LIMITED DISTRIBUTION
SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
P&E COMMITTEE AGENDA
OCTOBER 24, 1996
EXTRACT FROM REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE ON
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT
OCTOBER 26, 1995
2. Vancouver International Airport File: 8035-2
Draft Master Plan
The Vancouver International Airport authority has prepared a draft
master plan which accommodates the substantial air-passenger and
freight growth expected to occur over the next 20 years. The Committee
had before it a Policy Report dated October 10, 1995 (on file), in
which the Director of CityPlans, General Manager of Engineering
Services and Director of Environmental Health, in consultation with the
Director of Economic Development, recommended a response to those
aspects of the draft plan which would have an impact on the City of
Vancouver and its residents. Issues raised for Council's consideration
were noise and other environmental concerns, land use to the north of
the parallel runway, and transportation issues.
The General Managers of Community Services and Engineering
Services recommended Council support the draft plan subject to
conditions generally as reflected in the recommendations of this report
and summarized as follows:
- A clear Airport Authority commitment to operating procedures which
minimize airport noise in Southwest Vancouver;
- Additional public review of design guidelines for the buffer area
between the parallel runway and the conservation area;
- Increased commitment to traffic demand management measures;
- Support for various proposals to increase public transit use to
and on Sea Island.
Mr. Ted Sebastian, Planner, noted the City has supported airport
growth and the Open Skies agreement in the past, conditional upon the
airport acting like a good corporate citizen. Mr. Sebastian reviewed
the issues of noise impacts, the area north of the runway, and
transportation and discussed the rationale for staff recommendations.
The following speakers supported the recommendations of the
General Managers of Community Services and Engineering Services, with
some additions:
Mr. Alex Tunner, Vancouver representative,
Airport Noise Management Committee
Ms. Meg Brown, Vancouver representative,
Airport Noise Management Committee
Ms. Wendy Turner, Community Forum on Airport Development
Mr. Mike McCarthy, West Southlands Ratepayers Association
Ms. June Binkert, Save Our Parkland
Ms. Jennifer Maynard, Southlands Ratepayers Association.
Following are some of the comments made by the foregoing speakers:
- Noise was a significant concern expressed by the speakers, who
referenced both an increase in the number of flights and the
configuration of the third runway as leading to potential
increases in noise. The Airport Authority should be held to
earlier commitments with respect to noise mitigation, in
particular, operational restrictions on the use of the parallel
runway;
- Great care must be taken with development north of the runway to
ensure there is no undue environmental impact on the preserve or
the Lower Fraser Estuary, or on recreational opportunities for
the area. The environmental preserve should be kept as large as
possible;
- Visual impacts arising from the development of the buffer zone and
the proposed Industrial park to the east of the airport will also
have to be addressed;
- It was pointed out that transportation issues also have an impact
on the surrounding residential neighbourhoods. In particular,
concern was expressed about possible ferry links;
- The speakers urged that public consultation continue and that
residents be involved in discussion of implementation before
anything is finalized;
- Mr. Tunner and Ms. Brown indicated they would be filing briefs for
the information of City Council, the Airport Authority and the
Ministry of Transport.
Mr. Joe Sulmona and Mr. Edward Aboly, Vancouver Airport Authority,
advised there will be further opportunities for public input prior to
adoption of the MasterPlan. They also confirmed that operational
restrictions intended to mitigate noise will be adhered to. Terms of
reference for the commercial zone will come after the MasterPlan is
adopted, and there will be public input on design guidelines. It is
the Airport Authority's philosophy to ensure access for airport users
and the intention is to work with the Cities of Vancouver and Richmond
and the Province to ensure this. The airport already generates the
largest volume of transit users than any area except Downtown
Vancouver.
The representatives responded to queries with respect to the
buffer zone, commercial development, timing of the public process, the
airport bus, and options for use of the parallel runway. Queried
further with respect to commitment, Mr. Sulmona noted that by 2015,
increasing traffic will recessitate use of the runway for both
take-offs and landings. Peak hours are also expanding.
The Committee felt the Airport Authority should not regard its
commitment to noise mitigation as time-limited, and felt that
statements in the MasterPlan should be amended to reflect the original
intention as closely as possible.
The following motions by Councillor Hemer were put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council recognize the economic importance of the airport
and support expansion of airport facilities as described in
the draft Master Plan subject to the final plan incorporating
the following changes:
a) the Aeronautical Noise Management section should clearly
state the Airport Authority's commitment to strictly
enforce operational restrictions on the use of the
parallel runway to minimize noise impacts in Vancouver
(primarily used for landings, no Stage 2 take-offs, no
use 22:00 to 07:00, quietest configuration), and further
that Master Plan statements indicating that after 2015,
the north runway will be used for equal numbers of
take-offs and landings, be amended to reflect this
original intent as closely as possible;
b) commercial land use north of the parallel runway should
be limited to the minimum required for a safety buffer;
c) the Airport Authority should develop design guidelines
for the Airport North area in consultation with nearby
residents, park users, and wildlife area managers with a
view to minimizing impacts on these uses and maximizing
visual screening;
d) the design guidelines the Airport Authority proposes to
develop for all airport buildings should include
provisions to maximize the opportunity for workers and
customers to walk, bike, and use public transportation
for access; and
e) Transportation Demand Management programs for all users
of the airport should be strongly supported.
B. THAT Council request that:
a) the Airport Authority encourage B.C. Transit to
introduce a direct downtown-airport bus route;
b) B.C. Transit examine a direct peak period express bus
route from Richmond to downtown Vancouver using the
Number Two Road Bridge to accommodate commuters crossing
Sea Island and the Arthur Laing Bridge;
c) B.C. Transit examine means of providing improved service
for airport employees; and
d) the requirements, implications, and possible cost
sharing for a high priority vehicle lane between the
airport and the port be considered in the context of
transit improvements in the Granville corridor.
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