ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: November 28, 1995 Dept. File No. 561 111 (5005) TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Central Area Planning SUBJECT: Burrard Street End Design (Marathon's Burrard Landing Development) RECOMMENDATION A. THAT Council approve the conceptual design for the Burrard Street End, as shown in Appendix A. B. THAT Council approve the return of the additional dedicated area, shown in Appendix B, to the developer at no land cost once the portion of the Port Land necessary for the Burrard Street End is acquired. COUNCIL POLICY At the public hearing for the Burrard Landing rezoning on September 15, 1994, Council approved: "THAT prior to zoning enactment, a revised design acceptable to the City Engineer and Director of Planning be prepared for the Burrard Street End and reported to Council, to achieve a strong visual and functional terminus to Burrard Street and to provide an appropriate public realm treatment for the portion of Burrard Place extending to the hotel". BACKGROUND The Burrard Street design initially proposed by the developer did not appropriately terminate Burrard Street or reflect its importance as a ceremonial street. Accordingly, staff recommended that alternative designs be investigated and reported back to Council. This was reflected in a zoning condition calling for a revised concept, integrating Burrard Street End with the public realm treatment for the portion of Burrard Place adjacent to the proposed hotel. Marathon will be responsible for, at their own cost, the detailed design and the construction of the Burrard Street End under the Burrard Landing Services Agreement. DISCUSSION In response to the zoning condition, a conceptual design for the Burrard Street End, shown in Appendix A, was prepared by the developer's design group in consultation with City staff. The design achieves the intent of a strong visual and functional terminus to Burrard Street by creating a wye intersection at Burrard Street, Burrard Place and Canada Place, instead of the previous design with Burrard Street curving into Burrard Landing, and by creating a distinct "place" for pedestrians to gather and view the harbour. The design also provides a location for a major public art focal point and has an appropriate public realm treatment for the sidewalk extending to the hotel. The plaza area at the terminus of Burrard Street incorporates the same surface materials as the Phase 1A shoreline walkway treatment, consisting of granite, charcoal and grey concrete pavers and concrete banding. However, the benches and lighting are distinct to the plaza. At either side of the plaza, the sidewalk widens to draw pedestrians into the plaza area. The widened sidewalk treatment reflects the sidewalk treatment in Burrard Landing, using scored concrete and the shoreline walkway lighting. The railing around the plaza and beside the sidewalks and the facia treatment are the same as the approved shoreline design railing. This design requires a small portion of the Port Lands to be dedicated to the City as road. Marathon will be obligated to acquire this portion of land for street through the Burrard Landing Services Agreement. If the developer is unable to acquire this land prior to constructing the Burrard Place viaduct, an alternate design has been provided. Additional land required to accommodate an alternate Burrard Street End design, as shown in Appendix B, must be dedicated at this time as part of the subdivision to ensure that the site is adequately serviced. The additional dedicated area will be returned to the developer at no cost for the land after the portion of the Port Land required for the recommended Burrard Street End design is provided to the City. CONCLUSION Staff recommend that Council approve the conceptual Burrard Street End design, as shown in Appendix A, to provide an appropriate terminus to Burrard Street and that the additional dedicated land be returned to the developer after the portion of the Port Land is provided to the City. * * * * *