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CITY OF VANCOUVER SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, AND FEBRUARY 14, 2005 |
A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, 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 By-law for South East False Creek. Subsequently, the meeting was recessed, and reconvened in the Council Chamber at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 14, 2005. For ease of reference, the Minutes have been consolidated.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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| ABSENT: | Councillor Tim Louis (February 14, 2005) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent McGregor, 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, Mayor Campbell in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development By-law for South East False Creek.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: South East False Creek
An application by the Director of Real Estate and Director of Current Planning was considered as follows:
Summary: To establish an Official Development Plan for South East False Creek which provides a framework for creation of a primarily residential, mixed use area with major waterfront parks.
Also to be considered are:
· A financial strategy report that considers the involvement of the City lands in the development, the costs of the amenity package included in the ODP, and the sources that might be utilized to fund it; and
· A sustainability targets and indicators report that outlines the sustainability targets for SEFC included in the ODP and a process for tracking them over the development period.
A. The Policy Report, Southeast False Creek Redevelopment: Financial Plan and Strategy, dated January 17, 2005.
The Southeast False Creek Steering Committee recommends approval.
B. The Policy Report Sustainability Indicators, Targets, Stewardship and Monitoring for South East False Creek, dated January 17, 2005.
The Southeast False Creek Steering Committee recommends approval.
C. The Policy Report Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan, dated December 3, 2004.
The Director of Current Planning recommends approval.
The following memos were before Council for consideration:
i) Background Information for Public Hearing February 1, 2005: - South East False Creek Official Development Plan By-law (from Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, dated January 27, 2005);
ii) Percentage of Family Affordable (Low Income) Housing in the SEFC ODP (from Cameron Gray, Director of the Housing Centre, dated January 31, 2005);
iii) Sustainable Community Assessment for Southeast False Creek (from Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, dated January 28, 2005);
iv) Soil Remediation - Southeast False Creek (from Bruce Maitland, Director, Real Estate Services, dated January 28, 2005.)
v) South East False Creek Stewardship Group Response to the SEFC ODP (memo from South East False Creek Technical Committee, dated January 27, 2005).
Staff Comments
Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, provided an overview of the Official Development Plan noting its historic significance for the City of Vancouver.
Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasury, reviewed the financial implications of the ODP as presented in the Policy Report, Southeast False Creek Redevelopment: Financial Plan and Strategy, dated January 17, 2005, and stated that the SEFC project is not only a significant neighbourhood development, but also the largest expenditure for the City of Vancouver to date.
Bruce Maitland, Director of Real Estate Services, provided information relating to how the Olympic Village will fit into the ODP and the process following approval of the ODP.
Mr. Beasley briefly reviewed the five memos noted previously in these minutes and noted two corrections to distributed materials as follows:
i) in a courtesy letter sent to members of the public, several incorrect floor areas were noted. The correct numbers are those stated in the posted ODP By-law; and
ii) in the advertisement for the Public Hearing, the general height for four taller buildings on the private lands was noted as 44m, when the correct height as noted in the posted ODP By-law is 47m. Staff notified the four landowners of this error.
Summary of Correspondence
Council was advised the following correspondence was received since the date the application was referred to Public Hearing:
· 3 letters in support.
· 3 letters in opposition.
· 19 "other" letters
Speakers
The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application.
The following spoke in support of the application:
Commissioner Eva Riccius, Vancouver Park Board
Bob Williams, Chair Vancouver City Planning Commission
Paul Tubbe, Chair, Advisory Committee on Disability Issues
Cameron Cathcart, Vice-Chair, Vancouver Heritage Commission
Chief Leonard George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Ian Gill, President, Ecotrust Canada (material submitted - on file)
Jessie Smith, Kids Around the World Children's Museum (material submitted - on file)
Christine Miller, Developmental Disabilities Association (material submitted - on file)
Ron Bain, Co-Chair, SEFC Stewardship Group (material submitted - on file)
Linda Mix, Coordinator, Tenants' Rights Action Coalition
Rabbi David Mivasair, Executive Director, InterSpiritual Centre Society
Mark Ostry, InterSpiritual Centre Society
Bill Harvey
Bill Taylor
Leslie Stern
John Irwin, SEFC Working Group
Bob Laurie, SEFC Stewardship Group (material submitted - on file)
Anne Bancroft-Jones, Polygon Development
Speakers' comments included:
· Park Board approved a motion in support of the ODP; proposal gives neighbourhood a distinct character and reflects an acceptable balance of affordable housing/amenities;
· good access for pedestrians/bicycles; near school and commercial development;
· will showcase building technology as part of Olympic village;
· challenge is to balance active/passive recreation needs with environmental features;
· area should include farmer's markets, performance spaces, community garden;
· affordable housing formula is excellent;
· land around SEFC will have to be considered;
· will be a model for other communities in BC;
· green space impressive and improvement over previous plan;
· RAVCO/TransLink - 2nd Avenue station endorsed;
· private boats around site should bear fair share of costs;
· SEFC should be adaptable, healthy and sustainable; must include universal design;
· Vancouver Heritage Commission(VHC) generally supports the plan with the recommendations made at its October 4, 2004 meeting;
· supported retention of Sawtooth Building in its current location; recommended retention of heritage consultant to ensure sensitive restoration of the building;
· a street should be named in memory of Ron Basford;
· Tsleil-Waututh Nation wants to change image by collaborating and building partnership with the City on this project;
· consider building modern contemporary longhouse with living accommodation where global dialogue can take place;
· Salt Building could be used as a non-profit, self-sustaining and multi-use commercial/ educational facility to generate new capital and innovation to site (similar project in Portland);
· proposal is a powerful vision with potential to change lives globally; can only be model for others if children are encouraged to use site and understand sustainability; e.g. Children's museum; consider permanent site for Kids Around the World;
· need for daycare facilities is crucial; Council should endorse a pilot project for child care alternative;
· proposal good as it emphasizes walking, cycling, social gathering, ferries and streetcars;
· green building strategy essential;
· private land owners and development community must be included in process;
· supported use of Public Endowment Fund, but Council should be cautious;
· middle income 1/3 portion of affordable housing should be strengthened;
· private land owners should pay fair share for mix of housing;
· modern and conventional housing on private lands should be encouraged;
· proposed interspiritual centre welcome on Olympic site; unique structure and design will provide foundation for social sustainability;
· Council should devote more time to water aspect of SEFC development; cited July 2004 Park Board motion designating east end of False Creek as non-motorized zone;
· traffic safety relating to children attending the community centre is a concern;
· suggested one streetcar track and use shuttle;
· off-street parking at Cambie should be provided;
· concern expressed related to artifacts within the Canron Building;
· proposal should encourage affordable home ownership options;
· Interspiritual Centre should be non-religious facility;
· expressed hope that the right thing is being done regarding #1 Kingsway;
· proposal makes good use of natural shoreline and blends low-rise housing into surrounding neighbourhood well;
· parking is needed to encourage people to get out of cars;
· project is investment which will contribute to City's high credit rating;
· recommended sustainable housing and resource learning centre on the site;
· economic opportunities will save resources, create jobs;
· minimize parking to reduce cars;
· essential to begin Olympic infrastructure and building program now; issues with private landowners will be resolved; and
· commends staff and all participants.
The following expressed concerns and/or spoke in opposition to the application:
Jack Becker, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
Sean McEwen
Kari Hewitt (material submitted - on file)
James Watzke
Elaine Stevens
Paul Bogaert, The Bike Doctor Bicycle Shop
Guy Wera, The Bicycle People (petition submitted - on file)
Nancy Chiavario, Director, Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association
Blake Cowan, Cowan Properties Ltd.
Tannis Braithwaite
Richard Campbell, BEST (material submitted - on file)
Jack Lutsky
Rob Baxter
Colin Millard
Kal Bains
John McNamara
Thomas Nichols, Save Our Parkland Association (material submitted - on file)
Bruce Ledingham
Geoff Burgess
Speakers' comments included:
· additional opportunities should be taken to showcase the development from a cycling perspective; proposal has insufficient number of designated cycling paths, there is no continuous cycling pathway; plan should be conducive to growth of cycling;
· bikeway width of 1.5 metres insufficient; should be 1.8 metres;
· signage should encourage cycling/walking;
· proposal falls short of fulfilling guidelines relating to cycling in various City documents
· Council should invite stakeholders/advisory groups to participate in planning, development and implementation of ODP;
· roads within SEFC should be designed as one-way, narrow, single traffic lane streets making street crossing easier/safer and cycling paths safer/more appealing to children;
· Columbia St. Bike Route extension into SEFC should be either a separate bike path in the park, a separated bike path adjacent the road, or on-street bike lanes to discourage driving children to school;
· concerns expressed regarding affordable housing on private lands; partnering with private sector would initiate affordable housing on private lands;
· suggested new low end housing be included in process;
· concern expressed regarding loss of view for those facing north; suggested use of balloons to gauge spatial and visual impact of the buildings;
· concern expressed that green standards/measurements have not been identified
· site should be car free; there would be a demand for housing in a car-free zone (similar areas in Cologne Amsterdam, Berlin);
· 1st Avenue should be a total bikeway; there would little impact as traffic is minimal now;
· parking lot for Olympic athletes not appropriate;
· concerns expressed regarding proposed DCLs and CACs; proposed that properties in SEFC ODP FC1 be assessed DCL at a rate of $6.00/ sq.ft. and no CAC be required;
· on city-owned portion of site between Zero and 1st Avenues, bicycle, pedestrian and non-motorized traffic only should be allowed;
· on privately-owned portion of site between 1st and 2nd Avenues, proposed only bicycle, pedestrian and non-motorized traffic on Ontario Greenway and through traffic from 1st to 2nd Avenue on Ontario Street right-of-way be prohibited;
· all proposed vehicular access should be moved off-site;
· include Ontario Greenway as part of 2010 Legacy Greenway to include the Carrall Greenway, the bicycle path on the RAV Bridge and Richmond trails connecting Olympic facilities as part of a region-wide 2010 Legacy Greenway Network;
· Council together with TransLink and other municipalities, should approach Provincial and Federal governments for funding to create 2010 Legacy Greenway Network;
· as a group, private land owners do support initiative of sustainable community; however, as proposed, SEFC is not sustainable unless highly subsidized by development community, Vancouver citizens and senior levels of government;
· DCL rate of $26 is a significant roadblock to redevelopment of private lands as projects will be non-competitive;
· while proposal is almost perfect, consideration should be given to minimizing impact on neighbouring areas to south-east and in False Creek Flats;
· proposed amenities and more affordable non-market housing could have been achieved through higher density/bonusing;
· sustainability must encompass more than just green buildings;
· Council can provide opportunities for bonusing and maintain control through language;
· concern expressed regarding timeframes for processing of permits;
· suggested DCL and CAC rates could be varied based on timeframe;
· latitude/decisions regarding density/height should be determined at planning level/steering committee, not at Council level;
· concerns expressed regarding depletion of PEF; Council should be guided by observations and recommendations of City Manager and Director of Finance; and
· cars/parking spaces should be on periphery of the site; developers will make money from parking.
Staff, including Messrs. Beasley, Maitland and Bayne, Susan Mundick, General Manager, Vancouver Park Board, Brian Crowe, Projects Engineer, Cameron Gray, Director of Housing Centre, and Estelle Lo, General Manager and Director of Finance, responded to questions relating to:
· financial plan and whether this project will detract financially from other projects in City;
· readiness for 2006 World Urban Forum, including demonstrations;
· concerns regarding aboriginal heritage and heritage Statements of Significance;
· urban agriculture;
· cycling issues including width of bike lanes, capacity and traffic flow;
· opportunities/competitions for use of space and heritage/cultural bonusing possibilities;
· potential use for Salt Building;
· mechanisms to encompass the possibility of child care services;
· affordable housing strategy and formula;
· non-motorized boating zone;
· building heights and strategies to minimize impact on neighbouring buildings;
· status of DCLs and CACs and costs of private vs public lands;
· implications for current landowners vs those buying land over the next few years;
· status of provincial and federal government funding for non-market housing; impact on private developers;
· procedures for future permit processing and/CD-1 zoning applications; and
· cost to PEF for proposed facilities.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Public Hearing be concluded and that summations, discussion and decision be referred to the Regular Council Meeting on March 1, 2005.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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
The Special Council recessed at 11:00 p.m. on February 1, and adjourned at 9:50 p.m. on February 14, 2005.
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