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Function and Authority

2009 Meetings

Previous Years Minutes

Procedure

Who is on the Panel?

Further Information

Urban Design Panel Information

(Including meeting dates, agendas and minutes)

Function and Authority

The Panel gives impartial and professional advice to the Director of Planning, Development Permit Board or City Council on any proposal or policy affecting the community’s physical environment. In particular, the Panel offers advice on significant development permit applications which are to be reviewed by the Development Permit Board or Director of Planning, as well as comprehensive rezoning applications and other projects of public interest.

The Panel’s reviews also include all civic works such as bridges, roadworks, parks, beautification projects, transit systems, civic buildings and design competitions. They may choose to select additional projects to review as well. The Panel also assists the Planning Department and City Council in the formulation of urban design policy and criteria, including the design and inter-relationship of all physical components of the City. Projects are presented by staff from the Urban Design and Development Planning Centre, Rezoning Centre, and other City departments.

The Panel is strictly an advisory body and makes recommendations only. It does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects or make policy decisions.

2009 Meetings

Panel meetings are held every two weeks throughout the year. Special meetings are convened when necessary. The meetings are normally held on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1 (City Hall, main building, 3rd Floor, 453 West 12th Avenue). Public attendance is permitted, however, the public may not address the Panel.

Previous Years Minutes

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

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Procedure

The Panel meetings are conducted by the elected chairperson in the following manner:

• The Development Planner introduces the project to the Panel (referring to its location, context, background, scope and response to established by-laws and design guidelines)
• The applicant is given the opportunity to clarify any aspects of the plan to the Panel (no presentation is required of the applicant)
• The Panel members review the project material and provide comments and observations
• The Chairperson summarizes the comments of the Panel
• The Panel then votes for either “Support”, “Non-Support” or “Deferral”
• Detailed minutes of the meeting are distributed to the applicant and all relevant City staff and approving authorities

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2009 Urban Design Panel

The Panel is a professional advisory body appointed by City Council under authority of City By-law No. 4722. It is required to be composed of not less than 12 members. They consist of:

6 members from the Architectural Institute of British Columbia:
Martin Nielsen, Architect, Busby, Perkins + Will (Chair)
Mark Ostry, Architect, Acton Ostry Architects (Deputy Chair)
Richard Henry, Architect, Richard Henry Architect
Bruce Haden, Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architects
Oliver Lang, Lang Wilson Practice in Architecture Culture
Steve McFarlane, McFarlane Green Biggar

2 members from the Association of Professional Engineers:
Vladimir Mikler, Engineer, Cobalt Engineering
Douglas Watts, Engineer, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.

2 members from the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects:
Gerry Eckford, Eckford & Associates Landscape Architecture
Jane Durante, Durante & Kreuk Ltd.

1 representative from the Vancouver Planning Commission:
David Godin

1 member representing the development industry:
Maurice Pez, Architect, Maurice Pez Architect Ltd.

Further Information

If you would like further information, please call 604-873-7344 or email planning@vancouver.ca.

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

© 2009 City of Vancouver