CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

JULY 22, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, July 22, 1999, 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:	Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Sick Leave) Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Nancy Largent

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,

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

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
July 22, 1999

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

Cl. 1: Demolition of Nuisance/Dangerous Building at 455 East 6th Avenue
Cl .2: Vancouver Molson Indy Legacy
Cl. 3 900 Burrard Street Commercial Cinema Entertainment Proposal

DE404053 - CD-1 By-law Number 6421

Cl. 4: Interim Policies and Planning Program fro the Grandview/Boundary

Industrial Area

Clauses 1 - 4, inclusive

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 to 4, inclusive, of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,

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 AND ENVIRONMENT

JULY 22, 1999

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment was held on Thursday, July 22, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair Mayor Philip Owen *Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price *Councillor George Puil (Clauses 1 and 2) Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Sick Leave)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Nancy Largent

* denotes presence for part of the meeting

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment dated June 24, 1999, were adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDATION

1. Demolition of Nuisance/Dangerous Building

at 455 East 6th Avenue File: 2701-1

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 2, 1999 (on file), in which the City Building Inspector recommended that City Council declare the building at 455 East 6th Avenue a nuisance and dangerous to public safety and order it to be demolished. It was further recommended that a 336D Notice be filed against the Title to the property in order to warn any prospective purchasers of Council’s Resolution. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as reflected in the recommendations of this report.

Carlene Robbins, Manager, Bylaw Administration and Records, reviewed the history of complaints and orders against this building. The building was damaged by fire in March of this year, but complaints have continued. Pictures illustrating the condition of the property were passed around (on file).

Sean Martel, Collingwood Community Policing Office, reviewed the history of Police involvement with the building, which has been one of the worst problem premises in the area. It was a centre of criminal activity before the fire, and even though boarded up, there have been reports of persons attempting to get in.

Jim Wu, property manager, felt the staff report was exaggerated. Problem tenants were dealt with, and since the fire, the building has been kept secure and work has been done to pick up garbage and maintain the property. The house is still structurally sound, and it is hoped someone will buy and renovate it. Mr. Wu requested an extension of time.

Peter Sweeney, Manager of Building Inspection, responded to queries regarding the procedure to bring serious nuisance buildings to Council's attention. Staff are working toward shorter time limits and a more proactive approach. Mr. Sweeney also responded to a query regarding the probable cost of renovations.

Clause No. 1 Continued

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council declare that the building at 455 East 6th Avenue (Lot 11, E. 33 ft, Block 88, District Lot 264A, Plans 268 and 1771) is a nuisance and dangerous to public safety, pursuant to Subsection 324A of the Vancouver Charter.

B. THAT Council approve the Resolution attached to the Administrative Report dated July 2, 1999, and order the Registered Owner of the property to pull down and demolish the building at 455 East 6th Avenue and remove all demolition debris from the site within 14 days of a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.

C. THAT in the event of the failure of the owner to comply with the order of Council, Council further orders and authorizes the City Building Inspector to have the building at 455 East 6th Avenue demolished and have all demolition debris removed at the expense of the owner.

D. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 455 East 6th Avenue, in order to warn prospective purchasers that as a result of the condition of the building and Council’s Resolution, the purchaser could suffer a significant expense if the Resolution was enforced against him.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Vancouver Molson Indy Legacy File: 4205

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 23, 1999 (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the General Manager of Parks and Recreation, recommended that Council support a contribution from Molstar Sports towards a series of projects that will comprise a legacy of the Molson Indy. The contribution would include completion of a temporary waterfront walkway through the SE False Creek lands from Science World to the Cambie Bridge, a science related interactive playground at Science World, and general greenery improvements in the area. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as reflected in the recommendations of this report.

Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, reviewed the history of the Molson Indy track approvals and the particulars of the legacy proposal, which has been generally supported by the Park Board and Science World. There is also the possibility that Molson will provide temporary year-round facilities such as basketball areas, should Council approve Recommendation D. It is hoped the walkway can be completed by the Fall if the right-of-way issue can be dealt with.

Stuart Ballantyne, Molstar Sports, was present to answer questions.

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

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council support the proposed contributions by Molstar Sports towards the following projects, as a legacy to the Vancouver Molson Indy race:

1. A temporary walkway through the SE Shore of False Creek lands between Science World and the Cambie Bridge;

2. A science related playground adjacent to Science World;

3. General landscape improvements in the area of Science World and Creekside Park.

Clause No. 2 Continued

B. THAT Engineering Services staff report back on the details, including potential City funding required to complete the temporary walkway.

C. THAT Molstar Sports, Science World, Park Board staff and City Gate residents meet to develop the details of the playground.

D. THAT any discrete areas of the SE Shore lands identified by staff be provided at no cost to Molstar Sports where Molstar Sports might wish at their cost to provide temporary year round facilities (such as basketball courts).

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Puil left the meeting on civic business at this point)

3. 900 Burrard Street: Commercial Cinema Entertainment Proposal

DE404053 - CD-1 By-law Number 6421 File: 2604

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated July 6, 1999 (on file), in which the Chair of the Development Permit Board reviewed a recent Development Permit Board discussion of a major commercial entertainment development proposal at 900 Burrard Street (DE404053), including 16 cinemas and an IMAX theatre. The Board, while inclined to approve the proposal, referred this complete development application to Council to seek any advice it may choose to offer on the proposal, including the issues of compliance with approved CD-1 Guidelines, and relaxation of parking requirements. Should Council be supportive of the proposal in its advice to the Board, Council was also asked to consider whether it would be prepared to approve the form of development at this time.

The Chair of the Development Permit Board and the City Manager submitted for Council's consideration the options to support, or not support, approval.

Rick Scobie, Chair, Development Permit Board, advised the Board is supportive, but wished to seek Council's advice on some significant departures from what was contemplated at the time the site was rezoned to CD-1. Mr. Scobie also reviewed the by-law issue regarding parking, and the Director of Planning's power to approve parking relaxations.

Clause No. 3 Continued

Mike Kemble, Planner, reviewed the guideline departures including the Hornby Street streetwall setback, height at the south end, tower floorplate size, and massing. Staff believe the proposed "prior to" conditions would be sufficient to address concerns related to use, massing, and other impacts on neighbouring properties. Mr. Kemble responded to questions about retail continuity, entryways and landscaping.

Paul Pinsker, Parking Engineer, advised staff are recommending 610 parking spaces, consistent with the normal parking range in the adjacent Downtown District in place of the 837 spaces requested by the applicant. Due to the residential nature of the area, there will be opportunities to time-share parking not needed at night.

Peter Busby, representing the applicant, reviewed the proposal and advised the applicant agrees to the proposed 610 spaces. The project will have bicycle space and walk-up and transit traffic is expected. Mr. Busby also addressed the issues of volume next to The Electra, retail frontage, and enhancement of the retail and pedestrian environment. Regarding the question of this complex's possible impact on the Granville Street Entertainment District, Mr. Busby indicated this proposal is family oriented, whereas Granville Street is more adult oriented.

Emil Schnabl, Chair of The Electra Strata Council (brief filed), advised that agreement has ben reached regarding the following concerns expressed by residents of The Electra: settlement of structure during excavation, blasting vibration monitoring, underground residential and commercial parking, noise, aesthetics of the south wall, transparency of the south-east corner stairwell, and remuneration for shoring and underpinning. Therefore, The Electra supports the project per the recommendations of the June 14, 1999 meeting of the Development Permit Board.

Mr. Scobie responded to questions regarding signage, size of graphics, and the transparency of the facade. In response to concerns regarding the possibility of interior partitioning at a later date, Mr. Scobie suggested wording reflected in Recommendation B of this report.

During the discussion on this topic, Council recalled that the adjacent Dal Grauer Sub-station, at one time, also had an interesting transparent west facade. Council expressed interest in seeing the heritage features of this building restored in the course of its upgrading.

Clause No. 3 Continued

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council advise the Development Permit Board that it supports the Board’s inclination to approve DE404053 for 900 Burrard Street, subject to conditions as the Board may decide in granting approval, acknowledging the off-street parking reduction and the departure from various guidelines previously approved for this CD-1 site.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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

RECOMMENDED

B. THAT the form of development for the CD-1 site known as 900 Burrard Street be approved generally as illustrated in Development Application number DE404053, prepared by Busby and Associates Architects and stamped “Received, City Planning Department May 18, 1999", provided that the Development Permit Board may establish conditions of approval and design changes which would not adversely affect either the development character of this site or adjacent properties; and

FURTHER THAT the Development Permit Board be requested to consider adding the following wording to its proposed condition 1.8:

"as well as the longer term maintenance of visible access to the interior of the building as currently proposed."

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause No. 3 Continued

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

RECOMMENDED

C. THAT Council write to BC Hydro to encourage it to extend the contract for the physical upgrade of the Dal Grauer Sub-station - a Heritage A building - to include a restoration of the transparency of the west facade and a return to the original modernist features.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

(Councillor Bellamy not present for the vote)

4. Interim Policies and Planning Program

for the Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area File: 8008

The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated June 22, 1999 (on file), in which the Director of City Plans, in consultation with the Rapid Transit Project Coordinator and the General Manager of Engineering Services, sought Council’s approval of interim rezoning policies in the Grandview/Boundary area for high technology (I-3) uses, highway-oriented retail (HOR) along the Grandview Highway frontage, and for conditional approval of recreational, educational, cultural, and institutional uses in the existing I-2, CD-1 (Still Creek) and proposed I-3 areas. Council approval for limited convenience retail and services in and immediately adjacent to the proposed Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain stations was also sought. A work plan for the station precincts and larger area planning was also described for Council's approval.

Recommendations of the General Manager of Community Services and the Director of City Plans are reflected in the recommendations of this report.

Ann McAfee, Director of City Plans, introduced the report and provided an overview of the planning history of the Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area. With the recent approval of the I-3 (high technology) District Schedule, the area has more potential; some property owners will want to remain in I-2 and some will make the transition to I-3. Issues of big box

Clause No. 4 Continued

and highway oriented retail, and opportunities created by the SkyTrain extension were noted. Dr. McAfee indicated that the proposed work program will require no new staff, and the proposed Interim Rezoning Policies and Guidelines will allow some rezoning activity to go on while the work program is underway.

Frank Ducote, Senior Planner, reviewed existing Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area land use, the preliminary concept plan, and the SkyTrain route and proposed station locations. Mr. Ducote discussed the issues outlined in the Policy Report and provided the rationale for staff recommendations. The Interim Guidelines will be refined in consultation with stakeholders regarding issues such as improved access from arterials, greenways, upgrading infrastructure, Community Amenity Contributions and Development Cost Levies. The issues around landscape setbacks and guidelines for station precincts were also reviewed. Council's attention was drawn to minor changes to Appendices B, E and F clarifying locations of surface parking facilities.

Dr. McAfee responded to questions regarding highway oriented retail and explained why staff recommend it be limited to Grandview Highway frontage, and to a minimum scale

of ten thousand square feet.

Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, Acting General Manager of Community Services, responded to questions about enforcement regarding the 40-foot setback requirement and highway oriented retail.

David Reed, Universal Supply Company, advised his is one of the few actually industrial companies in the area. Once Sky-Train is in operation, people will be leaving cars in the area, reducing the amount of street parking available. Mr. Reed suggested the City develop a commercial permit parking system similar to those used for residential areas.

Barbara Tully, representing the McLean Group, requested that the existing maximum height of 60 feet be retained, rather than the 40 feet recommended, for the sake of flexibility. Staff advised that the height limit is 40 feet outright for stand alone use, but the guidelines do provide for up to 60 feet for conditional mixed use. Ms. Tully agreed this is an acceptable compromise.

Clause No. 4 Continued

Gordon Harris, Brook Development Planning, commented on the constantly changing dynamics of retail, and expressed concern about any policy setting a minimum floor area for retail use. This area plays a regional role, but also serves the local area, requiring a broader mix of uses. Residents of this area will not see the SkyTrain precincts as their local service. If Council feels it must set a limit, it should be no more than five thousand square feet.

Kim Tempest, area resident, supported the area changing to I-3, because high technology industries employ a different kind of worker more inclined to use transit. Ms. Tempest strongly supported the recommendations regarding landscaping, and indicated Still Creek enhancement is high priority for area residents. If large highway-oriented retail stores are permitted, there should be connecting roadways behind them to lessen traffic problems The Costco corner is very dangerous without a traffic light. Ms. Tempest requested that in reviewing site-by-site rezoning applications, Council not lose sight of the larger area.

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council endorse the work plan for the Renfrew and Rupert Station precincts and Grandview/Boundary area planning process as outlined in the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999. and in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999.

B. THAT Council adopt the I-3 High Technology Interim Rezoning Policies and Guidelines: Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area, as outlined in Appendix B of the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999.

C. THAT Council adopt the Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain Station Precincts Interim Rezoning Policies: Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area as outlined in Appendix C of the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999.

Clause No. 4 Continued

D. THAT Council adopt the Highway-Oriented Retail (HOR) Interim Rezoning Policies and Guidelines: Grandview/Boundary Industrial area, as outlined in Appendix E of the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999.

E. THAT Council adopt the I-2/I-3 Educational, Institutional, Cultural, and Recreational Uses Interim Guidelines for Conditional Approvals: Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area, as outlined in Appendix F of the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999.

F. THAT no Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) be charged on applications for rezoning to I-3, station precinct commercial, or highway oriented retail uses in the Grandview/Boundary area, where the maximum allowable floor space ratio achieved through rezoning does not exceed the currently permitted 3 FSR.

G. THAT for privately initiated applications for rezoning or conditional uses, agreements for the provision of on-site and adjacent off-site engineering services (e.g., sewer, water, roads, and traffic improvements) be negotiated as a condition of approval.

H. THAT the city-wide interim Development Cost Levy (DCL), to come into effect on January 28, 2000, at a rate of $1.00 per square foot for non-residential uses in industrial areas, $0.51 for daycare, and $2.50 for commercial, retail, and all other uses, as further described in the Policy Report dated June 22, 1999, apply to new development in the Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area.

I. THAT, as part of the Grandview/Boundary Industrial Area Planning process, staff report back with options for an area specific DCL District By-law if funds required to service the area exceed revenues collected through servicing agreements and resources available from the City Interim DCL fee.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver