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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
APRIL 23, 1998 A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, April 23, 1998, at 3:55 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.
Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Councillor Clarke in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
April 23, 1998
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Casino-Class 1 Relocation to 760 Robson Street
Great Canadian Casino Ltd.
Cl. 2(a): Physical On-Street Enhancement -
Downtown Eastside and Nearby Areas
Cl. 2(b): Murals for Hoardings on Hastings Street -
Downtown Eastside
Casino-Class 1 Relocation to 760 Robson Street
Great Canadian Casino Ltd.
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Physical On-Street Enhancement -
Downtown Eastside and Nearby Areas
Clause 2(a)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2(a) of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
Murals for Hoardings on Hastings Street -
Downtown Eastside
Clause 2(b)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2(b) of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
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. Puil,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY The Council adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
* * * * * REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
APRIL 23, 1998
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, April 23, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
Nancy Largent
RECOMMENDATION
1. Casino-Class 1 Relocation to 760 Robson Street
Great Canadian Casino Ltd. File: 2633-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 23, 1998 (on file), in which the Chief License Inspector, in consultation with the Director of Community Planning, reported on a request from Great Canadian Casino endorsing the relocation of the Casino Class 1 currently located at 1133 West Hastings Street to 760 Robson Street. The General Manager of Community Services put forward three options for consideration as set out in Recommendations A, B and C of the Administrative Report: i.e., to endorse the application; to refuse to endorse the application; or to instruct staff to carry out a referendum.
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed the request for endorsement and the options before the Committee. Mr. Teichroeb acknowledged that the casino has been well-run in its current location, but pointed out that the Police and Social Planning Departments have concerns with the proposed relocation. In addition, the neighbourhood notification process resulted in eleven letters opposed to the relocation, and none in favour.
Jeff Brooks, Director of Community Services - Social Planning, advised the department opposes putting a casino into a residential building, noting a history of late night closings downtown conflicting with mixed use. Council has already indicated a willingness to consider expanded liquor licensing in the Theatre Row Entertainment District, which adds to concerns about impacts on residents.
Patrick Kinsella, consultant representing Great Canadian Casino, reviewed the rationale for the proposed relocation. The lease is expiring, and the new Provincial Government regulations permit twice as many gaming tables. Therefore, Great Canadian Casino wishes either to expand or relocate, and believes it would make sense to relocate to an area which Council has designated an Entertainment District. The prospective landlord has expressed no objections, and will advise prospective residential tenants of the casino's presence prior to any lease being entered into. Mr. Kinsella also responded to Police and Social Planning concerns.
Clause No. 1 Continued
Norman Christie, resident owner of a condominium directly across the street from the proposed casino, opposed the proposed relocation. Traffic and parking in the area are already serious concerns, with entrances and exits to his building's parking frequently blocked. Panhandling and other associated problems may also increase in this highly visible area.
Inspector Dave Jones, Vancouver Police, responded to questions concerning the likelihood of panhandling in proximity to gambling.
Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, Director of Community Planning, answered questions about the particulars of the proposed development including the parking standard.
One Committee member was prepared to support the relocation of a charitable casino. However, the majority were not prepared to support the relocation of a casino into an area where residential uses are increasing.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment advise the B.C. Gaming Commission it does not endorse the request by Great Canadian Casino Ltd., to change the location of their Casino-Class 1 to 760 Robson Street, having considered the opinion of area residents and business operators as determined through the neighbourhood notification process.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
2(a). Physical On-Street Enhancement -
Downtown Eastside and Nearby Areas File: 8104
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 6, 1998 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended approval of several initiatives the Engineering Department proposes to undertake this year to improve the physical, on-street environment in the Downtown Eastside. A forthcoming Environmental Grant request by Save Our Living Environment (SOLE) to carry out a lane-cleaning project, Vancouver Park Board initiatives, and a mural project supported by the Office of Cultural Affairs [Clause 2(b) of this report refers] were also described. The recommendations of the General Manager of Engineering Services are reflected in Recommendations A and B of this report.
John McLewin, Sanitation Superintendent, reviewed the proposed initiatives, which include upgraded lighting levels, lane clean-ups, power washing of sidewalks, additional litter receptacles, graffiti removal, clean-up of tree bases and sidewalk repairs. The intent of these initiatives is to improve the street environment of the Downtown Eastside and nearby areas. The majority of these projects can be carried out within existing budgets.
Peter Judd, Assistant City Engineer - Electrical and Equipment Services, responded to questions concerning proposed modifications to some heritage lighting in the Gastown Historic Area. The proposed modifications are the most cost-effective solution to poor light levels, and are reversible. A closer match to heritage characteristics could be made, but at a substantial increase in costs.
The following speakers opposed modifications to the lighting in the Gastown Historic Area:
- Ralph Kelman, Victory Square Task Force
- Mary Jewell, Lighting Subcommittee, Gastown
Historic Area Planning Committee (brief filed)
Following are some of the points made by the foregoing:
·this is an ad hoc, rather than a planned approach, which presents no alternatives or detailed information on costing;
Clause No. 2(a) Continued
·150·the Engineering Department will be reporting to Council in June regarding Gastown lighting, and a decision affecting the heritage character of the area should be made in that context;·150
·the heritage of Gastown and other areas such as Victory Square should be respected;
·high sodium fluorescent lighting will be obtrusive, and will not prevent crime, much of which takes place during the day, or can be prevented only by a change in the laws.
Also before the Committee was a deferral request on the Gastown lighting from Heritage Vancouver (letter dated April 21, 1998 on file).
In response to questions, Inspector Gary Greer, Vancouver Police, believed that increased lighting levels will assist policing efforts in this high-crime area, and will also increase the public's sense of security. The proposed Gastown lighting modifications are important from both perspectives. The need for the modifications can be reviewed as the area changes.
Questioned concerning the review to be reported in June, Mr. Judd advised this review will not address the Gastown fixtures in question.
The following speakers expressed general support for the proposed initiatives:
- Barbara Waldern, Main and Hastings Community Development Society
- Ken Lyotier, Save Our Living Environment
Following are some of the points made by the foregoing:
·the entire area targeted by these initiatives is the oldest part of the city, and it is all historic, and all parts of the area should be expected to participate in measures to improve its severe social problems;
·these proposals should be regular maintenance items for the Downtown Eastside;
·there is a strong emphasis on community involvement;
·there is more activity and greater public confidence in those blocks of the area which are already well lighted.
Clause No. 2(a) Continued
The Committee felt it was worthwhile to undertake these initiatives, to provide some immediate relief for the area's problems. Although some concern was expressed about the non-heritage-compatible modifications to some Gastown lighting, it was noted these are not necessarily permanent changes.
The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and lost:
THAT Recommendation B be amended to read as follows (italics denote amendment):
"B.THAT street lighting improvements be made by installing a second set of mast arms on the sidewalk side of the street light poles on Hastings from Main to Abbott (both sides), on Hastings from Abbott to Cambie (south side), and on Columbia from Hastings to the boundary with the Gastown Historic District at the lane north of Hastings. Funding of $77,000 for these improvements is available from the 1998 Capital Program for Infill Lighting."
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Clarke, Daniel Lee,
Don Lee, Price, Puil and Sullivan opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT Council approve the special area enhancement and clean-up program in the Downtown Eastside and nearby areas (DTES) as described in the Administrative Report dated April 6, 1998, including the reallocation of services and budgets from existing services and budgets.
Clause No. 2(a) Continued
B.THAT street lighting improvements be made by installing a second set of mast arms on the sidewalk side of the street light poles on Hastings from Main to Abbott (both sides), on Hastings from Abbott to Cambie (south side), and on Columbia from Hastings to Cordova (both sides). Funding of $77,000 for these improvements is available from the 1998 Capital Program for Infill Lighting.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
C.THAT staff report back evaluating the effects of these lighting changes in the Spring of 1999.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2(b). Murals for Hoardings on Hastings Street -
Downtown Eastside File: 3130
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 8, 1998 (on file), in which the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs sought Council approval of a grant to create and place murals on hoardings along Hastings from Cambie to Main Street. Approval would extend an existing Community Public Art project approved by Council on January 15, 1998, and allow artists and local residents to participate in enhancing the visual quality of the area concurrently with initiatives being undertaken by Engineering Services [Clause 2(a) of this report refers]. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval as reflected in Recommendations A, B and C of this report
Clause No. 2(b) Continued
Lorenz von Fersen, Cultural Planner, introduced Sharon Kravitz and Richard Tetrault, Project Managers, and indicated staff would be pleased to answer any questions.
Muggs Sigurgeirson, Carnegie Community Association, urged Council to approve this project, which has involved and engaged the community and will be a source of pride.
The Chair reminded the Committee that Barbara Waldern, Main and Hastings Community Development Society, had previously expressed support for this project during discussion of Clause 2(a).
The Committee was amenable to the proposed project and the recommended grant.
The following motion by Councillor Don Lee was put and carried. Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT Council approve a special one-time transfer of $ 27,500 from the Public Art Unallocated Budget to the Community Public Art program.
B.THAT Council approve a Community Public Art grant of $ 27,500 to the Carnegie Community Centre Association for the expansion of the "Walls of Change" project to paint murals on hoardings along Hastings from Cambie to Main Street.
C.THAT Council approve the transfer of $2,500 from the Public Art Unallocated Budget to the Public Art Maintenance Reserve, to maintain the murals as needed.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
* * * * *
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