CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
JUNE 19, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, June 19, 1997, at approximately 12:05 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 Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Allisen Croft
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy.
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
June 19, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Significant Rezoning Application
Cl. 2: Theatre Row Liquor Licensing Policy
Significant Rezoning Application
(Clause 1)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Theatre Row Liquor Licensing Policy
(Clause 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause
2 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED Cllr. Puil (in amendment),
THAT references to Block 700 of Granville Street be struck from
Recommendations A and B of the Policy Report.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Herbert, Daniel Lee
Don Lee, Price, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
POLICY REPORTS
1. Proposed Text Amendments to the Downtown Official File: 2610/2601
Development Plan and the HA-3 District Schedule:
Implementation of the Downtown Liquor Licensing Strategy
March 24, 1997
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the Director of Land Use and Development be instructed to make
application to:
(a) amend the Downtown Official Development Plan generally in
accordance with Appendix A, to no longer permit Dwelling Uses
in the 800 and 900 Blocks of Granville Street (Theatre Row),
except that existing Rooming Houses will continue to be
permitted; and
(b) amend the HA-3 District Schedule (Yaletown Historic Area)
generally in accordance with Appendix A, in order to delete
Cabaret as a permitted use;
FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to
prepare the necessary by-laws;
AND FURTHER THAT the application and by-laws be referred to a
Public Hearing.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Council adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
JUNE 19, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee on Planning and
Environment was held on Thursday, June 19, 1997 at approximately 9:30
a.m. in the Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Allisen Croft
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Significant Rezoning Application File: 5301
The Committee had before it an application dated May 16, 1997 (on
file), prepared by the Planning Department, to develop the vacant, half-
block site at 4470 West 8th Avenue ("Sasamat Gardens") with 28
townhouses (duplexes and triplexes) and 24 seniors-oriented apartments
in two buildings. One or both apartment buildings would be rental
property. Phil Mondor, Rezoning Planner, reviewed the application and
responded to questions concerning this application by Home Investments
Ltd. to rezone the site from RS-1 to CD-1, Comprehensive Development By-
law. Issues relate to the proposed T-lane at mid-block on West 8th
Avenue; siting of the apartment building at the eastern end of the site;
and the lack of community support. Concerns were registered in respect
of process, precedent, density, character and form of development,
traffic and property values.
The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Planning Department presentation on the significant
rezoning application for 4470 West 8th Avenue be received for
information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Theatre Row Liquor Licensing Policy File: 2610
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated May 28, 1997 (on
file), in which the Director of Central Area Planning, Chief License
Inspector and Chief of Police, in consultation with the Directors of
Legal Services and Social Planning and General Manager of Engineering
Services, recommended licensing and land use policies and proposed a
policing strategy to replace the existing moratorium on new licensed
establishments in Downtown South. It was recommended that up to a
combined total of 1,000 additional Class A (hotel pub or lounge), Class
C (cabaret), and Class D (neighbourhood pub) seats be permitted on
Theatre Row, and that "Neighbourhood Public House" and "Cabaret" be
deleted as permitted uses in the 1000 to 1300 Blocks of Granville
Street. No new Class A or Class C seats would be permitted in the
residential areas of Downtown South.
Nathan Edelson, Planner, noted that Granville Street is the heart
of many initiatives in the area and an important gateway to the downtown
peninsula. Often, it is the first street viewed by tourists and is seen
everyday by many commuters by transit and car, as well as by thousands
of people who live within walking distance. The Liquor Licensing Policy
for Theatre Row proposes to balance many different concerns while
attracting investment to the area, protecting the historic nature of the
street, adding to its vitality and making it a safe place for people of
all ages and income groups. Liquor is but one aspect of Granville
Street, which also offers a rich selection of cultural attractions,
entertainment and shopping and dining areas. Mr. Edelson reviewed the
Policy Report and responded to questions.
The following speakers supported the proposed Liquor Licensing
Policy for Theatre Row and urged Council's approval and direction to
staff to proceed in an expeditious manner. Further, it was requested
that Council give immediate consideration to applications received for
65-seat Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub Licenses in the 900 Block Granville.
Philip Boname, Urbanics Consultants
Blaine Culling, Granville Entertainment
Dennis Coates, on behalf of groups proposing entertainment-
related developments at 900 and 952 Granville St. (brief on
file)
Kevin Copping, Vogue Theatre
Scott Morrison and Richard Jaffray, Cactus Club Restaurant
(briefs on file)
Adrian Tuck, Resident & Business Owners Representative
Arnold Silver, Investor
Charles Wertman, Property Manager
A compendium of key points made by the aforementioned speakers
follows:
Council should do everything it can to expedite approval of at
least the three Class 'D' Licenses for the 900 Block Granville.
The City is losing ground in maintaining the balance between the
growing population and the supply of eating and drinking
establishments in the area.
Introduction of the Class 'D' License in the 900 Block would do a
great deal to re-energize the area. The Downtown Vancouver
Business Association recently adopted a resolution calling for
immediate approval of the three applications for neighbourhood pubs
in the 900 Block, in the context of endeavouring to assist the City
with revitalizing the downtown area.
The 3-month moratorium extended to five years - why is there a
moratorium on business? Timing is extremely important as capital
is very mobile, and another five months can be a trying time.
Investors' costs are multiplying month after month; and, if the
City lets it lie too long, the energy and impetus that is there
will be lost.
If the process could be moved forward, the rewards to the City
would be enormous:
The City is looking at $3 to $6 million in development monies,
which will change the face of Granville Street; create 150 to 300
new jobs, bring in more tax money, change traffic patterns, improve
safety, and add credibility and energy to the downtown area.
The anticipated operators of projects at 900 and 952 Granville have
spent substantial monies holding these properties for at least two
years in anticipation that the moratorium would be removed in 1995.
If the licenses are approved in September, facilities probably will
not open in 1998, and some investors must decide whether or not to
go forward with the projects. Granting of two or three
neighbourhood pub licenses in the 900 Block would be a symbolic
gesture on the part of the Council, and send the right message to
investors. These applications meet all the criteria and would not
create policing problems.
The future is exciting, but the City must act now. It is important
to retain the historic character of the street and have an
environment where theatre patrons and others can enjoy themselves
and feel safe. Also, granting the neighbourhood pub licenses now
will help developers feel more committed to moving forward and
encourage refurbishing of the existing properties; e.g.,
restoration of the neon signage at the Vogue Theatre.
Vacant properties detract from the appearance and safety of the
street. The City should give developers the opportunity to make
something of Granville Street and bring people downtown. If the
street becomes vibrant, it also becomes safe.
The following speakers expressed support for the proposed Liquor
Licensing Policy, while registering concern over the impact of further
delays in developing the street and the potentially negative effects on
area cabarets:
Vance Campbell, The Roxy
Roger Gibson, B.C. Cabaret Owner s Association (brief on file)
Nick Karasiotis, Graceland
Dave Kershaw and Derek Pink, Stone Temple Cabaret
A precis of the points raised by the aforementioned speakers
follows:
A number of potential applicants have been waiting for the
moratorium to end. Council is urged to take immediate action with a
view to maintaining investors' interest in the area.
Some owners have spent considerable money to upgrade existing
cabarets on Granville, or are considering re-locating to Granville
from Downtown South. There are concerns over the number of
additional drinking seats proposed in the Liquor Licensing Policy
and that it would create benefits for operations in the 700 Block
which would not extend to the 1000 Block. The Industry has already
added 1,500 seats to the Granville Mall, which exceeds the number
recommended in the report, and the proposed 3 a.m. closing should
include everyone; otherwise, operations in the 700 Block would have
a competitive advantage.
Cabarets of 200-seat capacity are not viable, due to the space
required and the limited operating hours. Further, the Commodore
will soon be back in operation with approximately 1,000 seats. All
cabaret seats will be striving to cater to the same clientele,
causing fierce competition and possible discount wars.
Once a Cabaret license is in place, it is difficult to control the
type and style of operation. In the past, certain restrictions
were placed on some operations which turned out to be not
enforceable.
Sam Campbell, a resident of Granville Street and member of the
Downtown South Residents' Association, also encouraged Council to
proceed expeditiously with implementing the proposed Liquor Licensing
Policy for Theatre Row. He underscored the importance of
Recommendation E - Sections (2) and (6) -- to people who live, are
unemployed, and would like to work, in the downtown area. He supported
the proposed 3 a.m. closing on the basis it would discourage last-minute
'blitz' drinking at bar closing time and make policing easier, and
questioned the need to provide parking at licensed establishments for
people who are going out to drink.
The Committee was sympathetic to the sensitive timing issue brought
forward by speakers and amenable to referring the two formal
applications for Class D licenses to the Vancouver Liquor Licensing
Commission for consideration at its July meeting. One Committee member
expressed major doubt concerning inclusion of the 700 Block Granville
(between Robson and Georgia Streets), which is the site for a proposed
hotel development, on the basis this is not the type of block that
should include cabarets. Some concern was registered over the viability
of 200-seat cabarets, as proposed in the Policy Report; and the
requirement for both private security and public safety was underscored,
if Granville Street is to be successfully revitalized. The Committee
commended the authors of the Policy Report on the results of their
efforts.
The following motion by the Mayor were put and carried. Therefore,
the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the 700, 800, and 900 Blocks of Granville Street be
designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment District and that
the Director of Central Area Planning, in consultation with
the Director of Legal Services, report back with appropriate
amendments to the Downtown Official Development Plan, and
other relevant by-laws and policy documents to encourage a
variety of entertainment uses and activities.
B. THAT allowance be made in-principle for a combined total of up
to 1,000 Class A (Hotel Pub or Lounge), Class C (Cabaret) and
Class D (Neighbourhood Pub) liquor licensed seats on Theatre
Row, consistent with the Theatre Row Policing Strategy and
generally distributed as follows:
1. 700 Block of Granville - 2 cabarets, or 1 cabaret and 2
neighbourhood pubs, or 1 cabaret and 1 hotel pub and/or
lounge and 1 neighbourhood pub.
2. 800 Block of Granville - 2 neighbourhood pubs, or 1 hotel
pub and/or lounge and a neighbourhood pub, or possible
consideration of a cabaret on the west side of Granville
and 1 neighbourhood pub.
3. 900 Block of Granville - 2 cabarets and 2 neighbourhood
pubs, or 1 cabaret and 3 neighbourhood pubs, or 1
cabaret, 2 neighbourhood pubs and one hotel pub/lounge.
C. THAT the following process be initiated to determine which
liquor license applications can be considered for approval on
Theatre Row:
1. An advertisement be placed in the Vancouver Sun, Province
and Georgia Straight newspapers indicating that potential
applicants have 30 days to submit expressions of interest
for locating Class A, C, or D licensed seats on Theatre
Row with no more than 200 seats per building, unless the
applicant clearly demonstrates that more seats are
required for the financial viability of a project which
will provide significant public benefits.
2. After the 30 day expression of interest period staff
review all initial proposals received and recommend which
Council should endorse now, which should be given
additional time to prepare complete applications, and
which should be refused. At least 400 seats should be
reserved to encourage relocations from the residential
area of Downtown South.
3. After the initial proposals are processed, until December
1998, applications for Class A (except small lounges with
up to 125 seats in new or renovated hotels), C and D
seats which do not result in either the relocation of
existing seats out of the residential areas of Downtown
South or the development of a new hotel, should not be
endorsed.
4. Staff, including Police, Licensing, Social Planning, and
Central Area Planning, as well as the LCLB, will monitor
the impacts of licensed establishments on Theatre Row and
elsewhere in Downtown South and report back by December
1998 on the effectiveness of the approved measures for
dealing with problem licensed premises, and whether
further policy changes are required.
D. THAT all applications for new licensed seats in the 700 to
1300 Blocks of Granville Street, including Theatre Row, be
referred to the Chief of Police, General Manager of
Engineering Services, Chief License Inspector and Director of
Central Area Planning to ensure that on an ongoing basis
licensed establishments:
1. meet the location requirements of the Policing Strategy
[see recommendation B];
2. provide a business plan demonstrating financial viability
and sound management experience related to a liquor
licensed establishment;
3. minimize noise and line-up impacts;
4. install non-breakable glass for ground floor storefronts;
and, if chosen, retractable non-solid grilles;
5. provide active streetfront daytime retail or services on
Granville for the interest and enjoyment of pedestrians;
6. operate video cameras to provide surveillance of adjacent
sidewalks and lanes;
7. provide adequate lighting in the lanes;
8. provide only servicing and emergency access to and from
the lanes; and
9. work with staff, local merchants and property owners to
improve the cleanliness and reduce the amount of graffiti
and litter on the street, lanes and adjacent properties.
E. THAT applications for Class 'A', 'C', or 'D' seats on Theatre
Row that meet the requirements outlined in Recommendation 'D'
above be evaluated according to the following criteria:
1. reducing the number of licensed seats in the residential
areas of Downtown South;
2. contributing to the retention or provision of low-income
housing;
3. helping preserve a heritage building;
4. resulting in the development of a new building, designed
to enhance Theatre Row's historic character;
5. adding to the variety of entertainment opportunities
needed to ensure the success and vitality of Theatre Row
as an entertainment district;
6. creating employment and training opportunities for low-
income residents of the downtown;
7. providing other significant public benefit; and
8. maximizing distance from other class 'A', 'C' or 'D'
licensed establishments.
F. THAT the following incentives be offered, if requested by
applicants, to help attract applications to Theatre Row,
especially those which would relocate existing seats from the
residential areas of Downtown South:
1. using the response to a neighbourhood notification as an
alternative to formal polling in order to determine
public support;
2. relaxing the distancing requirement to permit one or more
neighbourhood pubs;
3. allowing pay-in-lieu parking;
4. minimizing the number of people exiting out onto the
street at the same time, on a trial basis, by extending
the closing time of cabarets to 3:00 a.m., with no
alcoholic beverages sold after 2:00 a.m.; and
5. considering other proposals which result in a net public
benefit for the community.
G. THAT Council not endorse any applications in the Theatre Row
Entertainment District for new Class 'A', 'C', or 'D' licensed
establishments, or for extensions of hours of operation and/or
expansion of seating capacity for existing licensed
establishments, until the Directors of Central Area Planning
and Legal Services, in consultation with the Liquor Control
and Licensing Branch and the Chief License Inspector and Chief
of Police, report back on the legal implications, costs and
fees for issuing such establishments temporary development
permits, subject to performance standards to minimize
neighbourhood impacts;
FURTHER THAT the report on temporary development permits come
forward at the same time as the report from staff on new
liquor license proposals for Theatre Row. [see Recommendation
C.2]
H. THAT the Director of Planning, in consultation with the
Director of Legal Services, report back on amendments to the
Downtown Official Development Plan to help establish the 1100
to 1300 Blocks of Granville Street as a local shopping area
for the surrounding residential community and to help
establish the 1000 Block of Granville Street as a transition
area with some entertainment and some local shopping by:
1. deleting neighbourhood pubs and cabarets as permitted
uses;
2. limiting the number of Class A (pub plus lounge) seats to
a maximum of 125 endorsed for each new hotel;
3. deleting Class 2 restaurants (which require food be
served with alcoholic beverages, and can provide live
entertainment and dancing) as a permitted use on the 1100
to 1300 Blocks of Granville Street; and
4. permitting Class 2 restaurants on the 1000 Block of
Granville Street.
I. THAT staff continue to work with Theatre Row business people,
Barwatch and other groups in the area to revitalize Granville
Street, monitor the balance of entertainment and shopping
requirements of the community, and report back if policy
changes are needed, including the possible need for additional
services for low-income residents.
J. THAT Council give favourable consideration to endorsing
applications for extensions of hours of operation or increased
seating capacities in existing licensed establishments
throughout the City, subject to neighbourhood consultation and
legal agreements that deal with neighbourhood impacts and
secure the affordability and upgrading of low-income housing,
or which provide other significant public benefits.
K. THAT staff continue to work with the LCLB to better coordinate
enforcement efforts concerning problem premises and to share
information related to applications for liquor licenses.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
L. THAT the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Director of
Finance and the General Manager of Community Services, report
back on the timing, costs, sources of revenue and mechanisms
for collection required for the policing needed to deal with
the impacts of licensed establishments in this area.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. Therefore,
the Committee
RECOMMENDED
M. THAT the two formal applications received for 65-seat Class D
(Neighbourhood Pub) Licenses in the 900 Block Granville be
referred to the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission for
consideration at its July 1997 Meeting.
The following motion was put by Councillor Puil (in amendment) and
lost:
THAT references to Block 700 of Granville Street be struck from
Recommendations A and B of the Policy Report.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Herbert, Daniel Lee,
Don Lee, Price, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
The Committee adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
* * * * *