CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC
APRIL 22, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, April 22, 1997, at 11:40 a.m., in the No. 1 Committee Room,
Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on
Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of
the Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of
Engineering Services
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Denise Salmon
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Transportation and Traffic
April 22, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Resident Permit Parking Fees
Cl. 2: City Hall Pay Parking Proposal to Reduce Auto Commuting
(deferred)
Cl. 3: 1997 Traffic Signal Program
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
1 and 3 of this 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. Price,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC
APRIL 22, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on
Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, April 22, 1997, at
approximately 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City
Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Gordon Price (Chair)
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Item 3)
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of
Engineering Services
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Denise Salmon
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
meeting of March 11, 1997, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Resident Permit Parking Fees File: 5652-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March
13, 1997, (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
provided further information on resident permit parking programs (as
requested by Council on February 20, 1997), and recommended a three
level permit parking fee for the Downtown peninsula, Central Broadway,
and Outer zones.
Bob Macdonald, Parking Engineer, provided Council with an overview
of the report and noted the price of off street parking varies by area,
with the more central, higher density areas paying a higher parking fee.
The higher density areas also receive the highest level of enforcement,
with two additional staff recommended for this purpose.
Concern was expressed the increased fees would cause vehicle
drivers to park in residential lanes. Although legal in most
residential areas, staff acknowledged the need to monitor and address
this situation on a case by case basis. Some Council members questioned
the rationale for the proposed unequal fee scale. Engineering staff
advised the high density neighbourhoods generally have a higher demand
for parking, whereas in outer areas adjacent streets are available at no
cost. If a set fee of $36 were applied to each area, the budget target
would not be met. A Council member also noted an increase in permit
parking fees is supported by Council s transportation policy, as well as
the public, who favour user fees over increased taxes. A report back in
six months was requested on the impacts of the increased fees.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the following resident permit parking fees be approved.
This will meet Council s revenue target of $325,000 in
additional revenue:
- $48 in the Downtown peninsula zones (West End and
Robson North);
- $36 in the Central Broadway zones (Fairview, VGH,
Oak West);
- $24 in the Outer zones (Kits Point, Kits,
Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, South Granville,
Broadway Station, King Ed., Commercial, PNE, Joyce
Station, Boundary).
Cont'd
Clause No. 1 cont'd
B. THAT Council approve two Parking Checker positions to provide
increased enforcement in resident parking areas with the
annual cost of these positions offset by annual enforcement
revenues estimated to be $140,000.
C. THAT Council approve start-up costs of $20,000 including the
purchase of one vehicle and ongoing operating costs of $10,000
offset by enforcement revenue.
D. THAT the Director of Legal Services bring forward the
necessary By-Law amendments to enact the above fee increases.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy and Kennedy opposed)
2. City Hall Pay Parking Proposal
to Reduce Auto Commuting File: 1307-1/5653-1
This item was deferred at the request of C.U.P.E. 15 to the May 6th
meeting of the Committee.
3. 1997 Traffic Signal Program File: 5702-1/5761-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April
10, 1997, (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
listed the locations recommended for signal installations or
modifications and the reasons for these recommendations.
Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Traffic, advised the yearly
traffic signal program allows the opportunity to review the need for
safety around the city, and forms a part of the 1997-99 Streets Capital
Plan.
Elizabeth Ballard, Traffic Management Engineer, provided Council
with an overview of the proposed signals and Scott Edwards, Engineering
Services, assisted with the overhead presentation. Ms. Ballard advised
over 100 locations were reviewed to provide comprehensive coverage for
users of the city s transportation system, with the following
recommended:
Cont'd
Clause No. 3 cont'd
A) Pedestrian-Actuated Signals
A1) 41st Avenue @ Fleming
few gaps in traffic, driver courtesy poor, visibility
limited
3 reported pedestrian accidents in past 5 years
A2) 12th Avenue @ Laurel Street
opening of new portion of VGH complex has increased
pedestrian demand
driver courtesy poor
9 pedestrian related accidents
A3) Broadway @ Larch
8 pedestrian accidents in past five years
A4) West Boulevard @ 45th Avenue
will assist students of Maple Grove Elementary School
possible future bike route connector
A5) King Edward @ Marguerite Street
identified by Police School Safety Patrol as top priority
B) Full Signals
B1) 41st Avenue @ MacKenzie
major bus transfer point
signal construction will not begin until overall plan
developed for neighbourhood
B2) Argyle Street @ 57th Avenue
pedestrian crossings and vehicle access difficult at this
location
limited site lines
B3) Southwest Marine Drive @ Barnard
vehicular signal would improve access for residents of
Angus lands, users of adjacent Industrial area and
Montessori school
Cont'd
Clause No. 3 cont'd
B4) 2nd Avenue @ Crowe
few gaps to assist pedestrians crossing five lanes of
traffic
will assist with vehicular access to 2nd Avenue
B5) Granville @ Cordova
negotiations with developer now complete, additional
funds are required to complete this project
All of the above signals will assist pedestrians, three will aid
school children, nine will have cyclist push buttons, and five serve
transit customers.
C) Signal Modifications
left-turn phasing
pedestrian indicators
minor signal modifications
audible signals
tertiary heads (dramatically reduce accident rate)
In response to various questions from Council, staff noted:
Audible signal requests are generally recommended by the
Disability Issues Committee; staff will provide details to the
Council member regarding the Kingsway and Rupert enquiry.
Some audible signals are always active, while others are
turned off at night. Pedestrian signals sound only when
activated, and most adjust themselves to the ambient noise
level.
Given the accident record at 12th and Laurel, installation of
a pedestrian signal is recommended, although this would be the
seventh signal between Yukon and Oak. Staff will do their
best to synchronize the lights, although difficult to
accomplish in both directions.
A pedestrian signal at 37th and Arbutus is an option under
consideration for the proposed 37th Avenue Bike Route.
Cont'd
Clause No. 3 cont'd Left-turn arrows are generally co-ordinated with the major
traffic flow, although some left-turn bays are fitted with
detectors to activate turn arrows if three or more vehicles
are waiting to turn.
The purchase of computer hardware and software would allow
staff to better manage the existing signal system.
A Council member suggested Motor Vehicle Act regulations need
review to require not just a written test for new residents,
but a road test as well. In addition, a road blitz is
recommended against drivers who no longer heed street and
traffic regulations relative to pedestrians, as well as those
responding incorrectly to emergency activated lights, i.e.
12th and Quebec Firehall.
A temporary pedestrian light has now been installed at Vanness
and Boundary - paid for by the developers of Collingwood
Village. A permanent transit-activated light will follow.
Staff will confirm status with BC Transit.
Marathon will fund a signal at Pender and Broughton and
Council has approved a signal at Georgia and Jervis to handle
pedestrian traffic anticipated from the new Coal Harbour
seawall. Council members urged staff to monitor Nicola and
Bidwell Streets at Georgia as major future access points from
the West End.
Irene Carmichael, speaker, urged Council to approve the recommended
pedestrian signal at 41st and Fleming.
Liz Haan, S.W. Marine Drive Ratepayers Association, provided
photographs of a two- car accident adjacent Point Grey Golf Club, caused
by a pedestrian attempting to cross S.W. Marine Drive. She noted such
accidents are not uncommon. Ms. Haan requested data/ impact statements
from Engineering staff to warrant the proposed signal at S.W. Marine and
Barnard. She acknowledged this signal would facilitate car movement
onto Marine, but was of low pedestrian value, and could pull traffic
from Granville as well. She suggested a number of light phasing changes
in the southwest portion of the City, and advised Engineering Department
recommendations continue to increase car access onto S.W. Marine, while
doing nothing for the pedestrian.
Cont'd
Clause No. 3 cont'd
Elizabeth Ballard advised Angus lands residents had indicated
support for the S.W. Marine/Barnard signal.
Reference was also made to a letter received from a resident of the
41st and Mackenzie area, requesting a No Parking Zone be established
on the north east corner of 41st Avenue if a signal is not installed at
this intersection in the immediate future. The same should apply at
Macdonald on the south west corner of 41st Avenue. Ian Adam advised he
had received another similar request, and will look into this matter.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the 1997 Traffic Signal Program, and that the
General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to install
and modify pedestrian and traffic signals, as described in the
Administrative Report dated April 10, 1997;
FURTHER THAT additional annual costs of $28,000, related to ongoing
maintenance, be reflected in future Operating Budgets.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
* * * * *