CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, January 18, 1996, at 2:25 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, Chair
Councillors, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip
Kwan, Price, Puil and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Civic Business)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
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
January 18, 1996
The Council considered the recommendations of the Committee as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program
Cl.2: Rezonings During Neighbourhood Visioning
Process - CityPlan Implementation
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Report of the Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
January 18, 1996 (cont'd)
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clauses 1
and 2 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence
Councillors Chiavario, Hemer, Kwan and Puil.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT Council approve leave of absence for Councillors Chiavario,
Hemer, Kwan and Puil for January 23, 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * * *
The Council adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
* * * * * * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
January 18, 1996
A meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and
Environment was held on Thursday, January 18, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., in
Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Price, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Puil
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Civic Business)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
Recorded Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, votes of the Committee on all items are
unanimous.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
meetings of December 7 and 14, 1995 were adopted as circulated.
1. Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program File: 4651-2
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated January 3, 1996
(on file), in which the Manager of the Housing Centre reported on the
current status of the Seniors Housing Demonstration Fund, which has been
reviewed in light of the two projects built under its auspices, and in
the context of CityPlan. It was proposed that the fund's mandate be
broadened to achieve CityPlan's neighbourhood housing affordability and
form objectives, in particular affordable ground oriented housing that
could serve families as well as seniors. Revised policies for funding
future housing demonstration projects were also recommended.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as
reflected in recommendations A, B and C of this report.
Mr. Cameron Gray, Manager of the Housing Centre, explained that the
intention is to encourage housing projects which support CityPlan's
housing affordability and form objectives. Hence, the proposed change
from the Seniors Housing Demonstration Fund to the Neighbourhood Housing
Demonstration Fund. Mr. Gray also clarified that the Kerrisdale RS-1
and RS-3 Rezoning Policy is the only set of guidelines requiring
amendment accordingly (as reflected in recommendation C).
The following motions by Councillor Puil were put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Seniors Housing Demonstration Fund be renamed the
Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Fund, with the purpose of
encouraging housing projects that support CityPlan's housing
affordability and form objectives.
B. THAT Council adopt the following policies for funding projects
through the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Fund:
1) Projects must provide housing that is affordable compared
to alternatives in the neighbourhood;
2) Projects must offer alternatives to single family homes
in the neighbourhood;
3) Priority will be given to non-profit projects;
Clause No. 1 cont'd
4) Holding costs for projects will be forgiven for a maximum
of 3 years;
5) Ownership and rental projects on either freehold or City
leased land will be considered;
6) Leases will be for 60 year terms with a prepaid rent of
75% of freehold market value or equivalent;
7) Capital grants may be provided for projects serving core-
need households, with funding provided from the
Affordable Housing Fund; and
8) Proposal development funding to determine project
viability may be provided.
C. THAT the Kerrisdale RS-1 and RS-3 Rezoning Policy be amended
to allow consideration of rezoning applications that satisfy
the conditions of the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration
Program, and to delete reference to the Neighbourhood
Stabilization Program.
2. Rezoning During Neighbourhood Visioning
Process - CityPlan Implementation File: 5302-5
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated January 3, 1996
(on file), in which the Director of City Plans and Manager of the
Housing Centre recommended policies to govern rezonings during
implementation of the CityPlan Neighbourhood Visioning process. Related
policies for sites specifically zoned for Neighbourhood Housing
Demonstration Projects were also recommended.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as
reflected in recommendation A and B of this report.
Dr. Anne McAfee, Director of City Plans, recalled that when Council
approved CityPlan in June of 1995, it noted the potential for rezonings
to prejudice its implementation. It would be counterproductive to
consider rezonings that may preempt the conclusions of the vision
process or compromise its outcome. Areas having approved plans would
not be subject to the proposed policies, but they will be important in
lower density residential areas where development of the neighbourhood
centre will be a significant new direction for the neighbourhood.
Clause No. 2 cont'd
Ms. Trish French, Planner, noted the proposed rezoning policy is
based upon two principles: firstly, the policies respect already adopted
policies and plans; and secondly they do not preempt or divert the
neighbourhood visioning process by rezonings which set new directions or
preclude options in a neighbourhood. Ms. French also reviewed the five
policies set out in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated January 3,
1996.
In response to queries Ms. French and Mr. Rick Scobie, Director of
Land Use and Development, clarified staff always try to give accurate
pre-application advice to persons contemplating rezonings. In some
cases, based on existing City policies and guidelines, staff may
encourage an applicant not to submit an application. The proposed
policies would clarify criteria for rezonings in neighbourhoods which
will undergo the visioning process in accordance with CityPlan.
However, the applicant retains the ultimate right to decide whether or
not to submit a rezoning application, and the usual process would
follows.
Mr. Michael Geller, Michael Geller and Associates, basically
supported the report but noted some of the concerns relevant to
developers contemplating rezoning applications, particularly time
constraints.
The following motions by Councillor Puil were put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council's policy on neighbourhood rezonings be as
described in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated January 18,
1996 that is to continue to consider rezonings that conform to
existing city-wide and neighbourhood plans and policies, but
not to consider rezoning requests which would prejudice future
possibilities for neighbourhood centres, until a Neighbourhood
Vision is approved for the area.
B. THAT site specific rezonings for housing demonstration
projects be considered where:
- the application demonstrates a new housing form in a
neighbourhood, improved affordability, and a degree of
neighbourhood support; and
- any increase in land value, beyond the normal profit
allowed by the City's standard bonusing process, be
converted into improved affordability.
* * * * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
* * * * * * *
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, January 18, 1996, at 2:25 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, Chair
Councillors, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip
Kwan, Price, Puil and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Civic Business)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
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
January 18, 1996
The Council considered the recommendations of the Committee as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program
Cl.2: Rezonings During Neighbourhood Visioning
Process - CityPlan Implementation
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Report of the Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
January 18, 1996 (cont'd)
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clauses 1
and 2 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence
Councillors Chiavario, Hemer, Kwan and Puil.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT Council approve leave of absence for Councillors Chiavario,
Hemer, Kwan and Puil for January 23, 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * * *
The Council adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
* * * * * * * * *