POLICY REPORT
URBAN STRUCTURE
Date: October 27, 1998
Author/Local: A. McAfee 7451/F. Ducote/7795
RTS No. 00169
CC File No. 5559
TO:
Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:
Director of City Plans and General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Directors of Central Area and Community Planning, and the Director of Finance
SUBJECT:
Rapid Transit Work Program - Phase I, East - West Boundary Road to Broadway Drive and Phase II Along Broadway to Western Terminus.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THAT Council approve the Phase I East-West Boundary to Broadway Rapid Transit Work Program and the preliminary work program for Phase II Broadway Corridor to Arbutus, as outlined in Appendix C.
B. THAT when further information is available on Phase II of the East - West Rapid Transit line (Broadway Corridor to Arbutus) staff report back with a detailed work program and public consultation process.
C. THAT Council request that the date for a response from the City to the Rapid Transit Project Office on the City's preferred route, station locations, and mitigation requirements for Phase I be extended from December 1998 to March 1999; and
FURTHER THAT the March date be contingent on the early receipt of ridership and related information from the Rapid Transit Project Office.
D. THAT Council request that the date for a response from the City to the Rapid Transit Project Office on the City's preferred technology, alignment, station locations, and mitigation requirements for Phase II be extended from March 1999 to December 1999; and
FURTHER THAT the December date be contingent on the early receipt of ridership and related information from the Rapid Transit Project Office and completion of the City's study of appropriate technology.
THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE COMPANION OVERVIEW REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES AND RESOURCE NEEDS AND ARE PRESENTED HERE FOR INFORMATION:
· THAT Council approve funding for the Phase I: Boundary Road to VCC; Phase II: VCC to Arbutus; and Phase III Arbutus to UBC, Rapid Transit Study in the amount of $1,343,800; source of funds for the 1998 costs to be Contingency Reserve ($33,000) and for 1999 costs, a reallocation of the Capital from Revenue provision in the 1999 Capital Budget ($1,310,800) as detailed in this report.
· THAT the Rapid Transit Project Office be requested to share in the cost of Engineering Services associated with the planning, design, and implementation of the East-West Rapid Transit Line and the cost of providing planning information to the Rapid Transit Project Office and the Special Commissioner -- SkyTrain Review.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing noting that the time lines established by the Rapid Transit Project Office are simply unworkable given the magnitude of the decision and the proposed dates for construction. Even staff's expectations of responses by March and December 1999 are optimistic and assume early delivery of ridership and cost information from the Project Office; information which to date has not been forthcoming. This information is required for the City to undertake a review of technology options for Rapid Transit along the Broadway section of the line. Without this information Council will be in no position to conclude on whether Commercial Drive or a station further west is the preferred terminus for Phase I.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council has many policies on priorities and principles for rapid transit. Policies with respect to the rapid transit program and staffing were adopted on September 8, 1998:
· that the City will collaborate with the Province on planning for the ART route, alignment, station locations and station area planning, while continuing to resolve issues through the GVTA about cost-sharing and completion of the entire T-line;· that should negotiations between the GVTA and Province prove unsuccessful, Council will re-evaluate its participation in the planning process.
· that the City of Vancouver recommend to the Rapid Transit Project Office and the Province that the time line for planning the Boundary to Glen segment be adjusted to provide for a meaningful public consultation process.
SUMMARY & PURPOSE
Council will be considering a package of reports outlining SkyTrain initiatives including: an Overview Report on Transportation Priorities; Phase I and II Rapid Transit Work Program and Resources Report; Proposed Technology Study; and report on the Special Environment Commission. This report is presents a proposed rapid transit work program and resources. .
On June 24, 1998, the Premier of British Columbia announced a SkyTrain rapid transit system would be constructed along the Broadway-Lougheed and New Westminster-Coquitlam Corridors (the T-Line). In Vancouver, the transit line is proposed to go from Boundary Road, along the BN rail line, through Grandview Cut to Commercial Drive and west through the Broadway corridor. The current understanding of project assumptions are attached as Appendix A.In Vancouver there are potentially three phases to the east-west line:
· Phase I Boundary to Broadway at Commercial/Clark/or Glen Drive;
· Phase II Along Broadway to a terminus possibly as far west as Arbutus; and
· Phase III Arbutus to UBC.The Province wants decisions on the alignment, station locations, and mitigation measures for Phase I to be made by year end. Consultants are to provide recommendations on the Phase II alignment and station locations for an underground "sky"train system by March 1999. The Provincial government is responsible for deciding on the technology, route, station locations, and station design. City Council is asked to provide advice to the Province on these decisions. Council is responsible for land-use planning, public open-space plans and implementation, and transportation and infrastructure services around the stations.
The Province has also set up a Special Commissioner-- SkyTrain Review with a mandate to report on environmental impacts and mitigation requirements by December 1998. A companion report outlines the Commissioner's terms of reference.
The Province is setting tasks and time lines and hiring consultants to respond. The result is swamping existing City staff who are being asked for information by consultants working for the both the Rapid Transit Project Office and the Special Commissioner. Council has requested a City public process. Work is required to respond to City land-use planning, transportation, and infrastructure responsibilities. To date staff have been responding to the rapid transit project using existing resources. As the project grows in complexity it is no longer possible to provide an adequate City response, including input from the public, in a timely way. Recognizing City budget pressures, Council is faced with the choice of continuing to provide a limited response to transit initiatives, redirecting staff from other projects to transit planning, or providing new resources. These choices are outlined in a companion report on Transportation Priorities.
This report outlines work to be done during 1998 to advise the Province Rapid Transit Project Office (RTPO) on Phase 1 route and station locations and identification of mitigation requirements for the Provincial Environmental Assessment. Work to be done in 1999 involves a wide range of technical studies on engineering and planning issues related to line construction, station design and development, and station area planning for Phase 1, Boundary to Broadway. Other work to be done during 1999 involves decisions on the technology, alignment, station locations, and western terminus for rapid transit along Broadway (Phase II). This may also include decisions on a north-south alignment between Richmond and Downtown Vancouver. A public process is proposed to provide opportunities for citizens to assist in identifying issues and developing options for City action.
A dedicated team approach is proposed to do the work identified in this report over a 15-month period. The team would be directed by a senior manager. The team would report to a senior staff Steering Committee on a bi-weekly basis and brief Council regularly. Appendix B indicates the resources required to do the work outlined in Appendix C. Additional work and resources (likely of the magnitude requested for 1999) will be required during 2000 - 2003 to implement changes to the City transportation and infrastructure systems along the route and at stations and to implement station area plans. These will be the subject of future work program and funding reports.
Staff have serious concerns about the proposed program timetable. The Province is requesting the City's response on Phase 1 station and mitigation issues by December 1998 and on Phase II alignment and station locations by March 1999. Such a rushed program will result in issues being overlooked and frustration by the public at the short time lines. Recommendations C and D propose extended time lines. Even these extended time lines arecontingent on timely sharing of ridership, funding, and other information by the Rapid Transit Project Office.
BACKGROUND
A proposed east-west rapid transit line through the Lougheed - Broadway corridor is scheduled to be constructed in three phases, as noted in the summary. The current understanding of provincial assumptions with respect to route, timing, guide way elevation, decision making, funding, and City expectations are outlined in Appendix A. Key assumptions are summarized below.
Route and Technology:
· The corridor for the east-west line within the City of Vancouver will use the BN rail alignment through the Grandview-Boundary industrial area and the Grandview Cut to Broadway. The province has announced this will be SkyTrain technology.
· The rapid transit line is then proposed to proceed west along the Broadway corridor. A consultant is studying options for an underground SkyTrain along this route. However, the City's understanding is that neither the technology nor the western terminus have been finally decided.
Provincial Planning Timetable:
· December 1998: Confirm route and station locations from Boundary to a temporary terminus at Broadway and Commercial/Clark/or Glen Drive (VCC) (Phase I).
· December 1998: Identify environmental issues and recommendations for mitigation for Phases 1 and II.
· Mid 1999: Confirm route and station locations for Phase II along Broadway.
· December 1999: Complete Station Design Boundary to Broadway (Phase I).
· 2001 Complete construction Boundary to Broadway (Phase I).
· 2003 Complete construction along Broadway to western terminus (Phase II).
· No announcements have been made on the Phase III schedule to UBC.Decision Making:
· The Provincial government is responsible for deciding on the technology, route, station locations, and station design.
· City Council is asked to provide advice to the Province. Council is responsible for land-use planning, public open-space plans and implementation, and transportation and infrastructure services to and around the stations.Council has considered several reports on the rapid transit proposal. On September 8, 1998, staff were asked to report back on further details on the public process, technical studies, and costs to undertake the City's role in planning for the land-use, transportation and infrastructure requirements associated with the Phase 1 SkyTrain proposal. This report provides information on a work program and resources for both Phases I (Boundary to Broadway) and Phase II (Broadway to western terminus)..
CITY WORK TO RESPOND TO PHASE I OF THE SKYTRAIN PROPOSAL
Work to be done during 1998 will focus on advice to the Province. Work to be done in 1999 will involve a wide range of technical studies on engineering and planning issues related to line construction, station design and development, and station area planning. A list of anticipated products and timing is attached as Appendix C.
1998 Work Program:
Two provincial agencies are seeking input from the City during 1998:
· The provincially appointed Rapid Transit Project Office has asked the City to assist with identifying route and station locations. Tasks include:
· Reviewing and recommending revisions to project evaluation criteria; and
· Providing advice on alignment and station locations. This will include reviewing the location for a temporary terminus at Commercial, Glen, or Clark.Some of the work will involve reviewing Rapid Transit Project Office consultant designs for system alignment and stations and, if necessary, preparing alternative designs for consideration by the Province.
· The Province has appointed a Special Commissioner to do an assessment of environmental issues related to the construction and operation of the new SkyTrain. An interim report from the Special Commissioner is scheduled to be completed by December 1998. The Special Commissioner will continue to provide follow-up and monitoring through the design phase of the project. The Environmental Assessment Office has asked the City to identify environmental impacts and recommend actions to prevent or mitigate environmental impacts. This request is the subject of another report.
1999 City Work Program -- Phase I Boundary to Broadway
The City needs to undertake two interrelated types of work -- the planning and provision of engineering services along the line and at stations and land-use planning in the station areas. Transportation and utility studies will focus on analysis of transit ridership, transit interface between SkyTrain and the City bus system, street design and operation, traffic management around the stations, utility issues, and construction. Land-use and servicing studies will include a variety of urban design, built form, social service, mitigation, and safety actions.
Phase 1 City studies will focus work in four areas -- Grandview-Boundary Industrial Area, Grandview Cut, Commercial Drive, and Glen Drive/VCC. There are potentially four to six stations in the Boundary to Glen Drive section. Each station will require the preparation of a Station Area Plan for transportation and land-use. Appendix C illustrates the topics to be covered in a Station Area Plan. For each Station Area staff will review existing policies (e.g. Kensington-Cedar Cottage Community Vision) and work with neighbouring residents to prepare advice for the Province on the proposed alignment, station locations, mitigation, and station design. Each Station Area will also require the preparation of a plan for Council action with respect to land-use, city services, transportation connections, infrastructure, and development cost charges.
Given the project timetable, it is not feasible for the City to prepare comprehensive plans for each station area before providing advice to the Rapid Transit Project. Rather, Council will receive ongoing reports on a variety of issues. Council's decisions will be assembled into Policy Broadsheets to record decisions and subsequently guide station area capital and service plans, redevelopment, and (as required) rezoning.
The various alignment and station location options present different issues. Appendix C summarizes example issues and opportunities by sub-area. This is a preliminary list. New items will emerge as the project proceeds.
Grandview-Boundary Industrial Area
Work is already underway on a number of land use and transportation issues in this area. The rapid transit project provides an opportunity to respond in a comprehensive way to all these issues. Example tasks include:
· Prepare a Plan for the Grandview-Boundary Industry Area which coordinates SkyTrain Station Area Plans, proposals for new I-3 High Technology District Schedule, and proposals for a new Highway-Oriented Retail zone along Grandview Highway.
· Prepare Station Area Plans for Renfrew and Rupert Stations.
· Work with the City of Burnaby to assess the need for a station at Boundary Road. If needed, prepare a Station Area Plan for a Boundary Station.
· Prepare a Transportation Plan for the Grandview-Boundary Area to: coordinate transit and road services to the new stations; facilitate the creation of a new high technology area by redesigning road and utility services in the area; respond to other issues in the area such as the proposed HOV lanes servicing Highway 1; and respond to requests from Transport Canada for grade separation requirements at key rail road-rail crossings through the Grandview-Boundary area.
Grandview Cut
City policy for the Grandview Cut is to provide a multi-mode (but excluding vehicle traffic) transportation corridor. Implementation of the Central Valley Trail (Parkway Greenway) is city policy. The opportunity also may present itself for a sewer separation program and creek day lighting.
· Review requirements for a station at Nanaimo Street and, if required, prepare a Station Area Plan.
· Develop options for servicing multiple transportation modes through the Cut (e.g. trains, greenway, rapid transit) and negotiate a rapid transit alignment through the Cut while being mindful of environmental issues.
Commercial Drive Station Area
The recently approved Kensington - Cedar Cottage Community Vision includes directions for the Broadway Station Area. The goal in this station area is to make the Broadway and Commercial Drive area a "pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood centre and transit hub". The rapid transit project provides an opportunity to implement some aspects of the Community Vision.
· Review Rapid Transit Project Office plans for the existing SkyTrain and new SkyTrain interchange.
· Prepare urban design, social service, and transportation plans to rectify problems at the existing Commercial Drive SkyTrain station and integrate the new SkyTrain interchange.
· Explore opportunities for merchants and property owners in the station shopping areas to improve business and neighbourhood vitality through the creation of a Business Improvement Area.
VCC Station Area and Temporary Western Terminus
The location of the temporary western terminus needs to be decided. In the Clark/Glen Drive -Vancouver Community College area on Broadway, staff foresee no major land-use shifts. In the nearby False Creek Flats, a separate land use and zoning study is currently underway which may lead to a new high technology urban industrial park on the southern edge of the flats.
· Review the options and consequences for the location of the temporary western terminus between sites at Commercial, Clark, or Glen Drive.
· Develop a transportation interface plan for the temporary western terminus to manage the transfer of riders between SkyTrain and City bus services.
While much of the work focuses on engineering and planning issues, most civic departments will be involved in planning and delivering services and reviewing provincial proposals. For example, as the project moves to design and construction stages, Police and Fire Departments will be involved in safety audits, Permits and Licenses will review drawings, and Law will be required to provide legal agreements with respect to street use.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PHASE I
All tasks will provide opportunities for citizens to assist in identifying issues and developing options for City action. Rapid transit studies will proceed from general to specific, with the level of influence accorded to the City and the public increasing with each subsequent phase. Within this context, on September 8, 1998, City Council approved a three step public consultation process for Phase I Boundary to Broadway to be undertaken in collaboration with the Rapid Transit Project Office.
· Step 1 Community Information about project "givens" (technology, corridor, phasing) from September through October 1998.
· Step 2 Community Advisory to elicit public input on route options, station locations, possible station amenities, and mitigation measures from October 1998 to December 1998 (Provincial time line).
· Step 3 Community Joint Planning to seek community preferences about preferred station fit in each neighbourhood, mitigation measures, and policy directions for land-use planning in the broader station area during 1999.
Public Involvement Activities to date
A first workshop in the Commercial Drive area, arranged by residents, took place on August 22. The event was hosted by the Cedar Cottage Coalition, which is composed of representatives of the Broadway Station Crime Prevention Office, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, Trout Lake Community Centre, and Grandview Community Centre Association. The Rapid Transit Project Office funded the event, which included an independent facilitator and was attended by both City Planning and Engineering staff and consultants to the project.
The Rapid Transit Project Office and the City co-hosted an Open House on September 28 to:
· provide information about the RT technology, preliminary route and station locations and implementation schedule, as well as draft evaluation criteria; and
· engage the public about RT issues and opportunities that may affect their neighbourhood, and invite those interested to participate in community workshops.
The Open House was well attended by staff, consultants, and government officials seeking an overview of the proposed SkyTrain program. About 160 citizens signed up to receive further information. This is not a lot of people relative to the number likely to be affected by the proposal. City and Rapid Transit staff are seeking ways to directly involve institutions (e.g. Vancouver Technical School, Vancouver City College) and neighbourhood groups.
On September 30 and October 1, the VCPC hosted speakers and a panel discussion on transit issues.
On October 24, 1998, the City and Rapid Transit Project Office co-hosted a workshop on the Commercial Drive- Grandview Cut areas. Over 95 people attended all or part of the Open House and Workshop.
Proposed Public Involvement Activities Phase I -- Boundary to Broadway 1998 - 1999Appendix C provides an outline of the proposed Phase I public involvement process. During 1998 the program includes more City-Rapid Transit sponsored workshops in each study area to seek ideas about the route and station locations and identify environmental issues and mitigation criteria.
If sufficient time is available in early 1999 activities will include:
· Report on draft City preferences for route, station locations, and mitigation criteria circulated for public input; and
· Council meeting to hear delegations on City preferences with respect to route, station location, and mitigation measures to be sent to the Province.
During 1999-2000 the City public process will focus on planning for station areas. Example activities include:
· Open Houses and Newsletters to invite and involve residents and businesses near each station.
· Creation of Station Area Advisory Committees to assist the City in developing and implementing an appropriate public process tailored to each station area.
· Station Area workshops to share issues and ideas for land-use, urban design, and traffic mitigation;
· Public review of four to six draft Station Area Plans through workshops and survey; and
· Opportunities for delegations to Council on Station Area proposals.Further details on the City public process activities and budget are attached as Appendix B and C.
1998-99 CITY WORK PROGRAM PHASE II -- BROADWAY CORRIDOR
The Rapid Transit Project Office has hired a consultant to advise on the alignment, station locations, and western terminus for a line from Glen Drive possibly as far west as Arbutus. The consultant's terms of reference are for an underground route using SkyTrain technology. However, staff's understanding is that the technology has not been fully decided. A companion report outlines the terms of reference for a review of technology.
Phase II will be more difficult to plan than Phase I since the line will go through the developed area of Central Broadway. Urban design and coordination with north-south transportation movements will need careful consideration. The urban design andtransportation issues will vary depending upon the technology and whether the line is at, above, or below grade. Also, if Phase II does not go as far as Arbutus (which would leave a number of options for connections to a north-south rapid transit line) decisions will need to be made on the route and station interchange for a future Richmond-Vancouver rapid transit line.
The Rapid Transit Project Office consultants have asked the City for a considerable amount of information on development capacity, potential ridership, and utility-transportation infrastructure issues along the Phase II part of the line. Some funds are proposed in this report to start City work on Phase II. Staff will report back on a public program for Phase II when more details are available (Recommendation B). Likely the public process will have many similar elements to Phase I. Some preliminary costs have been outlined in Appendix B. These do not include the cost of major urban design studies which may be required to fit a rapid transit line into Central Broadway nor the costs of a review and public process for the location of a north-south line. The funds identified for Phase II work provide the flexibility to start staff studies and public input as the Phase II program unfolds.
The Province has announced that at some future date a rapid transit extension to UBC (east-west Rapid transit line Phase III) will be considered. If so, this will need to be considered when the "temporary" western terminus of Phase II is addressed. On April 28, 1998, Council approved $15,000 towards a consultant study of the feasibility of a rapid transit extension to UBC. The funding is contingent on participation by UBC and BC Transit. This work will be consolidated into the broader RT study and managed by the proposed City Rapid Transit Project Manager.
PROJECT TIME LINES
Staff have serious concerns with the timing for City responses to the Phase I and II programs. The Province has requested the City's response on Phase I route and station locations by December 1998. The Province is also seeking City input on Environmental issues and recommendations for preventing and mitigating environmental impacts by November, for a December report by the Commissioner. A December time line means limited opportunity to advise on key mitigation requirements prior to the province deciding on the route and station locations.
The consultant for Phase II is to report by March 31, 1999. From the City's perspective this is an overly short time line given the magnitude of the decision. There are significant issues to be addressed and we will want to seek public input. Recommendation D proposes a longer time for planning and public input.
City Council's last meeting for 1998 is the week of December 7. This only gives several weeks to do technical studies, receive public input, and prepare a Council report. Work being done by City staff is complicated by the fact that the Rapid Transit Project Office has, at time of writing, not provided any information on ridership estimates.
Such a rushed program will result in issues being overlooked and frustration by the public at the short time lines. To provide time to gather and assess ideas and prepare a draft reports for public input, staff recommend extensions to the deadlines (Recommendations C and D.
PROGRAM BUDGET
Appendix B indicates the positions and resources required for work anticipated to be done during 1998 and 1999, as outlined in Appendix C. Some Engineering and Planning staff are available through assignment from other work. Funds are requested from the Project Office to do a variety of tasks including utilities work. Estimated costs for additional staff to do the 15- month program (1998 - 1999) are summarized as follows:
RAPID TRANSIT PROGRAM 1998-1999
NEW FUNDS OTHER ---CITY $----- RESOURCES
Staffing:
· Program Management & Support
· Engineering
· Utilities Engineering
· Planning
· ConsultantsOffice Space & Equipment
180,000
190,200 135,000
117,200(RTPO)
230,000 198,000
80,000 15,000184,600
Public Program Expenses:
· 1998 Phase 1 Public Program
· 1999 Grandview-Boundary Program
· Cut-Commercial-VCC Program
· Glen-Western Terminus Program
33,000
123,000
93,000
230,000TOTAL
$1,343,800 $465,200
(RTPO request from Project Office)Additional work will be required during 2000 - 2003 to implement changes to the city transportation and infrastructure systems along the route and at stations and to implement station area plans and rezoning. City staff will be required to review construction plans and draft legal agreements. Work to be done during 2000-2003 will likely require similar resources to the 1999 commitment. Further resource requirements will be reported as the program evolves.
There is no immediate source of funds to cover the costs of City work on the SkyTrain project. Recommendation D proposes that the City seek some reimbursement of funds from the SkyTrain project. This follows up on a protocol agreement when the project was for LRT which agreed the project office would reimburse the City for engineering services for project planning and implementation.
CONCLUSION
Several initiatives are underway for planning the route, station locations, and mitigation measures for a new east-west rapid transit system. The new line needs to work for Vancouver and fit into the neighbourhoods through which it passes. Council has directed proceeding with a collaborative consultation process with the Province for Rapid Transit implementation, though with significant caveats about cost-sharing and completion of the entire T-line.
To date staff have been responding to the rapid transit project using existing resources. As the project grows in complexity (for example with the addition of an Environmental Review and deadlines in mid 1999 for decisions on the route, technology, and station locations for Phase II) it is no longer possible to provide an adequate City response, including input from the public, in a timely way.
This report proposes a program of work the City needs to undertake to respond, during 1998-1999, to the Rapid Transit proposal. The report also outlines a public process and identifies the resources necessary to do this work. A companion report provides a broader perspective on other transportation projects, resources, and priorities.Council should see this as an evolving proposal. Since the Provincial Government is directing this work on a short time line, changes (such as that experienced earlier this year from LRT to SkyTrain) can be expected. For example, failure of the Province and GVTA to agree on rapid transit a funding formula may result in significant changes to the project. If the project is changed or cancelled during the next year, staff will report on options for redirecting staff to other work (as outlined in the companion Transportation Priorities Report) which is being delayed to respond to SkyTrain.
APPENDIX A
Page 1 of 4CURRENT RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS
CITY'S UNDERSTANDING OF PROVINCIAL DECISIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS
Alignment
· The corridor for the east-west line within the City of Vancouver will use the BN rail alignment through the Grandview-Boundary industrial area and the Grandview Cut to Broadway and then west through the Broadway corridor to a "western terminus".
System Timing:
· East-West Phase I in Vancouver is Boundary to Commercial Drive or Vancouver City College (Glen Drive) to be completed by 2001.
· East-West Phase II in Vancouver is VCC to a "western terminus" (which will relate to a north/south link) to be completed by 2003.
· East-West Phase III, an extension to UBC, may be considered at some time in the future.
· A north/south connection is proposed between Richmond/Airport and Vancouver (no route or completion date identified).Technology and Guideway Elevation:
· The guideway will be elevated between Boundary and Renfrew or Slocan.
· In the Cut, the guideway will be below the surrounding area but will remain elevated relative to do the base of the Cut.
· The system will switch from a "Sky" Train to a "Sub" Train by entering a tunnel under Broadway near Commercial Drive and to a temporary terminus at Commercial, Clark, or Glen Drive.Project Office Planning Timetable:
· December 1998: Confirm route and station locations Phase I
· Mid 1999: Confirm route and station locations Phase II.
· December 1999: Complete Station Design Phase I.APPENDIX A
Page 2 of 4Environmental Impact Assessment Timetable:
· The Province has appointed a Special Commissioner to do an assessment of environmental issues related to the construction and operation of the new SkyTrain. An interim report is scheduled to be completed by December 1998. The special commissioner will continue to provide follow-up and monitoring throughout the design phase of the project.
Decision Making:
· The Provincial government is responsible for deciding on the technology, route, station locations, and station design.
· City Council is responsible for land-use planning, public open-space plans and implementation, and transportation and infrastructure services around the stations.Funding:
· The initial proposal was for the Provincial government to pay 60 percent of construction costs and the GVTA 40 percent. This is being reviewed due to increased project costs.
While agreeing to participate in SkyTrain planning, City Council has expressed a number of concerns. The City's current position follows.
City Policy Expectations
· In Vancouver the new rapid transit system will primarily "serve" existing city land-uses, although there may be some opportunities to "shape" land use in the proposed high technology Grandview-Boundary Industrial Area.
· Development and Rezoning applications along the corridor will be monitored. Applicants will be advised of the RT project. Significant opportunities and issues will be reported to Council.
· Since the SkyTrain will run through established areas and connect with existing transit services, the new system should enhance existing areas/services. Negative impacts on neighbourhoods must be mitigated.APPENDIX A
Page 3 of 4City Participation
· The City will collaborate with the Province in planning for the RT route, alignment, station locations, station design, and station area planning while continuing to resolve cost-sharing issues through the GVTA.
· The City will hold its own public process which, while undertaken in collaboration with the Provincial Rapid Transit Project, will have a distinct City presence.
· If cost-sharing negotiations between the GVTA and Province are not resolved to the City's satisfaction, Council will re-evaluate its participation in the planning process.
City Role:
· The City's role will be to provide advice to the Province on route, station location, station design, and mitigation.
· City Council is responsible for decisions with respect to land-use planning adjacent to stations and transportation services connecting stations with the bus and road systems .
· Council has the authority to undertake capital improvements in the station areas. However, Council has noted the need to communicate to the Province and the public that expectations of amenities -- such as parks, open-space, community facilities --that are seen as either intrinsic to the Rapid Transit implementation or as a negotiated tradeoff for public acceptance, should be the responsibility of the Rapid Transit Project and not necessarily bind the City for incurred costs.
Timing:
· Council has expressed concerns about the Provincial timetable for planning rapid transit and has requested sufficient time for meaningful public participation.
APPENDIX A
Page 4 of 4M A P
APPENDIX B
Page 1 of 4PROPOSED RAPID TRANSIT PROGRAM BUDGET 1998-1999
PHASE 1 AND START PHASE 2
EXISTING
RESOURCES NEW CITY
REASSIGNED RESOURCES
Staffing*
Program Management (1) 95,000
Program Support (2) 85,000
Professional Staff -- Engineering (3) 135,000** 140,200
-- Utilities (1) 67,200***
Technical Support -- Engineering(1) 50,000
-- Utilities (1) 50,000***
Professional Staff -- Planning (3) 198,000** 73,000
Technical Support -- Planning (3) 157,000Consultant Funds -- to be allocated 80,000
Consultant Study UBC Extension(City share) 15,000
Public Program
Phase 1 1998 33,000
Phase 1 1999 216,000
Phase 2 1999 230,000
Office Space and Equipment 184,600
TOTAL $465,200 $1,343,800
* Staff costs include 17.6% benefits
** Staff assigned for 15 months (other staff 12 months)
*** Staff resources will not be provided unless cost recovered from Project Office.
**** Resources are for 1999 Program. Similar annual costs can be expected for 2000 -2003. Requests for subsequent years will be the subject of future reports.APPENDIX B
Page 2 of 4PROPOSED RAPID TRANSIT PROGRAM BUDGET 1998-1999
PHASE 1 AND START PHASE 2
NEW RESOURCES
PROJECT/ PUBLIC PROCESS MANAGER 95,000
1 Graphics Assistant -- 12 months 50,000
1 Team Clerical/Public Process Support -- 12 months 35,000PROJECT ENGINEERING STUDIES:
1 Existing Senior Engineer -- Full time 15 months ($135,000)
1 Engineer CE I - Utilities -- 12 months ($67,200 RTPO request)
1 Engineering Assistant III - Utilities -- 12 months (50,000 ")- Consultant Funds -- studies as required 40,000
PROJECT PLANNING STUDIES
1 Existing Urban Designer -- Full time 15 months ($125,000)
1 Planning Analyst (Research)-- 12 months 57,000
½ Planning Assistant III-- 12 months 25,000- Consultant funds -- Planning-Urban Design-- Studies as required 40,000
1998 PUBLIC PROGRAM
1998 Public Program -- route, station locations, mitigation
Newsletter 10,000
Workshops facility rental, facilitator,
materials, ads, overtime) 7,000
Public Meetings (2) 2,000
Display Materials 14,000
33,000
Existing staff 15 months - October 1998 through December 1999
New staff 12 months - January 1999 - December 1999 with likely request for extension.APPENDIX B
Page 3 of 41999 STATION AREA PLANNING -- PHASE 1
1 Engineer CE II -- 12 months 73,000
½ Engineering Assistant III -- 12 months 25,000Grandview-Boundary Land Use Plan - Including Station Area Plans at
Rupert, Renfrew (Boundary?), I-3 High Tech Zoning, Highway Retail
1 Existing Planner II -- Full time 12 months ($73,000)
1 Planning Assistant III-- Full time 12 months 50,000
Public Program
Grandview-Boundary Stations
Advertisements 8,000
Workshops (inc. overtime) 35,000
Newsletters 30,000
Surveys 35,000
Reports, Plans Print/distribute 15,000123,000
Grandview Cut- Commercial Drive - VCC Land Use Plans
Including Station Area Plans for VCC, and Nanaimo? , Urban redesign
Commercial Drive Station Area, Cut and Still Creek Greenway PlansPublic Program
Advertisements 8,000
Workshops (inc. overtime, temp staff) 35,000
Newsletters 20,000
Surveys 20,000
Reports, Plans Print/distribute 10,000
93,000
APPENDIX B
Page 4 of 4PROJECT PLANNING PHASE 2 -- 1999 -- Broadway (VCC West) Planning Team
Including work on route (land use implications), station locations, urban design issues Central Broadway and Western Terminus, land use connections to UBC and Richmond North-South line
1 Planner II -- 12 months 73,000
½ Planning Assistant III -- 12 months 25,000
1 Engineer CE 1 -- 12 months 67,200
½ Engineering Assistant III -- 12 months 25,000
Glen Drive - Western Terminus Public Process
Advisements 15,000
Newsletters 80,000
Workshops 40,000
Surveys 70,000
Reports/Plans Print and Distribute 25,000 230,000
Consultant Study Arbutus - UBC Rapid Transit Options
Funding Approved by Council April 28, 1998 ( $15,000)
Contributions requested from BC Transit & UBC $30,000PROJECT OFFICE SPACE & EQUIPMENT 1999
(Assume 15 people located outside City Hall)
Space Rental 15 x 200sf x $2 x 12 months 72,000
Supplies 15 x 25 x 12 4,500
Computers& IS Support 15 x 230 x 12 41,400
Printer 3,000
Software licenses 14x300 + 1,800 6,000
Computer ISDN Access Line 2,400
Office Setups 15 x 50 x 12 9,000
Phones/voice mail/install 15 x 97 x 12 17,500
Fax 1,500
Copier 1 x 150 x 12 1,800
Moving 15 x 500 7,500
Security 250 x 12 3,000
Other support (auto allowance, temp help.) 5,000
Contingency 10,000 184,600
ELEMENTS OF A STATION AREA PLAN APPENDIX C, Page 3 of 10
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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver