Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities
April 26, 2023 · 10:30 am
Summary
- Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant: Metro Vancouver staff presented the conceptual design for a major upgrade to the region's largest sewage treatment facility. The $9.9 billion project (including escalation and risk reserve) must meet federal regulatory deadlines by 2030, will serve nearly one million people by 2051, and includes ecological restoration of Iona Beach Regional Park. Funding strategy includes $250M secured from BC, $250M sought from the federal government, and ongoing discussions with the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- 2022 Housing Progress Update: Staff reported a record 10,825 housing units approved in 2022, the highest in the past decade. Purpose-built rental and social/supportive housing hit record approval levels. The city is on track with its Housing Vancouver 10-year targets, particularly the shift toward rental housing, which made up 56% of approvals in 2022.
- Shawn Oaks and Louis Brier Rezoning Directions: Council approved staff proceeding with enhanced rezoning studies for two sites near the Cambie Corridor: Shawn Oaks (5505–5585 Oak Street) and Louis Brier Home and Hospital (1055 West 41st Ave / 5650 Osler Street). Both proposals seek taller, denser buildings than the Cambie Corridor Plan allows, in exchange for social housing, long-term care, and other community benefits. An amendment directing the Mayor to write to the BC Health Minister and Vancouver Coastal Health about retaining long-term care capacity was also adopted.
- Integrity Commissioner Annual Report and Code of Conduct Review: Council received the Integrity Commissioner's annual report and endorsed nine recommendations to improve the Code of Conduct By-law, including mandatory ethics education for councillors and advisory board members, allowances for independent legal advice, and clearer rules around mediation and investigations.
- Parking Meter Fees in Chinatown: Staff presented options to reduce parking rates in Chinatown as a pilot to support neighbourhood revitalization. The recommended option would set a flat $2/hour rate from 9 AM to 10 PM across Chinatown until end of 2024, replacing the current variable $1–$5/hour structure.
- 110 Water Street – Liquor Licence (Little Mountain Gallery): Council endorsed a new Liquor Primary licence for a 135-person arts performance venue in Gastown, subject to event-driven service, a Good Neighbour Agreement, and acoustic requirements.
- 212 Carrall Street – Dual Liquor Licence (Smith's): Council endorsed a Dual Licence (Liquor Primary – Class 1) for a 59-person establishment in Gastown's historic area, operating as a bar after 10 PM within the existing restaurant footprint.
- 1133 Robson Street – Dual Liquor Licence (Fantacity Restaurant): Approved on consent. Dual Licence (Liquor Primary – Class 2) for a 137-person restaurant on Robson Street, operating as a bar after 10 PM.
Motions
110 Water Street Liquor Licence Endorsement
110 Water Street- Council endorsed a new Liquor Primary licence for Little Mountain Gallery Community Arts Performance Association at 110 Water Street (basement and mezzanine).
- The venue is a 135-person event-driven performance space (theatre) in the Gastown area of the Downtown Eastside.
- Conditions include event-driven liquor service only, a Good Neighbour Agreement requiring the venue to be made available to non-profits at least twice per month, an acoustic report, and a Time-Limited Development Permit.
- The applicant previously operated at 195 East 26th Avenue from 2006 to 2021 before that site was redeveloped.
1133 Robson Street Liquor Licence Endorsement
1133 Robson Street- Approved on consent. Dual Licence (Liquor Primary – Class 2) for Fantacity Restaurant at 1133 Robson Street, allowing bar-style operations after 10 PM within the existing restaurant footprint, up to 137 persons.
Shawn Oaks and Louis Brier Rezoning Directions
5505-5585 Oak Street; 1055 West 41st Ave; 5650 Osler Street Carried Details
- Directed staff to proceed with fee-recovered enhanced rezoning processes for two sites near the Cambie Corridor that propose heights and densities exceeding what the Cambie Corridor Plan permits.
- Shawn Oaks (5505–5585 Oak Street): proposal includes strata towers of 23 and 28 storeys, townhomes, and a 6-storey social housing building, plus childcare; the Cambie Corridor Plan currently allows a maximum of 16 storeys.
- Louis Brier Home and Hospital (1055 West 41st Ave / 5650 Osler Street): proposal includes strata towers of 28 and 30 storeys, a 23-storey rental tower, a 6-storey social housing building, and an 8-storey long-term care facility; the plan currently allows up to 20 storeys.
- The enhanced rezoning process involves collaborative design work between applicants and city staff, public feedback on form-of-development options, and a report back to Council before a formal rezoning application is accepted.
- Council's approval does not create legal rights for the applicants or commit the City to approving any future rezoning application.
- Councillor Pete Fry declared a conflict of interest (family relationship with an employee of the architectural firm involved) and was absent for the entire item.
Amendment – Mayor Letter to BC Health Minister
Carried Details
- Added a new clause to the Shawn Oaks/Louis Brier motion directing the Mayor to send a letter to BC's Minister of Health and the CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health.
- The letter would express the importance of retaining a minimum level of long-term care beds on the Louis Brier site as part of any future redevelopment.
- Reflects concern that redevelopment could reduce the existing long-term care capacity serving the community.
Agenda documents (13)
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Metro Vancouver – Iona Wastewater Treatment Plan
2. 2022 Housing Progress Update – Housing Vancouver Strategy Implementation
3. Policy Enquiry Process Directions Report – Shawn Oaks and Louis Brier Home and Hospital Unique Sites Precinct
4. Annual Report of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner and Review of the Code of Conduct By-law
5. Parking Meter Fees in Chinatown
6. 110 Water Street (Basement & Mezzanine Level) Little Mountain Gallery Community Arts Performance Association Liquor Primary Liquor Licence Application Liquor Establishment – Venue (Theatre)
7. 212 Carrall Street – 1289491 B.C. Ltd (“Smith’s”) Dual Licence – Liquor Primary Licence Application Liquor Establishment – Class 1
8. 1133 Robson Street – Primary Holdings Ltd (“Fantacity Restaurant”) Dual Licence – Liquor Primary Licence Application Liquor Establishment Class 2
REFFERED ITEMS
9. Piloting a Pedestrian Scramble Crossing Trial in Vancouver (Members’ Motion B.2)
10. Protecting People on Cornwall Avenue (Members’ Motion B.3)
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
* * * * *
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Christine Boyle🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Brian Montague🥜 | ||||||
| Lucy Maloney🥜 | ||||||
| Sean Orr🥜 |