Closure of Portion of Bobolink Ave, E of Nanaimo St

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 14, 2000
Author/Local: A. Di Nozzi/7327
RTS No. 01291
CC File No. 5753

Council: March 7, 2000

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in Consultation with the Director of Social Planning

SUBJECT:

Proposed Closure of a Portion of Bobolink Avenue, East of Nanaimo Street, for the Placement of a City-Owned Portable Building for Use by South Vancouver Family Place

RECOMMENDATION

THAT all that portion of Bobolink Avenue east of Nanaimo Street adjacent to Block 39, Fraserview, Plan 8574, the same as shown heavy outlined on the plan attached hereto as Appendix "A", be closed and stopped-up for the placement of a portable building, subject to the following conditions:

1. The existing City sidewalks contained within the closure area are to remain open to the public;

2. The City to reserve a public utility right-of-way over the entire closed area, any subsequent license to be subject to this right-of-way;

3. The placement of the portable building is to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services, the School Board and the Park Board and be subject to the development permit and building permit processes;

4. The road closure area is to be restored to a condition that is satisfactory to the General Manager of Engineering Services once its use is no longer required;

5. Any agreements are to be to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Legal Services.

COUNCIL POLICY

The authority for closing and disposing of street and lanes is set out in the Vancouver Charter.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authority to close and stop-up a portion of Bobolink Avenue, east of Nanaimo Street (see Appendix "A") for the placement of a City-owned portable building to be used for South Vancouver Family Place.

BACKGROUND

Bobolink Avenue between Nanaimo Street and Muirfield Drive has been closed to traffic for many years. Curb and gutter has been constructed at the intersections of Nanaimo Street and Muirfield Drive with Bobolink Avenue and the boulevards have been developed, closing off Bobolink Avenue. The street pavement and sidewalks have been left in place along the closed portion of Bobolink Avenue.

On July 6, 1993, Council approved the closure of the easterly portion of Bobolink Avenue, shown hatched on Appendix "A", for the placement of a childcare portable. The curb and gutter at the intersection of Bobolink Avenue and Muirfield Drive was removed and a driveway and parking area was built for the use of the operator of the childcare portable (South Vancouver Family Place) which was placed on the easterly portion of Bobolink Avenue.

On September 29, 1999, South Vancouver Family Place notified the General Manager of Engineering Services that their landlord had informed them that he had found another tenant and would not be renewing their lease for their space located at 2295 East 61st Avenue. SVFP requested that Engineering Services consider the placement of another portable on Bobolink Avenue that could accommodate them.

On December, 14, 1999, Council approved a report by the Director of Social Planning allocating funding for the supply and installation of a portable building to be used for South Vancouver Family Place programs. In that report, Social Planning proposed that a second portable building, housing South Vancouver Family Place, be placed on the western portion of Bobolink Avenue (see Appendix "A"). Engineering Services has been asked to review the possibility of placing an additional portable on the road allowance of Bobolink Avenue. We have completed our review and we support the placement of a second portable building on the western portion of Bobolink Avenue. This section of road has been closed to traffic for a considerable period of time and is not needed for traffic circulation in the foreseeable future.

We have been unable to find the Council resolution which provided for the closure of the whole of Bobolink Avenue between Nanaimo Street and Muirfield Drive and therefore, out of an abundance of caution, this report recommends closure of the westerly portion of Bobolink Avenue in the event that the area was not formally closed by Council.

DISCUSSION

The closed portion of road separates Bobolink Park from David Oppenheimer School and has been used as part of the school/park facility. Both the School Board and Board of Parks and Recreation have indicated their support for the placement of a portable at the designated location, subject to a review of the design of the facility to ensure compatibility with their facilities and uses adjacent to this proposed facility.

CONCLUSION

The General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Social Planning, recommends approval of the Recommendation.

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TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services in Consultation with the Director of Social Planning
SUBJECT:	Proposed Closure of a Portion of Bobolink Avenue, East of Nanaimo Street, for the Placement of a City-Owned Portable Building for Use by South Vancouver Family Place