CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 1st/6th, 1998

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, October 1, 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in False Creek Elementary School, 900 School Green, Vancouver, B.C., for the purpose of considering a proposed text amendment to the Granville Island Reference Document. Subsequently the meeting reconvened at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 1998, in the Council Chamber, third floor, City Hall.

PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen

Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
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 (October 6 only)

Councillor Jennifer Clarke (October 6 only)

CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Gail Johnson (October 1)

Tarja Tuominen (October 6)

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 Granville Island Reference Document.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1. Text Amendment: 1405 Anderson Street

(Granville Island Reference Document)

An application by Michael Seelig and Abe Sacks was considered as follows:

Summary: The proposed text amendment to the Granville Island Reference Document would permit additional floor area for restaurant, entertainment and retail uses, primarily to permit the development of a six-screen movie theatre, restaurant and retail complex at 1405 Anderson Street.

The Director of Central Area Planning, recommended approval of the application, subject to the following conditions, to be met at the Development Application stage:

(a) THAT the applicant shall obtain approval of a development application by the Development Permit Board, who shall have particular regard to the following:

(i) secure 109 parking spaces for use by the movie theatre operation, to the satisfaction of the Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Legal Services;

(ii) provide a legal agreement to provide parking in the future, payment-in-lieu or improved transit to the Island, to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services, the Director of Legal Services and the Director of Central Area Planning;

(iii) provide a legal agreement that matinees will be cut back for any periods where parking/traffic problems become overwhelming, as determined by the General Manager of Engineering Services; and

(iv) provide a legal agreement to the satisfaction of the Director of Cultural Affairs and Director of Legal Services, for the following:

· equal access to Vancouver’s non-profit community, cultural and educational organizations to the screening rooms and ancillary support areas for film and video screenings, readings, performances, seminars, special events, or meetings at no cost, for a minimum of 15 hours per month to include a balance of weekday, weekend and evenings hours. The agreement will also include a process for advertising and booking the space;

Clause No. 1 Continued

· in addition to the previous requirement above, equal access Vancouver non-profit community, cultural and educational organizations to the screening rooms and ancillary support areas for festival screenings of film and video, at no cost, for a minimum of three 5-day periods per year;

· equal access to Granville Island based non-profit cultural organizations to advertising opportunities including on-screen, house program and display board promotions;

· equal access to Vancouver-based visual artists and art educational organizations to opportunities for displaying their work in the cinema lobbies for a minimum of six 10-day exhibition opportunities per year. Priority should be given to artists and art schools based on Granville Island; and

· equal access to Vancouver-based film students to any training, mentorship and employment opportunities offered.

Staff Comments

Larry Beasley, Director of Central Area Planning, provided brief comments, explaining that staff have considered the compatibility of the proposal with the original intended uses for Granville Island; the suitability of the proposed use; the impact on local movie theatres; the effect of movie matinees on traffic and parking; and traffic congestion concerns on the Island, in general. While the issues of traffic, urban design, and implications for the wider theatre market have been addressed, as stated in the Administrative Report, the question of the fit of a movie theatre complex with the character of the Island was not as easily discerned. However, in light of CMHC and Urban Design Panel support and other proposed solutions to deal with specific concerns, staff conclude the proposal will not adversely affect the Island and is keeping with the original intent, which was to provide for a balance between commercial and non-commercial enterprises. If Council approves the necessary amendments to the Reference Document, the detailed proposal will be dealt with as part of the Development Permit Board process. Mr. Beasley noted that whether or not the application receives approval, it would be timely for City staff and CMHC officials to review the Reference Document, originally adopted in 1978.

Clause No. 1 Continued

Rob Whitlock, Planner, provided a review of the components of the development proposal, the analysis carried out by staff, and the conclusions. The reasons for support and opposition by the public were outlined, and he noted that staff recognize the concerns of residents and businesses regarding weekend matinees throughout the year and during peak summer months, however, a review of the projected attendance numbers and patterns suggest that the impact will be manageable. Nonetheless, a condition of approval calls for monitoring of the impact of matinees and if traffic and parking related to the theatre operation results in an unacceptable level of congestion, matinees will be curtailed.

Applicant Comments

The following representatives for the applicant described the proposal:

· Mike Young, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
· Abe Sacks, applicant
· Michael Seelig, applicant
· Norm Hotson, Hotson, Bakker Architects.

The foregoing highlighted several aspects of the application, including:

· the background to the application;
· the belief by CMHC that the project will be of economic benefit to the existing tenants;
· the aim of the proposal to maintain the unique spirit of the Island, and create a more active environment in the evenings and during the winter months;
· the response to traffic and parking concerns;
· the change in orientation of the theatre entrance from Anderson to Railspur;
· the benefits of having additional arts and crafts retail area, and a new diner-style restaurant.

Summary of Correspondence

Council was advised the following correspondence had been received:

· twenty-four letters opposed to the application.

Clause No. 1 Continued

Speakers

The Mayor called for speakers for or against this application and a total of 47 speakers addressed Council over the course of the two evenings.

The following spoke in favour of the application:

· Elizabeth Ball
· Phil Boname
· David McCann
· Allan Artibisse
· Marlie Oden
· Rene Ragetli
· John Neats Jr.
· Joe Markovitch
· Clint Wong
· Trish Nicolson
· Kevin Eastwood
· Peter Horwood
· Michael Geller
· Mark Smaal
· Paul Anthonsen
· Tom Lightburn
· Carey Veno

The foregoing supported the application based on one or more of the following grounds:

· the existing artists, theatres and other businesses will benefit from more people coming to Granville Island and learning about the different activities that take place;
· the original concept of Granville Island was overwhelmingly opposed by the public, yet its success is unquestioned - Council should give credence to the judgement of CMHC and the architect, who have been involved since conception;

Clause No. 1 Continued

· the City should look to creative solutions for the traffic and parking issues such as off-island leased parking spots, increased traffic lanes going out of the Island, shuttle buses, better public transit, and hiring a traffic “cop” through the community policing office to be used in peak hours;
· the theatres would have a positive impact on the Island;
· Granville Island needs to change to maintain its successful status - sustainability and affordability are key issues;
· a new restaurant on the Island would be welcome;
· having movie theatres, as well as live theatre, gives people entertainment choices based on economics;
· having a theatre will give the Island a balance of activities;
· there is a growing awareness that people like to package their activities together, and the proposal would fit with that trend;
· the proposal represents a great opportunity to generate lively night entertainment on the Island;
· the theatre will provide light and security in the evening; now the Island is almost empty in the evenings, and it will be more comfortable walking to the car late at night if there are more evening activities on the Island;
· the proposal is for a theatre showing art house/locally made films; it will not be the kind of theatre which would put in a blockbuster;
· Granville Island needs to have a balance of uses; entertainment uses have always been seen as a focus for the Island; the proposal fits in the spirit and intent of Granville Island;
· movie business is almost non-existent on a sunny, summer day; the theatres will broaden the use of the Island when it is underutilised, eg. in the evening, fall and winter;
· the theatre auditoriums will not be big enough to bring in large crowds

The following speakers opposed the application:

· Colleen Smith
· Sally Fontana (petition filed)
· David Van Burkle
· Stacey Hall
· Jerry Porter

Clause No. 1 Continued

· Don Alexander
· Jason Armstrong
· Tom Wilson
· David New-Small
· Gordon Watson
· Ray Desharnais
· Sean O’Byrne
· Stanley King
· Dr. Edward Shaffer
· Don Dickson
· Beryl Wilson
· Larry Zelmer
· Carol Whaley
· Myriam Bayerthal
· Walter Hardwick
· Roxborough Smith
· Penelope Long
· Peter Braun
· Hugh Blackman
· Jonathan Baker
· Chris Ladner
· Gordon Humeny
· Debra Pentecost
· John Keith King

The foregoing opposed the application based on one or more of the following grounds:

· movie theatres do not fit into the character of the Island - the movie theatres at Burrard and 5th Ave. are close enough;
· the proposal will result in increased traffic congestion, which already keeps local residents away;
· more space is needed for youth activities and/or a False Creek Heritage Centre instead of this type of proposal;
· the proposed parking measures are inadequate;

Clause No. 1 Continued

· Granville Island does not exist to maximise profit from every square foot of space -more solitude is needed;
· there are already sufficient restaurants on the Island;
· cultural and arts should be promoted rather than movie theatre entertainment;
· the proposal would be better placed on Granville Street;
· Granville Island is not a dead zone and does not need the addition of a New York based company (Famous Players) - local businesses should be encouraged;
· increasing parking to meet the requirement of movie theatre patrons will increase pollution from exhaust fumes;
· the project is pushed by an international conglomerate which could not care less for Granville Island - be careful;
· the small businesses on the Island are more in keeping with the spirit of Granville Island; large theatres are not an appropriate business;
· the review of the overall plan of Granville Island should take place before approval of the theatre proposal;
· Granville Island is seen as a totally pedestrian and cycling area;
· with regard to the theatre providing more life and action in the evening hours, most people will be in the theatres watching movies; the Island will still be empty between the hours of 8 to 10 p.m.;
· increased people on the Island do not necessarily benefit Island retailers; because of the increase in people during the summer months, the regulars do not patronize the shops which cannot survive on the level of sales during the summer; more people down to the Island will be devastating to retailers who sell fish, herbs, food;
· a cost benefit analysis should be done to show what the benefits of the proposal will be;
· traffic leaving and coming for theatres will adversely affect other retail uses;
· other people should have been able to submit proposals for the development site.

Ron Burnett, President, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design, responded to statements made by a previous speaker. Mr. Burnett advised the developers and Famous Players have respected the Institute’s neutrality on the application, have been open about their plans, have not hidden anything from the Institute, and have never applied any pressure on Emily Carr to support their initiative.

Clause No. 1 Continued


Conclusion

At the conclusion of the hearing of speakers, Mayor Owen advised that a final decision on this application would be made at the October 20, 1998 Regular Council Meeting as Unfinished Business.

Staff were requested to provide background information on any previous movie theatre proposals for Granville Island.

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. Price,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Bellamy,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Special Council adjourned at 10:35 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver