These minutes will be approved at the Regular Council meeting on March 1, 2005.

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, February 3, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

1. Leave of Absence - Mayor Campbell (File 1254)

MOVED by Councillor Stevenson

THAT Mayor Campbell be granted Leave of Absence for Civic Business for the afternoon of February 3, 2005.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Sullivan absent for the vote)

RECOMMENDATION

1. Proposed Amendment to Subdivision By-law No. 5208 - Reclassification of the West Half of the 6500 to 6700 Block Granville Street (File 113)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 14, 2005, in which the Subdivision Approving Officer recommended Council reclassify the properties in the West Half of the 6500 to 6700 Block Granville Street from Category E to Category C for the purpose of
subdivision in accordance with the minimum parcel size requirements of Schedule A, Table 1 of the Subdivision By-law. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Rick Scobie, Subdivision Approving Officer, was present to respond to questions.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

THAT Council approve the application to reclassify all the properties in the West Half of the 6500 to 6700 Block Granville Street from Category E to Category C of Schedule A, Table 1, of Subdivision By-law No. 5208.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Year 2005 Zoning, Building and Trade Permit Inflationary Fee Increases (File 1758)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 18, 2005, in which the Directors of Development Services and Support Services sought Council's approval for an inflationary adjustment of 2.75% in zoning, subdivision, sign, tree removal, secondary suite inspection, building and trade permit fees based on a "flat fee", and miscellaneous fees, to reflect increased costs due to inflation in the year 2005. Some miscellaneous amendments are also advanced to correct errors in the current fee schedules. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Rick Scobie, Director, Development Services, was present to respond to questions.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve an across-the-board 2.75% increase (as reflected in the fee schedules attached to the Administrative Report dated January 18, 2005, entitled "Year 2005 Zoning, Building and Trade Permit Inflationary Fee Increases") in all zoning, subdivision, sign, tree removal, secondary suite inspection, "flat fee" building and trade permit fees, and miscellaneous fees, to compensate for inflationary increases to the City's costs, to be effective upon amending by-law enactments;

FURTHER THAT the revised fee schedules incorporate corrections to various minor errors and omissions, as reflected in the attached fee schedules;

AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services bring forward for enactment the necessary by-law amendments to By-laws Nos. 5585, 5208, 8057, 5563, 6553, 3507, 6510, 7347 and 5644, generally in accordance with the attached fee schedules.

B. THAT the Director of Development Services and the Chief Building Official advise the development and building community of these changes.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Non-Conforming Sign and Structure - 151-177 East Broadway (File 2851)

* * * * *

At 2:08 p.m., prior to the commencement of this item, Councillor Louis declared Conflict of Interest on this matter as he is a part-owner of the Lee Building at 151-177 East Broadway. Councillor Louis left the meeting and did not return to the Chamber until 5:05 p.m., following the conclusion of the vote on this matter..

* * * * *

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 5, 2004, in which the Director of Licensing and Inspections in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, recommended Council order the removal of the existing non-conforming sign and supporting structure on the roof of the Lee Building at 151-177 East Broadway, in order to bring this building into conformity with Council policy and the provisions of the existing Sign By-law that prohibits rooftop signs. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.

Carlene Robbins, Manager, By-law Administration, with the aid of photographs, provided an overview of the report and, along with Francois LeTourneux, Litigator, Legal Services, responded to questions regarding whether consideration had been given to alternative uses of the sign structure, the heritage status of the Lee Building, and whether the sign has any effect on the heritage value of the building.

The following spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation that the sign and supporting structure be removed:

Jeremy Leevers, DEK Development
Josef Wosk
John Hurd
Ben Lu
Sharon Schick
Tim Rodomar
Robert Kollen
Victor Bergson
Jessica Dempsey
Graham Webber
Tom Hood
Phil Russell
Bella Maud
Larry Zelmer

Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:

· the area surrounding the Lee Building has improved since the new owners took over; the building serves as an anchor to the neighbourhood;
· the sign has provided the revenue to enable the heritage retention and restoration of the Lee Building, which was badly in need of repairs when the new owners bought into it; many expensive upgrades are still required;
· improvements to the Lee Building as a result of the sign revenue have resulted in social improvements to the surrounding area; drug activity, for example, has moved out of the area;
· suggestion made that the sign be allowed to remain until 2010, at which time it could be rented out to the Olympic Committee; this would also allow time for the owners to contribute to a demolition fund;
· the two ends of the structure could be utilized for display of public art;
· owners are more than willing to negotiate an agreement with the City for some type of mutually beneficial compromise which would allow the continued use of the sign;
· this is not the only remaining rooftop sign in the city, yet no efforts have been made to remove the others;
· the Lee Building is a heritage centerpiece for Mount Pleasant, and the Heritage B status of the building was dedicated with the sign in place;
· owners are not profiteering from the sign, but wish to make the sign even more integral to the neighbourhood by sponsoring community initiatives; when it was decided to start displaying signage it was agreed that all revenues would go into beautifying and maintaining the building, which in turn lead to the beautifying of the surrounding area;
· the Lee Building will fall into decline without the sign revenue, and rents, which are currently very reasonable or below average, may need to increase;
· the owners do not have an issue with the sign by-law with regard to billboards in general, but if an exception is to be made, this is the right spot; the testimonials of benefits that have resulted from the re-use of the sign are many;
· the Lee Building owners have already given up much to the community, such as 10 feet from what used to be a spectacular lobby for a public right of way along the front of the building;
· suggestion made that a portion of the monthly sign revenue could be donated to a local charity.

The following two people spoke in support of using the existing sign structure for the display of public art:

· Leigh Burrows suggested that the existing sign structure be opened up to an annual mural contest for artists; this would enable the cost savings of not having to dismantle the structure, while at the same time providing a positive use of existing resources to support Vancouver's artistic community and bring public art to the city.

· Cherise Clarke noted she was not in favour of corporate advertising being displayed on the sign structure on the Lee Building, but would be in favour of a community mural program, as proposed by Ms. Burrows.

Stephanie Smith spoke in support of staff's recommendation that the sign and supporting structure be removed. Ms. Smith, who had been a tenant in the Lee Building, noted that although current owners claim they have provided a community benefit, they at first had continued the tradition of neglect which was ingrained by the previous landlord, but once real estate values began to increase, several suites were put on the market and many tenants were made to move out. Ms. Smith also advised she had lived in the neighbourhood for 10 years and most people she knows feel the sign is an eyesore.

During the hearing of the foregoing speakers, Ms. Robbins, Mr. LeTourneux and Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, General Manager of Community Services, responded to questions concerning the heritage status of the Lee Building, possibilities for alternative uses of the sign structure, and the status of other non-conforming rooftop signs in the city.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve the Resolution attached to the Administrative Report dated July 5, 2004, and order the registered owners of the property at 151-177 East Broadway (the "Lee Building") pursuant to subsection 571A(2) of the Vancouver Charter, to remove the non-conforming sign and supporting sign structure located on the roof of the Lee Building within 14 days of a copy of the resolution being served.

B. THAT in the event that the owners fail to comply with the order set forth in A, the Director of Legal Services is hereby directed to commence legal proceedings to have the non-conforming rooftop sign and sign structure removed.

carried unanimously

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Green

THAT the motion be amended by adding the following at the end:

THAT City staff be directed to wait 14 days before issuing the order, and that the order then not be issued if, within that period, the owners and City staff are able to find a non-profit organization that is prepared to utilize the structure in a non-commercial manner to promote the arts and culture of Vancouver. Such undertaking should be to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and to the City Manager.

LOST
(Councillors Cadman, Ladner, Louie, Roberts, Stevenson, Sullivan and Woodsworth opposed)
(Councillor Louis absent for the vote)

Councillor Green's amendment having lost, the motion was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY with Councillor Louis absent for the vote.

The Committee adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

* * * * *

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, February 3, 2005, at 5:04 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations and actions of the Committee.

*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.

"IN CAMERA" MEETING

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Stevenson

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass and Louis absent for the vote)

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
February 3, 2005

Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment. Its items of business included:

1. Proposed Amendment to Subdivision By-law No. 5208 -
Reclassification of the West Half of the 6500 to 6700 Block Granville Street
2. Year 2005 Zoning, Building and Trade Permit Inflationary Fee Increases
3. Non-conforming Sign and Structure at 151-177 East Broadway

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth

THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment at its meeting of February 3, 2005, as contained in Items 1-3, be approved.

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 Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MOTIONS

A. Administrative Motions

None

B. Motions on Notice

1. TransLink Funding (File 5551)

The following motion was submitted by Councillor Ladner at the Regular Council Meeting on February 1, 2005. Councillor Louie called Notice under Section 5.4(c) of the Procedure By-law.

MOVER: Councillor Ladner
SECONDER: Councillor Sullivan

WHEREAS:

1. TransLink's budget was based on assessment estimates that have resulted in an unexpected $13.5 million tax increase for GVRD property owners.

2. TransLink's budget already called for an average tax increase of $61 per average home, for a total TransLink property tax of $150 per average home ($309,000 value).

3. Elected officials have an obligation to honour commitments to taxpayers on promised levels of taxation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

Vancouver City Council ask TransLink to roll back the property tax rate to achieve the revenue levels promised in its 2005 budget.

amended

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Roberts

THAT the motion be amended by adding the following words at the end:

FURTHER THAT in the event that TransLink fails to roll back the tax increase, Vancouver City Council urges TransLink to use the $13.5 million to purchase new buses for use on routes with the greatest proven demand for additional bus service;

AND FURTHER THAT Vancouver City Council also urges TransLink and the Provincial Government to take immediate action to implement the parking stall tax that would raise $25 million in 2005, a more appropriate and fair means of raising revenue than relying on a spiraling tax rate.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

Council agreed to separate the vote on the main motion, as amended.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT Vancouver City Council ask TransLink to roll back the property tax rate to achieve the revenue levels promised in its 2005 budget.

LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie and Stevenson opposed)
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT in the event that TransLink fails to roll back the tax increase, Vancouver City Council urges TransLink to use the $13.5 million to purchase new buses for use on routes with the greatest proven demand for additional bus service;

AND FURTHER THAT Vancouver City Council also urges TransLink and the Provincial Government to take immediate action to implement the parking stall tax that would raise $25 million in 2005, a more appropriate and fair means of raising revenue than relying on a spiraling tax rate.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

MOTION AS AMENDED:

WHEREAS:

1. TransLink's budget was based on assessment estimates that have resulted in an unexpected $13.5 million tax increase for GVRD property owners.

2. TransLink's budget already called for an average tax increase of $61 per average home, for a total TransLink property tax of $150 per average home ($309,000 value).

3. Elected officials have an obligation to honour commitments to taxpayers on promised levels of taxation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT in the event that TransLink fails to roll back the tax increase, Vancouver City Council urges TransLink to use the $13.5 million to purchase new buses for use on routes with the greatest proven demand for additional bus service;

AND FURTHER THAT Vancouver City Council also urges TransLink and the Provincial Government to take immediate action to implement the parking stall tax that would raise $25 million in 2005, a more appropriate and fair means of raising revenue than relying on a spiraling tax rate.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. New Bus Shelters (File 5554)

Councillors raised several enquiries related to the new transit shelters being installed around the city by Viacom Decaux. An information memorandum was requested on the following:

· Councillor Green noted that many of the roofs on the shelters seem to be installed incorrectly and are thus not providing adequate rain shelter over the seating;
· Councillor Roberts noted that the height of the seating in several of the shelters is too high and should be lowered to accommodate people of average or lower than average height;
· Councillor Cadman requested information regarding Viacom's contract, noting that if some shelters are installed incorrectly they may be in breach of that contract and there may be penalties;
· Councillor Bass expressed concern with regard to the amount of seating provided in the shelters and noted more elaborate rain protection for driving rain would be useful.

2. Lifetime Achievement Awards for the Arts (File 1051)

Councillor Green requested a memorandum back on the possibility of the City giving out lifetime achievement awards to people involved in the arts in their communities.

3. Order of British Columbia (File 1251)

Councillor Woodsworth reminded Council that the Order of British Columbia is asking for submissions, and noted the deadline to submit nominations is March 10, 2005.

4. Granville Street Mall Redesign (File 5560-1)

Councillor Bass requested an update on the Granville Street Mall redesign work to date.

The Council adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

* * * * *

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