Council Meeting
January 31, 2023 · 09:30 am
Summary
- Renewable Energy Supply: Council directed staff to consult with experts and BC Hydro on expanding renewable energy in Vancouver, evaluate solar, wind, and district energy options, and report back by Q4 2023; Mayor to write provincial ministers urging action on UBCM-passed renewable energy motions.
- Granville Street Planning Program: Council approved a new planning program for the Granville Street Entertainment District, including an interim rezoning policy to limit land speculation, provisions to fast-track hotel applications, a vision for a signature public space, and direction to explore making the district vehicle-free.
- SRO Life Safety Grant: Council approved a $110,000 grant to the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society for a tenant-led fire safety pilot in 18 SRO buildings; Mayor directed to write the provincial Minister of Housing about fire risks; staff directed to explore expanding the pilot and funding it through the Empty Homes Tax.
- Hastings Street Building Lines (referral): Approved referral to public hearing of a proposed amendment to reduce building line setbacks on the north side of Hastings Street from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road, streamlining future development permitting.
- Zoning by-laws enacted: Four by-laws enacted, including rezonings at 6538–6568 Oak Street (RS-1 to RM-8AN) and 728–796 Main Street (to CD-1), and repeal of two housing agreement by-laws for 8460 Ash Street/8495 Cambie Street.
- Form of Development approvals: Designs approved for new developments at 2268 East Broadway and 720 East 56th Avenue.
- Indigenous Housing and Wellness Motion: Motion on piloting culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led supportive housing and wellness centres referred to the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services for speakers and debate.
- Industrial Modernization Framework: Motion directing staff to report back by Q3 2023 on the Industrial Modernization and Intensification Framework referred to the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services.
- Tech Hubs Motion: Motion directing staff to explore strategies to support and expand Vancouver's tech hubs and clusters referred to the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services.
- Notices of motion filed for future meetings: climate action costs and benefits (Councillor Carr), equity lens review of city by-laws (Councillor Zhou), and repealing the single-use beverage cup fee (Councillor Bligh).
Minutes approved
- January 17 Council
- January 17 Public Hearing
- January 18 Policy Committee
- January 19 Public Hearing
Motions
Referral Report 1 — Hastings Street Building Lines
Hastings Street, North Side, from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road- Staff propose reducing the building line (the setback area where development cannot occur) on the north side of East Hastings Street from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road from 4.3 m to 1.2 m, with the 1.2 m portion dedicated as road allowance to improve the pedestrian environment.
- The original 4.3 m building line was established in 1993 to reserve space for potential left-turn bays in case the Skeena Tunnel closed as part of the Cassiar Connector project; since the tunnel was not closed, the full setback is no longer needed.
- A consistent, smaller building line across all three blocks will allow development sites along this stretch to be used more efficiently, without requiring individual property owners to seek Council approval each time they redevelop.
- This approach is consistent with a 2014 Council decision that already reduced the building line to 1.2 m for a single site at 388 Skeena Street to enable a mixed-use rental project.
- The amendment has no direct financial cost to the City, but is expected to streamline the development permit process for both property owners and City staff.
- The item is being referred to a Public Hearing before any bylaw changes are enacted.
Increasing Renewable Energy Supply (Vote 08970)
Carried Details
- Directed staff to consult with experts and BC Hydro on expediting renewable energy supply; encouraged ZEIC to convene top thinkers on urban renewable energy through ZEBx or B2E coalition; directed evaluation of solar photovoltaic, solar hot water, wind, and district energy options; directed a Q4 2023 report with options, costs, benefits, and how a renewable energy initiative would fit with housing delivery streamlining efforts; directed Mayor to write provincial ministers to expand installer training, offer consumer rebates on solar PV and hot water systems, and increase BC Hydro feed-in tariffs.
- Context: Vancouver has reduced GHG emissions by only 15% against a 50% target by 2030; BC Hydro projects clean electricity supply sufficient only to 2030; building retrofits and EV adoption are increasing electricity demand; other jurisdictions (Berlin, Copenhagen, France) are mandating solar installations.
Granville Street Planning Program (Vote 08973)
Granville Street Carried Details
- Approved the full Granville Street Planning Program as amended, including: Terms of Reference for a new vision for Granville Street and the Entertainment District; an Interim Rezoning Policy to manage applications during the planning process; amendments to the Development Contribution Expectations Policy to limit land speculation; fast-tracking of hotel applications and the 800–876 Granville rezoning; addition of social and safety goals; music and arts bylaw exploration; a bold vision for a new destination public space (with options for the 2027–2030 capital plan); and direction to engage TransLink on the feasibility of making the Entertainment District vehicle-free.
- Objectives include economic stimulus, cultural revitalization, heritage preservation, tourism, and public realm improvements.
- Mayor Sim absent due to declared conflict of interest.
SRO Life Safety Grant (Vote 08981)
Carried Details
- Council is asked to approve a $110,000 grant to the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society to fund a tenant-led fire safety pilot program across 18 SRO buildings, reaching approximately 740 residents.
- Structure fires in SROs have more than doubled since 2016, rising from 104 to 223 in 2022; SROs now account for 11% of all citywide fires, up from 7% in 2016, with 70% of incidents caused by smoking materials, lighters, candles, or matches.
- SRO residents face heightened fire risk due to aging building infrastructure, overloaded electrical systems, inadequate heating, e-bike lithium battery storage, limited egress, and tenant vulnerabilities including mobility challenges, disabilities, and substance use.
- The 2022 Winters Hotel fire killed two people and permanently displaced 71 tenants; six additional significant SRO fires in 2022 temporarily or permanently displaced over 400 residents combined.
- The grant-funded pilot complements ongoing fire safety education and prevention work being carried out jointly by Arts, Culture and Community Services, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, and Development, Buildings and Licensing.
- Funding comes from the 2023 City of Vancouver Operating Budget, and approval requires a two-thirds majority of Council under the Vancouver Charter.
Enact By-laws 1 to 4
Carried Details
- Four zoning by-laws enacted: rezoning of 6538–6568 Oak Street from RS-1 to RM-8AN (By-law 13613); rezoning of 728–796 Main Street to CD-1 (By-law 13614); repeal of housing agreement by-law for 8460 Ash Street/8495 Cambie Street Lot A (By-law 13615); repeal of housing agreement by-law for the same address Lot C (By-law 13616). Mayor Sim ineligible to vote on by-laws 1 and 2 (not on Council at time of original public hearings); several councillors confirmed they had reviewed proceedings to be eligible.
Form of Development 2268 East Broadway
2268 East Broadway Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 2268 East Broadway (Development Application DP-2021-00510, prepared by Omincron AEC Ltd.), with the Director of Planning retaining authority to impose conditions and approve minor design changes.
Form of Development 720 East 56th Avenue
720 East 56th Avenue Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 720 East 56th Avenue (Development Application DP-2021-00842, prepared by Cornerstone Architecture), with the Director of Planning retaining authority to impose conditions and approve minor design changes.
Agenda documents (17)
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Increasing the Climate-Smart Supply of Renewable Energy in Vancouver
2. Granville Street Planning Program – Terms of Reference and Interim Rezoning Policies
REPORTS
1. Improving Life Safety in SROs: Updates and Grant to SRO-Collaborative
REFERRAL REPORTS
1. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Schedule E Building Lines (Hastings Street, North Side, from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road)
BY-LAWS
MOTIONS
1. Approval of Form of Development – 2268 East Broadway
2. Approval of Form of Development – 720 East 56th Avenue
1. Requests for Leaves of Absence
2. Piloting a Culturally Appropriate, Indigenous-led Supportive Housing and Wellness Centre Project in Partnership with Indigenous Peoples
3. Industrial Modernization and Intensification Framework Development Process Update
4. Supporting and Expanding Vancouver’s Tech Hubs, Clusters, and Districts
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Christine Boyle🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Brian Montague🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lucy Maloney🥜 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sean Orr🥜 |