CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, September 12, 1996, 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, Ip,
Kennedy, Kwan, Price and
Sullivan.
ABSENT: Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Amendments to the Vancouver Heritage Register
Cl. 2: Broadway Express Services - "99 B-Line"
Cl. 3: Possible Withholding Action for 2891 West 44th Avenue -
West Kerrisdale Interim Zoning Review Study Area
Cl. 4: Possible Withholding Action for 2431 West 47th Avenue -
West Kerrisdale Interim Zoning Review Study Area
Regular Council Meeting, September 12, 1996 Page 2
Clauses 1, 2 and 4
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clauses 1,
2 and 4 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Possible Withholding Action for
2891 West 44th Avenue - West Kerrisdale
Interim Zoning Review Study Area (Clause 3)
Moved by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clause 3
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY
(Councillor Bellamy opposed to
withholding resolution)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Council Meeting, September 12, 1995 Page 3
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Vancouver Heritage Conservation
Foundation - Executive Director File: 5052-3
Councillor Kennedy requested that Council approve a recommendation
to recruit an Executive Director previously approved by the Vancouver
Heritage Conservation Foundation Board. There is some question
concerning the Board's power to make such a decision.
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT Recommendation A of the General Manager of Community Services,
as set out in an Administrative Report dated August 29, 1996 and quoted
below, be approved:
A. THAT the Board approve the recruitment of an Executive
Director for the Vancouver Heritage Conservation Foundation
for a 6-month period, for an amount not to exceed $30,000, as
per the Terms of Reference, as set out in Appendix A, with the
source of funds being the Contingency Reserve;
FURTHER THAT a Selection Committee be established to include
two Board members, the City Manager, the Chair of the
Vancouver Heritage Commission and the Senior Heritage Planner.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Kwan
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
Seconded by Cllr. Ip,
THAT Council approve leave of absence for Councillor Kwan from
September 23-27, inclusive.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
September 12, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and
Environment was held on Thursday, September 12, 1996, at 2:00 p.m. in
Committee Room No.1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Price, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Bellamy
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Puil (Clauses 1-3)
Councillor Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the meetings of July 25 and August 1, 1996 were
adopted as circulated.
1. Amendments to the Heritage Register File: 5052-3
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August
27, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of City Plans recommended
amendments to the Vancouver Heritage Register. These included the
addition of publicly nominated buildings and the next group of recent
landmarks, the deletion of demolished buildings, and address changes for
consistency of by-law administration.
The General Manager of Community Services also recommended
approval, as generally reflected in the recommendations of this report
with the exception of some recent landmarks whose owners opposed their
addition to the registry.
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 2
Clause No. 1 cont'd
Robert Lemon, Senior Heritage Planner, reviewed the report and
recommendations, stressing the value of the Heritage Register as a
planning tool which enables the City to offer incentives for
preservation of a listed building whose owners are contemplating
redevelopment. Responding to issues raised by Committee members, Mr.
Lemon advised buildings have been added to the Heritage Register in the
past despite objections by their owners. Mr. Lemon clarified that
listed buildings may be demolished, but only after a development permit
has been issued. In the case of A-listed buildings, there is also a
requirement for an independent consultant's study regarding alternative
uses for the existing building before a demolition permit can be issued.
Brian Taylor, representing Rogers Sugar, requested that the
building not be added to the Register as a Recent Landmark. The owners
believe there will be definite economic impact due to uncertainty
regarding its development potential. Mr. Taylor also suggested that
incentives which the City offers for heritage preservation are more
valuable in a residential than an industrial area. The need for
preservation of industrial land for industrial uses was also referenced.
David Nesbitt, on behalf of the Oak Street Hospitals, felt it would
be premature to add four Shaughnessy Hospital buildings proposed for
addition to the inventory as Recent Landmarks. There will not be
Ministry of Health capital funding available for any extensive
retrofitting of older buildings, so proposals of interest are now being
developed to determine whether there is any private sector interest in
rehabilitation. In several cases it may be unrealistic to expect such
interest, such as the technologically outmoded steam plant and its
tower. The Hospitals will continue to work with the City respecting the
buildings.
The Committee's attention was drawn to a letter from the owners of
the former Saba Residence (on file) requesting that the home not be
listed due to potential loss of investment value. Also drawn to the
Committee's attention was a letter from agents of the Main Post Office
(on file), requesting deferral to afford officials more time for
consideration.
The Committee was divided on the issue of whether to list buildings
whose owners did not wish them listed. Some members considered this to
be unfair; others felt it was a necessary step to foster heritage
preservation.
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 3
Clause No. 1 cont'd
The following motions by Councillor Puil were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be
amended by deleting the addresses in Appendix A.
B. THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be
amended to change the addresses listed in Appendix B.
C. THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be
amended to add the addresses listed in Appendix C.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Puil was amended.
THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be amended
to add the addresses of the Recent Landmarks listed in Appendix D
after deleting those properties whose owners do not wish them to be
listed.
Several members objected to dealing with the foregoing motion as a
single vote, and the Chair agreed to put the vote separately as
requested by the members. In the interests of clarity, all questions
were put as whether to keep the addresses on the list of Recent
Landmarks to be added to the Heritage Inventory.
THAT the former Saba Residence be listed.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Hemer, Ip and Puil opposed)
THAT the Main Post Office be listed.
- LOST
(Councillors Kennedy, Kwan, Price
and Sullivan opposed)
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 4
Clause No. 1 cont'd
THAT the Shaughnessy Hospital buildings, BC Sugar Head Office and
RCMP Headquarters be listed.
- LOST
(Councillors Kennedy, Kwan, Price
and Sullivan opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Puil, as amended, was then put
and carried. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be
amended to add the addresses of the Recent Landmarks listed in
Appendix D.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
It was the Committee's understanding that while the Main Post
Office and Shaughnessy Hospital buildings were not listed at this time,
they would be discussed further with the owners for report back when the
matter of amendments to the Heritage Register is again under review.
2. Broadway Express Service - ""99 B-Line" File: 5554-3
Before discussion commenced on this item, Councillor Kwan declared
she may be in conflict of interest on this matter because of her
position as an MLA. She then left the meeting and did not return until
after the voting was completed.
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August
28, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering
Services discussed the new "#99 B-Line" express service on the Broadway
Lougheed corridor between Lougheed Mall and UBC, and recommended new bus
stops and a short-turn route to facilitate the new service.
Also before the Committee was a September 12, 1996 memorandum from
the General Manager of Engineering Services (on file), recommending that
the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission not approve any reduction in
the frequency of service of the #9 Broadway bus route until a
comprehensive ridership review of both the #9 and #99 services is
completed and overloads on the #9 are significantly reduced.
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 5
Clause No. 2 cont'd
Wayne Pledger, Transit Engineer, reviewed the report and
recommendations. Mr. Pledger also responded to queries concerning
consultation, the need for a comprehensive ridership survey, and bus
shelters.
Engineering Services was asked to re-examine the placement of a bus
stop in front of the Roselawn Funeral Chapel, which was felt to be an
inappropriate location.
Bill Lambert and Doug McDonald, B.C. Transit, also responded to
queries, advising consultation was limited because budget approval for
the #99 service was only received in late April. Because improvements
on this route are badly needed, the #99 service was expedited,
precluding any opportunity for a comprehensive consultation process.
However, B.C. Transit hopes to implement a 3-year plan system which will
give municipalities a much earlier indication of what is coming.
Operational considerations bearing on the selection of bus stop
locations were also explained.
Nathan Davidowicz made a number of recommendations concerning
payment for the sidewalk between Broadway and Skeena, information which
should be included on signage, and the location of the Broadway and
Commercial and Granville and 10th Avenue bus stops. Mr. Davidowicz
supported the General Manager's recommendation to retain the #9 service,
and expressed concern that potential B.C. Transit cutbacks may affect
70% of Vancouver's ridership.
Dave Harlow, Independent Canadian Transit Union, stressed that
there is extreme congestion on the #9 bus, with heavy standing loads all
the way from Granville Street to Broadway Station. While the #99
service is a good idea, it is doubtful whether it will actually
alleviate congestion on the #9. If the #99 attracts students from the
northeast sector, it will not be available for other riders. If used by
employees, there will not be room for students and the service will be
largely unused at the western end of the corridor. And east end
residents of Vancouver have again been left out. Mr. Harlow urged
retention of the #9 service, and full consultation.
The Committee agreed more consultation was needed and gave only
conditional approval. Staff were instructed to report back once there
has been an opportunity to better evaluate the new service and ridership
needs.
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 6
Clause No. 2 cont'd
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the following Recommendations A through G on
condition that the approval is temporary pending consultation and a
report back:
A. THAT the use of buses on 12th Avenue between Granville and Fir
Streets, and Fir Street between 12th Avenue and 10th Avenue,
be approved.
B. THAT a bus stop on southbound Granville Street at 10th Avenue
in the AM peak period only, be approved.
C. THAT the approval for recommendations "A" and "B" above, be
reviewed once express buses can be routed on 10th Avenue after
it is improved between Granville and Fir Streets.
D. THAT a bus stop on westbound Lougheed Highway at Boundary Road
be approved.
E. THAT BC Transit be requested to provide additional express bus
stops on Broadway at Renfrew Street and Clark Drive, and on
10th Avenue in the vicinity of Blanca Street.
F. THAT BC Transit conduct appropriate consultation processes in
future with affected communities along new transit routes or
facilities (e.g. Richmond/Vancouver Rapid Bus and Broadway
LRT).
G. THAT the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission not approve any
reduction in the frequency of service of the #9 Broadway bus
route until a comprehensive ridership review of both the #9
and #99 services is complete and overloads on the #9 are
significantly reduced.
AND THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services report back to
the Standing Committee on Planning & Environment in 90 days on the
Broadway Express Services.
(Councillor Kwan was not present for the vote)
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 7
3. Possible Withholding Action for
2891 West 44th Avenue - West Kerrisdale
Interim Zoning Review Study Area File: 2605-3
At its September 10, 1996 meeting, City Council adopted
recommendation A of an Administrative Report dated September 3, 1996 (on
file), instructing staff to withhold approval of a Combined Development
and Building Permit for 2091 West 44th Avenue. Following the adoption
of this resolution, a delegation request was received from the property
owners. Council agreed to hear the delegation at this meeting, noting,
however, that in order for Council to instruct staff to process the
application in the normal manner, the original resolution would have to
be rescinded. This would require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the
members present.
Bob McGilvray, Planner, explained staff recommend withholding this
application because it is in that portion of West Kerrisdale which has
been referred to Public Hearing. In such cases, Council has the
discretion to decide whether to withhold an application or instruct that
it be processed in the normal manner. In the case of 2891 West 44th
Avenue, the differences between this application and the contemplated
RS-5 rezoning are significant, and it is unlikely the application could
be approved even under the discretionary stream of RS-5. Mr. McGilvray
provided particulars of non-conformance with RS-5 provisions for
outright above-grade floor area, accessory building area and width, and
front yard setback.
Daen and Sandra Campbell, property owners, requested that the
application for their dream home be permitted to proceed. They
purchased the site and began work on the design four months prior to
commencement of the interim zoning review, of which they were unaware,
and the design meets the requirements of the current zoning. RS-5 would
require a further setback leaving insufficient back yard space for
children and pets, forcing them to scrap their plans and begin again.
It would be a further year to design and build again, following
Council's decision on the rezoning, and in the meantime they must
maintain their current residence as well as 2891 West 44th Avenue.
The Committee noted another withholding to be considered under item
4 of this report, where the wording of the resolution was such as to
permit the applicant to be heard without requiring a rescinding motion.
Therefore, in order to be fair, the Committee agreed to rescind the
previous Council resolution in order to reconsider its decision with a
clean slate.
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 8
Clause No. 3 cont'd
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council rescind its resolution of September 10, 1996,
instructing staff to withhold approval of the Combined Development and
Building Permit for 2891 West 44th Avenue.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
The following motion by Councillor Puil was then put and lost.
THAT Council instruct staff to process the Combined Building and
Development Application for the proposed development at 2891 West 44th
Avenue in the normal manner.
- LOST
(Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip, Kennedy,
Kwan, Price, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Puil left the meeting at this point
in the proceedings)
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT in accordance with Council's instruction of July 30, 1996 to
refer a portion of West Kerrisdale to Public Hearing, Council
withhold for 30 days in accordance with the provisions of Section
570(1) of the Vancouver Charter, the Combined Development and
Building Permit for the proposed development at 2891 West 44th
Avenue, expiring September 21, 1996 and for a further 60-day
period, expiring November 22, 1996, for a total of 90 days from the
date of submission, pursuant to Section 570(2) of the Vancouver
Charter.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Bellamy opposed)
Report to Council
Standing Committee of Council
on Planning and Environment
September 12, 1996 Page 9
4. Possible Withholding Action for
2431 West 47th Avenue - West Kerrisdale
Interim Zoning Review Study Area File: 2605-3
On September 10, 1996, City Council approved Recommendation A of an
Administrative Report dated September 6, 1996 (on file), instructing
staff to withhold approval of a Combined Development and Building Permit
for 2431 West 47th Avenue expiring September 11, 1996, and for a further
60 day period, unless within the 60-day period, Council, having heard
from the applicant, instructs that the permit be issued.
Bob McGilvray, Planner, explained staff recommend withholding this
application because it is in that portion of West Kerrisdale which has
been referred to Public Hearing. In such cases, Council has the
discretion to decide whether to withhold an application or instruct that
it be processed in the normal manner. The proposed new development does
not meet front yard setback requirements under the proposed RS-5 zoning.
However, the setback is acceptable to the adjacent neighbours, floor
space requirements are met, and the house is in character with the
neighbourhood.
Richard Lui, property owner, was present to request that his
application not be withheld for the further 60 days.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council instruct staff to process the Combined Building and
Development Application for the proposed development at 2431 West
47th Avenue in the normal manner.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 5:25 p.m.