profits off the backs of those who can least afford to waste their money on gambling.
· Causes marriage breakup. People have lost their homes, turned to theft, personality changes.
· It is pure hell, so keep it out of our area.
· Gambling is wanting. Wanting of any kind is suffering. I do not promote more suffering.
· They deceive people into believing they can simply escape the reality of their lives.
· How can our society be caring when we continue to victimize one another for profit.
· Supporting crippling addictions and the private sector's incessant greed.
· If slots happen and problems start, are you ready to pull their license?
· People who gamble at slot machines & VLTs are different from those who gamble on races.
· Slots are one of the most addictive forms of gambling.
· Leads to various social problems including domestic violence.
· Brings criminal elements into the neighbourhood.
Not in the park:
· Slots don't belong in a park regardless of any principle of a "heritage" activity.
· Would set a dangerous precedent for other city parks.
· Parks and slots and kids do not mix.
· Will open the door to increased development for non green/park activities.
· Will have long term negative impact on our park and our neighbourhood.
· Would you consider slots in the Aquarium or at QE Park to make the conservatory viable?
· Why not in an industrial area and combine the incomes?
· Restricts our green space to chase after the almighty dollar.
· Would destroy the park potential and put a black mark on surrounding neighbourhoods.
· Other parks get folk festivals, we get slots.
· Want a park-like atmosphere at Hastings Park.
· Put slots in an entertainment centre or move them out altogether.
· Belongs in a warehouse or business district. Gamblers would go anywhere for slots.
· If a park setting is so important, put them in QE or Stanley Park.
· Bought our house based on the City's promise of a park for our neighbourhood.
· Not in a park. Rather, in a place where tourists go like downtown, the Convention Centre.
· I thought the PNE was going. Now slot machines. I've put my house up for sale.
· Parks should be for families and mostly for activities so people can exercise and stay healthy.
· We have much less green space than other parts of Vancouver.
· No other Vancouver park is expected to pay for itself.
· "Greening" of the park plan appears to have been scrapped in favour of private enterprise.
· Recent surveys show the vast majority in Vancouver do not believe slots appropriate in park.
Future of the Racecourse:
· Propping up a failing business on a heavily burdened piece of public land is not appropriate.
· The land would be better used as a park.
· Businesses live and die and are connected with the times. Don't resurrect at n'hood expense.
· If the 5/8th track is unfeasible today, it should be rebuilt away from this neighbourhood.
· Prefer it to shut down than to "save" it with slot machines.
· Slots won't save the track. Slots players probably won't be interested in horse racing.
· Slots will be left behind when the track closes. What assurance is there this won't happen?
· When a business is not viable anymore, it should close. It's the cost of doing business.
· Why use these stunning views of the site? Why not release the site for the park?
· If not making money, move to the valley or close down. Don't allow unethical activities.
· Should have been more feasibility studies done for other options for generating revenue.
· Would like to keep the racetrack and hope some other way can be thought of to save it.
· Like the heritage element in the track but not the slots.
· Die a natural death if people are not interested. Slots is a different form of entertainment.
Community Impacts:
· Crime is already an issue and will increase.
· Impact on single family neighbourhood has not been properly assessed.
· No return to the community - only cost in terms of social decay and physical buildout.
· Our neighbourhood is not disposable.
· The Eastside is under pressure from social problems. Will add more crime and social problems.
· I will be scared to walk the street on in the park (after dark).
· The extent of the negative impacts is unclear, but it will be negative.
· 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. are ridiculous hours. At 6:00 a.m. on Sundays gamblers will be leaving.
· Slot machines bring pawn shops which makes B & Es easier in residential neighbourhoods.
· People will be walking the local streets around the clock looking for their cars.
Traffic and Parking:
· Already and issue. Slots will make it worse.
· To bring in more traffic flies in the face of "Cool Vancouver" which aims to cut emissions.
· We already have so much traffic in Hastings-Sunrise, and no bus service to Van. Heights.
· Communities around the racetrack will not be protected adequately from traffic onslaught.
· People will avoid using the main arteries and will use residential Streets.
· Already getting cracks in my plaster from traffic. Do I want more traffic? No.
· The traffic is constant. This will make it worse.
The decision making process:
· Once slots are approved, they cannot be reversed.
· Why should the West side decide what to impose on our neighbourhood?
· Even this open house process comes across as a promotion for the slot machine proposal.
· Shameful if Council approves this after listening to Kitsilano residents on the Home Depot.
· Council should listen to the majority when making decisions.
· 60% of people around Plaza of Nations opposed. You approved it anyway. Honour the majority.
Other:
· Prefer no slots but if approved, there should be no neon signs or ugly "casino" look.
· The proponents are a sleazy bunch offering low-paying jobs and a fraction of the profits.
· The thin edge of the wedge. Further expansion is inevitable.
· Jobs created will be lower paid, typically part-time work.
· A handful of rich people who don't even live in the community will get richer.
· All you care about is the money - you don't give a damn about the people around the area.
· Six community groups presented a workable proposal for an alternative to slots.
· Not NIMBY. Slots in residential zones is a violation of good urban planning principles.
· Will have an impact on property values.
· There are other ways to save the track.
· Don't blackmail the community that we are killing the track.
· This is about filling the provincial govt. coffers first, then giving the City some crumbs.
· The fix is in. This is a totally biassed display in favour of gambling in my community.
· Nobody would ever consider putting slots anywhere on the West Side.
· Proposal is written like a done deal.
· What example do you want to give kids in the neighbourhood?
· What precedents are you setting?
· Will cause a drain of capital, only some of which will end up in City coffers.
· Once the slots are in, the track could still fold and we are left with a big casino.
· The Eastside has so much more to offer than slots.
· How about relocating the slots into Kerrisdale or Point Grey, or the restaurant at Kits Beach.
· This is a special interest appeasement and money grab.
· Invite Council to come for a walk on Christmas morning and see people waiting to get in.
Dave Thomsett
DT/ws
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