III

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ISSUES

January 26, 1999

RECOMMENDATIONCC File: 3053-1
RTS: 510
Meeting Date: March 23, 1999

1. Split-Island Gasoline Service Stations - Hours of Operation

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has recently considered a letter dated May 29, 1998, addressed to Councillor Sam Sullivan from Chevron Canada, regarding a City by-law definition which requires split-island gas stations to offer full-service during all times the station is open for business. Chevron's letter contains a proposal for an amendment to this section of the By-law. They propose changing the current By-law requirement for full-service to be available during all hours of business, to allow them to only offer self-service during the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m., with signage and a brochure directing customers to 24-hour full-service locations within the city.

The issue of split-island gasoline stations not providing full-service during all hours of operation was first brought to the attention of City staff by the B.C. Paraplegic Association in a November 21, 1996, letter. The issue was first considered by the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues on October 2, 1997. The Committee discussed this matter again at their November 13, 1997, meeting. The Committee passed a resolution at the latter meeting recommending that the City of Vancouver By-law which requires full-service to be available whenever self-service pumps are open be fully enforced.

Section 2 of the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-Law contains the following definitions:

Gasoline Station - Full Serve, which means the use of premises for the retail sale of motor fuels and lubricants that are dispensed by an attendant for the customer and where staff are available to provide other services such as checking tire pressure and fluid levels, cleaning windows and doing minor repairs;

Gasoline Station - Split Island, which means the use of premises for the retail sale of motor fuels and lubricants that are dispensed by the customer, and which includes at least one pump island at which all types of gasoline and diesel fuels sold by the station are dispensed by an attendant for the customer at all times the station is open for business, and where staff are available to provide other services such as checking tire pressure and fluid levels, cleaning windows and doing minor repairs;

The Committee is in agreement on the importance of having full-service gasoline stations available in the City on a 24-hour basis to people with disabilities and to seniors.

Therefore, the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

RECOMMENDS

THAT Vancouver City Council be advised that the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues considers the current by-law on gasoline service stations to be both adequate and appropriate; and

FURTHER THAT the By-law be appropriately enforced; and

FURTHER THAT the Committee requests that its input be sought prior to any modification being made in the existing by-law.

(Signed) "Ben Ostrander" (Signed) "Katherine Taylor"

Ben Ostrander, Co-Chair Katherine Taylor, Co-Chair
Special Advisory Committee Special Advisory Committee
on Disability Issues on Disability Issues

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The City Manager agrees with the Committee on the importance of having full-service gasoline stations available in the City on a 24-hour basis to people with disabilities and other individuals unable or unwilling to pump their own gasoline.

However, the current by-law requiring all Split Island gasoline stations to maintain full service at all times the station is open for business, may place some economic hardship on the gasoline stations because there is a significant diminished requirement for service, primarily between midnight and six a.m. Enforcing compliance with the by-law could result in some gasoline stations closing, thereby further limiting accessibility.

The oil companies have given some thought as to how they could provide better service to the community and, after consultation with the City, have suggested a compromise position which would involve amendments to the Zoning and Development By-law that would include the following:

1) a requirement for core full service hours;
2) signage after hours at full service islands directing customers to 24-hour full service locations;
3) map/brochure showing locations of stations maintaining full service hours.

Staff have reviewed the proposed amendments and suggest the following:

1) Core full service hours would be maintained at all Full Service and Split Island service stations. Core hours to be determined.
2) Signage indicating the closest Full Service facility would be noted at all service stations
3) The map/brochure would contain information on the location and hours of all stations providing full service.
4) Commitment would be given by all oil companies to ensure that adequate 24-hour full service is provided throughout the City.

It should be noted that the proposed changes and amendments have not been formally reviewed by staff and other issues/amendments may become apparent or required as part of such a review process.

The oil companies have suggested that changes to the Zoning and Development By-law would allow the gasoline stations to manage their operations in a more cost-effective manner and would enhance the service to all customers, including people with disabilities, by providing information to facilitate access to full-service pumps.

Based on the information, I believe there is reason to review the current by-law. Therefore, the City Manager RECOMMENDS that the Director of Planning, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, the Assistant Director of License and Property Use Division, and the Disability Issues Committee, be directed to review the current by-law in light of the oil companies’ recommendations and to report back to Council on the findings, which may include revisions to the existing by-law. In the meantime staff would withhold enforcement action and monitor the situation pending the outcome of the review.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver