Council preview for week of Feb 13: Mental health funds, budget, equity lens, single-use cup fee repeal, low-barrier housing, 2 public hearings, ** climate change ** and more

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Vancouver City Council has a busy week set up. This is just a listing of the agendas, for the record. We may add more links and commentary as time permits. See up to date agendas at this link. Vancouver City Council this week has a regular meeting, a standing committee meeting, and two Public Hearings packed with items. (https://covapp.vancouver.ca/councilMeetingPublic/CouncilMeetings.aspx). 

Vancouver Park Board on Monday Feb 13 – COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy for Contractors – Suspension (for decision), Stanley Park Temporary Bike Lane Options – Report Back (for decision), and General Manager’s Report (for information). Agenda and minutes here – https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/2023/20230213/index.htm. The new ABC-dominated Board made a big decision to open up Stanley Park traffic again, and commit to a longer term plan to develop cycling routes. See media for coverage. One example “It’s official: Park Board approves removal of Stanley Park bike lane” – https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-park-board-stanley-park-bike-lane-final-approved-changes

Regular Council (14-Feb-2023, Tues) has, among other things, Grant to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) for expanded Mental Health Response; 2023 Street Cleaning Grants; Appointment of Childcare Operators etc.; Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments and Closeouts; Alignment with the Electrical Safety Regulations, Housekeeping, and Miscellaneous Updates to the Building and Electrical By-laws; Establishment of Civic Agencies; Auditor General Committee Recommendations Transmittal Report; and motions on “Equity Lens Review of City By-laws to Ensure Equity is at the Forefront,” “Repealing Vancouver’s Single-Use Beverage Cup Fee,” and “Climate Action Costs and Benefits.”

At the same meeting, these items are in “referral reports” meaning that staff are recommending they proceed to Public Hearings, so watch for them on agenda within a matter of weeks. This is a heads up to communities – if there are items you support or oppose or want improved, prepare your materials immediately:

  • 5828-5850 Granville Street,
  • 1522 West 45th Avenue and 6137 Granville Street,
  • 7688-7720 Cambie Street,
  • 103-111 North Templeton Drive and 2185 Oxford Street,
  • 817-837 West 28th Avenue and 4375 Willow Street,
  • Miscellaneous Amendments Concerning Various CD-1 By-laws.

The Council Standing Committee (15-Feb-2023, Wed) has just two items at the moment: “Second Annual Climate Emergency Implementation Update” and “A Climate Justice Charter for Vancouver.” So the climate theme is front and center. Many people feel strongly that humanity needs to take urgent action for climate change mitigation and adaptation, but a lot of what the City of Vancouver has come up with can appear to be virtue signaling by City Hall and by certain politicians. And it often seems to fit in with the dominant developers’ ideology.

It’s important to see our city of about 670,000 within a global population of over 8 billion. Wisdom is needed to cut through the mist and have our municipal government spend our public funds and take actions that are meaningful, efficient, and effective. Experts are saying we need to reach net zero GHG emissions within a matter of years, lest we go past climate tipping points, or points of no return.

In this context, we mention the recent passing of Will Steffen (January 29, 2023), a leading earth system scientist and expert on global change and planetary boundaries. May he rest in peace. In this 44 minute presentation, “Anthropocene: Where on Earth are we going” for the Euroapeum Winter School 2022″ Will Steffen puts things into perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2C6NfFIK_g

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Onward now to Public Hearings. The public hearing links provide all the official documents. You can also search for each of these addresses at https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/ for more visuals and public engagement information.

Public Hearing 14-Feb-2023 (Tues) has six items. – https://council.vancouver.ca/20230214/phea20230214ag.htm

  1. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Support the Patio Program for Businesses on Private Property
  2. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Simplify Green Building
  3. CD-1 Text Amendment: 319-359 West 49th Avenue (319 West 49th Avenue)
  4. CD-1 Rezoning: 6151-6261 Granville Street and 1511 West 47th Avenue
  5. CD-1 Rezoning: 2518-2540 Grandview Highway South
  6. CD-1 Rezoning: 1925 Southeast Marine Drive

Regarding #5 and #6, only in the last few days have many in the community realized that the Public Hearing is on and what is being proposed. It is turning out that the City failed significantly in informing the community about what was being proposed. These are low-barrier housing for persons with mental health issues and addictions. Minimal supports are included in the plans. The context for this model of “warehousing” people with such needs is that the Province of B.C. and City of Vancouver are pushing this upon communities. With the lack of proper supports, they are setting up the residents in these buildings and in the neighbouring communities for failure.

Dr. Julian Somers has been researching and advocating for better ways to house and support persons who need to recover from mental illness as well as from harmful addictions: https://somerspsych.com/solutions/ 

Related post, on #5 2518-2540 Grandview Highway South – News release: Italian Cultural Centre Opposes Rezoning at 2518–2540 South Grandview Highway for Supportive Housing (Public Hearing Feb 14, tonight) – https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2023/02/14/italian-cultural-centre-opposes-rezoning-2540-s-grandview/

*******************

Public Hearing 16-Feb-2023 (Thurs) has five items. https://council.vancouver.ca/20230216/phea20230216ag.htm

  1. Rezoning: 691 West 28th Avenue
  2. CD-1 Rezoning: 8029-8225 Oak Street and 1012 West 64th Avenue
  3. CD-1 Rezoning: 396 Southwest Marine Drive
  4. Rezoning: 1977 West 41st Avenue and 5688 Maple Street
  5. Rezoning: 807-847 East 33rd Avenue

************

Schedules – https://covapp.vancouver.ca/councilMeetingPublic/CouncilMeetings.aspx

Regular Council Tuesday Feb 14, 2023

https://council.vancouver.ca/20230214/regu20230214ag.htm

1. City of Vancouver Permitting and Licensing Update

Andrea Law, General Manager, Development, Buildings and Licensing, to provide a presentation on the above-noted matter.

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Changes to 2023 Council Meeting Schedule

REPORTS

1. Grant to VCH for expanded Mental Health Response

Recommendations A – I require 2/3 affirmative votes of all Council members per section 206 (1) of the Vancouver Charter

2. 2023 Street Cleaning Grants

Recommendations A and B require 2/3 affirmative votes of all Council members per Section 206 (1) of the Vancouver Charter

3. Appointment of Childcare Operators, Lease Approvals, Childcare Grant Approvals, and Approval of Funding for Maintenance of Licensed Childcare Centres at West Fraser Lands, Henry Hudson Elementary School, and Marpole Community Centre

Recommendations B and C require 2/3 affirmative votes of all Council members per section 206 (1) of the Vancouver Charter

4. Funding Application to the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Emergency Support Services

5. Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments and Closeouts

6. Alignment with the Electrical Safety Regulations, Housekeeping, and Miscellaneous Updates to the Building and Electrical By-laws

7. Establishment of Civic Agencies


8. Auditor General Committee Recommendations Transmittal Report

REFERRAL REPORTS

1. Rezoning: 5828-5850 Granville Street

2. Rezoning: 1522 West 45th Avenue and 6137 Granville Street

3. CD-1 Rezoning: 7688-7720 Cambie Street

4. CD-1 Rezoning: 103-111 North Templeton Drive and 2185 Oxford Street

5. Rezoning: 817-837 West 28th Avenue and 4375 Willow Street

6. Miscellaneous Amendments Concerning Various CD-1 By-laws

BY-LAWS

1. A By-law to enact a Housing Agreement for 2009-2037 Stainsbury Avenue

2. A By-law to enact a Housing Agreement for 815 SW Marine Drive

3. A By-law to amend Sign By-law No. 11879 (728-796 Main Street)
(Councillors Klassen, Meiszner, Montague and Zhou and Mayor Sim not on Council at the time of the Public Hearing; however on January 31, 2023, Councillors Klassen, Meiszner, Montague and Zhou advised they had reviewed the proceedings related to by-law 3 and would therefore be voting on the enactment. Mayor Sim will need to review the proceedings to be eligible to vote.)

4. A By-law to amend Noise Control By-law No. 6555 (728-796 Main Street)

MOTIONS

A. Administrative Motions

None.

B. Council Members’ Motions

1. Leaves of Absence

2. Equity Lens Review of City By-laws to Ensure Equity is at the Forefront

3. Repealing Vancouver’s Single-Use Beverage Cup Fee

4. Climate Action Costs and Benefits

*****************************

Council committee Wed, 15-Feb-2023

https://council.vancouver.ca/20230215/pspc20230215ag.htm

1. Presentation: Second Annual Climate Emergency Implementation Update

2. A Climate Justice Charter for Vancouver

  • Report PDF (Report revised on February 13, 2023)

*********************

PUBLIC HEARING – February 14, 2023 (Tuesday)

https://council.vancouver.ca/20230214/phea20230214ag.htm

1. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Support the Patio Program for Businesses on Private Property

2. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Simplify Green Building Regulations

3. CD-1 Text Amendment: 319-359 West 49th Avenue (319 West 49th Avenue)

4. CD-1 Rezoning: 6151-6261 Granville Street and 1511 West 47th Avenue

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023, up to 9 am4 PDF4 PDF0

5. CD-1 Rezoning: 2518-2540 Grandview Highway South

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023, up to 9 am1 PDF4 PDF0

6. CD-1 Rezoning: 1925 Southeast Marine Drive

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023, up to 9am3 PDF7 PDF1 PDF

**************************************

PUBLIC HEARING, 16-Feb-2023 (Thurs)

https://council.vancouver.ca/20230216/phea20230216ag.htm

1. Rezoning: 691 West 28th Avenue

2. CD-1 Rezoning: 8029-8225 Oak Street and 1012 West 64th Avenue

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023 up to 3 pm1 PDF00


3. CD-1 Rezoning: 396 Southwest Marine Drive


4. Rezoning: 1977 West 41st Avenue and 5688 Maple Street

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023 up to 3 pm5 PDF00


5. Rezoning: 807-847 East 33rd Avenue

CORRESPONDENCE:

Date of DistributionSupportOpposeOther
February 10, 2023 up to 3 pm12 PDF9 PDF0

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