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Contents

2010 Meetings

Previous Years Minutes

Introduction
(Authority and Jurisdiction)

General Procedures

Specific Procedures

Who is on the Board?

Further Information

Development Permit Board Information

(Including meeting dates, agendas and minutes)

Click here (pdf) to view all major development applications currently tentatively scheduled for future Development Permit Board consideration.

Meetings are held on alternate Mondays (except where noted) at 3:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room (1st Floor, City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue). The meetings are open to the public. If you wish to speak to an item, please register with the DPB Assistant at 604-873-7469 or lorna.harvey@vancouver.ca. Items in ITALICS indicate a tentative date.

2012 Meetings

Previous Years Minutes

2011 |2010 |2009 |2008 |2007 |2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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Introduction (Authority and Jurisdiction)

The Development Permit Board and Advisory Panel has been in existence since June 1975. Its purpose is to consider various types of development applications, primarily those which, due to their scale and context, or because of community controversy, may have a significant impact on their surroundings. Applications of lesser significance are dealt with by the Director of Planning.

The Board’s jurisdiction is to assess a proposed development based on the site it is being proposed for, as well as by the existing and potential buildings on surrounding sites. In performing its duties, the Development Permit Board may approve, approve with certain conditions, or refuse the application.

The Board is limited in its authority by zoning and parking regulations or by the Official Development Plan (ODP) provisions that City Council has enacted. These provisions generally outline acceptable uses and building forms in a given area. In making a decision on a development application, the Board cannot deny a development if it meets the zoning/ODP and guidelines, or approve a development if it does not fall within the zoning/ODP. The Board is an administrative tribunal. It administers land use and development objectives approved by City Council, as expressed in various by-laws, policies and guidelines. The Board is not a policy-making body.

General Procedures

All Development Permit Board meetings are open to the public. Applicants or their representatives are present to discuss the application. Neighbours and others interested in the development may also attend and make presentations. Written submissions are also considered.

All development applications considered by the Development Permit Board are first reviewed by the Development Permit Staff Committee, an inter-departmental City staff committee. The reports of the Development Permit Staff Committee provide the basis for discussion at the Development Permit Board meetings and include a recommendation from the Staff Committee.

Copies of these reports are available at the meeting or can be obtained the Friday before the meeting by contacting the Assistant to the Development Permit Board at 604-873-7469.

Specific Procedures

The following is a more specific outline of how the system works:

• The Board first receives a presentation from a representative of the Development Permit Staff Committee (usually the Development Planner who is the staff person principally responsible for reviewing the application)
• The Development Planner outlines the key issues and recommendations of the Development Permit Staff Committee report
• Board and Panel members review the posted drawings and model of the proposed development
• The Board then hears from the applicant who is asked to respond specifically to the issues raised by the Staff Committee, and to state whether or not the recommendations contained in the Staff Committee Report can be met
• Interested members of the public are then invited to address the Board
• A discussion takes place among members of the Board and Advisory Panel. Throughout the discussion, questions of all participants are dealt with through the Chair
• The Chair polls the Advisory Panel members for their advice
• The three Board members then debate the recommendation and a motion is made and voted on, the decision of the Board is then announced. The Chair is restricted in presenting any motions and only votes if two members are unable to reach an agreement.

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Who is on the Board?

Development Permit Board
The Board comprises the Director of Development Services, who is Chair, the General Manager of Engineering Services, the Deputy City Manager and Director of Planning.  The Chair does not vote except when Board members present at a meeting are equal for and against a question, in which case the Chair shall have the right to exercise the casting vote. 

Each Board member, except for the Director of Development Services, has an alternate or alternates.  If the Director of Development Services is unable to attend a Board meeting, she may appoint a Board member or any alternate of any Board member to act as Chair at that meeting on behalf, and in place, of the Director of Development Services.

Board Members
Chair: Vicki Potter ( Director - Development Services)

Member:  Vacant (Director of Planning)
Alternate:  Kent Munro (Assistant Director - Current Planning Division)

Member: Peter Judd (General Manager, Engineering)
Alternates: Jerry Dobrovolny (Director of Transportation)
Karyn Magnusson (Director, Departmental Services, Office of the General Manager - Engineering)

Member: Sadhu Johnston (Deputy City Manager)
Alternates: David McLellan (Deputy City Manager)

The Advisory Panel 2012
The Board makes all decisions but is given advice in all deliberations by an Advisory Panel consisting of nine members appointed by City Council. Two members represent the development industry, two are from the design profession, one represents the Vancouver Heritage Commission and four represent the general public. As advisors to the Board, Panel members are polled for their opinions but do not vote.

Representatives of the Design Professions:
Member: Scott Romses (Chair, Urban Design Panel)
Alternate: Jim Huffman (Urban Design Panel)
Member: Foad Rafii

Representatives of the Development Industry:
Members: Maurice Pez, Jon Stovell

Representative of the Vancouver Heritage Commission:
Member: Kim Maust
Alternate: Any other member of the Vancouver Heritage Commission

Representatives of the General Public:
Members: Mahbod Biazi , Shahla Bozorgzadeh, Chris Chung, Jasminka Miletic-Prelovac, Phil Sanderson

Assistant to the Board:
Lorna Harvey, Development Services, Community Services

Further Information

If you would like further information than what is provided here (e.g., Minutes of meetings, reports, questions or comments) please contact Lorna Harvey, Assistant to the Board at 604-873-7469 or lorna.harvey@vancouver.ca

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

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