SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 6
P&E COMMITTEE GENDA
MAY 29, 1997
POLICY REPORT
OTHER
Date: May 9,1997
C.C. File No. 5659-1
TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Additional Vending Locations -
Gastown Business Improvement Society Proposal
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. That the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) proposal
to administer two additional street vending locations (for a
total of 6) be approved.
B. That the program be reviewed after one year with a report back
if changes are appropriate.
COUNCIL POLICY
In 1992, the Gastown Business Improvement Association was given approval
to administer four spaces for the use of local merchants or promotion of
the area. In 1994, Council approved a ceiling on the number of street
vending permits issued in the City of Vancouver (100 locations in the
downtown and 20 locations outside the downtown). Subsequently, Council
approved a limited number of additional locations for the use of the
Downtown Vancouver and other BIAs.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to recommend approval of two additional
street vending locations in Gastown to be administered through the GBIS
as part of a street activity program.
BACKGROUND
In 1992, Council approved that a maximum of four street vending
locations be made available to the GBIS for use by merchants or for the
promotion of the area. Two of these permits have been used by food
vendors with the support of the GBIS. These vendors are well
established in the community and have built a solid customer base.
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DISCUSSION
Gastown Proposal
Although the Committee does not wish to terminate the existing vendors,
they do wish to use four locations (the two unused locations plus two
more) in the above project. The GBIS has recently formed a "Street-Use"
sub-committee whose goal is to introduce more street life and activity
into the Gastown area. The Committee is proposing a pilot "Street
Place" project, the purpose of which would be "to provide more life,
diversity and safety to Water Street and Gastown; and to provide more
public awareness and acceptance of the vitality and heritage of
Gastown".
The GBIS is proposing to schedule a variety of activities at these
predetermined locations including: artists, buskers and various types
of vendors (within the guidelines of the street vending program).
The current fees charged for the types of activities anticipated are:
Dry goods vending $450.00 per year + GST
Food vending $600.00 per year + GST
Busking and art demonstrations No charge
The GBIS is prepared to pay the highest rate for each location in order
to have maximum flexibility in the use of the space. Permits for these
locations would be issued to the GBIS under the following conditions:
œ that liability insurance coverage satisfactory to the Director
of Risk Management be provided;
œ that all food vendors be required to obtain a Health
Department permit.
It should be noted that, in the case of buskers, the GBIS would have the
right to recruit and select the types of performances they feel are
appropriate for the area, however, under the existing by-laws there is
little control over others who may choose to perform nearby. Staff are
currently reviewing the issue of busking city wide and will present a
detailed report to Council in the near future.
It is recommended that the use of two additional spaces be approved for
a total of 6 spaces(4 for the proposed "Street Place" program and 2 for
the existing food vendors). It is further recommended that the project
be reviewed after one year with a report back if changes are
appropriate.