REPORT TO COUNCIL

COMMUNITY/INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR THE REZONING, PERMITTING AND INSPECTION PROCESS

May 12, 2000

INFORMATION

File: 3151/RTS: 01487

· Fourth Report to Council

Mission Statement: The mission of the Community/Industry Advisory Committee is to encourage, advise and assist in the implementation of Vancouver's new development and building process.
(See Appendix A for a list of the Committee members)

SUMMARY

This report covers the period from October 1999 to March 2000. During this period, the Community/Industry Advisory Committee (CIAC) held 10 meetings primarily focused on the Implementation progress of the five priorities identified by the task force review and indicated on the last Council report (Nov. 2, 1999 Council Agenda). In addition, CIAC heard a proposal for Area Generalist and a presentation on VanMap.

Charlie Richmond, a Community representative, resigned as a member of CIAC on December 3, 1999 meeting.

IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIES

1. INQUIRY CENTRE

Issues for operating the Inquiry Centre were identified by Staff. The issues include the type of telephone technology, resources for operation, staff requirements, pay classifications and training, physical space needs, customer expectations and operating procedures. It was decided to trial test the Phone Centre prior to full implementation. The phone centre mock-up was successful in improving customer service levels and in lowering the call abandonment rate during its two-week operation in February, 2000.

CIAC strongly supports the creation of the Inquiry Centre, but is concerned with the delay in its implementation, now scheduled for September, 2000.

2. DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE COORDINATED AND FACILITATED STREAMS

Staff formed a Process Implementation Team (PIT) which involved groups in the permitting functions. Meetings were held to discuss each of their responsibilities and roles. Then the team worked to define and streamline the detailed procedures for the new permitting process. At the February 18, CIAC meeting, a draft of the Process Guide was presented to the Committee.

CIAC found that the Process Guide would be very useful in assisting staff to understand how the new permitting process will work.

We recommend that the guide be made available for purchase by the general public and be kept up-to-date.

3. STAFF ROLES

Five Classification Specifications for Project Co-Ordinators I, II, and III, Project Scopers and Project Facilitators were approved by the GVRD. Also job competitions for Project Scopers and Facilitators were posted and closed. Three Project Facilitators and two Project Scopers were hired in March.

CIAC is concerned that the number of positions created and filled is not sufficient for the current enquiry and application volumes. This situation will likely get worse with the pick up in development and construction activity.

We recommend that a contingency plan be developed to address staff resources needed to handle increases in permit application in the future.

4. SPACE

Three alternatives for the reconfiguration of the space in the East Wing were proposed and are being redefined.

CIAC feels that the existing office space is inadequate to meet even the current demands, and is particularly deficient in providing meeting spaces required by the new process.

5. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

CIAC was told that the Organization Chart which was distributed in July 1999, andwhich created many debates within CIAC has been withdrawn. Except for some minor organizational changes for the Building Inspector and BCRB, no further progress was heard on this.

CIAC feels that a new organization chart is required in order to clarify staff positions.

OTHER ISSUES

Area Generalist and Sectoring

Staff Proposed a pilot project in which two areas in the City, the Downtown South and Dunbar/Point Grey area, would be assigned an Area Generalist to determine resource requirements and its role in the new permitting process. CIAC is in favor of the proposal. A subcommittee of CIAC met with Staff to discuss issues and concerns.

CIAC is concerned with the lack of progress in setting up the Area Generalist and Sectoring Programs.

Dimas Craveiro, Chair Joyce Catliff, Co-Chair
Communist/Industry Advisory Committee Community/Industry Advisory Committee

APPENDIX A

COMMUNITY/INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Community Representatives

R.J. (Bob) Brewster

Joyce Catliff

Angie Lee

Sophia Lum

Sean McEwen

Industry Representatives

Dimas Craveiro
Certified Professional Committee

Bob Heaslip
Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association

Brian Palmquist
Urban Development Institute

Tom Staniskis
Architectural Institute of BC

Dana Taylor
Mechanical Contractors Association of BC

Catherine Youngren
Interior Designers Institute of BC

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver