City Noise Task Force Report City of Vancouver

6. Implementation
The Task Force has made some 164 recommendations in 46 different areas. Some of these are going to be fairly straightforward to implement, while others will be more challenging, perhaps requiring additional resources or the cooperation of other levels of government. Some can be implemented by the City or by the Vancouver Health Board on behalf of the City, while others will require the leadership of other agencies. A few need to be addressed immediately, while others will come to fruition over a more extended time period.

In order to ensure that the hard work of the Task Force results in the ultimate successful implementation of the vast majority of the recommendations, this report classifies each recommendation according to lead agency, relative priority, timeline for implementation, resources required and comments.

Recommendation 46.1
City Council should endorse, or modify and endorse, the relative priorities and lead agencies assigned to the full range of recommendations.

Recommendation 46.2
City Council should establish a review body or other appropriate mechanism to report back on an annual basis on the status of the implementation process, including progress made to date, modifications required and future needs. Further, the Director of Environmental Health should be directed to bring to Council the annual progress reports generated by this monitoring process.

Recommendation 46.3
In addressing Recommendation 46.2, Council should consider an ongoing role for the currently constituted Urban Noise Task Force.

IMPLEMENTATION TABLES

Recomendations

Implementation: Priorities, timelines and resources
Rec. no. Action Lead Agency Priority Timeline Resources
1.1 Noise as a consideration City Council High Mid-1997 Nil
2.1 Education City Council, VHB Moderate Late 1997 $50,000 per annum
3.1 Phone line VHB Moderate Ongoing Nil
3.2 Noise hotline VHB, City Moderate Ongoing Minimal
3.3 Noise on the webpage Info Services Moderate Summer 1997, ongoing Minimal
3.4 Explore mediation VHB, Law High Late 1997 Minimal
4.1 Noise Thermometer VHB, City Moderate 1998 > $100,000
5.1 Noise Warnings for noisy environments VHB Moderate Late 1997 Nil
5.2 Earplugs VHB, City Moderate Late 1997 Nil
5.3 Evaluate indoor soundscapes VHB, volunteer Moderate 1998 Minimal
6.1 Acoustic sanctuaries Planning Moderate Late 1997 Minimal
6.2 "Soundmarks" Planning Moderate 1998 Minimal
6.3 Work with others on 6.1 & 6.2 Planning, Heritage Vancouver Moderate 1998 Minimal
7.1 Increase quiet parks Parks Board Moderate 2000 Minimal
7.2 Signage for quiet parks Parks Board Moderate Ongoing Minimal
7.3 Overflights of quiet parks VHB Moderate 1997 Nil
7.4 Sound sculptures Parks Board Low Ongoing Minimal
8.1 Promote soundscape Tourism Vancouver Moderate 1997 Minimal (private $)
8.2 Promote soundscape awareness Social Planning Moderate Ongoing Nil
9.1 Information releases Info Services Moderate Ongoing Nil
9.2 Special displays VHB, others Moderate Ongoing External $
9.3 International Noise Awareness Day City Council Moderate 1997 Nil

Implementation: Priorities, timelines and resources
Rec. no. Action Lead Agency Priority Timeline Resources
10.1 Coordinate education VHB, VSB Moderate Start Fall, 1997 Minimal
10.2 Soundscape awareness VHB Moderate Start Fall, 1997 Nil
11.1 Liaison between depts. City Depts. Moderate Ongoing Nil
11.2 Consult with associations City Moderate Ongoing Nil
11.3 Encourage envir. groups Office for the Environment Moderate Ongoing Nil
12.1 Communicate NISTs High Ongoing Nil
12.2 Internet map Info Services Moderate End of 1997 Minimal
12.3 Identify local resources Info Services, NIST Moderate End of 1997 Minimal
13.1 Restrict vehicle capacity to current levels (for noise) City Engineer, City Clerk High mid-1997 Nil
13.2 Transmit Recs. to draft Transpo. Plan City Engineer High early 1997 Nil
13.3 Monitor traffic noise & map VHB Moderate late 1997, ongoing $25,000/yr.
13.4 Noise impact statements VHB, SOE, Planning, Engineering Moderate early 1998 Nil
13.5 Include noise in AirCare VHB High Late 1997 No City resources
13.6 Develop private testing if 13.5 fails City Engineer Moderate 1998 Private $
13.7 Traffic calming for noise City Engineer High Ongoing Local Improv. $
13.8 Traffic noise mitigation City Engineer Moderate Ongoing Potentially high
13.9 Investigate mitigation measures Engineering, Planning, Health Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
13.10 Pilot traffic noise project City Council High 1998 >$100,000
13.11 Develop info for homeowners Planning, VHB Moderate 1998 <$10,000
13.12 Noise attenuation & energy efficiency Energy Efficiency Office Moderate 1998 Staff time
13.13 Noise considerations for major projects City Council High mid-1997, ongoing Unknown but probably low cost
13.14 Maintain smooth road surfaces City Engineer Moderate Ongoing Increased level of service
13.15 Explore "quieter" road materials City Engineer Moderate Late 1997 No cost in research; higher cost
13.16 Revise MVA noise sections Police, VHB, Law High Mid-1997 Nil
13.17 "Jake" brake signs City Engineer High Late 1997 Cost of signs
13.18 Small truck noise City Engineer Moderate 1998 Minimal
13.19 Truck routes enforced City Engineer, Police Moderate 1998 Minimal (cost of signs)
13.20 Comm. vehicle speed enforced Police Moderate Ongoing Minimal
13.21 Lobby Feds to revise standards City Council Moderate 1998, ongoing Nil
13.22 Commercial vehicle signage Police, Permits & Licenses High Ongoing Cost of extra enforcement
13.23 Enforce vehicle idling by-law Police, Law High Mid-1997 Cost of extra enforcement
13.24 Work with Tourism and hotels re: tour bus idling City Council, Envir. Health High Before "tourist season" Minimal
13.25 Support maintaining electric buses City Council to B.C. Transit High Mid 1997 No direct costs; cost differential between diesel and electric system using full cost accounting
13.26 Demo service of electric/fuel cell bus City Council, Parks Board to B.C. Transit Moderate 1998 No direct costs
14.1 Education campaign on motorcycle noise Envir. Health, Police High Mid-1997 Staff time
14.2 Prohibit non-standard exhausts City Council, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
14.3 Regular enforcement campaigns Police High Ongoing Staff time
14.4 Provincial noise standards City Council, Law High 1998 Staff time
14.5 Progressive tickets Law High Late 1997 Staff time
14.6 Apprehension & mandatory testing Law, Police High Late 1997 Staff time
14.7 Redraft by-law Law High 1998 Staff time
15.1 No relaxation of new airplane noise standards Envir. Health High Ongoing Nil
15.2 Enforce airline curfew Envir. Health High Ongoing Nil
15.3 Regular review of noise rules Envir. Health High Ongoing Nil
16.1 Coal Harbour Aircraft Noise Committee Council, Transport Canada High Late 1997 Staff time
16.2 Vancouver representation Envir. Health High Ongoing Staff time
16.3 Noise monitoring at Coal Harbour Envir. Health Moderate 1998 Significant cost for monitoring
16.4 Restrict number of take-offs Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
16.5 Restrict climbing power Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
16.6 Freeze size of Coal Harbour "fleet" Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
17.1 Restrict overflights by helicopters Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
17.2 Establish monitor for overflights Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
18.1 Restrict overflights by prop aircraft Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
18.2 Monitoring of overflights Envir. Health, Noise Committee Moderate 1998 Staff time, private cost
19.1 Address railway noise on east side Envir. Health, Planning Moderate Late 1997, ongoing Staff time
19.2 Respond to West Coast Express noise Envir. Health Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
19.3 Evaluate LRT options from noise perspective Planning, Envir. Health Moderate Early in LRT planning process Staff time

Implementation: Priorities, timelines and resources
Rec. no. Action Lead Agency Priority Timeline Resources
20.1 Revise definition of Downtown for refuse pickup Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
20.2 Review commercial delivery times in these areas Envir. Health Moderate Late 1997, ongoing Staff time
20.3 Foster technical solutions to dumpster noise City Engineer Low 1998 Staff time
20.4 Consult with industry on solutions City Engineer, Envir. Health Moderate As needed Staff time
20.5 Consult with industry on problems created by multiple contracts City Engineer Moderate 1998 Staff time
21.1 WCB standard for backup signals Envir. Health High Late 1997 Staff time
21.2 Find alternatives to backup beepers Envir. Health Moderate 1998 Staff time
22.1 Publicize horn prohibition Envir. Health, Police Moderate Ongoing Staff time
23.1 Restrict use of large air horns by fire trucks Envir. Health, impacted departments High Mid 1997 Staff time
23.2 Coordinate responses to emergencies to reduce siren use City Manager High Late 1997 Staff time
23.3 Seek out alternatives to sirens Envir. Health, impacted depts High Ongoing Staff time
24.1 Control decibel level of car alarms Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
24.2 Prohibit alarm status signals Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
24.3 Request authority to ticket cars on private property Law High 1998 Staff time
25.1 Continue to enforce firecracker prohibition Fire & Rescue Moderate Ongoing Staff time
26.1 Move Molson Indy to industrial or other site City Council, Envir. Health, Engineering Moderate Spring 1997 Staff time (charged to sponsor)
27.1 Maintain "boom car" enforcement Police High As needed Staff time
28.1 Control launch areas and usage areas for jet skis Envir. Health, others High Mid 1997 Staff time
28.2 Control noisy parties on boats; establish jurisdiction Envir. Health, others High Mid 1997 Staff time
29.1 Ice Cream vendor licenses to be prominently, legibly displayed Engineering Moderate Mid 1997 Staff time
29.2 Enforcement against unlicensed mobile vendors Engineering, Envir. health Moderate Summer 1997 Staff time

Implementation: Priorities, timelines and resources
Rec. no. Action Lead Agency Priority Timeline Resources
30.1 Continue to enforce prohibition on outside speakers Permits & Licenses Moderate Ongoing Staff time
30.2 Prohibit inside speakers which project noise outside. Permits & Licenses, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
31.1 Restrict busking (times, location, etc.) CCST, Engineering High Mid 1997 Staff time
31.2 License buskers annually Engineering High Mid 1997 Staff time
32.1 Establish stricter noise levels for music from night clubs, etc. Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
32.2 Increase minimum fine for cabaret noise to $500 Law High Late 1997 Staff time
32.3 Require maximum noise insulation in these businesses Planning, Envir. Health High Late 1997 Staff time
32.4 Find alternatives to evaluating "bass" noise component Envir. Health High Late 1997 Staff time
32.5 Require new neighbouring buildings to build out noise. Planning, Envir. Health High Late 1997, ongoing Staff time
32.6 Use consistent graphics (colours) on noise warning signs Envir. Health Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
33.1 Explore alternatives to loudspeakers (golf course; car lot) Envir. Health Moderate 1998 Staff time
33.2 Stricter enforcement against use of loudspeakers Envir. Health Moderate Ongoing Staff time
33.3 Acquaint City crews with Noise by-law requirements Department Heads Moderate Ongoing Staff time
33.4 Prohibit use of sound amplification equipment in community facilities Parks Board High Late 1997 Staff time
34.1 Ticketing owners of persistently barking dogs Law, Pound High Late 1997 Staff time
34.2 Progressive fine system for barking offences Law High Late 1997 Staff time
34.3 Implement '911' type response from City Pound City Manager, Pound High 1998 Cost of staffing such a line
34.4 Graduated license fee renewal based on convictions Permits & Licenses Moderate 1998 Staff time
35.1 Control location of heat pumps, air conditioners Permits & Licenses High Late 1997 Staff time
35.2 Do not grandfather existing heat pumps, air conditioners Permits & Licenses High Late 1997 Staff time
35.3 Address vibration issues in residential uses in a by-law Envir. health Moderate 1998 Staff time
36.1 Establish "party noise" as a ticketable offence Law High Late 1997 Staff time
36.2 Establish a database of problem "party houses" Police Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
36.3 Progressive notification and fines Police, Law Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
36.4 Notify absentee landlords of party noise offences Police, Permits & Licenses Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
36.5 Enforce against revenue property owners Permits & Licenses Moderate Ongoing Nil
36.6 Increase enforcement against "party houses" City Manager High Late 1997 Staff time
36.7 Monitor costs of enforcement City Manager Moderate Late 1997, ongoing Staff time
37.1 Ask province to amend Vancouver Charter to allow police to shut off continually sounding alarms Law, Police High Mid 1997 Staff time
37.2 Define "alarm" more broadly to capture new variations Law, Police Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
37.3 Consider setting maximum noise limits for alarms systems Envir. Health, Police Moderate Late 1997 Staff time
37.4 Explore "visible" indicators for monitored sites Police Low 1998 Staff time
38.1 Encourage reduced lawn mower noise levels Envir. Health High Late 1997 Staff time
38.2 Require legible signage for commercial firms Envir. Health, Permits & Licenses High Late 1997 Staff time
38.3 Establish hours for commercial lawn mower usage Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Existing
38.4 Establish hours for private lawn mower usage Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Existing
39.1 Establish noise level limits for trimmers Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Existing
39.2 Establish hours of use for trimmers as in Section 38 Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Existing

Implementation: Priorities, timelines and resources
Rec. no. Action Lead Agency Priority Timeline Resources
40.1 Establish leaf blower noise limits and maximum duration of use Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Additional
40.2 Monitor usage patterns with aim to reducing noise Envir. Health High Late 1997, ongoing Existing
40.3 Require commercial gardeners to display license and identification Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Additional
40.4 Work with industry to encourage further reductions in noise level & tonal characteristics and use Envir. Health High Ongoing Existing
41.1 Ask CSA or appropriate agency to identify noisy appliances Envir. Health Moderate 1998 Staff time
41.2 Set hours of use for the noisier appliances Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
42.1 Control noise from vehicle-mounted equipment Envir. Health Industry Moderate 1998 Staff time
42.2 Set hours for use in residential zones Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
42.3 Set hours of use in commercial & industrial zones Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
42.4 Require license and identification to be prominently, legibly displayed Envir. Health, Permits & licenses, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
42.5 Establish hours for private use of this equipment Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
43.1 Restrict chain saw use Envir. Health, Law Moderate 1998 Staff time
44.1 Make construction noise ticketable and a deemed objectionable noise category Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
44.2 Require construction noise notices on major construction sites Envir. Health, Permits & Licenses, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
44.3 Strict enforcement of construction noise times Envir. health High Late 1997 Existing, some O.T.
44.4 Increase minimum fines for construction noise offences Law High Late 1997 Staff time
44.5 Establish a progressive ticketing system for repeat offenders Law High Late 1997 Staff time
44.6 Reduce construction noise hours to 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Sat. Envir. Health, Law High Late 1997 Staff time
44.7 City work should adhere to same construction hours Envir.Health, Law, Engineering High Late 1997 Possible cost to City
45.1 City should purchase/lease quiet or silenced equipment Finance, Engineering Moderate 1998 Increased costs
45.2 City should improve maintenance of its equipment to reduce noise Engineering, Parks Board Moderate 1998 Slight increase in costs
45.3 Train workers in quiet methods Engineering etc. Moderate 1998 Training costs
45.4 Rent sound-treated equipment Engineering etc. Moderate 1998 Possible higher cost
45.5 Provide incentives for contractors using quiet machines Finance Low 1998 Premiums
45.6 Identify quiet machines Engineering etc. Low 1998, ongoing Slight cost
46.1 City Council to endorse priorities and lead; responsible agencies City Council High On receipt None
46.2 Establish review body; Director of Envir. health to report annually on progress City Council, Director of Envir. Health High On receipt; annually Staff costs
46.3 Consider ongoing role for Urban Noise Task Force City Council Moderate On receipt Minor costs

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Last modified: April 30, 1997
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