PART REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER TRAFFIC COMMISSION
July 25, 1996
A Regular meeting of the Vancouver Traffic Commission was held on
Thursday, July 25, 1996, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Committee Room
No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Bellamy, Chair
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Clarke (leave of absence)
MANAGER's
REPRESENTATIVE: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of
Engineering Services
CLERK: Denise Salmon
CONSIDERATION
1. Plaza 500 - Bus Bays
The Commission had before it for consideration an Administrative
Report dated July 9, 1996, (on file), in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services provides a solution to the problem created when
tour buses stop to unload passengers and block the eastbound curb lane
of the 500 block of West 12th Avenue. As detailed in the attached
report, the General Manager recommended the Plaza 500 fund full
construction costs. However, he also submitted for consideration the
City paying 50%, although he did not support this option. The estimated
construction cost was also amended from $45,000 to $36,000.
Mr. Mark Zaborniak, Engineering Services, advised unlike newer
hotels, the Plaza 500 is not equipped to handle buses off-street, and
its parking facility is not strong enough to support a tour bus. Bus
drivers are left with few options, and most choose to violate the No
Stopping regulations on 12th Avenue and drop passengers at the hotel
entrance.
A number of options to remove buses entirely from street traffic
were found to be unworkable due to the location of the hotel lobby and
entrance, as well as lack of enough width for a good sidewalk. However,
the proposed bay will remove buses from traffic by narrowing existing
traffic lanes by 0.4 metres, with the curb lane retaining the minimum
standard of 3.65m as set out in the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan.
Engineering staff recommended the bay be long enough for two buses to
stop, which is a frequent occurrence during the summer tourist season.
Two alcoves in the Plaza 500's retaining wall are also required for
temporary luggage storage, to avoid possible spill-over onto the
sidewalk.
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Parking on Cambie would interfere with the BC Transit bus stop at
this corner, and the sidewalk width does not permit room for a bay. It
was also noted an option to step up enforcement of the No Stopping
regulation would not change the behaviour of drivers as they require
close access to the hotel and have no other options. This also does not
solve the basic problem of providing bus access to the hotel.
Mr. Zaborniak noted the cost for the bus bay is estimated at
$36,000, and it is recommended the hotel fund the construction costs.
However, if the City agrees to pay 50%, both the City and Plaza 500
would pay $18,000.
Ms. Hampson, General Manager of the Plaza 500, suggested it was not
only the hotel that would benefit from the addition of bus parking bays,
as restoring the flow of traffic on 12th Avenue would also benefit the
City. The City also favours the development of tourism, and 45% of the
hotel's business comes from the tourist buses. She further suggested
the project should be cost-shared 50% with the City as submitted by the
General Manager of Engineering Services for consideration.
Commission members discussed this issue at length, one noting the
Plaza 500 is the sole benefactor of the bus bay. However other members
agreed with Ms. Hampson, and felt the City's street system would also
benefit. It was also noted in the past hotels were not required by the
City to provide parking areas for buses, taxis, etc. However, all new
developments now address these needs on their own sites. Although a
member felt cost-sharing of the project could set a precedent, not all
members agreed with this assumption.
As the following motions by Councillor Chiavario were not carried
unanimously they are submitted for Council's
CONSIDERATION
A. THAT a bus bay long enough for two tour buses be installed on
the south side of the 500 block of West 12th Avenue, in front
of the Plaza 500 Hotel, subject to both the City and Plaza 500
funding 50% of the construction costs (estimated to be $18,000
each) and installing two alcoves in the retaining wall for
temporary storage of luggage. City funding from Streets Basic
Capital Unappropriated Account Number 12/31/9813/999.
B. THAT Engineering Services be requested to study this issue
further from a more comprehensive perspective prior to dealing
with other hotels in the City with similar situations.
(Councillor Sullivan opposed.)
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.
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