Planning & Environment Cttee Minutes

CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT
NOVEMBER 6, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, November 6, 1997 at 4:40 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Clarke in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Planning & Environment
November 6, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Update on Slot Machine Infraction
Cl.2: CD-1 Rezoning - 1638 West 41st
Cl.3: Implementation of First Phase Public Realm Improvements
in Oakridge/Langara - Improvements to Tisdall Park and Oak Park
Cl.4: Implementation of High-Priority Public Realm Amenities in Oakridge/Langara
- Walking and Traffic Calming Improvements
Cl.5: Award of Contract - Building Demolition (Old Canron Site)
Cl.6: Discussion Item - Lions Gate Project
Clauses 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6
MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CD-1 Rezoning - 1638 West 41st
(Clause 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT
NOVEMBER 6, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning & Environment was held on Thursday, November 6, 1997, at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Mayor Philip Owen (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Nancy Largent
Vary Order of Agenda
The Committee agreed to vary the order of agenda to permit the General Manager of Community Services to give a verbal report first.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Update on Slot Machine Infraction File: 2633-2
Ted Droettboom, General Manager of Community Services, advised that the Gateway Casino is now operating slot machines, in contravention of the Zoning and Development By-law. The City will be going to Court seeking an order for the Gateway Casino to cease using the slot machines.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the strategy outlined by the General Manager of Community Services
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. CD-1 Rezoning - 1638 West 41st File: 5304
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated October 17, 1997 (on file), in which the Director of Central Area Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development, in consultation with the Manager of the Housing Centre, reported on an application to rezone 1638 West 41st Avenue from RS-3 to RS-2 to develop townhouse units. The Director of Central Area Planning and the General Manager of Community Services recommended the application be refused because it conflicts with the Kerrisdale RS Districts Rezoning Policy, the CityPlan Neighbourhood Visioning Rezoning Policy and the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program.
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Tom Phipps, Planner, reviewed the report and rationale for recommending refusal of the application, with particular reference to the objectives of the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program. Mr. Phipps indicated that staff do not believe this application demonstrates a sufficient combination of innovative form, community support and affordability to be considered under the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program. Consideration of this application would set an undesirable precedent.
Richard Balfour, applicant (submission on file), expressed concern that the effective moratorium of five years is too long to serve the housing needs of the Kerrisdale community. Mr. Balfour felt the application did merit consideration under the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program. Affordability is a relative question given the economics of an area; the proposed units would be significantly more affordable than what is generally available in this community. The proposed project is innovative; no one else is building this type of housing in Vancouver. It would provide for universal accessibility and ageing in place. As regards community support, there have been a number of enquiries from people interested in living there. Mr. Balfour noted that the request at this time is not to approve the project, but only to allow it to proceed to Public Hearing.
The point was raised that many elderly people wish to remain in their neighbourhoods, but are no longer willing or able to maintain single-family homes, and this type of housing would benefit them. However, the majority of Committee members felt it was a question of adhering to City policies which should be maintained while the visioning process is underway. An application of this type could be made on any site, anywhere in this neighbourhood, at any time, and could open the door to many other projects which do not clearly meet the objectives of the Neighbourhood Housing Demonstration Program.
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the application by R. Balfour, Architect, to rezone 1638 W 41st Avenue (Lots C and D ; Block 14; D.L. 526; LMP 9674) from RS-3 to RS-2, to permit 8 townhouse units, be REFUSED.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
3. Implementation of First Phase Public Realm Improvements
In Oakridge/Langara - Improvements to Tisdall Park and Oak Park File: 8017
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997 (on file), in which the Director of Community Planning, in consultation with the General Managers of Parks and Recreation and Engineering Services, Directors of Finance and Legal Services, and Manager of the Housing Centre, sought Council's approval to proceed with improvements to Tisdall and Oak Parks. The recommendations of the General Manager of Community Services and the Director of Community Planning are reflected in the recommendations of this report.
Frank Ducote, Planner, reviewed the proposed improvements to Oak and Tisdall Parks, noting these reflect values expressed by the community during the Oakridge /Langara public planning process. The improvements will not affect existing sports uses, but will add passive uses. Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) will be used as bridging funding until Development Cost Levies (DCLs), which will provide adequate funding to cover the costs, have been collected.
cont'd
Clause No. 3 (cont'd)
Ken Dobell, City Manager, clarified that the funding will be a loan from the CACs to be repaid by the DCLs.
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Director of Finance be authorized to proceed with arrangements to fund the three projects and services described in (I) to (iii) below. The source of funding to be $20,000 in Development Cost Levies (DCLs) from the Oakridge/Langara DCL area, with $315,000 in the interim to be provided by Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) from the Oakridge/Langara planning area, and reimbursed by DCLs as they are collected, allocated as follows:
(I)THAT $180,000 including GST be allocated to implement improvements to Tisdall Park according to the plan shown as Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997;
(ii)THAT $15,000 including GST and disbursements be approved to retain a qualified landscape architectural firm to undertake design development and prepare contract documents for proposed improvements to Oak Park, in accordance with the Terms of Reference included as Appendix C of the Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997;
(iii)THAT $140,000 including GST be allocated to construct upgrades to Oak Park.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.Implementation of High-Priority Public Realm Amenities in Oakridge/Langara
- Walking and Traffic Calming Improvements File: 8017
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997 (on file), in which the Director of Community Planning, in consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services, Directors of Finance and Legal Services, and Manager of the Housing Centre, sought Council's approval to proceed with walking and traffic calming improvements in the Oakridge-Langara area. The recommendations of the General Manager of Community Services and the Director of Community Planning are reflected in the recommendations of this report.
Frank Ducote, Planner, reviewed the walking and traffic improvements proposed for Oakridge/Langara, noting they will provide a continuous walking system currently lacking in the area. The objectives are to make walking more convenient and interesting; to increase safety and comfort for schoolchildren and the mobility-impaired; to plant street trees where none now exist; and to ensure access and parking for all.
The Chair acknowledged the presence of students from the Grade 12 Fine Arts class at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, accompanied by their teacher, Carlene Jang. Mr. Ducote unveiled sidewalk stamps designed by class members. , and Ms. Jang described the students' experiences in creating their designs, which she felt had increased their sense of connection to the neighbourhood.
Evelyn Funk, Parents Committee - Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, spoke in favour of the recommended improvements. Students accessing the school currently have to walk on the street, which Ms. Funk considered a serious safety issue. The proposed sidewalk will be welcome.
Lorne Kimber, Residents Council - George Pearson Centre, also supported the recommended improvements. Mr. Kimber noted that many residents of the Centre use Heather Street to go to Oakridge Shopping Centre, and a sidewalk is very much needed.
In response to a query, Sheri Plewes, Projects Engineer, advised construction will be proceeding as soon as possible.
cont'd
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
The following motion by Cllr. Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT the Director of Finance be authorized to proceed with financing arrangements to fund the projects as outlined in the Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997, and identified in Recommendations A1 and A2:
A1.THAT walking improvements in the area be approved and constructed in accordance with the plan included as Appendix B, with the cost estimated to be $630,100. The source of funding in the amount of $96,800 to be Development Cost Levies (DCLs) from the Oakridge/Langara DCL area, and $533,300 to be financed by Oakridge/Langara Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) in the interim;
A2.THAT traffic calming measures for the 600 and 700 block West 45th Avenue be constructed generally in accordance with the plan as shown in Appendix G, at a cost of $46,300, to be funded by monies collected as a condition of rezoning from three rezoning applications in the immediate vicinity. The source of funding of $8,300 is to be provided in the interim by Community Amenity Contributions as necessary;
B.THAT the southern half of the 59th Avenue Greenway between Oak and Laurel Streets be constructed in accordance with the plan shown as Appendix I of the Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997, at an estimated cost of $154,500. The source of funds will be: $92,700, Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 13/32/9802/999 - Higher Zone Streets (subject to approval of the 1998 Streets Basic Capital Budget); $36,000, Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 12/31/6906/999 - City Greenways. The source of the remaining $25,800 is DCLs from the Oakridge/Langara DCL area.
cont'd
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
C.THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services initiate a Local Improvement Project for construction of curb, gutter and paving on Heather Street between West 70th Avenue and the lane north of West 70th Avenue, generally as shown in Appendix J of the Administrative Report dated October 21, 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Award of Contract - Building Demolition (Old Canron Site) File: 5102
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 20, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Corporate Services and the Manager of Building Management recommended that the contract for the demolition of 145 West 1st Avenue (Old Canron Site) be awarded to Quantum Environmental Group Inc. This report was withdrawn from the November 4, 1997 Council agenda in response to a delegation request from a speaker wishing to protest the demolition of the building.
City Council approved the demolition of the Canron building at its In Camera meeting of September 9, 1997. The relevant Administrative Report dated August 25, 1997 (on file) was released from In Camera, and was also submitted as background information.
Bruce Maitland, Manager of Real Estate Services, reviewed the condition of the building, noting that approximately 20% must be demolished because it has been classified as "special waste". In addition, 25% of the walls were painted with leachable lead paint, the roof is heavily leached with zinc, exterior metal panels must be removed, and contaminated soil under the building must be dug out and removed. Because toxic materials are leaching into False Creek, the Provincial Ministry of Environment and Federal Fisheries wish work to begin immediately. Mr. Maitland noted the contract was tendered on the basis of clean up and demolition taking place at the same time, which is both the most timely and efficient and the most cost-effective option. The building materials will be recycled.
cont'd
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
Gerry McGeough, Heritage Planner, advised the building is not listed on the Heritage Registry. However, based on a preliminary evaluation, it would likely be classed as a "B" building, with almost 50% of this rating deriving from its history. For example, it played a significant war role in Allied shipbuilding. Mr. McGeough suggested that should Council deem it necessary to demolish the building, it may wish to commemorate it as an historic artifact.
The following speakers opposed demolition of the Canron building:
Charles Christopherson, Brewery Creek Historical Society
John Irwin, Southeast False Creek Working Group
Jo Scott-B, Heritage Vancouver
Ray Straatsma, Southeast False Creek Working Group
Eva Riccius (also read letter from Don Alexander)
Adrian Clark, Vancouver Historical Society
Bruce Macdonald (also read statement by Robin Ward)
Hal Kalman, Vancouver Heritage Commission
The foregoing opposed the demolition of the building based on one or more of the following grounds:
·400·The building occupies a significant place in the history of Vancouver, particularly of False Creek as an industrial area, and many major structures in Vancouver and elsewhere were fabricated in the Canron building (various examples of the building's history were related);·400
·400·No final decision should be made regarding the Canron building while the Southeast False Creek planning process for an environmentally sustainable community is underway;·400
·400·Council should not have made a decision to demolish the building without giving the public an opportunity to comment first;·400
·400·The City should examine the feasibility of reusing the building, rather than destroying it; ·400
cont'd
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
·400·The Canron building is close to the False Creek streetcar route, and several reuse options were suggested including housing for the streetcar and related tourist uses;·400
·400·Neither the federal nor provincial government has actually issued an order to clean up the site, so the decision need not be made hastily;·400
·400·In other cases where soil was contaminated, it has been possible to cap the soil rather than dig it out, and use of this option would make it more feasible to preserve the building;·400
·400·Because few buildings of its size and rivetted construction method still exist, it would be worth preserving even part of the Canron building;·400
·400·The City should not rate cost-effectiveness as more important than the City's heritage; if the cost of preserving rather than demolishing the building is an issue, funding partners should be sought;·400
·400·Concern was expressed that the building is actually being demolished in order to accommodate the new track configuration for the Vancouver Indy, which was not felt to be an appropriate reason; and it was suggested that the Indy track could be reconfigured instead.·400
Ken Dobell, City Manager, reviewed his discussions with federal and provincial government officials. In his opinion, it has been made clear that the City must proceed expeditiously to deal with the problem of hazardous materials leaching into the watershed. Use of a cap is only acceptable in cases of soil contamination, not water contamination. Mr. Dobell also indicated that the building is not being demolished in order to accommodate the race. Rather, at the time the track configuration was reported to Council, staff had made Council aware it would be necessary to demolish the building.
Given the condition of the building and the danger of contamination to False Creek, the Committee felt there was no realistic option other than demolition of the building.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
cont'd
Clause No. 5 (cont'd)
RECOMMENDED
THAT the base demolition contract with related environment abatement work for 145 West 1st Avenue (Old Canron Site) be awarded to Quantum Environmental Group Inc. for an amount of $590,597.20.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Daniel Lee was not present for the foregoing vote)
6. Discussion Item - Lions Gate Project File: 5757-2
The Committee had before it a memorandum dated October 27, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services informed Council of the progress on the Lion's Gate Bridge project, and reviewed opportunities for further input. The memorandum had originally been scheduled for consideration at the November 4, 1997 Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, but was deferred due to time constraints and rescheduled for this meeting.
Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, provided a short briefing, noting a full technical briefing by the Transportation Financing Authority is scheduled for the December 2, 1998 Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting. Mr. Rudberg described the public input process and technical studies to date, as well as the schedule of events leading to upgrading of the crossing. The Province expects to receive detailed proposals in March 1998, and to make its selection in June 1998.
Mr. Rudberg also reviewed issues raised by Council and the Park Board, indicating the extent to which these have, or have not been resolved:
·400·no increase in automobile capacity in this corridor - issue still unresolved;·400
cont'd
Clause No. 6 (cont'd)
·400·mitigate impacts on Stanley Park - requirement to mitigate impacts included in the terms of reference of Requests for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), noting that in all such instances, specifics cannot be evaluated until proposals have been submitted;·400
·400·mitigate future traffic increases in the West End neighbourhood - requirement to mitigate impacts included in the terms of reference for RFEI;·400
·400·direct transportation growth to transit - no pro-active measures identified to date;·400
·400·better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists - requirement to improve such facilities included in the terms of reference for RFEI;·400
·400·tolling - controversial and still unresolved;·400
·400·heritage/landmark values of the existing bridge - there are some possibilities which will continue to be pursued..·400
The Committee expressed concern that the Province intends to use tolls to support this vehicle-based infrastructure project, rather than to fund transit. This may set a precedent not only for the use of tolls, but for how the revenues will be allocated.
Mitigation of traffic impacts on the West End and new neighbourhoods in the downtown peninsula was also a concern, since there is clearly substantial latent demand for automobile use from the North Shore. If a fourth lane is installed, impacts could be considerable. Information should be obtained on any specific commitments contained in the RFEI, on the projected number of vehicles per lane per hour, and on transit and Blueways linkages.
Noting Council wishes to hear from the public on this matter, Mr. Rudberg enquired at what stage. A meeting could be organized after the aforementioned briefing by the Transportation Financing Authority, or after the Province receives proposals and more specific information is available, or both.
The Committee agreed it would prefer to meet with the public after specific proposals are available.
The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
cont'd
Clause No. 6 (cont'd)
RECOMMENDED
THAT the report of the General Manager of Engineering Services be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
* * * * *

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