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CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JUNE 1, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 1, 1999, at approximately 12:05 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Don Bellamy (Leave of Absence) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence) Councillor Don Lee (Leave of Absence)
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on
Transportation and Traffic
June 1, 1999

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:

Cl.1: Pender Street Design - Hamilton to Carrall Streets
Cl. 2: Review of Building Lines

Pender Street Design - Hamilton to Carrall Streets
Clause 1

MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario ,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Price, Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed.)

Review of Building Lines
Clause 2

MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario ,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Cypress Street and Area

Traffic Calming Plan - Survey Area File: 5757

Circulated for Council's information a copy of a memo dated May 28, 1999 (on file), regarding the Cypress Street and Area Traffic Calming Plan Survey. The General Manager of Engineering Services advised those residents in the area shown in Attachment "A" would receive the survey, while Kits Point residents would receive an information package as outlined in Attached "B".

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the memorandum dated May 28, 1999, from the General Manager of Engineering Services regarding "Cypress Street and Area Traffic Calming Plan - Survey Area" be received for information.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Travel from FCM Conference - Councillor Puil File: 1254

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT Councillor Puil be permitted to stop in Toronto on his return from the FCM Conference in Halifax for a Transportation meeting.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

- - - - -

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

JUNE 1, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, June 1, 1999, at approximately 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Gordon Price, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Don Bellamy (Leave of Absence) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence) Councillor Don Lee (Leave of Absence)
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Denise Salmon

RECOMMENDATION

1. Pender Street Design - Hamilton to Carrall Streets File: 5501

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 17, 1999 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Central Area Planning, recommends a new street design for Pender Street between Hamilton and Carrall Streets that improves the pedestrian, cycling, and transit environment.

Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, introduced Lon LaClaire who, with the aid of a geometric drawing, provided Council with an overview of the project and highlighted the importance of the street as both a key link into the downtown and connection to VCC and other nearby institutions for cyclists, and a future greenway/public way for pedestrians.

Clause 1 Cont'd

Staff responded to questions regarding use of the GreenLinks fund, and the opportunity to now undertake GreenLinks improvements prior to consideration of the Downtown Transportation Plan. Staff advised all indications are that Pender Street will be a major east-west bicycle/pedestrian connection in the downtown.

Lewis Villegas, with the aid of a slide show, demonstrated to Council the opportunities inherent in Pender Street between Hamilton and Carrall Streets. He noted the Street's characteristics are similar to a number of famous European streets and offered visual comparisons. Mr. Villegas' renderings showed the potential for options other than those set out in the staff report. These included varying street/sidewalk widths and a treed median, including potential for sidewalk cafe-type services along that median. Note was also made on the potential to redefine the Gateway to Chinatown, and provide amenities for the surrounding neighbourhood. Most structures required are already in place, and costs would be low.

While Messrs. Richard Campbell, Robert Delahanty, Chair, Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Gavin Davidson, spoke generally in favour of staff's report, the following points were raised:

· eliminating the four parking spaces on the north side of Pender Street, immediately east of Cambie Street, would:

- improve sight lines at crest of the hill on westbound route
- improve safety by avoiding the need for cyclists to slow down and merge with traffic
- eliminate safety concerns related to car doors opening
- allow for a one block extension of the eastbound bike lane

· sufficient parking exists in the adjacent City parkade to allow for elimination of the above noted four parking spaces

· bike lanes on this section of Pender provide an opportunity for extending the route further into the downtown

· the Lions Gate Bridge will be improved within the year, resulting in an increased demand for this route in the eastbound direction

· the concept presented by Mr. Villegas this day was of interest, but time is required to determine its impacts on cyclists

Clause 1 Cont'd

While some members of Council endorsed Mr. Villegas' creative concept, others raised a number of issues regarding his proposal, including the need to respond to Concord prior to its Europa construction deadline, impact on both cyclists and parking for cars, in addition to the reaction of the area's stakeholders. Note was also made of potential for expansion of problems associated with the Downtown Eastside.

The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT consideration of the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated May 17, 1999, be deferred subject to a report back in three weeks on the results of preliminary consultations with the various stakeholders located along both sides of Pender Street that would be affected by the proposal brought forward by Mr. Villegas this day;

FURTHER THAT the report back include a review of design issues required to address practical matters raised at today's meeting.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Price, Sullivan and Mayor Owen opposed.)

2. Review of Building Lines File: 5560

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 18, 1999 (on file), in which the Director of City Plans and General Manager of Engineering Services propose a Pilot Study to review the building lines on one transportation corridor. The corridor recommended for study includes the arterial streets, 41st and 49th Avenues west of Granville, and SW Marine Drive. Following completion of the Pilot Study, a review of all other building lines outside the Downtown is expected to be recommended.

Clause 2 Cont'd

Brian Riera, Planner, City-Wide Plans - Region, Transportation, provided Council with an overview of the report and advised it was a follow up to the City's Transportation Plan, and had been requested by residents on SW Marine Drive and merchants on 41st Avenue. In response to a question from Council staff noted building lines are generally not found on a property's Title, but are specified in the City's Zoning and Development By-law. It was further noted Building Lines have achieved significant long term savings to the City, and are not always used for streets, but also medians, boulevards, and sidewalks.

Diane King, SW Marine Drive Ratepayers Association (material filed), advised of her support for the pilot project, and noted the impact of building lines on property owners can be significant, with 20% of her property implicated. Such lines also make it difficult to redevelop one's property. Ms. King also enquired on the intended community consultation process.

Staff advised meetings will be held with the community during the course of the study, and residents will be provided with a copy of the completed report. Council also highlighted the importance of making residents aware of the possibilities associated with building lines.

The following motion by Councillor Puil was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council approve the Building Line Review Pilot Study, as outlined in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated May 18, 1999, as a basis for initiating the Building Line Review Program, and that staff report back following the Pilot Study with proposals for the remainder of the program.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver