2001 Annual Report to City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report describes the activities of the Vancouver City Planning Commission
in 2001, including:
- 17 specific issues addressed
- 2 reports to Council; one in the form of a letter and one by a verbal
presentation
- 2 public events
- further research and participation in planning processes
INTRODUCTION
The VCPC is pleased to submit the following report to Council which outlines
the work undertaken by the VCPC in 2001.
The VCPC had an active year researching and responding to issues, in
all cases attempting to place them in the context of the City's long range
interest. Although often called upon to respond to immediate and pressing
issues the Commission is aware that it has the most value to Council and
the City if it can bring attention to longer-range developments. To this
end the VCPC has been researching and attempting to develop a position
in areas where it perceives the possibility of long range problems or
potential future benefits for the City.
This report describes:
- the substantive areas addressed by the Commission
- the output that has been produced during the year
The VCPC relies on the assistance of the planning department and other
departments in the City and is grateful for this assistance. Because of
this the VCPC periodically meets with senior staff, specifically senior
planning staff, to understand their concerns and the future activities
of their departments.
COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF COMMISSION IN 2001
The VCPC is composed of 10 members appointed by Council, two appointed
by the VCPC, two City Councillors, and individual representatives from
the Park Board and the School Board.
In 2001 the Commission established four major subcommittees to deal with
issues involving Public Realm, Regional Governance, Transportation, and
Emerging Issues. Additional responsibilities involved members participating
on the Urban Design Panel and the South East False Creek Stewardship Committee.
OUTPUT FOR 2001
The VCPC made the following reports to Council in 2001:
False Creek Flats - the Chair spoke to Council at a meeting of the Standing
Committee on Planning and Environment about the concerns the Planning
Commission has on some aspects of the planning process and design for
this area.
False Creek Crossing - a letter in support of the Under the Burrard St.
Bridge proposal was sent to Council.
The VCPC hosted two public events in 2001:
Greater Vancouver: Can We Make It Even Greater?
A public discussion with experts on the strengths and weaknesses of regional
governance including the global perspective and the local vision was held
on Tuesday May 29 at SFU Harbour Centre. This event was co-sponsored with
the GVRD.
Speakers included Andy Sancton, Western University, Greg Halsey-Brandt,
(past Mayor of Richmond) and MLA Richmond Centre; Glenn R. Miller, Director
of Applied Research, Canadian Urban Institute; and George Puil, Councillor,
City of Vancouver, and Chair of the GVRD and Translink. Ken Cameron wrapped
up the discussion.
The goal of this event was to encourage debate around the most suitable
form of regional governance for Vancouver. By examining the Toronto experience
and attempting to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the current
"voluntary devolution" as practiced within the GVRD, the Commission
encouraged a discussion on the effect of the current government structure.
Vancouver's Public Spaces: Are They People Places?
The Commission's second public event was held at SFU Harbour Centre on
November 15. This program addressed the design and use of public streets,
comparing examples of Vancouver streets with other Canadian and European
cities. The speaker was Dr. Elizabeth Macdonald, Assistant Professor in
Urban Design, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
A video of the presentation is available for viewing.
The Commission was encouraged by the high turnout of both staff and Councillors,
and thought-provoking questions and discussion ensued following the speaker's
presentation.
The Commission established a presence on the City's web site:
The Executive Coordinator worked with the graphics department at the
City to design a webpage for the Planning Commission. A list of Planning
Commission members, a history of the Commission and current information
on public events are posted on the site. The site is kept up-to-date with
the help of city staff.
ISSUES EXAMINED IN 2001
In 2001 the Commission considered the following issues and received presentations
for background information from the speakers noted.
Transportation
A major ongoing concern of the Commission is the essential need for improvements
to the city's transportation systems. This includes all travel modes (private
cars, goods truck traffic, rail, land-based public transit, ferries, bicycles
and pedestrians). To this end the Commission had several presentations
and discussions on transportation issues in 2001 including:
a) Sustainable Transportation Workshop
Commission members Simon Bancroft and Robert Buller gave a presentation
outlining the history of fossil fuels, their environmental impacts, effects
on the transportation industry and future projections along with possible
solutions to resolving concerns.
The Commission received for information as part of their broader concerns
about the need to minimize negative impacts of transportation while maintaining
a workable efficient city.
b) Proposed Redesigns to Stanley Park Causeway S Curve and West Georgia
Street
Dave Rudberg, General Manager Engineering Services, Forrest Klotzbach,
Engineer, and Richard Johnson, Planner came back to the VCPC to provide
an update of two proposed redesigns for the S Curve and discussed the
pros and cons of each. Partly in response to earlier concerns of the VCPC,
scale models were commissioned to illustrate the proposals, and used in
the discussion. The Executive Coordinator attended a workshop with Council
to review the proposed designs for Georgia Street and the entrance to
Stanley Park.
While the Commission maintains some concerns about specifics of the design,
the Commission's larger issue involves advocating for the more active
cooperation of the Engineering department, the Planning department and
the Parks Board in the design of major public works such as this. While
this appears to have progressed somewhat, further to this larger concern,
a specific discussion on better integrated cooperation in the public realm
was held later in the year.
c) Major Commercial Transportation System
Commission member Robert Buller provided a summary of the presentation
held at the Vancouver Board of Trade on the Proposed Creation of a Major
Commercial Transportation System.
Highlights of the presentation included major economic losses due to
current congestion, restrictions on regional growth and a worsening condition
of commuter movements. It appears evident that transportation planning
must be one of the major concerns of the City and could easily become
a crisis if not adequately addressed.
d) Downtown Transportation Plan Update
Jeff Patterson, Planner, and Doug Louie, Engineer, gave a presentation
on draft proposals for components of the Downtown Transportation Plan
including pedestrian, cycling and transit routes as well as rapid transit
options and road network changes following a series of open houses and
workshops that were attended by members of the VCPC.
The plan as presented to the VCPC is very specific in some of the problems
it addresses. The Commission is concerned however that some of the longer
term transportation issues may not be addressed in this study. For example,
the best integration of various different modes of transportation. These
issues have been conveyed to staff working on the plan and it is anticipated
that consideration will be given in the course of further work.
e) False Creek Pedestrian and Cycling Crossings Study
Karis Hiebert, Planning, and Dale Bracewell, Engineering, presented five
schemes being considered for a crossing of False Creek for pedestrians
and cyclists.
The Commission felt that this crossing, if properly designed, could enhance
both commuting and the recreational potential of the False Creek seawall
bicycle/pedestrian route. It was the Commission's opinion that an imaginatively
designed low level crossing would best achieve this end and communicated
this conclusion to staff and Council.
f) Building Lines
Brian Riera, Senior Planner and Scott Edwards, Engineer, made a presentation
on building lines which included the history, and an overview of the program
and how it relates to Vancouver's transportation plan.
Planning and engineering wanted the Commission to be aware of their concern
that current building lines might not be maintained. The Commission noted
their concern with interest and with some specific exceptions is in favour
of their retention to create the greatest flexibility for future traffic
needs.
Public Realm
a) Park Planning in Vancouver
Susan Mundick, General Manager, and Peter Rutgers, Director of Planning
and Operations, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, gave a brief
history of the VBPR and talked about the capital plan of the Park Board,
the preparation of community centres for use in emergencies, and the ongoing
purchasing, development and programming of park land.
The Commission noted with interest the dilemmas of growth and increasing,
sometimes conflicting, demands on the City's parks. Since these are so
central to the quality of life in Vancouver it is the intention of the
Commission to continue the dialogue. The Commission also views the Parks
Board mandate for managing public open spaces as an essential component
of stewardship of the city's Public Realm, and encourages better integration
of Public Realm investment and design decisions between the Parks Board
and other City departments involved in this stewardship, particularly
the Engineering and Planning Departments. (see item below)
b) Design Co-operation in the Public Realm
Following up on a discussion held in July 2000 with senior staff, Dave
Rudberg, General Manager Engineering Services and Richard Johnson, Planner,
discussed ways the two departments are collaborating on projects that
cross departmental boundaries.
This discussion followed the question of cooperation in the design of
the Stanley Park Entrance modifications and the previous year's VCPC'-hosted
panel discussion between the Directors of Engineering, Planning and Parks
Board. In the Commission's view, the city's public realm can only reach
its fullest potential through such cooperation, and such cooperation needs
to be strengthened further.
c) Street Amenities and Furniture Program
Rob Jenkins, Assistant Director of Current Planning, and Reno Viswasam,
Engineering Department, provided an update on the Street Amenity Program
including the Streetscape Design Standards for bus shelters, garbage receptacles,
benches, etc.
Because street furniture is an important component of the public realm,
and has a significant impact on the level of amenity for the public, the
Commission has been very interested in this program, supports its implementation,
and intends to follow its outcome. It also supports increased investment
in the public realm from any proceeds which flow to the City from the
Street Amenity and Furniture Program contract.
d) From Block Parties to Block Busters - A look at fun in Vancouver
As part of its ongoing concern for improving Vancouver's public realm
the Commission hosted a panel discussion on civic festivals, public order
and the commercialization of urban leisure. Panelists included: Robert
Kerr, Executive Director and Producer of the Vancouver International Jazz
Festival; Muriel Honey, Manager, Film and Special Events, City of Vancouver;
and Jackie Crossland, Executive Director, Public Dreams Society.
This very informative discussion familiarized the Commission with the
full calendar of public events that exist at present and with the great
importance, and sometime difficulties, of programming these events imaginatively.
It is the concern of the Commission that the City doesn't impede and,
in fact, facilitates the broadest range of large and small scale, and
even spontaneous, public events. It is the opinion of the Commission that
our public realm must be designed to provide venues which will better
accommodate these kinds of events, which contribute significantly to the
quality of public life in our city and its attractiveness to both visitors
and residents..
Regional Governance
a) The Challenges and Opportunities of Regional Governance for the City
of Vancouver
Dr. Andrew Sancton, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science,
University of Western Ontario and Glenn R. Miller, Director of Applied
Research, Canadian Urban Institute presented an overview of local government
amalgamation as well as the pros and cons for the Greater Vancouver Regional
District.
This session followed a public lecture and debate at Simon Fraser University
and gave the Commission and invited members of Council and senior staff
the opportunity for discussion with the out-of-town speakers. It was interesting
that the general discussion was very supportive of the existing GVRD model.
b) Metropolitan and Municipal Reforms in the Vancouver City Region - Can
They Fly?
Dr. Paddy Smith, Professor of Political Science, Simon Fraser University,
presented an overview on accountability issues in the Greater Vancouver
Regional District and proposed changes to the Community Charter.
In contrast to the previous speakers, Dr. Smith felt that there was an
accountability deficit which needed to be addressed, perhaps by returning
to a regional election system. The issue of accountability is one that
has arisen in every discussion on the topic of regional governance.
OTHER ISSUES
Financing Growth Review
Planners Ronda Howard and Randy Pecarski made a presentation on revenue
projections and economic analysis of growth in the City over the next
20 years.
The VCPC shares the concerns of the City as we move from a period of
rapid large project development to an era where it is anticipated that
growth will be more even and small scale. The presentation satisfied the
Commission that the potential problems were being anticipated. The VCPC
expects that there will be further reports as the studies are developed
and policies are determined.
Emerging Development Plans for False Creek Flats
Two presentations were received on this topic in 2001. Senior Planner
Ian Smith gave a presentation on the development of the I-3 rezoned 300
acre site. Subsequently, in a second presentation by Director of Current
Planning, Larry Beasley and Ian Smith, an overview on the evolving urban
structure of False Creek Flats including existing, mid-range and long-range
opportunities was given.
The VCPC's initial concern had to do with the late timing of information
coming to the Commission to enable meaningful input. The Commission was
also concerned with the apparent lack of a broader vision for this very
important area of Vancouver. It is felt that issues of connectivity to
the City at large, a broader mix of uses, layout of open space and configuration
of roadways all need further development. It is hoped and expected that
the Commission will be involved in a meaningful dialogue as work progresses.
The Economic Impact of Co-ops in Northern Italy
Bob Williams, Chair, VanCity Capital Corp., provided an overview on the
history of economic development in a region of Northern Italy. He explained
how collaborative and reciprocal agreements between government, industrial
and social sectors resulted in development of community-based co-operatives
to improve delivery of services.
The Commission is very interested in the potential that this form of
economic activity has to increase the economic well-being of Vancouver.
Considerable differences of history, culture and government systems mean
that further study is necessary and comparisons may be difficult. The
Commission intends to follow this topic further.
Zoning Capacity Review
Ann McAfee, Director, City Plans, with Ted Sebastian and Trish French,
planners, presented an overview of the City's projected housing capacity
and its commitments to the GVRD growth strategy.
The Commission was interested in how the commitments made to the Livable
Region Strategy were going to be met and explored the issue at length.
The presentation was followed up with questions to staff such as How are
the population targets revised over time? and Who is considering the "big
picture" questions - namely how much of the increasing population
should Vancouver be absorbing?
Vancouver's Economic Competitiveness
Linda E. Thorstad, Executive Director of the Vancouver Economic Development
Commission gave a presentation on the VEDC's structure and mandate.
The Commission is very interested in the work of its fellow Commission
and was given a thorough presentation. Because physical development of
the City is so closely tied to its economic growth, the Commission continues
to foster dialogue with the VEDC.
ADDITION INCIDENTAL ACTIVITIES
- A tour of the new EComm facility and a briefing on the state of emergency
preparedness of the City
- A reception to thank retiring VCPC members
- A tugboat ride in the Fraser River Annual Work Boat parade
- Establishment of a permanent VCPC office at City Hall in Central Area
Planning
- Contact with the School of Community and Regional Planning UBC to
establish whether it may be possible to have intern students do research
for the Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT SUMMARIES
a) Transportation
This subcommittee is interested in the movement of people, but just as
importantly is interested in the movement of goods. As part of their mandate
to look at all issues regarding transportation including public transportation,
greenways, TransLink, the Port and the regional road network, in 2001
the transportation subcommittee hosted presentations on the Downtown Transportation
Plan, the proposed pedestrian and cyclist crossings of False Creek and
the redesign of the entrance to Stanley Park. Members of the subcommittee
gave presentations on sustainable transportation and the major commercial
transportation system. This subcommittee will continue to monitor several
staff reports in 2002 including the False Creek Crossings study, the redesign
of Pacific Boulevard and the transit strategy for Vancouver.
b) Public Realm
As part of their mandate to explore how Vancouverites use streets, parks,
and other public spaces, this subcommittee hosted two events. The first
was a panel discussion on how festivals, both large and small, use public
spaces, what obstacles are they faced with and how does the city facilitate
use of public spaces by members of the public and organizations The second
was a public lecture on Vancouver's Public Spaces: Are They People Places?
As it continues to explore the ways citizens and tourists use the public
realm this subcommittee has planned two more public lectures for 2002
and 2003. One lecture will look at programming the public realm and the
other will look at ways to finance a healthy, vibrant public realm as
public funds become scarcer.
c) Governance
With several major municipalities in Canada going through amalgamation
with neighbouring jurisdictions, the Commission was interested in exploring
what this could mean for Vancouver. A public event to discuss the pros
and cons of amalgamation featured Dr. Andrew Sancton, Professor and Chair,
Department of Political Science, University of Western Ontario and Glenn
R. Miller, Director of Applied Research, Canadian Urban Institute. Dr.
Patrick Smith spoke to the commission about proposed changes to the Community
Charter and what this will mean for Vancouver as well as an overview of
local government and the pros and cons of amalgamation for the Greater
Vancouver Regional District.
d) Emerging Issues
The objective of this committee was to identify long-range issues which
may become areas of interest and possible future agenda items for the
VCPC. Their activities included meeting with the following urban thinkers
- Warren Gill, Mike Harcourt, David Baxter, Tony Dorsey and Charles Dobson.
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