CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
November 7, 1996
A Regular Meeting of Vancouver City Council was held on Thursday,
November 7, 1996 at 2:00 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 (Enquiry Item 2)
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Ip, Price, Puil and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Kwan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Denise Salmon
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole,
Deputy Mayor Ip in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
November 7, 1996
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1 Environmental Grants
Cl.2 Display Site for Interurban Car 1207
Cl.3 Proposed Text Amendments to the Downtown
O.D.P. and Amendments to the Downtown
South Design Guidelines
Cl.4 Accessible and Usable Dwellings Project-
Status Report
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
November 7, 1996
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clause 1
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Clauses 2, 3 and 4
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clauses 2,
3 and 4 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED BY Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. AIDS Monument File: 4113-3
Councillor Puil advised BCTV had conducted a phone-in survey on the
AIDS Memorial proposed for Stanley Park, and 96% of the callers were
opposed to its location in Ceperley Park, to the east of the Fire Engine
and overlooking the Bicycle Path.
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT due to the overwhelming public concern and the lack of proper
public consultation, the Park Board be requested to revisit the decision
on the location of the AIDS Memorial.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Mayor Owen was not present for the vote)
* * *
(The Mayor returned during discussion of the following item)
* * *
2. Club Keno in Liquor License Premises File: 2633-3
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised he had
spoken with the Manager of Communications for the Lottery Corporation,
who confirmed five Club Keno machines have been installed in the
following licensed premises:
- Eldorado, on October 28
- Avanti's Pub, on October 29
- Royal Canadian Legion at 2205 Commercial, on October 24
- Royal Canadian Legion at 727 East 49th, on October 29
- Dover Arms, on October 24
Inspectors have visited the above premises, and all machines are
currently in use. The above premises have been requested to remove the
machines, and all but the Dover Arms have agreed to do so if so ordered.
A seven day order to remove the machines will now be issued.
Discussions with Lottery Corporation lawyers are expected to continue on
Tuesday, November 12, 1996. The City could seek an injunction or lay
charges if all machines are not removed within seven days.
* * *
Council adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
* * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
November 7, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning
and Environment was held on Thursday, November 7, 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 Puil
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kwan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Denise Salmon
1. Environmental Grants File: 2252-3
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October
22, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Environmental Health, in
consultation with the General Managers of Engineering and Corporate
Services, Director of Permits & Licenses and Medical Health Officer
recommended approval of a request for a grant from the Strathcona
Community Gardeners Society, and submitted for consideration two
additional grant requests, from the Oceans Blue Foundation and Better
Environmentally Sound Transportation Association.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of
the $20,000 grant to the Strathcona Community Gardeners Society and
submitted for Council's consideration approval of a grant of $24,000 to
the Oceans Blue Foundation and $15,000 to the Better Environmentally
Sound Transportation Association.
Clause No.1 Continued
Mr. Doug Glen, Environmental Health, advised the two applications
submitted for consideration do not meet all grant criteria approved by
Council. Oceans Blue Foundation, although very supportive of City
policies, may not primarily benefit the city's residents. This is the
second year of funding for B.E.S.T.'s program, but the first time a
grant has been requested, specifically for funding three-quarters of the
salary costs of a full time project coordination for the 1997 Bike to
Work Week. All aspects of its program are very supportive of City
policies.
Ms. Cheeying Ho, B.E.S.T., advised the Alternative Transportation
Centre provides education, resources and consultation services to help
individuals and organizations use alternative modes of transportation.
The ATC coordinates Bike to Work Week, which was initiated in Vancouver
this year. B.E.S.T. is requesting a grant to cover three-quarters of
the salary cost of a full time project coordinator for the 1997 Bike to
Work Week. For the event to be successful, a full time coordinator is
needed to proceed with fund raising, planning and organization of
various activities. This will be a one-time grant for start-up funding,
and reflects goals set out in the City's draft Transportation Plan.
Ms. Coralie Mackie, Executive Director, Oceans Blue Foundation,
advised the Foundation is a non-profit organization and registered
society that develops practical programs for environmentally responsible
tourism in port cities. She further advised Oceans Blue was involved in
the development of "Keep Greater Vancouver Spectacular" this year. The
six-week city-wide clean-up campaign led by Tourism Vancouver and the
City of Vancouver collected 90 tonnes of garbage. The request for
financial support is for creation of a manual to accompany the Keep
Greater Vancouver Spectacular (KGVS) program. Funding has also been
requested from The Vancouver Foundation and the G.V.R.D. She further
advised funds collected from the "how to" manual would go directly to
the City.
In response to a question from Council, Ms. Mackie advised the
manual will be available in French, and other languages as requested.
The following motion by Mayor Owen, was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
Clause No.1 Continued
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve a grant of $20,000 to the Strathcona
Community Gardeners Society for their "Environmental Systems
Project"; source of funds to be the Environmental Grant Fund
in the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.
B. THAT Council approve a grant of $24,000 to the Oceans Blue
Foundation for their "Keep Greater Vancouver Spectacular"
community-wide clean-up program; source of funds to be the
Environmental Grant Fund in the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.
C. THAT Council approve a grant of $15,000 to the Better
Environmentally Sound Transportation Association for their
"Bike to Work Week" program; source of funds to be the
Environmental Grant Fund in the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
2. Display Site for Interurban Car 1207 File: 5558
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October
17, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
sought Council approval for a display site and building for Interurban
Car 1207.
Mr. Peter Bremner, Transportation Engineer, advised due to traffic
congestion, parking and view concerns raised by merchants and residents,
Council earlier this year requested staff to review alternate locations,
other than Second Avenue west of Anderson, for storage and display of
Interurban Car 1207.
Engineering staff reviewed a number of alternate sites adjacent
the Creek; however, existing track for demonstration runs of the car
currently exists only at Sixth Avenue and Moberly. An open house to
seek neighbourhood input was held in September and, in addition, 1400
notices were delivered to surrounding residents and businesses. Of the
23 comments sheets returned, 20 supported this site.
Clause No.2 Continued
Engineering staff are recommending the Street Car display and
storage building be located adjacent to Moberly Road, as shown in Figure
1 of the City Manager's Report dated October 17, 1996. This site is
close to the transit loop and walkway access and the storage building
would act as a noise buffer for area residents. However, Figure 2 is
also an option, with four of the survey respondents in favour of moving
the storage building further to the east.
Mr. Dale Laird, Trolleys & Museums Society (TRAM), advised TRAM
preferred the Figure 2 location for the street car building. He
explained the easterly location would allow for more security, due to
the adjacent Police building. More parking was also available adjacent
this location. In addition, Mr. Laird requested the display location
for the Street Car also be moved further to the east to address possible
safety concerns related to vision blockage if located too near the 6th
and Moberly intersection.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the building site for Interurban Car 1207 be
located on the former CP Rail False Creek corridor east of Moberly
Road as shown on Figure 2 of the Manager's Report dated October 17, 1996;
FURTHER THAT the location for display of the Street Car be
relocated further east from the Moberly Road/6th Avenue crossroads
to address safety concerns, including possible vehicular view
blockage.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * *
Conflict of Interest
Councillor Kennedy declared a conflict of interest on Item No. 3
and left the meeting. The Councillor did not return for the remainder of
the meeting.
* * *
3. Proposed Text Amendment to the
Downtown O.D.P. and Amendments to File: 5001-6/8007-15
the Downtown South Design Guidelines 8007-3
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated October 25, 1996
(on file), in which the Directors of Land Use & Development and Central
Area Planning recommended proposed amendments to the Downtown Official
Development Plan (DODP) and to the Downtown South Guidelines.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of
the proposed amendments to both the DODP and Guidelines, and submitted
average floor-to-floor height guidelines for consideration, noting
Options C2 and C3 of the Policy Report each provide increasing
flexibility.
Mr. Ralph Segal, Senior Development Planner, provided an overview
of the proposed text amendments to the Downtown O.D.P. and amendments to
the Downtown South Design Guidelines. Also before Council were
schematics demonstrating three possible build-out scenarios reflecting
consideration items C1, C2 and C3.
The changes to the DODP would:
1) permit live/work uses in the low-rise portion of developments;
2) give the Development Permit board discretion to relax the height
limit of 70 feet on small sites to accommodate increased density
for low cost and social housing; and
3) add a section to emphasize the importance of the public realm in
the downtown.
The proposed changes to the Downtown South Guidelines include:
1) language to emphasize the importance of minimizing shadow impacts
on public open space and shopping streets (Granville and Davie
Streets);
2) guidelines to strengthen safety and security aspects of projects;
3) provision for self-contained live-work units in the low-rise
portion of a development;
4) a guideline to tower floor plate size to encourage slim towers;
5) reduction of the rear yard setback in low-rise portion of
development to 10 feet from 30 feet; and
6) guidelines to upgrade the lane environment by providing more
landscaping.
Clause No.3 Continued
In addition, an additional choice of amendments to the guidelines
brought forward for consideration, would provide:
Option C1: a 10-foot average floor-to-floor height and ensure
compact, generously spaced buildings that minimize shadow impacts,
or
Option C2: a 12-foot average floor-to-floor height, which would
provide a wider variety of units types; however, the additional
building volumes of this option would generate additional shadow
and view impacts, or
Option C3: would not pursue any floor-to-floor control.
Mr. Rick Scobie advised the Guidelines do not need to go to Public
Hearing, but can be referred for discussion.
Mr. Gerry Kennedy, Kaisan Kennedy Design Partnership, advised due
to late receipt of the report he had not had time to study it in detail.
He encouraged Council to move discussion of the whole issue to Public
Hearing, and suggested the proposed amendments to the Downtown South
Guidelines appeared akin to downzoning. Mr. Kennedy further questioned
the need for a set average floor-to-floor height, noting controls
currently exist through setbacks, height limits, FSR, view cones, Urban
Design Panel and discretionary zoning. Mr. Kennedy stated FSR was not
an adequate measure to control volume.
Mr. Chuck Brook, noted he had been a consultant to the City of
Vancouver, together with Edwin Blewett, on an FSR study. He described
FSR as a 2-dimensional way to measure 3-dimensional buildings and urged
Council move toward a more direct regulation of building volume and not
density. Mr. Brook further advised to achieve a streetscape wall in
Downtown South, building regulations need to be relaxed below 70 feet,
then closely regulated above that height. He advised Council to either
incorporate the 10-foot floor-to-floor height into the Guidelines, or
allow applicants to decide what the maximum building height will allow.
Mr. Scobie advised this report is an attempt to standardize FSR,
and produce a standard set of rules. He further noted the referenced
FSR Study is currently on the back burner due to staffing allocations to
the building review process.
Clause No.3 Continued
Mr. Graham McGarva, highlighted Vancouver's urban design success,
noting Vancouver is a city of slender towers and a spectacular
landscape. He suggested the proposed guidelines will continue this
tradition, but also allow the opportunity for creative design. He
further emphasized the need for a clear process, as outlined in Table 1
of Section 4.1.3 of the Draft Downtown South Guidelines. He suggested
the 10-foot floor-to-floor height is adequate, but favours Option C3, as
long as recommended floor plate size guidelines are strictly adhered to.
Mr. Leo Ferry, Downtown South Redevelopment Impacts Committee,
urged the guidelines be adopted before another project similar to 1268
Seymour comes forward.
Mr. Sam Campbell, enquired if the lofts would be for sale or rent,
as most artists can't afford their purchase price. The Chair advised
artists' live/work lofts were not part of the discussion at today's
meeting.
Ms. Dorothy Milne, expressed the need for clear guidelines as well
as the importance of a good liaison between developers, builders and
planners. She also noted the allowable lofts should be suitable as
spare bedrooms, but not become another rentable unit.
Lengthy discussion followed on the option of sending all material
forward to Public Hearing, or approving the recommended Downtown South
Guidelines at today's meeting. Mr. Scobie advised, legally, the
Guidelines are not a part of the Public Hearing and can be approved now.
However, if not approved at today's meeting, any developments currently
in process or forthcoming, would be processed under the existing
Guidelines. Mr. Segal advised two applications are currently in process
for Downtown South, and both meet existing and proposed zoning. Two
more applications may be forthcoming.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED,
THAT the following Recommendations A and B and Consideration Items
C1, C2, and C3, as set out in the Manager's Report dated October
25, 1996, and noted below, be referred to Public Hearing:
Clause No.3 Continued
A. THAT the Director of Land Use & Development be instructed
to make application to amend the Downtown Official
Development Plan generally in accordance with Appendix A;
FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed
to prepare the necessary by-law;
AND FURTHER THAT the application and by-law be referred
to Public Hearing.
B. THAT the existing "Downtown South Guidelines (excluding
Granville Street)" be amended by Council to incorporate
the changes noted in Appendix B.
C1. THAT the Downtown South Guidelines (excluding Granville
Street) be further amended to incorporate the changes
noted in Appendix C, calling for an average
floor-to-floor height in residential developments not
exceeding 10 ft.
OR
C2. THAT the Downtown South Guidelines (excluding Granville
Street) be further amended to incorporate the changes
noted in Appendix C, calling for an average
floor-to-floor height in residential developments not
exceeding 12 ft.
OR
C3. THAT the Downtown South Guidelines NOT be further amended
to address a floor-to-floor height in residential
developments.
FURTHER THAT, in the interim pending the Public Hearing,
Recommendation B and Consideration Item C1 apply.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Accessible and Usable
Dwellings Project - Status Report File: 4651-3
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October
29, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Land Use & Development
summarized the current thinking and draft proposals for the Accessible
and Usable Dwellings Project (AUDP). A report back of the final
recommendations is also recommended following review with the AUDP
working committee, Seniors, and Disability Issues Advisory Committees.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended Council
receive for information the status report.
Ms. Janet Digby, Zoning Review Planner, summarized the draft
proposals of AUDP as follows:
- a set of performance objectives establishing the minimum level
of accessibility to, and usability of, basic dwelling
functions;
- a design strategy that relies, to varying extents, on
additions and modifications of dwelling features on the part
of the occupant;
- a design technique that allows designers to develop a design
response to suite the unique parameters of each project;
- a voluntary implementation strategy based on 'underwriting'
additional development risks by providing support in the form
of knowledge, incentive and certification programs; and
- a proposal to decentralized implementation through
partnerships with relevant organizations.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council receive for information the status report on the
Accessible and Usable Dwellings Project (AUDP) which includes a
summary of the dwelling design and implementation strategies
currently under consideration.
Clause No.4 Continued
AND THAT staff report back the final recommendations of the
Accessible and Usable Dwellings Project (AUDP), following review by
the AUDP Working Committee and the Special Council Advisory
Committees on Seniors and Disability Issues.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(The Mayor left the meeting at this point.)
* * *
The Committee adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
* * *