Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities
January 18, 2023 · 09:30 am
Summary
- BC Assessment presentation (Item 1): BC Assessment staff gave an overview of the 2023 property assessment roll for Vancouver. Total assessed value reached $526 billion across more than 160,000 properties, up about 5% from 2022. Residential properties make up 72% of roll value. Council asked questions of staff.
- Missing Middle Housing presentation (Item 2): Planning staff presented a proposal to allow up to six housing units (multiplexes) on lots in low-density (RS-zoned) neighbourhoods, alongside simplification of complex zoning rules. Public engagement is set to launch in early February 2023, with a final report to Council targeted for Q3 2023.
- Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan update (Item 3): Planning staff updated Council on early directions for the area around Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain stations, including new mixed-use zones, rental and social housing priorities, Still Creek flood plain updates, and reconciliation work with First Nations. Phase 1 engagement is ongoing through February 2023.
- Granville Street Planning Program (Item 4): Staff recommended approving a terms of reference for a new Granville Street planning program to revitalize the Granville Entertainment District, including updated zoning, design guidelines, and an interim rezoning policy to limit land speculation during planning. Debate and decision referred to the January 31, 2023 Council meeting.
- Fire apparatus contract (Item 5): Council approved a contract with Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd. to supply up to 14 large fire trucks over five years, at an estimated cost of $26.6 million. Three trucks will be purchased initially to replace end-of-life vehicles.
- Mattress recycling contract (Item 6): Council approved a contract with Pacific Mattress Recycling Inc. for used mattress recycling services over three years at an estimated cost of $2 million. Passed on consent without debate.
- SRO grant and conversion permit (Item 7): Council approved a $720,000 grant to Atira Women's Resource Society for upgrades to the Aay̓in building (208 East Georgia Street, formerly the London Hotel), securing 71 rooms at shelter rates until 2032, and approved conversion of two rooms into a laundry and kitchen facility.
- Renter Office update (Item 8): Council debated the future of the City's Renter Office. A split vote resulted in: the Renter Office continuation being rejected; renter services grants increased to $750,000; TRAC approved as operator of a renter services hub at 900 Howe Street; up to $1.2 million in tenant improvements approved; and staff directed to plan a transition of Renter Office work to outside providers and to engage the province on renter protection alignment.
- Renewable energy motion (Item 9): Adriane Carr's motion directing staff to consult on and plan for expanded renewable energy (including solar) in Vancouver was referred to the January 31, 2023 Council meeting as the first item of unfinished business, due to audio technical difficulties.
Motions
Granville Street Planning Program Recommendations
Granville Street Referred Details
- Recommended approving the terms of reference for a new Granville Street Planning Program to develop a vision for Granville Street and the Granville Entertainment District.
- Program would review land use, zoning, design guidelines, and heritage policies; address safety, vacancy, and daytime activity concerns; and consider heritage and cultural benefits of pending rezoning proposals.
- An interim rezoning policy would limit land speculation while the planning process is underway.
- Motion moved but not voted on; immediately referred to the January 31 meeting.
Contract Award Large Fire Apparatus
Carried Details
- Approved a five-year contract (with four optional one-year extensions) with Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd. for up to 14 large fire trucks at an estimated $26.6 million.
- Three trucks to be purchased initially, funded from the Fleet Replacement reserve, to replace units past their service life.
- Electric fire truck options were evaluated but rejected as they did not meet pumping capacity requirements and carried higher costs and reliability risks.
- New trucks will use renewable diesel (R100) to reduce carbon footprint.
Contract Award Mattress Recycling Services
- Approved a three-year contract (with two optional three-year extensions) with Pacific Mattress Recycling Inc. for recycling of used mattresses collected at City transfer stations, at an estimated cost of $2 million.
- Mattresses are banned from Metro Vancouver landfills; this contract ensures compliant local recycling.
SRO Grant Atira and SRA Conversion Permit Porte
208 East Georgia Street Carried Details
- Approved a $720,000 capital grant to Atira Women's Resource Society for building upgrades at Aay̓in (208 East Georgia Street, formerly the London Hotel), an SRO building housing vulnerable residents.
- Grant conditional on Atira extending its lease with building owner Porte Communities to 2032, all permits being issued, and a Housing Agreement securing 71 rooms at shelter rates (currently $375/month) until 2032.
- Also approved an SRA Conversion Permit to convert two designated rooms into a laundry and kitchen facility, improving livability for tenants.
- Council had previously deferred this decision in July 2022 pending a safety management plan; an operations management plan developed with Atira, Porte, and BC Housing addressed those concerns.
Renter Office Amendment (Zhou)
Carried Details
- Amendment by Councillor Lenny Zhou to the original Renter Office motion, proposing two changes: increasing the renter services grants from $500,000 to $750,000, and adding direction for staff to plan a transition of the Renter Office's work to external service providers and to engage the province on aligning renter protection policies.
Renter Office Vote B and G
Carried Details
- Separate votes on the Zhou amendment components relating to the increased grant amount (B) and the direction to engage provincial counterparts on renter protection alignment (G); both passed unanimously.
Renter Office Vote F (Amendment)
Carried Details
- Separate vote on Zhou amendment component F, directing staff to report back on a plan to transition the Renter Office's work to outside providers; passed with Councillors Christine Boyle, Adriane Carr, and Pete Fry opposed.
Renter Office Vote A (Motion as Amended)
Defeated Details
- Vote on Recommendation A of the original Renter Office motion, which would have endorsed continuing renter services through the City's own Renter Office.
- Defeated; Councillors Rebecca Bligh, Lisa Dominato, Mike Klassen, Peter Meiszner, Brian Montague, Lenny Zhou, and Mayor Ken Sim opposed.
- Those opposed preferred transitioning the work to non-profit and provincial providers rather than maintaining a City-run office.
Renter Office Vote F (Motion as Amended)
Carried Details
- Vote on Recommendation F (as amended by the Zhou amendment), directing staff to plan a transition of Renter Office functions to outside service providers; passed with Boyle, Carr, and Fry opposed.
- Supporters argued non-profits and the province are better placed to deliver renter services; opponents felt the City's direct role was important for accountability and advocacy.
Renter Office Vote B,C,D,E,G (Motion as Amended)
900 Howe Street Carried Details
- Vote on Recommendations B, C, D, E, and G of the Renter Office motion as amended; all passed unanimously.
- Includes: $750,000 in renter services grants for 2023; TRAC approved as operator of the 900 Howe Street renter services hub at nominal rent; up to $1.2 million in tenant improvements at 900 Howe funded from the Empty Homes Tax; and direction to engage the province on renter protection alignment.
Agenda documents (12)
AGENDA ITEMS
1. 2023 Assessment Roll Presentation by BC Assessment Authority
2. Presentation - Adding Missing Middle Housing and Simplifying Regulations in Low Density Neighbourhood
3. Presentation - Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan Update
4. Granville Street Planning Program – Terms of Reference and Interim Rezoning Policies
5. Contract Award for the Supply and Delivery of Large Fire Apparatus
6. Contract Award for Supply of Used Mattress Recycling Services
7. SRO Upgrade Grant to Atira Women’s Resource Society and Single Room Accommodation (SRA) Conversion Permit to Porte Communities for 208 East Georgia Street (formerly the London Hotel)
REFERRED ITEMS
8. Renter Office Update and Direction (Report 3)
9. Increasing the Climate-Smart Supply of Renewable Energy in Vancouver (Motion B.2)
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
1. Standing Committee of Council on Policy and Strategic Priorities Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | |||||||||||
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | ||||||
| Christine Boyle🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Brian Montague🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |