Agenda Index City of Vancouver

CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

June 22/23, 1998

Tarja Tuominen

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,

1. Text Amendment: 4255 Arbutus Street

Summary: The proposed amendment to CD-1 By-law No. 4634 for Arbutus Village, bounded by Arbutus and Yew Streets, Valley and Eddington Drive, and King Edward and Nanton Avenues, would permit development of two 6-storey multiple dwellings containing 142 dwelling units at 4255 Arbutus Street (Lot 2, D.L. 526, Plan 14750).

(a) THAT the proposed form of development be approved by Council in principle, generally as prepared by James Hancock, Architect, and stamped "Received City Planning Department, April 11, 1996", provided that the Director of Planning may allow minor alterations to this form of development when approving the detailed scheme of development as outlined in (b) below.

(b) THAT, prior to approval by Council of the form of development, the applicant shall obtain approval of a development application by the Director of Planning, who shall have particular regard to the following:

(xi) design development to reduce fear in underground parking;

(c) THAT, prior to enactment of the CD-1 By-law, the registered owner shall:

(i) make arrangements to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and Director of Legal Services, all at the developer's expense, for:

(ii) execute a legal agreement satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services, committing the applicant to participate in the City Public Art Program and obtain approval by the Director of Cultural Affairs of a Preliminary Public Art Plan;

A. In the By-law labelled "4255 Arbutus Street" in upper left corner of first page

1. In Section 1 - Uses, replace the words "The area shown included within the heavy black outline on Schedule "A", which is attached to and forms part of this by-law, shall" with "The provisions of this by-law apply to the area shown included within the heavy black outline on Schedule "A", which is attached to and forms part of this by-law (which area is a part of a larger area zoned CD-1 by By-law No. 4634), which area shall".

2. In clause 1(b), replace the words “artist studios” with the words “artist studio - class A”.

3. In clause 2.4(c), insert after the words “parking and loading,”, the words “the takingon or discharging of passengers,”.

4. In clause 5(c), delete the word “27.8²” and substitute the words 27.8 m²”.

B In the By-law labelled "Arbutus Village" in upper left corner of first page

1. Delete clause 1(a) and substitute the following:

2. Renumber section 3 as section 4 and insert the following new section 3:

“3. By-law No. 4634 is further amended by adding to it as Schedule A the Schedule A which is attached to and forms part of this By-law.."

C. Both By-laws

The legend on the schedules attached to both draft by-laws should be amended by deleting the words "The property outlined in black ( ) is proposed to be rezoned: From CD-1 to CD-1".

Staff Comments

Applicant Comments

Summary of Correspondence

Speakers

· the proposed development will provide needed additional density to protect the viability of the shopping mall and improve the stores and mix of shops; the mall will be open more hours and the restaurant will be re-opened;
· the proposed “aging in place” concept is a much needed form of housing, and will adapt to seniors’ changing needs;
· the number of seniors is increasing; this type of development allows seniors the opportunity to remain in their own neighbourhood and to live independently;
· the designed parking facilities will ensure adequate, accessible and convenient parking for customers, with protection from adverse weather conditions;
· the development will create a safe pedestrian route to the centre and the proposed signalized intersection will improve access to and exit from the shopping mall, as well as improve the traffic flow;
· the development will be close to shopping, accessible transit, other amenities;
· many people cannot afford single family residences; cannot send everyone to the Fraser Valley; need to have additional choices in the city;
· the development will not be displacing parks, homes, or trees;
· the traffic analysis shows there will be minimal impact on the neighbourhood;
· the additional density will also provide a base of riders for improved transit and increase the frequency of transit service in the area;
· all new design and construction should adhere to universal design standards;
· hope Council and developer will work together to develop some amenities of direct benefit to seniors in the proposal.

· the application proposes a substantial increase in density;
· the proposed density for Arbutus Village site should not be compared to the density allowed in a commercial district;
· the community should be consulted about what type of development it wishes, and the development should reflect the wishes of the people who live in the area;
· the proposed development will provide high cost market housing for the very few who can afford it and will not provide affordable housing for seniors or the disabled;
· the community will also have to absorb other large housing developments which are being proposed in the area, for example, Arbutus Gardens, Quilchena Gardens, and a proposed Greek seniors home;
· the GVRD Livable Region strategy encourages the growth of town centres and decentralizing population growth in the Greater Vancouver region, not centralizing growth in the city;
· the apartments will be sold to anyone who wishes to buy them, not just seniors; families may also purchase units, which will then increase the load on schools; overcrowding in the schools will mean portables, an overload on resources such as library and gym space;
· the development will create an increase in traffic congestion and parking demands, resulting in safety concerns; and an increase in noise and pollution in the neighbouring area;
· the proposed underground parking for the Arbutus Shopping Centre raises security concerns particularly for seniors and women;
· area residents will be forced to shop elsewhere to avoid unsafe underground parking area;
· currently there are a large number of empty condo units in the City of Vancouver; why do we need more?
· there are fears once the rezoning is approved, Larco may demolish the existing shopping centre to put up additional units, thereby increasing the density in the area even more;
· area residents want no more intrusions by developers;
· the proposed six-storey building will completely dominate and overwhelm the residential neighbourhood, obstruct light for neighbouring residences, and destroy the ambience of the area;
· can the existing roads, sewers, and water pipes can handle the increased density;
· the densification process should be slowed down; figures show there is not as rapid growth as originally projected.

Conclusion

1. Could a single level of parking be located at ground level, open to view, and with the tower above?

2. Could the City ensure retention of the shopping centre?

3. A clarification of the discussions heard from delegations as to whether this a zoning issue or a by-law issue?

4. Would affordable housing be able to be achieved within the framework of what was considered for the Public Hearing, should Council wish to consider it?

5. Is there any information from the School Board as to the school capacity issue?

6. If the housing that is being discussed as “aging in place” is supposed to be dedicated to seniors and/or persons with disabilities, does Council need to discuss having a covenant to ensure the continuation of that?

7. What happens if the developer sells the property after a rezoning is approved? Is there any possibility within the legal ability of this Council to ensure that should that occur, the rezoning does not go with the sale?

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Price,

The Special Council adjourned on June 23, 1998 at 9:55 p.m.

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