CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER TRAFFIC COMMISSION
June 14, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Traffic Commission was held on
Wednesday, June 14, 1995 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Committee Room
No. 2, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Clarke, Acting Chair
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Sick Leave)
CITY MANAGER'S Dave Rudberg, General Manager,
REPRESENTATIVE: Engineering Services
CLERK: Marnie Cross
Power to Act
On January 11, 1994, the Council, by the required majority, granted
this commission Power to Act on all unanimous decisions. All decisions
of the Commission contained herein were unanimous and, therefore, stand
approved.
Adoption of Minutes
The minutes of the Vancouver Traffic Commission meeting of May 4,
1995 were adopted as circulated.
1. Blenheim Street Traffic Measures
As a deferral request had been received, consideration of the
Administrative Report dated May 31, 1995 (on file) was deferred to a
Special Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on June 20, 1995. The Blenheim
Street Residents' Group brief was also deferred.
2. Bus Stop Relocation
The Commission considered an Administrative Report dated May 26,
1995 (on file) in which the General Manager, Engineering Services
recommended new bus stop locations for the #26 Joyce Station/29th Avenue
Station bus service. On May 4, 1995 the Commission reaffirmed its March
9, 1995 decision to reroute the service from Doman Street to Tyne
Street. The route change was implemented following the May 4, 1995
meeting. Several bus stops are recommended for deletion as a result of
the route change.
The following delegations were opposed to one or more of the
relocated bus stops. They requested the bus be returned to Doman
Street:
Mr. Paul Hsu Mr. Oran Smith
Ms. Loretta So Mr. Sol Caruso
Mr. K. Loo Mr. W. Chui
Ms. Angela Lau (translator Stanley Choi)
Some of the reasons provided included:
- no parking in front of the house and no back lane;
- no place for visitor parking;
- bus was rerouted without knowledge of Tyne Street residents;
- bus stop located in front of a house only 20' from the street,
not in front of those with 40' setback;
- bus stops are not conveniently located;
- people have spent $300,000 on new house only to have their
"feng shiu" peace and tranquillity ruined by two bus stops
poles;
- buses are extremely noisy;
- people are experiencing health/stress problems.
The following residents spoke in favour of returning the bus to
Doman Street:
Mr. Dave Martindale Mrs. P. Sevin
The bus drivers are continuing to follow the Doman Street route and
have to come back to travel Tyne Street. Tyne is inconvenient for those
wishing to take a bus downtown.
Staff and residents responded to questions of the Commissioners.
Mr. Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, indicated he
had noted concerns regarding bus stop pole locations,
Clause No. 2 Continued
buses requiring maintenance, etc. and would meet with the residents to
discuss possible mitigation measures.
The following motion by Councillor Sullivan was put and CARRIED.
The Commission therefore
RESOLVED
A. THAT the following bus stops be established:
1. Northbound Tyne Street at 49th Avenue
2. Northbound Tyne Street at 47th Avenue
3. Northbound Tyne Street at 45th Avenue
4. Eastbound 45th Avenue at Doman Street
5. Southbound Tyne Street at 46th Avenue
6. Southbound Tyne Street at 47th Avenue
B. THAT the following bus stops be discontinued:
1. Southbound Doman Street at 45th Avenue
2. Southbound Doman Street at Waverley Avenue
3. Eastbound 49th Avenue at Doman Street
4. Eastbound 49th Avenue at Brooks Street
5. Westbound 49th Avenue at Tyne Street
6. Westbound 49th Avenue at Butler Street
7. Northbound Doman Street at 49th Avenue
8. Northbound Doman Street at 47th Avenue
9. Northbound Doman Street at 46th Avenue
3. Left Turn Bays on Grandview Highway
at Kaslo Street and Slocan Street
The Commission considered an Administrative Report dated May 18,
1995 (on file) in which the General Manager, Engineering Services
requested Council approval to construct left turn bays on Grandview
Highway at Kaslo Street and at Slocan Street. On October 18, 1994
Council approved the rezoning of 2750 Slocan Street for a home
improvement centre; a condition of approval being construction of left
turn bays, including related curb/sidewalk/boulevard reconstruction,
required utility relocation, and other related street improvements;
funding to be provided by the developers of the site. As well, the
Engineering Department recommends related construction of a left-turn
bay on Grandview Highway South and Slocan with already-approved funding
of $200,000.
Clause No. 3 Continued
As a result of a letter circulated to immediately affected
residents and two signs erected on the rezoning site, one letter and
eight phone calls were received generally in favour as access and
traffic safety would be improved. Provision for future left turn arrows
will be made.
Ms. Valerie Pusey, area resident, expressed concerns regarding a
potentially dangerous situation at Grandview/North Grandview/Slocan and
the rail tracks. The barriers put up for the trains will improve the
situation. Ms. Pusey suggested the southbound traffic on Nanaimo Street
approaching the intersection, should be monitored.
In response to a question re timing of construction, Mr. Ian Adam
advised timing of traffic improvements was dependent on the home
improvement store construction. Mr. Adam agreed to advise Ms. Pusey
when construction start is known.
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and CARRIED.
The Commission therefore
RESOLVED
A. THAT left turn bays on Grandview Highway at Kaslo Street (for
west to south and east to north turns) and at Slocan Street
(for west to south turns) be constructed as described in the
Administrative Report dated May 18, 1995 with funding of
$200,000 for the left turn bay at Slocan to be provided from
Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No.
12/31/9827/999.
B. THAT the Engineering Department annual operation budget be
increased by $1,000.00 for the maintenance of the landscaped
medians.
C. THAT the Manager of Real Estate be authorized to begin
property negotiations to allow for construction of these left
turn bays.
D. THAT once the home improvement store is constructed, the
Engineering Department provide an information memo to Council
on traffic impacts in the area; such information to be
provided on a quarterly basis for a period of one year.
4. Vanpool Priority
The Commission considered a Policy Report dated June 6, 1995 (on
file) in which the General Manager, Engineering Services, responded to a
request from the Jack Bell Foundation, vanpooling organizer, for access
to "bus only" lanes or streets, specifically 71st Avenue leading to the
Oak Street bridge. This request is supported by the Engineering
Department until the redecking of the Oak Street bridge is complete in
September. Continued use of the 71st Avenue transit queue jumper for
vanpools will be discussed, in conjunction with area residents and B.C.
Transit.
The Foundation's second request for parking price concessions for
vanpools was not supported by the Engineering Department. Council has
not approved concession parking in City-controlled lots.
The following motions by Councillor Sullivan were put and CARRIED.
The Commission therefore
RESOLVED
A. THAT vanpools with occupancy of six or more have access to the
71st Avenue transit queue jumper in the 3.00 - 6.00 p.m.
period until the redecking of the Oak Street bridge is
complete in September, and that the continued use of 71st
Avenue be assessed with input from BC Transit and local
residents after completion of the bridge redecking.
B. THAT the Jack Bell Foundation be advised of the 1991 Council
motion that carpool/vanpools have no special access or be
allowed concession pricing either on City streets or in City-
controlled parking lots.
5. Other Business
(a) Wedgewood Hotel
Councillor Chiavario noted representatives of the Wedgewood Hotel
wish to appear before the Vancouver Traffic Commission with respect to
the provision of loading in front of the hotel. The Commission
requested the General Manager, Engineering Services to prepare a report
on this matter for consideration at the September Vancouver Traffic
Commission meeting.
Clause No. 5 Continued
(b) Taxi Industry
Councillor Sullivan outlined discussions he had with the taxi
driver union. Councillor Chiavario suggested she meet with Councillor
Sullivan and forward any concerns to the Committee on the Taxi Industry.
She attends meetings of this Committee and would report back.
(c) South Granville Street -
14th Avenue to Granville Bridge
The Chair noted merchants had received copies of a document
indicating a future HOV lane on Granville in this area. The merchants
wish further information.
Mr. Ian Adam indicated the Engineering Transit Division has
circulated a B.C. Transit document entitled "Transit Priority - Programs
That Put People First " to merchants for input into a City response to
B.C. Transit.
Copies of the document were circulated to Council. The staff
report will be forwarded to Council in the fall.
(d) 63rd Avenue and Adera Street
The Chair noted area residents had written regarding traffic
circles, etc. Mr. Adam noted traffic mitigation measures approved by
Council were proceeding.
(e) Cypress/4th/Cornwall
Mr. Adam advised an Open House is scheduled for this area next
week.
(f) Southwest Marine Drive
In response to questions, Mr. Adam indicated this would be reported
in the fall to miss scheduling problems with the public's vacation
months.
Clause No. 5 Continued
(g) Transit Fare Structure Increase
The Chair noted B.C. Transit is holding a meeting to deal with
cross-zone fare structures. This is an important issue if there will no
longer be an advantage for non-peak hour travellers. The General
Manager, Engineering Services was requested to provide further
information to Council.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:25 p.m.
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