CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver
was held on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 5:25 p.m., in Committee
Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing
Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the
recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Kennedy, Kwan, and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Ip (Illness)
Councillor Price (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell
CLERK: Marnie Cross
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the
Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
May 4, 1995
The Council considered the recommendations of the Committee,
as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1 Significant Rezoning Applications
Cl.2 Cedar Cottage "Let-Go" MC-1 District and Related
Issues
- Proposed Planning Program
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Significant Rezoning Applications
(Clause 1)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the verbal presentations on significant rezoning
applications be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Cedar Cottage "Let-Go" MC-1 District and
Related Issues - Proposed Planning Program
(Clause 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT the staff work program be expanded to include:
(i) a social impact study of Broadway Station; and
(ii) a commercial zoning study of the Station area.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Clarke, Hemer, Kennedy,
Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)
(Councillor Chiavario in favour of (i) only)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT the staff work program be expanded to include a visual
preference study for the RS-2 area, based on the Portland model,
and that staff report back on strategies and resources to
undertake this work.
THAT in the makeup of the CoreGroup the representation from
the broader community be increased from three representatives to
five representatives.
- LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer, Kennedy,
Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Cedar Cottage "Let-Go" MC-1 District and
Related Issues - Proposed Planning Program
(Clause 2 Continued)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT staff report back on a community strategy and budget to
undertake a pilot neighbourhood program in the Cedar Cottage
Neighbourhood.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Kennedy, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
A. THAT Council instruct the Associate Director of
Community Planning to undertake a planning program in
the Cedar Cottage neighbourhood as detailed in the
Terms of Reference in the attached appendices, to
initiate planning for:
1. MC-1/Welwyn Street area - (Terms of Reference in
Appendix D); and that operating expenses of
$46,400 be approved;
2. RT-4 and RT-5 Districts - (Terms of Reference in
Appendix E); and that operating expenses of
$14,500 be approved;
3. RS Districts - (Terms of Reference in Appendix F);
and that operating expenses of $5,000 be approved;
with the source of funding to be Contingency Reserve.
The budgets for A1, A2, and A3 are detailed in
Appendix G of the Administrative Report dated April 21,
1995 (on file).
B. THAT the Associate Director of Community Planning be
instructed to report back to Council at appropriate
times during the program for Council direction, and
endorsement of implementation actions.
C. THAT social impact issues at the Broadway Skytrain
Station be referred to Community Policing, the
Integrated Service Delivery Team and the Safer City
Task Force as necessary.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Cedar Cottage "Let-Go" MC-1 District and
Related Issues - Proposed Planning Program
(Clause 2 Continued)
D. THAT the issues of commercial viability in the Broadway
Station and other areas of Cedar Cottage, be referred
to the Economic Development Task Force.
E. THAT staff report back on the issue of the visual
preference survey techniques and resultant staff
resources and provider costs, when the report on the RS
Survey is presented in November, 1995.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
Council adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m.
* * * * *REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
MAY 4, 1995
A meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning
and Environment was held on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 2:20 p.m.,
in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Bellamy (Item 2)
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer (Item 2)
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Ip (Illness)
Councillor Price (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell
CLERK: Marnie Cross
Recorded Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, votes of the Committee on all
items are unanimous.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Significant Rezoning Applications File: 5302-2
(a) 500-1300 Blocks Commodore, Charleson and Lamey's Mill
Mr. Tom Phipps commented on a rezoning application from
Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams to rezone the site from FCCDD to CD-1
to construct 300 dwelling units in three and four storey multiple
dwellings (20% non-market), and public park.Clause No. 1
Continued
(b) 572 Beatty Street (International Village)
Mr. Mike Kemble commented on a rezoning application from
Jeff Olsen, International Village Architects, to amend the CD-1
(265) to redistribute uses on the site, increase residential use
and change the form of development in terms of building height
and massing. An additional tower is proposed, and consolidation
of retail space in a Central Marketplace.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT the verbal presentation on significant rezoning
applications be received for information.
2. Cedar Cottage "Let-Go" MC-1 District and
Related Issues- Proposed Planning Program File: 8002
The Committee considered an Administrative Report dated
April 21, 1995 (on file), in which the Associate Director,
Community Planning in consultation with the Engineering, Finance,
Social Planning Departments, Corporate Services, and the Housing
Centre, recommended a planning program in the Cedar Cottage
neighbourhood. The proposed areas and estimated operating costs
(from Contingency Reserve, if approved) are as follows:
(a) MC-1/Welwyn Street area - $ 46,400
(b) RT-4 and RT-5 Districts - $ 14,500
(c) RS Districts - $ 5,000
Staff would report back at appropriate times during the
program for Council direction, and endorsement of implementation
actions.
The proposed work program includes:
an MC-1/Welwyn area planning study;
a resident survey to test support for a potential zoning
change to address concerns with new development in the RT
Districts;Clause No. 2 Continued
a resident survey to judge whether future planning work
is justified in the RS Districts;
the establishment of an Integrated Service Team; and
a review of traffic concerns in the neighbourhood.
The work program will lay the groundwork for possible future
neighbourhood planning pursuant to CityPlan, and provide an
opportunity to try some new approaches to public participation
which could be adapted for use in future CityPlan implementation.
The report notes the Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Association
(CECONA), in the absence of assurances from staff that comprehen-
sive planning and implementation will occur in the future, wishes
to undertake its own comprehensive plan. The Association is
preparing a brief and a request for support from Council for a
B.C. Healthy Initiatives Grant.
The report notes the existing situation, community
perspectives and proposed work program for the MC-1/Welwyn area,
RT-4 and RT-5 District mini-review, the RS-1 District Survey and
for community services and facilities.
Staff feel the proposed work program addresses the major
issues identified in the staff review and provides opportunities
regarding CityPlan implementation.
The following appeared as delegations:
Mr. Dana Webber, indicated the Cedar Cottage neighbourhood
is on the brink of crisis due to the following:
criminal activities associated with Skytrain and the
methadone clinic,;
diminishing options for affordable housing;
inadequate recreational facilities
a disproportionate share of special needs residential
facilities; and
increasing through-traffic.
Clause No. 2 Continued
Densification and commercial development in the MC-1 zone
will have ripple effects throughout the entire community--Buffalo
Hill, Broadway/Commercial, etc.
A social impact study of the Broadway Skytrain area must be
undertaken and more time and resources must be allocated to the
RS-2 issue. $6,000 is inadequate and CECONA suggests a visual
preference study, rather than a verbal survey be done. The study
at a cost of $18-20,000 would be based on the techniques
developed for a successful transit planning and related
residential development in Portland. The number of
representatives from the broader community on the MC-1/Welwyn
study core group should be increased to five from three. The
participatory concept planning workshops should continue until
participants feel there is a satisfactory product, not within a
pre-established time frame.
CECONA is pleased to the area will be a pilot project for
the Integrated Services Team model, and would like team members
to not only work with the community, but in the community in
space available for the community policing project.
Ms. Barbara Wright indicated she had organized a committee
to go door to door with a survey to outline the identified issues
and to ensure responses reflected the views of the community.
Ms. Wright indicated one neighbourhood concern is the loss of
good local shopping - butcher shop, vacuum repair shop, green
grocer and a reasonable bakery. The chain supermarket does not
replace local shopping, and neither does the new project on the
southwest corner of Broadway and Commercial.
Ms. Wright passed on comments from Mr. Gregg Brown, a
neighbour who was not able to attend. Mr. Brown indicated Cedar
Cottage is experiencing strong pressure to change resulting from
the proximity to major inter-urban transportation routes, the
opportunity for redevelopment of surplus industrial land, the
temptation to replace the aging housing stock and the overall
demand for housing and densification. He urged Council to
approve a comprehensive plan incorporating input from local
residents.
Mr. Tim Ames indicated he has been involved with a
restoration project for John Hendry Park, working in harmony
since the beginning with Park Board staff. Mr. Ames encouraged
Council to undertake a comprehensive planning program for the
Cedar Cottage neighbourhood, to consider the community as a
whole, and obtain community input.Clause No. 2 Continued
Ms. Leona Matte advised she is a Buffalo Hill resident close
to the MC-1 area. The lots in Buffalo Hill are very large and
are slowing being redeveloped over time, although there is still
a decent heritage streetscape. Because of the size of the lots,
there should be a planned design, hopefully with more infill type
housing as opposed to tearing down old houses.
Ms. Matte advised several parents were unable to attend the
meeting. She spoke on their behalf indicating they wished to see
a comprehensive neighbourhood plan developed to ensure
transportation needs and social supports are addressed. Three of
the area schools are located within five blocks of skytrain
stations and the safety problems associated with them. They were
also concerned with street prostitution, burglary and vandalism.
Mr. Tom Chavez, represented the viable artists' community
located in the MC-1 area. The future of the GVRD site will
affect the affordability in the community, and if the land is
developed the area will be more densely populated. There should
be a comprehensive study undertaken, with community use on the
GVRD site, rather than unplanned development.
Ms. Rebecca Pavitt, indicated she lives at the extreme north
end of Cedar Cottage at Clark and Broadway. The Queen Alexandra
Neighbourhood Association want this area to be included in the
neighbourhood plan. Ms. Pavitt expressed concern with the
Broadway/Commercial intersection and the adjacent blocks, which
are heavily congested by vehicles and pedestrian traffic. 39,000
persons per day embark and disembark from Skytrain/connecting
buses and the sidewalks are incredibly crowded. The commercial
zoning does not promote pedestrian friendly buildings, there are
no transitional spaces, no green spaces, benches or public art to
humanize the environment. Commercial Drive should be a
pedestrian oriented shopping district, not a major through-
traffic artery posing a threat to the safety of children. The
community policing office will ameliorate some problems
associated with Skytrain but a social impact study would analyze
the problems and focus on solutions.
Clause No. 2 Continued
Ms. April Hurmuses presented comments from Mr. Scott
Kennedy, a neighbourhood resident, who supported the request for
development of a comprehensive strategy for the entire
neighbourhood. The RS-2 study is long overdue -- in Cedar
Cottage RS-2 applies to small lots with no lane access, standard-
sized single family lots, and very large lots without lane
access. There are individual and groups of heritage-quality
houses affected by the schedule. The zoning schedule is unable
to adequately address the diversity of solutions required for
each potential and desirable form of development.
Ms. April Hurmuses, Chair, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood
Association (brief on file), noted CECONA's recommendations are
based on surveys, public meetings, planning department meetings,
interviews with community members, School Consultative Committee
representatives, principals and counselling staff members of
local schools, the Neighbourhood House Board, as well as issues
brought to monthly meetings by members of the community and the
Association.
CECONA rejects the Planning Department's recommendation to
complete its RS-2 study only as a part of CityPlan
implementation. The report is inadequate in addressing the
social impact study and the commercial zoning study which were
recommended in the Broadway Station Area Plan.
The CECONA brief sets out the historical development of
Cedar Cottage, its industrial lands, community recreation
facilities and schools. The brief contains the full policy
recommendations.
CECONA believes a comprehensive community plan is the long-
term solution to the neighbourhood crisis. Ms. Hermuses
recommended the social impact study on the effect of the Broadway
Station be undertaken as well as a commercial zoning study for
the Broadway Commercial area. A visual preference study, modeled
after the Portland model, should be undertaken. The MC-1
planning process should not be time limited as outlined in the
staff report and the core group proposed for the study should be
increased to provide for five representatives of the broader
community, not three as recommended.
Clause No. 2 Continued
Ms. Hermuses indicated CECONA has been meeting with city
planning staff for nearly a year to discuss community planning
issues and the resultant report tackles some of the issues, but a
comprehensive community plan must be undertaken. Ms. Hermuses
urged Council to amend the work program to include work on the
critical issues mentioned by the delegations today.
In response to questions from a member of Council, the
delegations indicated that CECONA has about 50 members, some of
whom are multilingual. There are at least 140 - 150 people in
attendance at meetings. Some material is translated in mandarin
and cantonese, but as volunteers with no budget, it is not
possible to translate everything, nor to have translators at
meetings.
In response to questions with respect to the GVRD site which
is to be sold by December, Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager,
indicated if Council so wished, the City could buy the land, hold
it and sell it at a later date.
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and LOST.
THAT the staff work program be expanded to include:
(i) a social impact study of Broadway Station; and
(ii) a commercial zoning study of the Station area.
(Councillors Bellamy, Clarke, Hemer, Kennedy,
Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)
(Councillor Chiavario in favour of (i) only)
The following motions by Councillor Kwan were put and LOST.
THAT the staff work program be expanded to include a visual
preference study for the RS-2 area, based on the Portland
model, and that staff report back on strategies and
resources to undertake this work.
THAT in the makeup of the CoreGroup the representation from
the broader community be increased from three
representatives to five representatives.
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer, Kennedy,
Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed)
Clause No. 2 Continued
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and LOST.
THAT staff report back on a community strategy and budget to
undertake a pilot neighbourhood program in the Cedar Cottage
Neighbourhood.
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Kennedy, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed).
The following motions by Councillor Bellamy were put and
CARRIED. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council instruct the Associate Director of
Community Planning to undertake a planning program in
the Cedar Cottage neighbourhood as detailed in the
Terms of Reference in the attached appendices, to
initiate planning for:
1. MC-1/Welwyn Street area - (Terms of Reference in
Appendix D); and that operating expenses of
$46,400 be approved;
2. RT-4 and RT-5 Districts - (Terms of Reference in
Appendix E); and that operating expenses of
$14,500 be approved;
3. RS Districts - (Terms of Reference in Appendix F);
and that operating expenses of $5,000 be approved;
with the source of funding to be Contingency Reserve.
The budgets for A1, A2, and A3 are detailed in Appendix
G of the Administrative Report dated April 21, 1995 (on
file).
B. THAT the Associate Director of Community Planning be
instructed to report back to Council at appropriate
times during the program for Council direction, and
endorsement of implementation actions.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause No. 2 Continued
The following motions by Councillor Clarke were put and
CARRIED. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
C. THAT social impact issues at the Broadway Skytrain
Station be referred to Community Policing, the
Integrated Service Delivery Team and the Safer City
Task Force as necessary.
D. THAT the issues of commercial viability in the Broadway
Station and other areas of Cedar Cottage, be referred
to the Economic Development Task Force.
E. THAT staff report back on the issue of the visual
preference survey techniques and resultant staff
resources and provider costs, when the report on the RS
Survey is presented in November, 1995.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at approximately 5:20 p.m.
* * * * *