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Kensington-Cedar Cottage - Cityplan Meeting Minutes

Minutes from December 7, 2000 Meeting

Meeting Notes of the Kensington-Cedar Cottage Steering Committee
Thursday, December 7, 2000
GIBBY'S FIELD - 1460 East 18th Avenue

In Attendance:

Jennifer McClean
Paul Calderhead
Sharole Tylor
Alena Ebelung Schuld
D. Craig Sibley
Uli Rasehorn
David Walton

Mavis Dixon
Rob Millar
Louise Cameron
Ken Baker
Heather Imrie
Ann Roberts
B. Kim Stansfield

Also in Attendance:
Cathy Buckham, City Staff

Mavis Dixon, from Evergreen, gave a brief history of Gibby's Field. Gibby's Field offers a rare opportunity to preserve a piece of exposed creek with historical significance. It is the last remnant of the historical China Creek river system. Currently, there is a lightly trod path through the property, however the City has installed "No Trespassing" signs. The surrounding neighbours have been vigilant in enforcing the no trespassing edict imposed by the City, however, they are supportive of a community vision for the property. The City owns the property and the site is being prepared to be filled and sold as three (3) individual lots by the Real Estate Department for approximately $240,000 per lot. The Gibby's Field Group has a consensus forming around a community vision for the property. The vision of the property is that it could:

1. Mark the history of the neighbourhood;
2. Restore and create bird and butterfly habitat through the use of low maintenance, native plants;
3. Create some water habitat and riparian edge habitat by restoring some of the creek flow, within the confines of neighbourhood safety concerns.

The Gibby's Field Group is seeking a moratorium on further residential development of the property. They are preparing to approach the City and Parks Board to have the property removed from the Property Endowment Fund.

The question was raised as to whether or not the Parks Board would be interested in acquiring Gibby's Field. Paul Calderhead responded that he had spoken to the Board and they feel the area is not park material and therefore does not require a quick response. Gibby's Field does not fit within the Parks Board requirements for green space. It was suggested by Parks Board staff that an issue like this has to go political. Cathy Buckham said she would check the protocol first.

The Gibby's Field group is asking KCC Steering Committee to support the above moratorium. Ann Roberts said she would write a letter to the City on behalf of the Steering Committee in support of a moratorium on further residential development of the property.

GARBAGE

The administrative report written by Kevin Van Vliet dated November 28, 2000, with respect to residential recycling, garbage and yard trimmings was discussed.

The policy report is going to Council Committee on December 14, 2000.

Cathy Buckham gave a brief overview of the report. She noted there was nothing alarming in the report. One recommendation raises the limit for yard waste collection to four (4) items per collection period from three (3). One other change focuses on increasing equity and fairness in the allocation and payment of solid waste collection services (i.e. conversion projects and apartments not paying their fair share). Currently there is no method of forcing certain properties to purchase garbage collection services. Engineering feels the inappropriate disposal of household garbage is straining the street cleaning budgets. Some street litter containers contain over 80% household garbage by weight.

Some critics of the proposed policy feel it is unclear if the proposed standards will remedy the problem. What kind of monitoring system is in place? The public needs to be educated with respect to composting and blue box recycling. There should be an emphasis on policies that encourage reduction and recycling. Not mentioned in the report is the reduction at the source of the layers of packaging. Businesses should be encouraged to take back their packaging materials. It was also suggested that the issue of organic matter (food waste) had not been addressed. A separate can for food waste would greatly reduce the amount of household waste in the garbage cans. This organic material could then be composted.

It was agreed the report is technical not visionary.

KINGSCREST - Vancouver Chinese Baptist Church

The sub-committee reviewing the Church's plans are generally pleased with the revised plans. There have been significant changes in the architecture and the plans now include space for a library and subsidized housing. The sub-committee gave the Church preliminary approval in writing dated September 28, 2000 directed to Phillip Mah of the Building Committee. Members of the Committee have concerns about the Church' s plans and would like to see the following issues addressed:

1. the door on Knight Street be visibly welcoming to the community and the entrance to the gymnasium and community rooms be clearly separated from the Church sanctuary;
2. that church representatives discuss with staff from Kensington Community Centre, Trout Lake Community Centre, and Dickens and Selkirk Elementary Schools possible use of the gymnasium and times that would be preferred as a step toward establishing a reasonable schedule of use outside times used by the Church; and
3. that security be a significant priority given the many times that a Church building is unoccupied; and
4. that the community members be consulted about the choice of exterior finish to ensure that it is durable and attractive.

It was agreed that pressure should be put on the City re a commitment to neighbourhood centre planning around this project. A critical part of the plan is the lane between the Church property and the balance of the property that is still up for sale. We must go after the City with respect to this lane.

Parking issues are still outstanding.

There is general acceptance of the Church's proposal, however, there is still a great deal of skepticism among committee members with respect to the use and availability of the so-called "public spaces". Our agreement is that a nominal fee only would be charged for use of the "public space."

As the Church has not yet provided completed plans, the Committee agreed to bring this matter forward at the January 11th meeting.

With respect to the balance of the site, the other lots are still up for sale. The City has done nothing with respect to the opportunities for this site. In particular, using this site as a neighbourhood centre. The City should take the opportunity to make an example of this site for use as a neighbourhood centre. We are asking the City to provide resources on how to create a neighbourhood centre. We need expertise and resources - money, zoning, planning resources, subsidies, housing demonstrations. The City should be pressured to buy the balance of the property and then commence with neighbourhood centre planning. If one of the lots is purchased, then there will definitely be a problem with the site as a whole.

What about implementing zoning changes and allowing for higher densities?

KNIGHT STREET STUDY

Cathy Buckham stated that Knight Street would be studied in January 2001. Dale Bracewell, a City engineer, agreed Knight Street is a priority. There is a "scoping" meeting arranged for December 11, 2000. Any implementation of the study will happen in KCC.

C2 ZONING

A consultant is being chosen for the commercial zoning review. This study ties into the C2 zoning on Kingsway.

KINGSWAY CORRIDOR

After the Commercial/Broadway station is completed, Frank Ducote's team will focus on the Kingsway corridor sometime in March or April. The question was raised "What if the Kingscrest properties have been sold by that time?

FRASER STREET BLOCK OUT GROUP

A group of residents has formed a "block out" crime, prostitution, graffiti etc. group in and around the south side of Fraser and 25th. They have been meeting at the Ruth Morton Baptist Church on a regular basis. Kim Stansfield agreed to liase with the group to find out how they are proceeding.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Thursday January 11, 2001, at 7:00 P.M. at Trout Lake Community Centre.

THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

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