Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT: Local Improvements by Initiative - December 1, 1998

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

Policies governing the Local Improvement process are set out in the Vancouver Charter and Local Improvements Procedure by-law.

PURPOSE

A Court of Revision is scheduled for December 1, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. to review a number of petition and initiative projects. The report for petition projects will be advanced to Council separately at a later date to allow as much time as possible for residents to circulate theirpetitions. The purpose of this report is to begin the formal Local Improvement process by advancing the initiative projects to the Court of Revision and reporting on the financial arrangements for the projects. Approval of this report does not commit Council to undertake the projects.

First Step

As required by the Local Improvement Procedure By-law, projects for:

Court #588

I. Pavement and Curbs, Higher Zoned
II. Pavement and Curbs, Local Residential
III. Lane Pavement, Higher Zoned
IV. Lane Pavement, Local Residential
V. Speed Humps
VI. Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks
VII. Sidewalk Reconstruction

Court #589

I. Decorative Street Tree Lighting
II. Sidewalk and Street Work
III. Sidewalk and Pavement

shown on the attached schedule (Appendix I), are advanced to Council by Initiative for review at a Court of Revision, which will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, 1998.

Bikeways

Council has established transportation priorities of walking, cycling and transit use. City Bikeways are routes enhanced for cycling. They join important city-wide destinations and create a network that covers the entire City. In recognition of the city-wide benefit enjoyed by Street improvements along a City Bikeway, it is appropriate to provide a 25% reduction in local improvement charges as is done for school pedestrian routes and arterial streets.

Drainage Prior to Paving

In addition to construction of the initiative paving projects, advanced drainage work involving installation of catch basins and storm drains must first be carried out. Based on past experience, the estimated cost of this work is in the order of $35,000.

This drainage work is not necessarily related to the street and lane construction. However, it should be done now in order not to delay the construction and so that the newly paved streets and lanes will not have to be dug up to accommodate the drainage works in the future. The work involves installation of permanent facilities to replace temporary drains and should be done whether or not the paving proceeds.

The location and individual costs of this work will be reported in a subsequent Manager's Minute upon completion of the necessary design work.

GRANVILLE MALL DECORATIVE STREET TREE LIGHTING SPECIAL PROJECT

1. Granville Street from Hastings Street to Drake Street

In the mid 1970's, a beautification was approved for the installation of energy supply and Christmas lights on the trees along Granville Mall from Hastings to Drake. After more than 20 years in place the system is showing signs of deterioration and maintenance costs have increased significantly. The present system consists of underground conduit & wiring to the base of each tree , then a length of conduit running up the tree trunk feeding 7 watt Christmas lights. Parts of the underground conduit have rusted through and the conduit running up the tree trunks is constantly being vandalized. The property owners are currently being assessed for the lighting energy and maintenance costs through a local improvement maintenance by-law.

Staff have met with representatives of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Society and the merchants support the proposal to replace the lighting system. They would like to have the lights operate at night throughout the year instead of just around the Christmas season. The proposed new system would consist of overhead guy wires & conductors running between the existing trolley poles and feeding directly to newly installed 1/4 watt mini-lights similar to the street tree lighting installed on Robson Street. Property owners will pay 100% of the estimated project cost of $275,000. The new low wattage mini-lights are much more efficient, resulting in significant energy savings even based on year-round operation. Maintenance costs will also be lower given the overhead energy feed and use of the mini-lights. As part of this project, the property owners will continue to be charged for the energy costs and maintenance associated with this project through a local improvement maintenance by-law.

SIDEWALK & STREET WORK SPECIAL PROJECT

2. Watson Street - Broadway to 10th Avenue
3. Watson Street - 10th Avenue to 11th Avenue
4. Watson Street - 14th Avenue to 15th Avenue

Improvements to Watson Street are being pursued due to requests from local residents, property owners, businesses and the Mount Pleasant BIA. In addition, the Wellness Walkways project (being considered for this neighbourhood to promote walking, especially for the residents of the local health care facilities) has promoted the improvement of these streets to increase safe pedestrian routes within the neighbourhood. Watson Street appears more like a lane because there are no proper sidewalks for pedestrians, utility poles line both sides of the street, and the road surface is in poor condition. An informal survey was conducted of all affected property owners, and support was indicated for the improvement of Watson Street.

SIDEWALK & PAVEMENT SPECIAL PROJECT
5. 14th Avenue - Fraser Street to Prince Albert Street
6. 31st Avenue - Victoria Drive to Gladstone Street

The above two streets are being initiated because of the poor condition of the street and adjoining sidewalk. Both streets have a narrow street allowance and as a result the existing driving surface abuts the sidewalk. The sidewalk is in poor condition and in many locations it is almost level with the pavement. Therefore, vehicles can easily drive up on the sidewalk. This is a hazard for pedestrians and damages the sidewalk further. The work proposed will provide new pavement and sidewalk with a higher curb face to improve pedestrian safety. Owners have been balloted and the majority of those who responded were in favour of the project.

Capital Funds
Funds for the City's share of the projects are available from existing Engineering Department Basic Capital Accounts or are subject to approval of the 1999 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

Second Step
The Director of Finance reports as follows:

In accordance with the Local Improvements Procedure By-law, I am submitting the attached City Engineer's report. The estimated cost of these projects is $2,578,858. The property owners' share of the projects is $1,220,912. The City's share is $1,357,946. I have to report that the necessary financial arrangements can be made to carry out this work subject to approval of the 1999 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

* * * * *

ag980929.htm

Appendix I

COURT OF REVISION - DECEMBER 1, 1998

INITIATIVE PROJECTS - SCHEDULE #588

I. PAVEMENT & CURBS - HIGHER ZONED

The following higher-zoned streets being initiated have strip pavements and are all in poor condition. Higher-zoned streets that are in poor condition are often difficult to improve by the petition process due to the large number of absentee land owners on the block. These streets therefore deteriorate, causing numerous resident complaints and maintenance concerns. The initiative process is an effective way of improving these situations.

1. Bayswater - 3rd Ave. to 4th Avenue

2. E/S Duchess Street - Kingsway to Ward Street

This street is being initiated to assist a majority of owners who signed a Petition to have the street improved. This action is being taken after a request for assistance was received from the residential owners. Under the Petition Process a Petition is considered successful if at least two thirds of the adjacent owners signed the Petition and the property value of these owners must be at least 50% of the combined value of those affected. In this case we have a 75% majority however the value of one commercial property exceeds the combined value of the residential properties.

3. Sophia - 13th Avenue to 14th Avenue

Improvements to Sophia Street are being pursued due to requests from local residents, property owners, businesses and the Mount Pleasant BIA. In addition, the Wellness Walkway project (being considered for this neighbourhood to promote walking, especially for the residents of the local health care facilities) has promoted the improvement of these streets to increase safe pedestrians routes within the neighbourhood. Currently, Sophia Street is unimproved between 13th and 14th Avenues. An informal survey was conducted of all the affected property owners and support was indicated for the improvement of Sophia Street.

I. PAVEMENT & CURBS - HIGHER ZONED(cont'd)

7. Woodland Drive - 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
8. Woodland Drive - 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue
9. Woodland Drive - 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue

The above 3 streets are being initiated in an effort to curb streets on the Mosaic Bikeway. The residential adjacent owners are also provided with a 25% reduction in local improvement charges in recognition of the broader citywide benefit of the bike route.

II. PAVEMENT & CURBS - LOCAL RESIDENTIAL

12. 43rd Avenue - Argyle Street to Commercial Street

This street is being initiated to assist a majority of owners who signed a Petition to have the street improved. This action is being taken after a request for assistance was received from the residential owners. Under the Petition Process a Petition is considered successful if at least two thirds of the adjacent owners signed the Petition and the property value of these owners must be at least 50% of the combined value of those affected. In this case we have a 75% majority however the value of one commercial property exceeds the combined value of the residential properties.

III. LANE PAVEMENT, HIGHER ZONED

Higher-Zoned lane paving addresses Council's stated priority on infrastructure renewal. These lanes tend not to be improved by petition because of absentee ownership, yet they carry much more traffic than residential lanes, and the lane surface deteriorate as a result. This causes high maintenance cost and a significant number of complaints from commercial and/or apartment tenants.

13. L/S Frances Street - Vernon Drive to Clark Drive
16. L/S 10th Avenue - Commercial Drive to Victoria Drive & L/W Victoria Drive - L/S 10th Avenue to 11th Avenue
17. L/S 16th Avenue - L/E Laurel Street to Willow Street & L/E Laurel Street - 16th Avenue to 17th Avenue
18. L/S 16th Avenue - Willow Street to L/W Heather Street

IV. LANE PAVEMENT, LOCAL RESIDENTIAL

20. L/W Commercial Street - L/S 41st Avenue to 43rd Avenue & L/S 41st Avenue -Bruce Street to Commercial Street

This lane is being initiated to assist a majority of owners who signed a Petition to have the lane improved. This action is being taken after a request for assistance was received from the residential owners. Under the Petition Process a Petition is considered successful if at least two thirds of the adjacent owners signed the Petition and the property value of these owners must be at least 50% of the combined value of those affected. In this case we have a 68% majority however the value of one commercial property exceeds the combined value of the residential properties.

V. SPEED HUMPS

The following two projects are being initiated to assist owners who are experiencing traffic problems due to high speeds in the lane. They feel that transient traffic who accesses the commercial properties adjoining the lane are jeopardizing their safety concern and that circulating a petition would not be successful because of absentee owners.

21. L/W of Oak Street from King Edward Avenue to 26th Avenue
23. L/S 7th Avenue from Windsor Street to Glen Drive

VI. PEDESTRIAN COLLECTOR SIDEWALKS

On February 9, 1982, Council reaffirmed its policy objectives of providing sidewalks:

The construction of new pedestrian collector sidewalks responds to Council's top two priorities for transportation improvements; pedestrians and transit. Of the 21 new sidewalk projects initiated, 7 are pedestrian collector routes serving schools or parks and 9 provide access to bus routes.

VI. PEDESTRIAN COLLECTOR SIDEWALKS (cont'd)

24. W/S Ash Street from 23rd Avenue to King Edward Avenue

25. W/S Balsam Street from Cornwall Street to L/N of Cornwall Street

26. E/S Cassiar Street - 23rd Avenue to 26th Avenue excluding 21ft fronting Lot 1 Block 3 Plan 2297 (3402 E 24th Ave.)

27. E/S East Boulevard - 54th Avenue to 57th Avenue

28. E/S East Boulevard - 60th Avenue to 63rd Avenue

29. W/S Gladstone Street - 38th Avenue to 41st Avenue

30. W/S Gladstone Street - 44th Avenue to 45th Avenue

31. E/S Kaslo Street - Williams Street to Charles Street

32. E/S Ontario Street - 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue except 17 ft fronting Lot 1, Blk 8, Pln 197, DL 200A

33. W/S Ontario Street - 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue except 54 ft. Fronting Lot 9&10, Blk 9, DL 200A

34. W/S Ontario Street - 16th Avenue to L/S 16th Avenue

35. E/S Quebec Street - 40th Avenue to Woodstock Street

VI. PEDESTRIAN COLLECTOR SIDEWALKS (cont'd)

36. E/S Salsbury Street - Frances Street to Georgia Street

37. E/S Salsbury Street - L/S Hastings Street to Pender Street

38. E/S Salsbury Street - Pender Street to 33ft north of Frances Street

39. S/S 14th Avenue - 254.6 ft east of Heather Street to 854.2 ft. east of Heather Street

40. S/S 14th Avenue - Heather Street to 254.6 ft east of Heather Street

41. S/S 32nd Avenue - Quebec Street to L/W Quebec Street

42. N/S 37th Avenue - L/E Inverness Street to L/W Sherbrooke Street

43. S/S 37th Avenue - Inverness Street to L/W Sherbrooke Street

44. N/S 57th Avenue - Laurel Street to Oak Street

VII. SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION

The Sidewalk Reconstruction Program is directed toward poor condition sidewalks in commercial areas which involve high pedestrian usage and are on transit routes. In this report there are 4 projects recommended for initiative. Sidewalks rating reconstruction are often badly cracked and sloped and may be patched in many places by asphalt fillets. In spite of inspection and regular maintenance by City staff, sidewalks in this condition are more prone to trips, water ponding and liability concerns for the City. Sidewalks in poor condition also provide obstacles for the disabled and seniors.

These sidewalk reconstruction projects are shared 50/50 with the abutting commercial owners, and the program has been very well received since it began about 13 years ago.

VII. SIDEWALK RECONSTRUCTION(cont'd)

45. N/S Broadway - Brunswick Street eastward to EPL Lot 8
46. N/S Broadway - Brunswick Street westward to 170 east of Scotia Street
47. S/S Broadway - Kingsway to 42 ft. west of Prince Edward Street
48. N/S 42nd Avenue - Maple Street to 236 ft. west of Maple Street

APPENDIX II

CITY OF VANCOUVER - LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS DETAILED SECOND STEP REPORT
Summary of Estimated Costs and Certificates to the Attached Local Improvement Estimates
Advanced on the Initiative Principle for a Court of Revision December 1, 1998

Court #588

CATEGORY

ITEM
NUMBER

TYPE OF PROJECT

P.O.
SHARE

CITY'S
SHARE

TOTAL
COST

EXISTING
FUNDS

SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
OF THE 1999 CAPITAL BUDGET

I

1-3,7-9

Pavement & Curbs, Higher Zoned

$ 231,235

$ 289,691

$ 520,926

  

$ 289,691

II

12

Pavement & Curbs, Local Residential

$ 23,564

$ 259,918

$ 283,482

  

$ 259,918

III

13,16-18

Lane Pavement, Higher Zoned

$ 192,858

$ 59,679

$ 252,537

  

$ 59,679

IV

20

Lane Pavement, Local Residential

$ 42,904

$ 109,207

$ 152,111

$ 109,207

V

21,23

Speed Humps

$ 4,033

0

$ 4,033

    

VI

24-44

Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks

$ 142,068

$ 225,184

$ 367,252

$ 125,000 12/31/6901/999

$ 100,184

VII

45-48

Sidewalk Reconstruction

$ 77,841

$ 140,676

$ 218,517

 

$ 140,676

   

TOTAL

$ 714,503

$ 1,084,355

$ 1,798,858

    

Court#589

              

I

1

Granville Mall Decorative Street Tree Lighting

$ 275,000

0

$ 275,000

    

II

2-4

Sidewalk and Street Work

$ 173,956

$ 61,044

$ 235,000

  

$ 61,044

III

5-6

Sidewalk and Pavement

$ 57,453

$ 212,547

$ 270,000

  

$ 212,547

   

TOTAL

$ 506,409

$ 273,591

$ 780,000

$ 125,000

$1,232,946

The estimated costs provide for necessary incidental work. The cost of the property owner's share of the above noted projects, and interest, is repayable over 15 years, except for street lighting which is repayable over ten years.

Certified correct as to measurements.

_____________________________ ___________________________ _________________________
Collector of Taxes Director of Finance City Engineer

Certified adopted by the City Council on ___________________________ ___________________________ City Clerk

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver