CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
MARCH 27, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, March 27, 1997, at approximately 6:10 p.m. in the Council
Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on
Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the
Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Gordon Price (Sick Leave)
Councillor George 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. Sullivan,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
March 11, 1997
Proposed Renovations to the second storey, East Wing
This report was withdrawn by the City Manager and will be
resubmitted to the City Council meeting on April 8, 1997.
1. Policy Report
March 18, 1997
Contaminated Sites Legislation
This report was withdrawn by the City Manager and will be
resubmitted to the City Council meeting on April 8, 1997.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
March 27, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee as
contained in the following clause of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Hastings Park Relocation
Cl. 2: Significant Rezoning Application
Cl. 3: Khalsa Diwan Parade
Cl. 4: Broadband RFI - Selection of a Business Partner
COMMITTEE REPORTS (cont'd)
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
March 27, 1997 (cont'd)
Clauses 1, 2 and 3
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
1, 2 and 3 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Broadband RF-1 - Selection of a Business Partner
(Clause 4)
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT this item be deferred for report back on how the City would
proceed with a dual partnership trial.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Herbert, Kennedy,
Daniel Lee, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan.
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 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 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. UBCM Actions on Grant Cuts File No.:3252-1/2001-1
Councillor Kennedy advised of upcoming actions by UBCM in response
to cuts to
municipal grants. The Mayor was requested to hold a press conference in
the coming week, and all interested Council members were invited to
attend activities in Victoria.
The Mayor agreed to follow up on this.
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT staff brief the Mayor on the impact of these cuts in
preparation.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The City Manager undertook to arrange a timely briefing.
2. Staff Truck "Roadeo" File No.:1301-1
Councillor Chiavario advised that this year's staff Truck "Roadeo"
will take place on Saturday, May 10,1997 at Manitoba Yards. The
Councillor invited Council members to participate in the dunk tank to
benefit the Burn Unit.
The Council adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
* * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
MARCH 27, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning and
Environment was held on Thursday, March 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. in
Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Sam Sullivan, Vice-Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price (item 1)
Councillor George Puil (items 1-3)
ABSENT: Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair
(Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Nancy Largent
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings of January 30, February 6 and February
27, 1997 were adopted as circulated.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Hastings Park - Approval of Restoration Plan File No.: 8015-1
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated February 27, 1997
(on file), in which the General Manager of Parks and Recreation
recommended approval of a proposed
Restoration Plan for the "greening" of Hastings Park. The plan was
based on the restoration program approved in 1996, and was supported by
the Hastings Park Working Committee. The recommendations of the General
Manager are reflected in Recommendations A through D of this report.
Also before the Committee was a letter from the Park Board dated
March 19, 1997 (on file), advising that the Board approved the
Restoration Plan for Hastings Park as set out in the aforementioned
Policy Report at its meeting on March 10, 1997.
Duncan Wilson, Park Board Chair, encouraged Council to adopt the
Restoration Plan as proposed. It is the culmination of a successful
planning initiative which has enjoyed strong community participation and
support. When implemented, it will create the second largest and most
diverse and interesting park in the city.
Piet Rutgers, Park Board Planning Manager, reviewed the history of
the site, and noted approval is being sought to restore the site to
park. Mr. Rutgers also reviewed the public consultation process,
composition of the Hastings Park Working Committee, history of Council
approvals related to the restoration, possible scenarios for adaptive
reuse of buildings on the site (still under review), budget and
projected costs. Issues around parking and crime were also discussed.
Christopher Phillips, Consultant, reviewed design details for the
proposed restoration with the use of visual aids. The Greening of
Hastings Park dated February 1996, and Hastings Park The Restoration
Plan dated March 1997 (both on file) were distributed as background
information. The plan is intended to provide a broad range of activities
and experiences suitable for all types and ages of people. Features
reviewed included:
a central green sanctuary with a restored Hastings Creek at its
heart;
a viewing area from "Windermere Hill", the high point on the site;
connections to New Brighton Park, the Eastside Crosscut and Harbour
Route Greenways, and surrounding neighbourhoods;
restoration of the Empire Stadium site as sports fields;
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
a world class biofiltration system which will reduce pollution of
Burrard Inlet;
an active promenade and gathering point for the community called
the AllÇe of the Rain Gardens;
inclusion and integration of the Hastings Park Racecourse into the
park.
The following speakers supported the proposed Restoration Plan:
Alan Stales, Hastings Park Working Committee
Bryant McAfee, Hastings Park Working Committee
Alex Vera, Templeton Mini-School
Doug Paterson, Hastings Park Working Committee
The foregoing supported the proposed Restoration Plan on one or
more of the following grounds:
the restoration of Hastings Park is a historic project, returning
to year-round green spaces from ashphalt and parking lots;
much-needed park land will be provided for the northeast sector of
the city;
the park will provide environmental benefits such as the proposed
biofiltration system and possibly the return of salmon, and will
also provide a valuable opportunity to establish a stream
stewardship for Templeton Mini-School students;
the plan is the consensus of a comprehensive community consultation
program including broad and varied participation by people from
across the city and from all walks of life;
the race track has been successfully incorporated into the design,
offering new and exciting opportunities for observers in the park:
the park is so designed that it will be active 365 days of the
year, with intensive multiple uses;
the plan is sensible and pragmatic, yet visionary and inclusive.
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Jo Scott-B, Heritage Vancouver, expressed full support for the
greening of the park, but urged Council not to demolish the buildings
too quickly, particularly the Heritage Inventory B-listed foods
building. Needs change, and uses may be identified which they could
fill.
The following speakers urged Council to retain as many buildings as
possible and otherwise provide employment alternatives for CUPE 1004
workers on the site:
Ken Davidson, CUPE 1004
Steve Varti, PNE member
Greg Antonson, PNE member
The foregoing speakers made one or more of the following points:
Council should feel an obligation to provide employment for those
whose jobs will be displaced along with the PNE, it was pointed out
area young people have few such opportunities to earn money;
budget figures for the renovations are very low, and labour and
actual reconstruction will be far more costly than estimated, so
the City should take advantage of any way to make revenue on the
site;
if there were more certainty that buildings on the site would be
available, there would be more large and lucrative events to fill
them, such as the APEC conference;
CUPE 1004 members should receive a guarantee that they will fill
jobs created on the site;
PNE jobs are in jeopardy since the PNE has been unable to locate an
alternate site;
the extended period of uncertainty has been very stressful for
those employed on the site.
Rae Ackerman, Director of Civic Theatres, responded to queries
regarding rental of buildings on the site.
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Donalda Viaud, CUPE Local 15, endorsed restoration of the park,
which has been a community goal for many years, but expressed concerns
about successorship. Finalization is needed so workers will not wonder
what will happen. Council was asked to commit the park to Park Board
stewardship, and to establish a local hiring policy for the benefit of
neighbourhood youth.
The following speakers urged Council to make provision for the PNE
to remain on the site:
Mary Jewell, Friends of the PNE (brief filed)
Beatrice Parton (brief filed)
The foregoing speakers felt the PNE is part of the City's heritage,
a valuable cultural icon which brings pleasure and employment to many
people. They expressed dismay over possible loss of the fair, and felt
it can continue to be accommodated on the site even with an increase in
green space. Council was urged to turn down or modify the plan
accordingly, or to hold a referendum on the topic.
Ian Paton, former Chair of the Agricultural Land Commission,
recalled the origin of the agricultural fair on the site, originally
called the Vancouver Exhibition, distinguishable from the carnival
elements which were a later addition and led to much of the ashphalt and
concrete site coverage. Mr. Paton requested Council to consider a
yearly agricultural fair on the site, which could be accommodated
without a year-round amusement park. Rural young people look forward to
such an event as a highlight of their year, and many city children would
not otherwise ever have an opportunity to see livestock or horticultural
exhibits.
The following speakers urged Council to utilize the North Forum as
an indoor lawn bowling facility:
Mike Christ, Pacific Indoor Lawn Bowling Club
Norm Broomhall, Pacific Indoor Lawn Bowling Club (brief filed)
Robert Kay, Greening of Grimmett Park Committee (brief filed)
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
The foregoing speakers supported an indoor lawn bowling facility on
one or more of the following grounds:
the North Forum is the only building in the City's inventory which
can accommodate an indoor lawn bowling green, and could readily
handle a membership of five hundred;
the lawn bowlers are currently located in a structure at Grimmett
Park, which almost completely covers the park, precluding its use
as a neighbourhood green space, and there are too many busy streets
between the Grimmett Park immediate neighbourhood and other parks
for children to cross safely;
the proposed restoration plan has a very strong youth orientation,
ignoring the needs of seniors and ethnic residents, both of whom
would be better served by an indoor bowling facility;
the public process was not inclusive of the indoor lawn bowlers or
ethnic groups within the city.
Mr. Rutgers responded to queries concerning public participation in
the planning process, and advised an indoor lawn bowling facility is one
option which will be considered in the next phase of planning.
The following motions by Mayor Owen were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the Restoration Plan for Hastings Park, as described in
the Policy Report dated February 27, 1997 and generally
depicted in Appendix A, be approved as the basis for more
detailed design, phasing and budgeting for the restoration of
Hastings Park
B. THAT staff report back by October 1, 1997, on amendments to
the lease with the Pacific Racing Association required for the
relocation of horse barns.
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
C. THAT staff report back by October 1, 1997 on a building reuse
strategy and potential management structures for the Agrodome,
the Garden Auditorium, the Forum and Rollerland.
D. THAT staff report back prior to October 1, 1997 with a
detailed development plan including phasing and budgeting
recommendations for the whole site, including building reuse
capital and operating requirements and detailed landscape
plans and budget requirements for the first phase of park
restoration.
E. THAT Council express its sincere appreciation to the members
of Hastings Park Working Committee for their diligent work
over the last two years.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motions by Councillor Herbert were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
F. THAT the reuse strategy, as noted in Recommendation C, address
the range of recreational and active sports opportunities to
be made available to all age groups.
G. THAT the issue of relocating indoor lawn bowling facilities
into Hastings Park be addressed, including the impact on
flexibility of uses which could be accommodated in any
building focused on lawn bowling.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
The following motion by Councillor Don Lee was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
H. THAT the next phase of the plan include facilities to reflect
the ethno-cultures of the neighbouring areas.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Price not present for the vote)
VARY ORDER OF AGENDA
The order of agenda was varied to deal with item 2 last.
3. Khalsa Diwan Parade File No.: 4201-1
On February 29, 1996, City Council directed staff to undertake a
major review of the Khalsa Diwan Parade. Accordingly, the Committee now
had before it an Administrative Report dated March 5, 1997 (on file), in
which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended Council
reaffirm the route and program for the Khalsa Diwan Parade as set out in
the Administrative Report. It was also recommended that staff monitor
this year's parade and report back with recommendations for 1998.
Sheri Plewes, Projects and Community Liaison Engineer, noted the
Khalsa Diwan Society wishes to keep the traditional date and route of
the parade. Staff have some concerns, and Ms. Plewes outlined the
conditions staff have set out to meet those concerns, to which the
Society has agreed. The parade will be monitored again this year, and
staff will report back on any unresolved issues.
Jarnal Singh Bhandal, Khalsa Diwan Society, thanked the City for
its cooperation since the first parade in 1979. The Society takes the
City's concerns very seriously and will abide by the conditions. Mr.
Bhandal reviewed steps which will be taken to ensure the
Clause No. 3 (cont'd)
parade flows smoothly, including measures to reduce delay at the Punjabi
Market and additional portable washrooms. In response to a question,
Mr. Bhandal indicated that about thirty thousand participants are
expected.
In response to questions, Ms. Plewes advised the parade takes about
six hours to fully negotiate its route. There have been concerns about
emergency access, and in response, the Khalsa Diwan Society has agreed
to keep emergency routes open and to bear any additional cost to do so.
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council reaffirm the Khalsa Diwan Parade routing as shown
in Figure 1 with the program detailed within the
Administrative Report dated March 5, 1997.
B. THAT Council instruct staff to monitor this year s event to
ensure the conditions set out by the FEST Committee and the
Khalsa Diwan Society are adhered to and report back to Council
with recommendations for 1998.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bellamy and Puil not present for the vote)
4. Broadband RFI - Selection of a Business Partner File No.: 5806-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
27, 1997 (on file), in which the General Managers of Corporate and
Engineering Services reported on the results of the City's Broadband
Network Partnership Request for Information (RFI) process and
recommended proceeding to the next stage of implementation around
selecting a business partner. Based on the quality of the proponents'
submissions, the General Managers recommended that the City advance
directly to the negotiation stage with Rogers Communications, and should
that fail, subsequently negotiate with B.C. Telephone. The report was
withdrawn from the Council agenda of March 11, 1997 in response to a
delegation request from B.C. Telephone.
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
The General Managers also advised that the School Board wishes to
participate in development of the public/private partnership model, and
establish a communications link to one of its schools as one of the
pilot projects. The School Board has also committed to have all of its
schools connected to the network by June 1998.
Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate Services, reviewed the
circumstances of the RFI and responses received, and rationale for the
recommended course of action. Staff are confident Rogers is the
appropriate choice based on the company's superior broadband service
department and innovative approach. Staff considered whether it would
be preferable to proceed in parallel with two firms or go with the
preferred vendor. However, given the time line, it was thought better
to go ahead with Rogers rather than delay the process another five or
six months.
Brian Canfield, B.C. Telephone, requested that B.C. Telephone, as
well as Rogers, be included in the trial. The City wants to deliver the
best possible service in the most efficient way. In this rapidly
developing high technology area, the City could learn much from parallel
trials. In addition, B.C. Telephone would be happy to assist staff in
the development of objectives and criteria. Mr. Canfield noted the
company is the "home team", with full-time B.C.-based personnel, and has
a proven track record in partnering. The company's equipment and
technological achievements were also described.
Queried how B.C. Telephone would compare to Rogers at various
levels, Mr. Canfield explained there is not yet a basis for comparison,
since telephone and cable companies have only recently come into direct
competition in this area. The lack of comparative data so far is one
more reason why a joint trial would be beneficial to the City, and
would provide the best information available. In response to further
queries, Mr. Canfield assured the Committee the company already has the
necessary equipment in place to serve the City.
Glenn Wong, Rogers Communications, described services offered by
the company. The company has the necessary technology in place and is
wired into Vancouver homes today. The proposed partnership will give
Rogers an opportunity to showcase its achievements in the field, and the
company's commitment to the project is total. Mr. Wong also endorsed
the integrity of the selection process and gave examples of Rogers'
innovativeness. Council was asked to approve the staff recommendation.
Mr. Wong also responded to queries about Rogers' community access
channel and explained the advantages of coaxial cable.
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
Mr. Canfield note B.C. Telephone does not yet provide a community
access channel since its license has not yet been approved, but will be
required to do so by the CRTC once a license is granted, in common with
other cable companies.
Ken Dobell, City Manager, commented that Rogers had a very well
developed proposal on how to develop a partnership. It will be
important to develop a working relationship quickly.
Mr. Stoke advised the City does not have the staff resources to run
two trials in parallel. To work with both companies would cause
undesirable delay, since the project is a key element of the Better City
Government initiative. However, if the partnership with Rogers does not
work out, it would then be tried with B.C. Telephone.
Some members felt it would be worthwhile to run parallel trials in
this high technology area in order to obtain more information. However,
the majority felt the process had been fair and staff's judgement should
be followed. There was also concern about the potential for delay.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and lost.
THAT this item be deferred for report back on how the City would
proceed with a dual partnership trial.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Herbert, Kennedy,
Daniel Lee, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
The following motions by Councillor Kennedy were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Rogers Communications be invited to develop a
public/private partnership model in conjunction with City and
School Board staff as the next step in the process of
selecting a Broadband Network partner, along the lines
discussed in the Administrative Report dated February 27,
1997, and should that process fail for whatever reason, that
BC Telephone be invited to participate on the same basis
immediately thereafter;
FURTHER THAT the other firms who submitted proposals in
response to the City s Request for Information (RFI) be
immediately notified of this decision through an appropriate
de-briefing letter from the City;
AND FURTHER THAT staff be instructed to report back to Council
at the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for
approval of the
agreement, along with appropriate recommendations and
estimated costs to proceed into the Partnership Trial.
Similar approvals will be sought from the School Board as
well.
B. THAT Teleconsult be engaged as the City s consultant to assist
staff with the development of a public/ private partnership
model at an estimated cost of $100,000 inclusive of
out-of-pocket expenses and GST, with funds provided from the
Strategic Initiatives account in the Operating Budget, noting
that this cost will be shareable between the participating
parties under a sharing agreement documented in the MOU.
C. THAT the City Manager be authorized to approve additional
staff costs associated with the development of a Memorandum of
Understanding at a total estimated cost of $15,000, with funds
provided from the Information Technology Replacement accounts
in the Operating Budget.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Chiavario and Don Lee opposed)
2. Significant Rezoning Application File No.: 5301-1
Lynda Challis, Planner, reviewed a significant rezoning application
for 4900 Heather and 4925 Cambie Streets, to amend the existing CD-1
Bylaw for the purposes of allowing a two-storey addition to the existing
Youville Residence, and adding a five-storey building on the portion of
the site occupied by Holy Name Catholic Church. Ms. Challis reviewed
the proposed uses and issues, indicating the most significant issues are
the proposed five-storey building and concerns about traffic and the
potential of additional uses.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. Therefore,
the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT the presentation on 4900 Heather and 4925 Cambie Streets be
received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
* * *