		Community Services	City of Vancouver Search Help
		Planning: City Plans

CITY OF VANCOUVER

Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee

Meeting Notes

Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee Meeting
Monday, May 28, 2007
Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver

Chair:	Colin Gray
Secretary:	Jess Metter
Present:	Susan Chapman, John Geddes, Stephen Rybak, Peter Sven, Wendy Turner, Sonia Wicken, Cathy Buckham (Planning department).
Guests:	Joel Milgram (Transportation Subcommittee), Mary Patricia White, and Elena Nikitina
Regrets:	Merva Cottle, Collette Gerber, Ellen Hockin, Mike Tarbotton, Denise Taylor-Ellis, George Pinch, Jessica Hotz.

1. The agenda was approved.

2. April 23, 2007 Minutes. The Minutes were approved as amended.

3. Annual Community Meeting (ACM). (Scheduled for Sunday September 30th)

The objectives and format of the community meeting was discussed. Around the perimeter of the room will be displays on the subjects of: The Dunbar Vision ~ Then & Now, EcoDensity, Community Services (including Seniors & Supportive Housing Options), Transportation, Greenways, Recruiting new members for the committee and its sub-committees.

When residents and guests have assembled, there will be a 15 minute overview by the Chair about the history of the Vision, creation of the VIC, and our work over the past year. Following this there will be a 45 minute period when committee members & City staff (possibly?) will be stationed at the displays to talk informally with guests. Those in attendance will be asked to reconvene for a dialogue with the committee on priorities for next year.

Our goals are the following:

to communicate our presence and activity to the community
stimulate discussion about issues in Dunbar and elicit direction/suggestions from the community
invite participation in the committee, the subcommittees and action arising from the committee.

Joel proposed making pencils and notepads available to guests at the display area.

Cathy advised that Edna will require an 11 week period for preparation which will include display panels and a flyer announcing the Meeting.

The Committee decided to spend $4000-$5000 for the preparation and distribution 10,000 flyers announcing the ACM. (There are 9600 households in Dunbar). This will be delivered before mid-September. Edna will prepare the initial draft and work on the copy in consultation with designated committee members. Other costs to the VIC include: room rental, refreshments.

We will invite City Council members to the ACM.

Action Items:
- Colin will be liaison to Edna during July and August. One other VIC member will be needed.
- Susan will prepare a notice about the ACM for the June 23 DRA Newsletter.
- Arrange room rental. (No one designated).

4. Debrief of Council’s decision on May 15 re: Formwerks re-zoning application.

Colin described his presentation to and questioning by Council and reflected upon the divergent interpretations of the Vision by the Planning Dept. and the community. Committee members thanked Colin for his presentation and fielding of difficult questions by Council. Council voted unanimously to re-zone the Dunbar & 39th Ave. parcel.

Wendy advised that we need to develop a strong consensus before making presentations to Council as the chair is limited in capacity to present convincing comments without it.

5. Debrief on Ecodensity workshop held May 17. In the interest of time, there was a brief synopsis.

During discussion concerns were raised about whether the EcoDensity initiatives will override neighbourhood Visions. The Planners are also wondering about the relationship between the Vision and EcoDensity.

Action Item:
- Colin will contact other VIC chairpersons to discuss setting up a meeting with Planner Brent Toderian as a follow-up to the Ecodensity Workshop and contentious interpretations of current Visions. Mr. Toderian was unable to attend the May 17 workshop.

6. Response to the Draft on Supportive Housing Strategy.

The Community Services Sub-Committee reviewed the Supportive Housing document. Stephen together with the committee prepared a response. A primary intention is to request inclusion in a consultation process with Jill Davidson of the Housing Centre.

Action Items:
- VIC Members--Please read the response and email proposed changes to John by June 1.
- Colin will post by June 5 together with a cover letter to the Director of the Housing Centre, with copies to City Council and Colin Hansen.

Other Community Services business: John advises that a meeting with a representative of Sunrise Seniors Communities will be scheduled, possibly at our June 18 meeting.

7. Note on BIA developments. Deferred.

8. Note on Blenheim St. traffic calming. Deferred.

9. Note on Crown St. bikeway. Deferred.

10. Presentation re: options for 41st and Balaclava development.

Architect, Maurice Ouellette (local manager of Emaar; an international real estate developer based in Dubai) introduced the project’s sustainability goals and their desire to work with the community. Mark Holland (Brook Development Planning) presented a quick overview on translating the theory of the “ecological footprint” theory into the practice at the local level with respect to materials, energy and water usage, waste management.

The development will be a proposal under Vision Direction 9.2 Seniors Low-Rise Housing for CD-1 zoning on a 155’ x 190’ site. The original 120’ site will be enlarged to include a 20’ lane and a 115’ site to the north. The latter depends on the results of negotiations with Knox United Church and the Planning Department to extend the project further north. Adrian Smith will be the project architect.

Stephen recommended that the ARKS VIC be advised of the project by Emaar, as the Dunbar-Kerrisdale border is at W.41 Ave. Our next meeting with Emaar will be scheduled at a time separate from our June VIC business meeting.

Action Item:
- Chair to liaise with Emaar and Planning staff to schedule the meeting in late June.

11. Letter to Airport authority re: takeoffs on north runway.

Wendy has prepared a letter stating the community¹s interest and will invite the Airport Authority to talk to our committee about noise management.

Action Item:
- VIC Members - Please read and email your comments to Wendy by June 1. Chair to sign paper copy and send to the Airport Authority

12. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

The next meeting will be on Monday, June 18 at the Dunbar community Centre, 7 p.m.

[top]

Questions or Comments? E-mail: cityplan@vancouver.ca