CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

July 28, 1998

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, July 28, 1998, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, to consider proposed amendments to the Heritage By-law and Zoning and Development By-law.

PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen

Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT: Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario

CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL:

Tarja Tuominen

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

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

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair, to consider proposed amendments to the Heritage By-law and Zoning and Development By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Heritage Designation: 1550 Balfour Avenue

An application by John Keen was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed amendment to Heritage By-law No. 4837 would designate the existing building, listed in the “A” evaluation category on the Vancouver Heritage Register, as a protected property in return for an increase in the maximum floor space.

The Director of Community Planning, on behalf of Land Use and Development, recommended approval of the application.

Staff Comments

Yardley McNeill, Planner, advised the application is non-controversial, and offered to answer questions.

Applicant Comments

John Keen, applicant, advised he had no comments to add and was available to answer questions.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application.

Speakers

The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,

A. THAT the property at 1550 Balfour Street, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “A” evaluation category, be designated as a Protected Heritage Property.

B. THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to bring forward for enactment an amendment to the Heritage By-Law.

C. THAT the Director of Legal Services be directed to prepare a registered agreement to secure the prompt restoration of the heritage house.

D. THAT Council approve an increase in Floor Space Ratio (FSR) from the permitted 0.45 to the requested 0.70.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Text Amendment: 800-1200 Blocks Granville Street

(DODP - Downtown South)

An application by the Director of Land Use and Development was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed amendment to the Downtown Official Development Plan would amend the rear yard setback provisions for developments on the 800-1200 Blocks of Granville Street.

The Director of Central Area Planning recommended approval of the application.

Staff Comments

Michael Naylor, Planner, explained the purpose of the amendment to the Downtown Official Development Plan.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application.

Speakers

Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application.

Sam Campbell, area resident, advised he was bringing forward the concerns of the Downtown South Association on the amendment of the rear yard setbacks. The Association is concerned about vehicles getting in and out at the back of buildings, and garbage pick up. The Association is opposed to any changes to the guidelines at the moment and requests the opportunity to go over the proposed amendments with staff and come to a consensus.

MOVED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the application be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Rezoning: 1025 East Pender Street

An application by Ian Pratt and Alan Woo was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed rezoning from M-1 to CD-1 would allow for the construction of 10 dwelling units.

The Director of Central Area Planning, on behalf of Land Use and Development, recommended approval of the application, subject to the following conditions as proposed for adoption by resolution of Council:

(a) THAT the proposed form of development be approved by Council in principle, generally as prepared by Brad Cameron and stamped “Received City Planning Department, April 15, 1998”, provided that the Director of Planning may allow minor alterations to this form of development when approving the detailed scheme 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 regard to the RT-3 Guidelines approved by Council November 3, 1992, and the following:

· submission of a report by a structural engineer regarding design provisions to minimize vibration impacts, to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning.

(c) THAT, prior to enactment, the registered owner shall, at no cost to the City:

(i) agree to underground all electrical and telephone services the closest existing suitable service point, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, and

(ii) consolidate the site.

Staff Comments

Rob Whitlock, Planner, explained the purpose of the change from M-1 to CD-1. Mr. Whitlock also requested an amendment to Section 5 of the draft by-law to change the minimum setback to 11 feet and not 4.25m.

Applicant Comments

There were no applicant comments.

Summary of Correspondence

There was no correspondence received on this application.

Speakers

The Mayor called for speakers for and against the application and none were present.

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,

THAT the application be approved, subject to the conditions as set out in this minute of the Public Hearing.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. Sign By-law Amendment: 88 West Pender Street

(International Village)

An application by Interville Development Ltd. was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed text amendment to the Sign By-law would create special signage regulations for International Village

The Director of Central Area Planning recommended approval of the application, subject to the following conditions as proposed for adoption by resolution of Council:

(a) THAT, prior to the enactment of the amending By-law, and at no cost to the City, the registered owners shall:

(i) execute an agreement, satisfactory to the Director of Planning and the Director of Legal Services, to cease illumination of the “Tinseltown” sign and any other third level signage after 11 p.m.;

(ii) pursue design development of “Tinseltown” sign at the entrance to Pender and Abbott Streets, satisfactory to the Director of Planning, to do the following:

· the size of the sign to be reduced by 25 per cent; and
· baffles to focus the light down to the street and conventional neon light rather than new types of neon which are particularly bright to be used to further reduce impacts on nearby dwellings.

Also before Council was a memorandum dated July 28, 1998, from Michael Gordon, Senior Central Area Planner, advising that after further review of the design details of thesign and discussions with neon light experts, staff have concluded that the second part of condition of approval (ii) should be amended from:

· baffles to focus light down to the street and conventional neon light rather than new types of neon which are particularly bright to be used to further reduce impacts on nearby dwellings.

to

· baffles on the fibre optic lights to focus the light down to the street and neon components to consist of single strands of neon to further reduce the impacts on nearby dwellings.

cont’d

Clause No. 4 (cont’d)

Staff are confident the re-drafted condition has increased clarity as compared to the original condition of approval and will be more effective in reducing the impact of the sign on adjacent dwellings.

Staff Comments

Michael Gordon, Planner, explained the proposed amendments to the Sign By-law to permit more innovative signage for the International Village marketplace and explained the rationale for the amended condition (ii).

Applicant Comments

Allen Lai, applicant, asked for Council’s support of a very unique and exciting project to revitalize the area. It is critical for the development to have the proper signage. The signage will be artistic and tastefully done.

David Hornblow, representing the applicant, presented a brief description of the proposed signage. The sign designers tried to be cognizant of the potential impact on the residents and are aware of their concerns. The signage will have no direct neon shining out and will use only single strand neon.

Summary of Correspondence

Council was advised the following correspondence was received:

· Letter from Henderson Development (Canada) Ltd., providing photograph of a portion of Chinatown; newspaper article; and letters in support of its application;

· Letter dated July 27, 1998 from McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada, in support of the application;

· Two letters opposed to the amendment.

Speakers

Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application.

The following spoke in support of the application:

· Harry Goldberg
· Jack Wong, President, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
· Gregory Krushel
· Muriel Honey
· Dal Richards
· Donnie Lalonde.

The foregoing speakers supported the proposed signage based on one or more of the following points:

· more neon signs are desirable; neon signs were a large part of the unique character of Chinatown;
· the proposed signage will bring International Village to life;
· the neon lighting will add to the ambience and activity in the area;
· reintroduction of more vibrant signs is consistent with the history of the precinct;
· with the loss of neon lighting, Chinatown at night lost its designation as a special destination;
· the proposed neon lighting is positive to the neighbourhood and is a welcome addition;
· the proposed signage is appealing and will add an international flavour to the area.

Peter Diniz (brief filed) opposed the proposed signage, stating it does not conform with the present Sign By-law. His residence will be illuminated by neon going on and off. Tinseltown does not require this type of signage and will attract clientele like the Silver City theatres, which do not have neon signage. Mr. Diniz also expressed concern the proposed banners for the Third Level may be used to advertise movie events or pizza specials.

The following speakers expressed concerns with neon lights on the second floor and signage that is lit all the time, which will be distracting and uncomfortable. The speakers also expressed concerns with the advertising feature of the proposed signage.

· George Deering
· Judith Mewhort.

Simon Hui stated he is not adverse to the development, but suggested the applicants explore what the facade of the building can do. Mr. Hui asked for human scale and sensitivity in design.

Applicant Closing Comments

Mr.Hornblow advised the applicant has reiterated his intent for the third level banners,which will be a designed series of work throughout the year. There is no intention of advertising pizzas. In addition, the surfaces are not shiny reflective surfaces but are satin finish. There will be no reflection coming off metal. In response to a question, Mr. Hornblow advised there is no humming noise off the neon lighting.

Staff Closing Comments

Mr. Gordon advised the application is not dealing with the third level signage, which will be dealt with under banner regulations. The proposal is for innovative ground-breaking signage. The City has no discretion on sign design or quality. Staff are putting a lot of faith in the applicant and designers. Staff recommend approval of the proposal.

Council Discussion

During discussion, a member of Council requested staff to provide a report back on the City’s discretionary powers under the Sign By-law.

MOVED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the application be approved, subject to the conditions as set out in this minute of the Public Hearing.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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. Puil,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Bellamy,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted, and the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare and bring forward the necessary by-law amendments.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

BY-LAWS

1. By-law to Designate Heritage Property

and to Amend By-law No. 4837, being the
Heritage By-law (1550 Balfour Avenue)

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared the By-law open for discussion and amendment.

There being no amendments, it was

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver