POLICY REPORT
DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING

Date: March 9, 1999

Author/Local: RWhitlock/7814

RTS No. 00446
CC File No. 2604

Council: 23 March 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Central Area Planning
SUBJECT:	DE403652 for 1286 Cartwright Street (Addition to Arts Umbrella) and Amendments to the Reference Document for Granville Island

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council communicate its support to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for the following amendments to the Reference Document for Granville Island:

(i) increase of the land use allocation for “Institutional” in Table 5 to 17 651.0 m² (189,000 sq. ft.), to recognize existing development of 16 954.0 m² (182,500 sq. ft.) and provide for an addition to the Arts Umbrella of 604.0 m² (6,500 sq. ft.); and

(ii) increase of the following land use categories in Table 5 to recognize existing development:

· “Maritime” to 8 547.0 m² (92,000 sq. ft.);
· “Office” to 4 831.0 m² (52,000 sq. ft.); and
· “Hotel” to 2 601.0 m² (28,000 sq. ft.).

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

On April 18, 1978, City Council adopted the following motion:

“THAT the draft Reference Document for Granville Island, False Creek -Area 9, as amended April 1978, be approved for use by persons involved in the preparation of plans and proposals for the redevelopment of the Island, including the Development Permit Board.”

On October 20, 1998, City Council decided not to amend the Reference Document to provide for a multi-plex movie theatre proposal at 1405 Anderson Street. At that time a second recommendation was not dealt with, to bring the land use allocations up-to-date with existing development under several categories.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to recommend amendments to the Reference Document for Granville Island to accommodate an addition to the Arts Umbrella and to recognize existing development overages on the island.

BACKGROUND

On October 20, 1998, following two evenings of delegations from the public, Council decided not to approve an application to amend the Granville Island Reference Document to increase “Restaurant and Entertainment” and “Retail” uses that would have provided for development of a movie theatre complex.

Other developments, including Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, have been approved through the years without considering the land use category limits outlined in the Reference Document. These developments were, however, thought to be within the spirit of the objectives for the island. When the movie theatre complex proposal raised questions about compatibility with the objectives, it was reviewed against the Reference Document and overages in four other land use categories were then highlighted.

These four land use categories, “Institutional”, “Maritime”, “Office” and “Hotel”, have been exceeded by the amounts as shown in Appendix A. Staff had recommended amending the Reference Document to recognize existing development under these categories, but Council’s decision not to approve the application to increase “Restaurant and Entertainment” and “Retail” uses resulted in amendments to the other categories not being dealt with.

Staff have been advised that CMHC may initiate a series of public open houses in the spring, precursory to review of overall updating of the Reference Document which is now over 20 years old. Council and staff have urged a comprehensive review and indicated a desire to be part of that process. Staff will monitor and report on the process as it becomes clearer.

DISCUSSION

Arts Umbrella Proposal: The proposed addition to the Arts Umbrella at 1286 Cartwright Street is approximately 604 m² (6,500 sq. ft.) for dance and art studio areas. Parking for 32 cars is required for the total development, which means an increase of seven spaces. CMHC will provide for the extra spaces within the existing parking inventory. The rejection of the movie theatre complex leaves a small cushion of available parking and expanded operation of the Arts Umbrella will not generate significant traffic and parking impacts.

Staff believe that the Arts Umbrella, an educational cultural organization for children and youth, is clearly consistent with the objectives for Granville Island, and recommends that the Reference Document be amended to allow for the proposed addition.

Reference Document Changes: Staff recommend that Section 5 of the Reference Document be amended to:

1. acknowledge past “Institutional” overages (mainly related to the Arts Umbrella and Emily Carr), thereby increasing the allowable floor area to 16 954.3 m² (182,500 sq. ft.);

2. provide for an additional 604 m² (6,500 sq. ft.) for the addition to the Arts Umbrella for a total allowable “Institutional” floor area of 17 651.0 m² (189,000 sq. ft.); and

3. reflect the current state of development under “Maritime”, “Office” and “Hotel” as indicated in Appendix A.

CONCLUSION

The Director of Central Area Planning recommends that Council support amending Section 5 of the Reference Document to provide for an addition to the Arts Umbrella and to acknowledge past development overages.

* * * * *

APPENDIX A

REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR GRANVILLE ISLAND
[Section 5.0 Land Use] - Recommended Changes

REFERENCE DOCUMENT LAND USE CATEGORY	REFERENCE DOCUMENT ALLOWABLE* [in Sq. Ft.]	RECOMMENDED CHANGES [in Sq. Ft.]
Industrial	130,000
Arts and Crafts	125,000
Institutional	120,000	182,500 - Current development 6,500 - Proposed addition to _______ Arts Umbrella 189,000 - Total
Maritime	60,000	92,000 - Current development
Community and Recreation	60,000
Market	50,000
Performing Arts	50,000
Restaurant and Entertainment	50,000
Retail	35,000
Office	25,000	52,000 - Current development
Residential	25,000
Hotel	0	28,000 - Current development

* Reference Document provides for plus/minus 10%

increase/decrease within each category.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver