City Noise Task Force Report

Appendix A

Terms of Reference

On January 9, 1996, the Vancouver City Council approved the terms of reference contained in the Administrative Report dated December 21, 1995 for the Urban Soundscape Task Force, except that the name of the Task Force was changed to the Urban Noise Task Force.

The Urban Noise Task Force will explore the nature and extent of impacts on the urban soundscape, including impacts from motor vehicle sources, with a view to recommending a package of tools and initiatives which can be implemented to reduce these impacts, especially in the Downtown areas. Through research, review of other jurisdictions' programs (e.g. West Vancouver), consultation with City staff and citizen involvement, the Task Force will:

1. Identify the current status of the urban soundscape as compared with that of the early 1970s, when the last Community Noise Survey was completed for the GVRD, and identify some significant sources of noise and noise complaints.

2. Identify public expectations about the noise environment, especially in the Downtown core, through social surveys. These surveys will also measure the community's reaction to noise, the level of annoyance in the community and community awareness of and satisfaction with current regulations and their enforcement.

3. Inventory the issues and impacts of noise on the environment, on public health and on the enjoyment of peace, quiet and rest in the City.

4. Inventory and evaluate the instruments currently in use to control and minimize these impacts on the natural environment and humans. These may include regulations, educational approaches, citizen action, land-use policy and advocacy on the part of the city.

5. Seek advice from City staff, professionals in the noise field, academics, and others on solutions to the identified soundscape issues.

6. Involve the public in the preparation of its report. This involvement will, at a minimum, include requests for written submissions, focus group discussions, and a symposium at which the public will share information and be asked for further input.

7. Prepare a final report which will summarize the key issues and proposed strategies. The report will contain a series of recommendations, with timelines and priorities, for Council's consideration. The report will be widely distributed for both staff and public consideration prior to its final consideration by Council.

Last modified: April 30, 1997
(c) 1996 City of Vancouver