~~~ Goong Hay Fat Choy (Feb 10) Year of the Snake ~~~
+ MAIN Items Feb 4th: Delegation: NSh Keep Well Society; WV Police Crime Stats; Cmnty Grants Cmte Report and Work Plan; Ccl Procedure Bylaw (first reading); Five-Year Financial Plan Amendment; New Website Project Update; Grosvenor Request for Non-Enforcement of Noise Bylaw; Liquor Licence Applicn for Capilano Rugby Club; Correspondence: oodles of letters, some bolded, Spirit Trail, illegal tree-cutting (Caulfeild); PSB; CACs re 1455 Bellevue (Walker); HHS; many re 1300blk Marine/aka Grosvenor.
== Lease/Sell Survey; PARADE?; Vive le Canada (Senate); from the EDITOR'S DESK; UPDATES & INFO (Jubilee Medals; High Rise definition; DWV GFOA Award; Ambleside Activation; Parking Bylaw; NSh family-friendly?; PkR Asian New Year; Streamkeepers; WRA; CNV Density Bonusing; WV Public Art; Our Library a Leader!)
= CALENDAR to Feb 22: CULTUREWATCH (Theatre; Art; Sculpture; Music); MYSTERY HIKE
= HEADSUP 2A: Feb 4 Agendas // 2B: Highlights of Feb 4 ccl mtg; INFObits and Talks; PSB Update; Miko Peled
= Ccl NOTES
Jan 14: Public Hearing on 1821 MDr (WV Florist); Applicability of CAC for Walker Bldg (GP debunks claims); PSB Budget; Proposed Ccl Procedure Bylaw; (restricted) westbound left turns 13th to 18th; Street-Naming re Camelot; Devt Permit amendment for Hollyburn Mews; DVP 1690 - 21st (date); Devt Applications List (PkR for two towers, 19 and 24 storeys, including 289 units plus commercial)
Jan 28: 4:30pm: Cmte of the Whole on Housing and Nbrhd Character (good comments, esp Justin Webb);
7pm: Financial Matters (Parks & Cmnty Services Presentation -- budget ~$18M; $420 per household)
= Ccl AGENDAs Feb 4
= ANIMALWATCH (Puppy Bowl IX); INFObits; ROYALWATCH (a royal tweet; a royal bump); AFRICAWATCH (Mali); BEERWATCH (Super Jupiter Grapefruit, Three Beavers, Wee Beastie); CPTWATCH (Firing Line); FISHWATCH; HERITAGEWATCH; MAIKU; QUOTATIONS/THOUGHTS/PUNS; HERITAGE WEEK (Feb 18 - 24) FLYER (draft)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR OPINION on 1300block MARINE DRIVE -- LEASE OR SALE ?
lease1300@westvan.org OR sell1300@westvan.org ?
Email your choice (above), lease or sell. If you have already done so, pls ask your family, friends, colleagues to do so.
If
we haven't lawyers/staff/personnel expert, intelligent, skilled
enough to negotiate leasing, then buy other land from the money from
the sale to replace it thus maintaining our land bank assets!
PLEASE,
Ccl.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning
for Cmnty Day: PARADE -- YES OR NO?
yesparade@westvan.org or noparade@westvan.org
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==
Vive le CANADA ===
First thoughts: Let's revitalize and improve our Senate, truly for sober second thought.
Not elected -- might as while enlarge the House of Commons; need capable, respected people who are free to do what they think is right and don't have to be beholden to funders or special interest voters.
=== from the EDITOR'S DESK ===
My, what a busy beginning of the new year. Looking forward to Heritage Week Feb 18 - 24 -- enjoy!
=== UPDATES & INFO ===
+ Warning: Hope that Facebook being closed down Feb 29 to 31 won't cause you problems.
+ More Jubilee medals!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 through BC Yukon Command has awarded two. One to our ever-involved video-recorder and collector Bas Collins, and one to the new Branch Sgt-At-Arms, Mike Mousavizadeh, an ex-Military who served one tour of duty in Afghanistan. Congratulations!
Also, MP John Weston presented Roddy MacKenzie with the Jubilee medal.
+ A high-rise is defined as >115ft; the Grosvenor proposal is 110+ft on Bellevue (how much higher is uncertain) and 106ft on Marine Dr.
+ GFOA Award
DWV has won the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for its 2012 annual financial report. The award is presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), an independent organization that exists to establish and promote best practices in financial reporting
Read More: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=43366
+ AMBLESIDE ACTIVATION
View the information boards that will be available for viewing at the Open Houses (PDF, 7 MB). See:
http://www.westvancouver.ca/uploadedFiles/Projects_and_Initiatives/ambleside_activation/130116AmblesideActivationBoards-lo-rez.pdf
Questions or Comments?
Email us [ communications@westvan.ca ] to let us know what you think about these initiatives.
+ Response to Recent Discussions about the Traffic and Parking Bylaw
February 01 2013 http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=43304
There have been some questions recently regarding a section of the District's Traffic and Parking Bylaw. The District's Parking and Traffic Bylaw (together with the most frequently referenced bylaws) is available for viewing at westvancouver.ca/bylaws.
The relevant part of the Districts Traffic and Parking Bylaw is Section 8.18.2 (which was included in 2007).
"No person may cause or permit a vehicle to move from one location to another in the same block to avoid the time-limit regulations specified in that particular block."
Municipalities regulate parking in this manner to prevent vehicles from being moved within the same block to avoid time specific parking regulations (such as two-hour parking limits). This practice can result in it becoming more difficult for customers to find parking in busier commercial areas, since cars are being parked within the same block for longer than the permitted time. This practice can therefore affect both customers and business owners.
The objective is to promote parking turnover and compliance throughout the District. The District has received complaints in the past about this practice from parties including businesses that are concerned that their customers are unable to find parking in the commercial areas.
Prior to the District acquiring Licence Plate Recognition Technology, it was common for motorists to wipe chalk off tires, move vehicles to the other side of the street, or roll the vehicle backward/forward to hide chalked tires, in an effort to circumvent the parking time limits. The LPRT photographs licence plates, the vehicles wheel position, and the location of vehicles in the parking space, to determine whether the vehicle has been moved within the same block. Comparable regulations in some other jurisdictions prevent parking within the same block in a 24-hour period.
If a person feels that a ticket has been issued incorrectly, it is always open to that person to call the Bylaws Department to ask for more information, or to dispute the ticket through the District's adjudication system.
+ How Family-Friendly is the North Shore?
Thursday, January 24, 2013
We invite all North Shore parents and caregivers of children ages 0 - 12 to give feedback about your perceptions as to the degree to which the North Shore is child and family friendly.
The purpose of this survey is to better understand the views of parents and caregivers on the North Shore. The results of this survey will be shared with community decision-makers in order to encourage discussion and potentially develop a community strategy related to fostering child and family friendliness on the N Shore.
This online survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete and will be open until February 11.
As a thank you for taking your time to complete the survey, you will be invited to enter a draw for one of five $50 gift certificates to Chapters Bookstore. Details are at the end of the survey. Note that survey responses will not be linked to draw prize entry. In this way, your responses will remain anonymous.
Take the Survey Now For more info, pls contact: Fran Jones, Community Development CoordinatorT: 982 3321
+ Happy Asian New Year!
Join Park Royal as we celebrate the Year of the Snake on Saturday, February 16 from 1 to 4pm in Park Royal South, centre court. Presented by WVs Canadian-Chinese Outreach Cmte in partnership with the North Shore Korean Youth Community Foundation and the office of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP, John Weston. This is an action-packed day that you wont want to miss. Asian New Year celebration activities include a BBQ pork-cutting ceremony, a lion dance performance, a performance by the Lorita Leung Dance Academy, a Taekwondo demonstration, a Philippine dance performance, lucky draws, childrens activities, gangnam style presented by Korean Generation Dance, and a Korean drum performance.
For more information, visit shopparkroyal.com/campaigns/asian-new-year-celebration.
+ WV Streamkeeper Society
The Work Plan 2013 that was presented at the last Members' Meeting on January 24th is now posted on our website (www.westvancouverstreamkeepers.ca). It is located under the News tab.
+ Western Residents' Assn [WRA]
re the proposed Spirit Trail, HSB to Seaview Walk portion. the WV Spirit Trail planners have asked for feedback and they plan to have further meetings and workshops to present their undated ideas in a few weeks. More info will be posted here [ http://www.chrisadshead.com/index.html ] as soon as it is available. To see the WRA's letter to M&Ccl with results of their survey of residents. {Good letter on Feb 4 agenda under Correspondence, wch I've bolded. ]
Click here>> [ http://www.chrisadshead.com/pdfs/wra_letter_mayor_council_spirit%20trail.pdf ]
For general information on the trail: www.westvancouver.ca/spirittrail
+ Density Bonusing in CNV
CNV Ccl will spend $45K to hire a consultant to study their policy. {Hey! Look at WV's!}
+ Newly Completed Public Art Installation on Display at Lawson Studios
February 05 -- Richard Tetraults newly completed public artwork Passages is a beautiful token of West Vancouvers...
? more (with photos but not how much or who chose) http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=43340
+ Our Library a Leader!
...In B.C., the West Vancouver Memorial Library, renovated some half a dozen years ago, did it right.
See article: http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/01/21/library-without-books-modelled-on-apple-store-bad-plan/
=== CALENDAR to Feb 24th ===
All mtgs are at M Hall unless indicated otherwise. NOTE: shown are mtgs known at this date; often there are additions, changes, cancellations after WVM goes out. Check the DWV Calendar: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Calendar.aspx . Notices/mtgs/changes too
late/early for an issue are sent to subscribers. [See mtgs etc in the Headsup notices sent between issues of WVM.]
*** NB: Many mtgs/events Feb 17 - 24 are in the special Heritage Wk flyer at the end, not here below ***
== Thursday Feb 7
~ 7pm ~ An Evening with Miko Peled -- Central Vancouver Public Library [details in Headsup 2B]
== Tuesday Feb 12
~ 7pm ~ Upper Lands Study WG mtg CANCELLED
~ 5pm ~ Mardi Gras Pancake Supper at St Monica's Church (921 2112 for more info)
== Wednesday Feb 13 ~ 10am ~ Invasive Plant Species Working Group Meeting
== Saturday Feb 16
~ 10am ~ Old Growth Conservation Snowshoe Hike
Please email ogcs.wv@gmail.com {details in HWk flyer}
~ 1 to 4pm ~ Asian New Year -- Park Royal South Atrium beside the Food Court (free admission)
The District is proud to be a partner in WV's Asian New Year celebration. Festivities include performances, lucky draws, games, complimentary treats Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CanadianChineseOutreachCommittee
Organized by:The Office of John Weston, MP Canadian-Chinese Outreach Cmte, NSh Korean Youth Cmnty
Sponsored by:DWV, The WV Cmnty Fdn, Park Royal, Prince Seafood Restaurant, Beijing Chinese School
== Tuesday Feb 19
~ 7:30pm ~ WRA Mtg at Gleneagles Golf Course Cmnty Use Room; All welcome.
The speaker will be Gareth Rowlands, Transit Manager of West Van Blue Bus.
Updates: http://www.chrisadshead.com/index.html More info: http://www.chrisadshead.com/index.html
== Wednesday Feb 20
~ 5pm ~ Board of Variance Hearing
~ 6:30pm ~ Old Growth Conservancy AGM at Srs' Ctr; talk on Eagle Lake water {see Heritage Flyer for details}
~ 7pm ~ Library Board Meeting at Library
== Thursday Feb 21
~ 4:30pm ~ Design Review Committee -- CANCELLED
~ 6pm ~ NSh Family Court and Youth Justice Cmte at Cmnty Ctr, Cedar Room
~ 7pm ~ Gleneagles Cmnty Ctr Adv Cmte at Gleneagles Golf Club
+++ WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++ http://www.westvanlibrary.ca
{See article in VSun mentioning WVML at end of Updates and Info}
In the Gallery -- Daniel J. Izzard Master Impressionist - A Retrospective; On display January 4 - February 27.
About the artist: http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/event/gallery_event.php?month=JAN
= ESL BOOK CLUB
Do you enjoy reading stories and wish to improve your reading and conversation skills?
The ESL Book Club meets Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:30am -- to Feb 26.
= ENGLISH CORNER
If you wd like to practise English conversation -- develop skills, learn vocabulary, participate in interesting discussions, and make new friends, come on Fridays starting January 11 from 10 - 11:30am. For more info pls call Nadia Vargha Majzub at 922 5152. Facilitated by the Bahai Cmnty of WV in partnership with the Library.
= CELEBRATE OSCAR WINNERS WITH OUR SATURDAY MOVIE MATINEES -- 2:30 - 5pm
The Sting (1974), Feb 9; Driving Miss Daisy (1989), Feb 16; Shakespeare in Love (1998), Feb 23
= WHAT MAKES A GREAT FILM?
Capilano U's Michael Thoma will discuss the merits of these award winners. Saturdays, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23; 1 - 2pm = CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES WITH KEITH LAWRENCE
The Chamber Music Companion -- Explore piano quartets by Brahms, Faure, and Schumann.
Mon Jan 28, Feb 4, 18, & 25; 10:30am - 12:30pm
= For Love and Money
After two years together, live-ins will now share the wealth (and the debt), like married couples
By Denise Ryan, Vancouver Sun February 9, 2013 2:51 PM
Free family law seminars will be offered to the public featuring lawyers, financial advisers, parenting coaches in a series of workshops at the West Vancouver public library, 1950 Marine Drive West, Feb 12 & Feb 19 at 7pm.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/love+money/7942899/story.html#ixzz2KS0OtOgT
= Philosophers' Café -- Connections
Are we alone at first or alone at last? What does being alone, being lonely, and being connected mean?
10:30am - noon Friday February 15. Admission is free, no registration is required.
= Friday Night Concert: Vancouver Chamber Choir
Feb 22 -- Doors open at 7pm, concert starts at 7:30pm. Come early for best seating.
+++ WV MUSEUM +++ http://westvancouvermuseum.ca/exhibitions/current_exhibition 925 7295
January 16 February 23 THE EDGE OF A SHADOW - The Paintings of Ruth Killam Massey ...our earth, our land is what we should cherish most, as humans come and go, but the land stays on. -- Arthur Lismer
Like the edge of a shadow, which Ruth Massey referred to as being so eloquent, Masseys paintings express the ever-changing mood of the coastal landscape, using a distinct colour pallet and soft-edged brushwork. Hernando Island, where she had a summer home, was a favourite muse of Masseys and this is one place where her view that the expression of mood in nature through its slate of vibrant inter-relationships could be explored on the boundary between the sea and shore and the hillside and forest. Massey framed views of the ocean through piles of driftwood and windswept grasses and at times, turned her perspective inland to capture the interplay of light and shadow in the branches of a craggy tree or created by clouds passing overhead. The exhibition is a tribute and celebration of Ruth Massey (1924 2011) and the legacy she created over her lifetime.
+++ FERRY BUILDING GALLERY +++ http://ferrybuildinggallery.com ~ 925 7290
> January 22 - February 10 -- Abstract Narratives -- Mixed Media
Monica Gewurz, Shakun Jhangiani, Michael Jeffery, Sara Morison
Opening Reception: Tues January 22 from 6 8pm + Meet the Artists: Sat January 26 at 2pm
> February 12 - March 3 -- Jurors' Choice; Mixed Media
Katherine Neil, Jeffrey Hallbauer, Ben Lim, Kelly Wharton, Chantal Ryan, Jolayne Devente,Tannis Turner, Saffron Gurney, Bob Leier, Jeanette Wrenshall, Ryan Nickerson, Jane Dunfield, Jennifer Goodwin
Opening Reception: Tuesday February 12 from 6 8pm; Meet the Artists: Saturday February 16 from 2 - 3pm
+++ SILK PURSE +++ http://silkpurse.ca/exhibitions/ 925 7292
> February 5 - 17 ~~ North Shore Needle Arts Guild
The Guild is dedicated to promoting all forms of needle art while fostering the talents of its members. This delightful exhibit showcases a number of artists in a wide variety of textile/needle art genres including embroidery, felting, cross stitch, bead work, crewel, petit point, hardanger, canvas work, and so much more. {see video of blind quilter after puns}
Opening reception Tuesday February 5th from 6 - 8pm
> February 19 - March 10 -- Looking from the Outside
Painter/printmaker Greg Allen muses on his inspiration and body of work: The Pacific west coast is an extremely vibrant and exciting environment. To some, it may appear grey and dull, but as an artist, I see it differently. When I look at the coastline, I feel an unsettling energy that permeates every piece of driftwood, jagged rock, or gnarled tree. It is this energy that I try to represent through my work.
Opening reception Tuesday February 19th from 6 - 8pm
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE +++ http://www.kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar
Simplest way to get on email list, call 913 3634 (also for tix) or email tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
THE PRO NOVA ENSEMBLE -- 7:30pm Wednesday February 6
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: THE SONGS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN
8pm Thurs/Fri/Sat Feb 7/8/9, and 2pm Saturday Feb 9
MOVIES AT THE MEEK: PING PONG ~~ 7:30pm Tuesday February 12
THE WORLD BEFORE HER ~~ 7:30pm Tuesday February 19
HOT 8 BRASS BAND, New Orleans Funk ~~ 8pm Thursday February 14
VRS AND CLOSE UP AT THE MEEK PRESENT: MILOŠ KARADAGLIĆ; Classical Spanish Guitar ~~ 3pm Sat Feb 16
PACIFIC SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE ~~ 8pm Saturday February 16
BALLET JORGEN - SWAN LAKE ~~ 7:30pm Tuesday February 19
BROTHERS IN BAMAKO: ERIC BIBB & HABIB KOITE ~~ 8pm Thursday February 21
PRO ARTE CENTRE SHOWCASE ~~ 7:30pm Saturday February 23
+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West Vancouver +++ http://www.westvan60.com/
Pls
call; website being redesigned so no events/mtgs visible! Office:
922 3587 Lounge:
922 1920 Fax: 922 2659
+++ WV CHAMBER of COMMERCE + 926 6614 + http://www.westvanchamber.com
> President's Dinner & Excellence Awards -- Nomination Deadline February 8th -- Thursday April 18
> Farewell to John Clark, an icon in West Vancouver
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of dear Chamber member and past President John Clark. Many knew John as the owner of The Mensroom on Bellevue Ave and as a past Councillor. He was an active advocate for helping West Vancouver to be a great place to live. We will miss him. Our condolences to his family and friends. There will be no service by request.
=== CULTUREWATCH ===
* THEATRE
+ ARTS CLUB -- 687 1644 http://www.artsclub.com
~ Granville Island Stage: Ride the Cyclone by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Philip; Jan 17 - Feb 16
~ Stanley Industrial: Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti; Jan 24 to Feb 24
+ PRESENTATION HOUSE 990 3474 phtheatre.org
Love Letters starring Jeff Hyslop; 8pm (mats at 2pm) Feb 14 - 17
+ METRO THEATRE 266 7191 metrotheatre.com
Murder on the Nile by Agatha Christie; Feb 15 - Mar 16
+ JERICHO ARTS CENTRE http://www.jerichoartscentre.com/ AND http://www.unitedplayers.com
Hecuba: United Players' world premiere of Nicholas Kilmer's adaptation (Euripides); Jan 25 - Feb 17
+ FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE 689 0916 firehallartscentre.ca
Dancing with Rage, written and performed by Mary Walsh; Feb 5 - 17
+ STUDIO 58
Spring Awakening (a rock musical adaptation) 8pm (plus matinees) Jan 31 - Feb 24
+ HENDRY HALL 684 2787 ~~ The Vertical Hour by David Hare, Feb 7 - 23
+ PACIFIC THEATRE 731 5518 pacifictheatre.org
Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione; 8pm (+ mats) Jan 25 - Feb 16
* ART
+ VANCOUVER ART GALLERY http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events_and_programs/calendar_of_events.html
Coming Exhibitions: for details: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/upcoming_exhibitions.html ]
~ NB: VAG Mbrs receive 20% off admission to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria when you show your Gallery Mbrshp card.
For more info contact Member Services at membership@vanartgallery.bc.ca or 604 662 4711.
FUSE - ART | MUSIC | PERFORMANCE
Friday Feb 15 from 8pm - 1am -- In honour of the Art Spiegelman exhibition, CO-MIX: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics and Scraps, FUSE takes on a "graphic" feel. Alternative realities will collide with works by Out Innerspace, Barry Doupe, Lief Hall, Mariano Pensotti, Brennan Kelly, Alex Stursberg...and others.
BC Family Day -- Monday Feb 11
12 - 4pm -- Join us for a special presentation of The Making Place on BC Family Day
Spend your holiday afternoon at the Gallery enjoying hands-on workshops featuring collaborative and independent activities for the entire family.
Current Exhibitions
Art Spiegelman -- Co-Mix: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics and Scraps -- Opening February 16
The first retrospective exhibition of the acclaimed American artist presents works ranging from Art Spiegelman's early underground comics, to his best-known and genre-defining work, Maus, as well as recent illustrations and comic art.
Co-produced by VAG, the Museum Ludwig, Köln, and the Jewish Museum, NY. Curated by Rina Zavagli-Mattotti.
Read more » http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/exhibit_co-mix.html
EXHIBITION James Hart: The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) -- November 2012 to January 2014
In late 2009, artist James Hart began designing this large-scale sculpture and began carving the work in 2010. This ambitious project brings together many of the principal animal figures from traditional Haida stories, especially creatures that depend on salmon for their survival. Read more: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/exhibit_hart.html
+ CAROUN ART GALLERY
Youre invited to visit two exhibitions at Caroun Art Gallery in February.If youre out of Vancouver, you could visit the exhibition online later at:http://www.caroun.com/CarounArtGallery/Exhibitions/00-Expositions.html
Movement ~~ Painting Exhibition by Hanieh Mohammad Bagher Feb 1 - 14 [12 - 8pm (Closed Mondays)]
Opening Reception: Saturday February 2 from 4 - 9pm
Winter 2013 Group Exhibition 1 -- February 16 - 27 -- (12 - 8pm, closed Mondays)
Atefeh Safaei Nia, Farhad Varasteh, Hanieh Mohammad Bagher, Hossein Kashian, Kaveh Rasouli,
Leila Akhtar Shomar, Masoud Soheili, Mina IranPour, Parivash Hesabi, Saba Orouji, Sahar Seyedi,
Sara Yousef Panah, Siminzar Khosravi, & Torang Rahimy
Opening Reception: Saturday February 16 from 4 - 9pm
* SCULPTURE
Celebration of Nature Flora and Fauna, a group exhibition by the Sculptors Society of British Columbia (SSBC) featuring more than 45 individual works, will run from February 9 through March 17 under the dome at the Bloedel Conservatory. Prentice Bloedels original gift to the city was not only the Conservatory, but also Vancouvers most famous and valuable sculpture, Knife Edge Two Piece by Henry Moore, located beside the iconic dome. Art and nature have gone hand-in-hand from the beginnings of the Conservatory says Garden Director, Harry Jongerden.
SSBC member Jean-Guy Dallaire will be on hand Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4pm to give live demonstrations and to discuss the methodology in creating sculptural works of art.
Pieces are for sale with partial proceeds going to benefit The Bloedel Conservatory.
The Bloedel Conservatory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during February and March.
For more information on Bloedel Conservatory: http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/BloedelCons.html For more information on the Sculptors Society of BC: www.ssbc.ca
* MUSIC
+ Out for Lunch, 12:10 - 1pm Friday Feb 15, free at the VAG (playing Piatti; Debussy; Prokofiev)
+ OPERA PRO CANTANTI procantanti.com at Cambrian Hall at 7pm
Nabucco by Verdi, Feb 3, 10; Capuletti e i Montecchi by Bellini, Feb 17; Verdi's Rigoletto, Feb 24
+ The West Coast Symphony presents Beethoven!
2pm Sunday February 10 -- www.westcoastsymphony.ca
Listen to some of Beethoven's masterpieces, including Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring Tian Yu Zhou.
West Vancouver United Church. 2062 Esquimalt Ave. Admission: by donation at the door.
+ Chan Ctr music.ubc.ca
University Singers and UBC Choral Union, (free) 8pm Thurs Feb 14
+ EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER 732 1610 http://www.earlymusic.bc.ca/CA-CalendarOfEvents.html
Beethoven's Circle, sonatas for fortepiano and violin; 8pm Tues Feb 12 at Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club
+ Vancouver Recital Society vanrecital.com 602 0363
Canadian debut of Narek Hakhnazaryan, cellist; 3pm Sunday Feb 10 at the Playhouse
+ VSO -- Info on the season: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca
An English Rhapsody ~~ Orpheum: 8pm Saturday/Monday, Feb 16/18; 2pm Sunday Feb 17
Bramwell Tovey, conductor; Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra; Dale Barltrop, violin
An all-English celebration that marks the 100th anniversary of Britten's birth.
+ The Early Romance Studies Research Cluster, the French Seminar, and the Hispanic Seminar present Two Lecture-Recitals on Medieval Music
o "A 'viella' is best of all": The medieval bowed vielle, and its repertoire (c.1200 - c.1400)
Pat Unruh (member of Duo Laude, Anima Medieval Music Duo, Vancouver Viols) "Los motz e.l so":
o What can we know about the pronunciation and performance of troubadour song (c.1100-c.1300)?
Chantal Phan (Dept of French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies; formerly of Ensemble Marcabru de Montréal)
Wed Feb 13 at 4pm Woodward Instructional Resources Ctr, Lecture Hall 3 (2194 Health Sciences Mall, UBC)
Free admission. All welcome! Info: Chantal Phan (chantal.phan@ubc.ca) or Juliet O'Brien (juliet.obrien@ubc. ca)
http: //earlyromance.wordpress.com http: //www.fhis.ubc.ca/
+ Chutzpah! Festival -- Feb 7 - March 3 ??
Experience the world at Chutzpah! with remarkable dance, world music, live theatre, film and comedy.
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre, Vogue Theatre, Corey Weedss Cellar Jazz Club, The Venue
Tix: 604 257 5145 chutzpahfestival.com ticketstonight.ca
* MYSTERY HIKE
Terry Taylor and I are doing a non-denominational mystery hike on the North Shore by registration on Wednesday Feb 13th. This will be a full day hike along well-maintained trails with minor elevation gain beginning at 9:30 am and returning before 4 pm. The focus will be the usual botany, forest ecology and geology. Pls contact me for location. Kind regards, David Cook 924 0147
=== HEADSUP 2A -- Agendas Feb 4
Thought you might want to find out what's on the agenda Monday night so pushing this out ahead of the newsletter:
Begging your understanding and forgiveness.
I refuse to fight with this GD email prog any longer tonight (want some sleep!) so you will find bizarre formatting below. It's all there, just not laid out consistently.
On Friday I noticed there was no link on the agenda for the correspondence; the good news is I called Clerk's, "Mark" (forgot to ask last name) answered, I pointed out the link was missing, he thanked me and said it wd be added right away -- AND IT WAS! Wow.
Disappointed to see that the minutes for Jan 14 and 21 are still NOT available, and not on Ccl's agenda; recommend they postpone adoption till the next mtg so they can be made public and available to both Ccl and cmnty before sudden adoption.
Compliments to Mayor and Ccl for experimenting with CoW (CAO's term at that mtg) and Finance focus mtgs.
Herewith: Main items and then the agendas + Q/Tht/P at end of course. {moved to this newsletter}
=== HEADSUP 2B
Monday Feb 4
events/mtgs missed plus some news. For my mea culpa, I'll rush out a mini report of tonight's ccl mtg (ended only a few hours ago) -- efficiently run by our Mayor even allowing Sop to speak more than once; ended about 9:15. There's also a report on the PSB as well a link for a survey (Feb 8 deadline) and more reports plus contact info. Naturally, Q/Tht/P at end. {moved to end of this issue}
A few highlights from Feb 4th's ccl mtg:
= a few minutes late but told the minutes had been deferred (happy I was b/c that's what I'd recommended since not yet made public; wd guess they had other reasons as well)
= interesting presentation by the Keep Well Society, 15% mbrs male, usually with their wives (160 volunteers);
= discussion on CoW wrt ccl actions/decisions;
= NSEMO, emergency exercise (praised);
= WVPD crime statistics;
= Cmnty Grants report;
= Ccl Procedure Bylaw (first reading; Mayor said we can still have input!)
= MAB suggested, and I supported, putting mtg notices up electronically, not just posted outside the M Hall door;
= CC recommended letting public know CoW topics more than a few days in advance; CoW to Ccl mtg protocol; info/decision/report?;
= Five-Yr Financial Plan (three readings);
= New Website Project Report {wd someone pls tell the consultants that WV is a district, not a city? there's both a district and a city in NV; it was suggested WV apply to become a city b/c we almost qualify (in any case, nice to see updating being done -- when my company started putting up the WV agenda in 1995 b/c the Hall wasn't they said no, they even said the District cdn't handle the number of hits; well, they finally did about two years later -- we think we shamed them into doing it since ppl had to go to our website for info) -- dragging them along but at least they're moving}
= a few questions about Grosvenor's request re doing studies but the Mayor said it was due diligence and ML pointed out that they'd already done seismic testing;
= Support for Capilano Rugby Club's liquor licence;
= Pajari's documentation re CACs paid in Vancouver contrary to claims made re Walker renovation is in Correspondence as are some excellent letters on the Spirit Trail;
= at PQP, a citizen asked Ccl if it wd request Grosvenor put scaffolding or balloons up to show the height of the 1300blk concept but the Mayor said it was up to Grosvenor they (Ccl) wdn't get involved and besides, a balloon wd be a navigation hazard. (This was too much for the next speaker who commented, "in wch case the building wd be!")
Among other points I made at PQP was a three-biz-day notice for mtgs and of course on the website (responding to the ludicrous claim they'd risk violating the Charter if the website was down -- surely they cd word it 'except for accidents/electrical failure/whatever'). In addition, I urged that they take great care given the concerns over the Spirit Trail (as Fung said, the topography is a challenge) b/c I'd been told a few days ago a tree with an eagle's nest (being watched by environmentalists to try to preserve it; there is protective legislation) had just been cut down for the Spirit Trail.
INFObits and Talks
- Monday February 4 -- our penny, RIP.
- Subscribers to Bard on the Beach's elist get a discount on the performances of I, Malvolio Feb 5, 6, 7
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=0016ynqZbqgszE2rUKldAktkA%3D%3D
- HM Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne was 1952 February 6.
- Thursday February 7 at 7pm [both]
o Retrofitting Suburbia Revisited @ SFU Surrey
PUBLIC LECTURE Admission is free, but reservations are required. Register
How can ghostboxes, dead malls, aging office parks, out-dated edge cities, and blighted commercial strips be retrofitted into more sustainable places?
Co-author of the award winning book, "Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs", Ellen Dunham-Jones will explain the drivers behind successful built suburban retrofits in North America.
Ellen Dunham-Jones is Professor, School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology.
www.sfu.ca/city for details. Thank you. / The City Program, Continuing Studies; 778 782 5254 Email: city@sfu.ca
o An Evening with Miko Peled, author of The General's Son [details below], Vancouver Public Library
> PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING UPDATE
>>> survey submission deadline Fri 4:30pm Feb 8
Monday, February 04, 2013 Update:
Community input on the various attributes of the potential building forms that are being considered for the Public Safety Building is requested. An Open House was held January 30, 2013 to provide an opportunity for input, get your feedback to us by Friday, February 8, 2013. To provide your feedback, please fill out the questionnaire and return it by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013.
PSB Massing Scenarios Questionnaire
Display boards from Open House
PSB Display Panels - Introduction (PDF, 5 MB)
PSB Display Panels - Scenarios (PDF, 3 MB)
Background...
The planning process to reach this point included the following main stages [listed] ...
In July 2012, following a public consultation process including a District-wide telephone survey and open houses, Council approved the project to continue to the planning stage based on the following approved project parameters:
post-disaster seismic standard;
Municipal Hall site;
co-location of Police and Fire & Rescue Services;
a space estimate of 57,600 gross square feet; and
a target budget of $36 million.
The proposed funding model is to fund the project from District land sales with no additional burden to the taxpayer. The specific funding model will be confirmed by Council later this year before any construction would be started.
Current Status
The project is now in the early design phase. The project architects and design team have developed various potential building forms (massing scenarios) for the Public Safety Building.
Community Consultation
Community input on the various attributes of the potential building forms that are being considered for the Public Safety Building is requested. An Open House was held January 30, 2013 to provide an opportunity for input.
{more info and links for these, add'l info, and FAQs, at
http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=39250 }
Display boards from Open House
PSB Display Panels - Introduction (PDF, 5 MB)
PSB Display Panels - Scenarios (PDF, 3 MB)
Next Steps
The design team will consider the public input from the Open House in preparing a recommended massing scenario for Council approval. Further opportunities for public input regarding the design of the Public Safety Building will be available at Council meetings and at a future open house. Public reports will be presented every month at Council meetings to provide updates on the status of the project, the budget and time line.
Questions? Contact Us
Email: psb@westvancouver.ca Call: John Wong, Manager of Facilities and Assets, at 921 3420
Additional Information.....
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ....
========
* MIKO PELED
[see Thursday above ] was born in Jerusalem in 1961. He grew up in a well known Zionist family. His father, Matti Peled, was a young officer in the war of 1948, and a general in the war of 1967. His grandfather, Dr. Avraham Katsnelson, was a signer of the Israeli Declaration of Independence.
Coming from an elite family in Israel, he has undergone a transformation in his thinking through his increasingly close and warm relations with Palestinians. Of his recently published book, The Generals Son, Miko says: Its time to sweep away some of the myths, and to uncover the truth so that we can finally live in peace, together.
He begins with the myth of 1948, a land without a people for people without a land:
It turns out that the creation of Israel had not, after all, been a haphazard fight in which the Arabs fled their homes at the directive of their own leaders, but it had been an unprovoked, systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing by the Jewish militia involving massacres, terrorism and the wholesale looting of an entire nation.
Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, says in her forward to The Generals Son, There are few books on the Israel/Palestine issue that seem as hopeful to me as this one.
Join the Canada-Palestine Support Network (Canpalnet), Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), and others as we welcome Miko Peled to Vancouver.
http://www.canpalnet.ca/mambo/index.php option=com_content&task=view&id=557&Itemid=1 { See also: www.cjpme.org }
=== COUNCIL MTG NOTES 2013 January 21 ===
*NB: typed while ppl speak; gaps; some timestamps to help you find the part you want to listen to on the videotape*
+ IN CAMERA MTG at 5pm before the regular ccl mtg b/c of:
(a) personal info about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee, or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the M;
(c) labour relations or other employee relations;
(e) the acquisition, disposition, or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the Council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public;
PURPOSE: personnel, proposed provision of [a] M service, land matters
+ PUBLIC HEARING
NB At 7pm the PH will commence in the Ccl Chamber; the reg ccl mtg will commence in the Ccl Chamber immediately following the PH
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor: unfortunately Cclr Sop will not be with us tonight b/c he is under the weather
2. PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4736, 2012(File: 1610-20-4736)
The Director of Planning, Lands, and Permits will describe the subject application.
Applicant: Karl Gustavson, Architect, for the owners.
Subject Land: The proposed bylaw amendment applies to 1821 Marine Drive.
Purpose: In 2008, the site was rezoned from C2 (Commercial 2) to AC2 (Ambleside Centre Zone 2) as part of the Districts implementation of the Ambleside Village Strategy. The applicant has demonstrated that a building at 2.0 FAR cd hv bn constructed on the property under the previous C2 zone. The intent is to re-establish this previously permitted density of 2.0 FAR for this property.
Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment: the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment would increase the FAR (Floor Area Ratio) for this property only* from 1.75 to 2.0. There is no building proposed at this time; the rezoning deals only with the proposed increase in FAR. Prior to redevelopment occurring on the site, a Development Permit would be necessary.
* instead of factual, why put this judgemental adjective in? shd just say: "for this property from 1.75 to 2.0"
3. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE [usually described]
4. REPORTS/WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
1) Reports received up to and including January 17, 2013:
Rezoning Application No. 12-050 for 1821 Marine Drive (West Van Florist) -- DATE Nov 29 // CONSIDERATION Dec 10, Jan 21 // R-1
Rezoning Applicn, Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4736, 2012-- DATE Jan 9 // CONSIDERATION Jan 21 // R-2
2) Written submissions received up to and including January 17, 2013:
{See Correspondence] To view all written submissions click here.
On Dec 10 Council set the date for the PH. The statutory notice of PH was published in the NSN on Jan 13 and 16.
The MClerk will note written submissions received for the Jan 21 PH.
Sokol: to Geri Boyle; mistake, made by staff, not owner
GB: mistake, by staff, not owner
with lawyer; [felt minor but has to be] held over to March 4
CAC as per the formula
rather than maximizing at 1.75, 2.0
payable at time of bldg permit -- as a
$754K
zoning -- wd continue to be zoned AC2, no other provisions wd change
hts, sides; Devt Permit nec
lost density
demonstrated this to staff's satisfaction
Karl G: explanation of density that wd be permitted
5. APPLICANTS PRESENTATION
purpose to est what we understand density
since 2008 not much has happened in Amb so not successful?
prop, 9953sf, 118sf frontage
AC2, three-storey bldg with 37ft height
SLIDES
look at old C2 zoning, the ht was 35ft but measured differently
demonstrates what is possible under C2
for the purpose of comparison, using AC2 xxx but all xxx
demonstrate what we lost from C2 to AC2
rear yard setback 20f; under C2 from centre line of lane
AC2 zoning; 1800block N side
first storey at the lane level xxx
a workable bldg under two diff zones
applicant assumes wd be a three-storey applicn
old two storeys off MDr but as you know I've done many; typically approved as three-storey projects
prior to 2008 reasonable and more likely a three-storey wd be approved -- across and Hollyburn Medical Bldg
so reasonable assumption
if 120ft in this location, cd build a four-tstorey bldg on this site; just missed this by 1.3ft
many years ago, had prop for over 80 years, started by his father
Hollyburn encroached so
[7:14] used to be 120ft
at open info mtg some discussion over view corridors
Amb zoning doesn't talk about view corridors but the xxx do
60% xxx
we're not looking at a four-storey, a three-storey so view corridor doesn't come into play
under C2 as with AC2
residential can do all for AC2
xxx AC1
no difference
we're asking for a change
AC2 1.75 FSR xx sf; our proposal 2.0; 39K a net increase of 14% $4K+
look at parking calculations -- 5.44 cars, under old was # of cars
5 cars
not a bldg just a change in xxx
C4 my bldg in Dund, larger increases but C4 has xxx 19K v tight, v similar
under construction now
1.97 FAR so not unusual what I'm asking for
[7:18] what we're not asking for:
not xxx
not xxx
not xxx
or if consulting cd hv more
not changing xxx
just asking for a change from 1.75 to 2.0
look at 2008, happened to be on the cmte, Amb guidelines, idea was to stimulate growth
nothing's happened; many reasons
partly b/c it doesn't achieve what it cd achieve, not enough incentive
provide incentive for ppl to come forward.
Rob Harrington has a few things to say.
RH: owned for last 80 years, WVF has been v generous to [LISTed at 7:20]
my dad was a volunteer fireman
2008 I strongly believe it was downzoned
advised us what to do, drawings, new instructions
strongly believe we were downzoned in FAR and think we've proven it
suggested a devpr come, wrong, we own that
we pay $82K in taxes ev year
a devt like this wd be a catalyst to get things going
residences support the cmnty
pay taxes 100%; not sustainable, a couple of residences
that's why you see vacant stores, not healthy for the cmnty
desperate for the merchants
with this we cd be a small tenant, residences on top of us
take transit and walk; location is sustainable
cmnty ctr, shop at new food store; don't have to drive a car
I don't know what will happen, that's up to the devpr; nothing on the books now
hope this will get some interest
Mayor: described procedure
list of docs from Clerk's
[SSch listed submissions]
6. PUBLIC INPUT
Melinda Slater: I do not object to the applicant's request to increase to a 2.0 FAR. If it's just a "change in number" as was suggested (by architect K. Gustavson) tonight, then why not convert back to commercial zoning?
I do object to an increase in FAR under the applicant's current zoning (Ambleside Centre Zone 2) as it would set a precedent not in keeping with the OCP.
I also object to the unfortunate choice of wording in the district's Notice of Public Hearing regarding this matter which appears to promote this request as rather inconsequential by stating that the proposed amendment "would increase the FAR for this property only from 1.75 to 2.0".
District staff should stick to the facts rather than try to influence the outcome of an applicant's request one way or another. Sokol: depending on how
it's on only this house
MS: didn't read that; others were shocked on this reading
[Melinda responded to the effect that while that is what he may have intended what was written says otherwise and staff should take better care with wording/punctuation.]
Sokol: staff's intention xxx
Mayor: Mr Sokol's from NY xxx
CHUCKLES
Scenery Slater: My name is Scenery Slater and I live at 1730 Duchess Avenue.
I have no objection returning this site to a C2 (Commercial 2) zoning designation in order to permit a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 2.00. This would be a fair option for the property owner and could allow for the addition of another Commercial anchor in Ambleside.
However, I strongly object to allowing a FAR increase above 1.75 for any AC1 or AC2 (Ambleside Centre 1/2) zoned property. It is not in keeping with the Ambleside Village Centre Strategy and sets an inappropriate precedent.
It is my understanding that Commercial zoning does not allow a significant residential component. Ambleside Centre zoning does which adds a significant value to the property.I dont expect the property owner to point this out, but I certainly would have expected that district staff make such key information well known.
The fact that this essential information was omitted from the Notice of Public Hearing gives the impression that what is being considered is merely a corrective action to return this property to a previous state, which is decidedly NOT the case at all if density is increased under AC zoning.
I cannot help but feel this is yet another example of district staff with a pro-developer agenda.
Both Council and residents deserve to receive complete, balanced, and above all unbiased, information in order to determine what is best for our community. Please council, make it so.
Sokol: C2 does allow xxx [7:31]
Mayor: Mr Sokol, can you clearly explain?
CC: talked about it off line
is the proponent after the rezoning -- was he able to build any more residential units or sq ftg xxx on this site?
Sokol: the C2 zone allowed for residential over, so no add'l resid
the AC2, more is allowed but can do an entire residential
{is he and then GB contradicting themselves? See what GB says. During this section you can see ppl's eyes rolling around, dazed}
CC: for purposes alleged
more commercial
AUDIENCE: more residential
Sokol: no; in both can do both; will ask Ms Boyle
GB: dealing with a prop currently zoned AC2
does allow? 100 resid and mixed use comm on floor
CC: what's diff?
GB: diff between AC2 and C2
under C2 cd not build an all-resid bldg and AC2 you can
under C2 not xxx? AC xxx
CC: so owner's benefit to build all resid from C2 to AC2
GB: that wd be a good summary
Mayor: our staff employed by the cmnty to act in the best interests of the cmnty
so I can assure the public, there's no bias
{the CAO had gone to speak to the Mayor so the guess is that's why the (staff) commercial break.
The audience reactions indicated not quite convinced......(see PQP Feb 4)}
{to gallery} can clear your throat till you're blue
we accept the fact no bias
{more}
Don Dunbar: live across the lane
views of the majority of -- Memorial Pk enclave
only lot sgl fam on a commercial lane
largest effect on S side of Duchess
lanes; we use as others; do not want add'l traffic -- increased risk esp to chn
lane 17ft not sited for entrance of a large parking garage
1.75 to 2.0 intended for conceptual only; will not be built
hypothetical sequence of events
will not be built so will not require scrutiny
xxx
sold; new owner submits design maximizes
no xxx
no xxx [7:39]
aim profit; risk plans for a real zoning; consider before a bldg is provided
flawed -- how do before idea? xxx
can't help thinking... waste of valuable
how can Ccl consider ..... not limited to decreasing the value of our property
xxx; invited Ccl come for tea and cookies and ooo'd and ahed
not sensible to solving
this subm by 80% of the residents, and 60% overall
unanimous endorsement
{ie opposed to this rezoning}
Jim McAllum: agree
Brian Blamely: four things, who benefits; effect on our nbrhd
don't think amendment at this time
commitment to area five years ago
negative
5
at mtg said 8
traffic will increase by 14% on that devt
wd be v concerned
Karl also said not asking for a four-storey
a future devt cd ask for a variance -- wd allow for four storeys
one little step into allowing future density
14% wd reduce xxx by 20ft
signif sunlight and views
why presented at this time.....
CR: CR, Editor WVM
Good evening, Mayor and Ccl[, and Happy New Year].
May I preface my remarks that I have not spoken to the owner, the proponent, or the residents. My remarks, and as you can see, already printed, before I heard what was said tonight.
So I have a few comments and questions for you.
As chair of Heritage West Van (Heritage Week starts Feb 18, I want you all to know) of course I note that WV Florist is one of West Van's heritage companies, established here in 1933, so celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, an integral part of West Van for all these years. I hope there'll be a big birthday party this year!
A pleasure to be one of their customers.
I've been struggling to try to find out what the planners have in mind and how this will fit in.
Apparently it was commercial, that was changed to residential, and now wish to restore the density they had previously.
The Ambleside Village Strategy wants commercial from 13th to 18th so this is past that boundary -- however there are businesses on either side.
I'm sure with communication and negotiation, and consideration of the local residents concerned, something suitable for the biz and the cmnty can be worked out. I'm optimistic that this will be the case.
To my questions.
Some years ago at an open mtg, a proponent made some statements that were not true. I had assumed, perhaps incorrectly hence my question, that staff there wd clarify for the residents in attendance. When they did not, I stated the facts so that ppl wd not be evaluating under a misapprehension.
For the open/info mtg in this case, WVF, the proponent/spokesman stated the previous change reduced the value of the property, wch is not true. No staff spoke but a citizen pointed out that that was not true.
So, my questions.
Do your procedures not require staff to be at these info mtgs? Shd they not clarify, or correct, any claims made during the promotion of someone's proposal? Given that most ppl listening to a presentation will assume it to be true, esp if staff present do not explain differently or clearly, what is the role of staff?
If staff is not there to help make sure OCP, zoning, etc are accurately given to the public, with any implications, perhaps that fact shd be understood by the public. I'm sure a lot of those figures went over the [heads] of a lot of ppl b/c they don't know what it means, actually, even if they follow the figures.
Another concern is that the notice states this increase in FAR is "only" 1.75 to 2.0. This sounds as if supporting it b/c so small, and that may be a valid point of view, but is it the place of staff or the District to do so? Isn't that judgemental or spin? That alarmed me.
Certainly if staff, or the District, were to describe Grosvenor's proposal as a "huge" increase in FAR from 1.x to 3.x, it wd not be viewed as purely objective, as staff or the District ought to be.
Now, I know that the Director of Planning mentioned that it meant that it applied to the property, but I've asked many ppl {they did not either} -- and I was alarmed when I read it -- and I used to think if they wanted to make sure that that sense wd not be taken, they shd have said 'this property only', comma, increased. Something like that to make sure it cd not ambiguous.
Therefore, it wd be appreciated if the role of staff at info mtgs for proposed changes and devts wd be clarified.
We have to know that what we're given is correct. And we count on staff for that. Staff have a valuable, helpful role to play. So I wd appreciate v much if you wd make that clear. Let us know whether they will be there to explain it to us.
THANK YOU
Mayor: Mr Sokol, do you want to explain staff's role at these mtgs?
Sokol: staff's role is No.1, to attend; No. 2 to basically be able to just observe the proceedings, and basically to ensure that when we come back in this venue, they can report back and say how many ppl attended, and what the goings-on, what happened at the mtg. Largely staff's role is as an observer and the purpose are an opp for the proponent to talk about their project and answer questions.
CR: Well, it has been the case in the past, I'm not--
Mayor: --Carolanne,
CR: It has been the case--
Mayor: --we don't want--
CR: --said that were untrue, so--
Mayor: --we don't want to get into a debate
CR: no, but I'm just letting you know that if that's the role then I hope you will reconsider it b/c we do count on staff to tell us the facts.
Mayor: we're always considering reconsidering things
CR: that's good, that's progress and improvement!
{If preferable they not get involved in the applicant's/proponent's pitch/presentation, recommend there be a sign at the entrance and at the front, something to the effect:
NOTE:
DWV staff are present as observers and resource persons only.
Their presence is not to be construed as an acceptance or endorsement of anything said by the proponent for this development.
Maybe in their report to Ccl they might include anything omitted, ambiguous, debatable, incorrect since they affect the audience's support or rejection of a proposal.}
Karl Gustavson: ...only been able to achieve....
more you add, less FAR
17ft, IG [?] a
said lane 17ft; they're all 20ft
talked about parking on Thursday; I wasn't prepared for that question
came up with a number; worst scenario saxxx, it's 5.4.4
come back with a variance of xxxx
to staff; dead ... xxx this part
why are we doing this?
no one's ever doing this
here to support biz, res, here for 80 years
owners can't afford to go
only here to support them; achieve something for their prop
they're not going
Carolanne phoned me before mtg
{cd not leave this -- I only asked if there was a presentation at the mtg and if so, what time; nothing at all about the rezoning. Clarified at PQP.}
Ms Berg and Boyle were there
{not the whole time, someone in attendance told me}
Mayor: Mr Sokol explain? if this were to pass
{questions; didn't hear answer right away}
Sokol: [7:57]
man in gallery: already been approved
Mayor: public wd still have opp to speak
Sokol: Devt Permit cd
cd allow changes
MB: not sure if answered in the report
increase in sq ft; in pkg stalls; increase in value to prop
where did that 5Ksf from C2 to AC2 come from?
why allowed on prev and now?
Sokol: in old zoning no maximum density; had to fit
under current a max 1.75
{clarification: in those days not limited by FAR, rather by height and setbacks -- see how confusing this gets???}
CC: the day after the prop was zoned C2 to AC2 worth more or less?
{good question; doesn't every realtor worth his salt know???}
KG: not my expertise, don't know
CC: you cannot comment whether increase or decrease value of the prop?
KG: zoning has not encouraged devt of the prop
my belief this variance
more opp for potential purchases -- based one
CC: 1.75 to 2.0 makes it xxx
KG: CAC costs; nothing happened to date
CC: perhaps for Mr Sokol
Mr Gust, FAR of 2 cd hv been achieved previously; this under a ???
Sokol: FAR of 2 but have to meet reqmts of AC2 zone
signi setbacks on the lane; exceed those than C2 zone
CC: xxx
Sokol: not sure if you cd get to 2.0 under AC2
parking and setbacks
TP: how many sites in Amb wd fit into this scenario?
xxx; need to get a sense of capacity
Sokol: staff has not done a case by case basis
1455 Bellevue is another one
site has to be configured in another way
? if cd build
more than this one, it's at least two, not as many as ten
TP: not to confuse this any more
concern re traffic and lane; five pkg spaces
so forward with AC2 vs reverting back to C2
traffic on the lane?
is going to be an impact on the lane
C2 and AC2 impact on lane
don't think we want to be making...hm. guess what's the impact?
Sokol: can't say increasing by 14%, not a traffic expert can't say if traffic increase 14%
NG: Qs re zoning
changed to AC2, at 1.75 rate but this hasn't worked b/c hasn't been devpd under this
Sokol: can't say for sure it's a fact
looking at the situation, there was an expectation when strategy and AC zoning put in place wd be increased.....
Hollyburn Bldg eight to ten years ago
since AC1 and 2 plus Amenity contributions
Lower Mainland has seen huge growth; maybe something in our regulations
NG: anyone here who was here when debated in 2005?
can
Sokol: was here in 2008 when debated
in 2005/6
discussion was around 1.6 -- clearly said 1.6 was not high enough
wdn't work even before CACs came into the mix
land values, prop values risen since that time
NG: parking entry/exit of cars
if we don't want too much traffic, suggest going in and out on MDr
Sokol: our policies don't allow on MDr; wd encourage on the lane
ML: will save most of my comments when we reconvene
it's a discussion that doesn't mean anything
if you don't know the mix you have no idea of the parking
a full resid bldg wd generate magnitudes less than Florist does on any Sat/Sun afternoon
unless you know the mix
MB: don't want to put Mr Sokol on the spot
have you had any applics that have come in along the corridor and being uneconomical? a trend?
discussion around FAR in town ctrs? locally and other cmnties
Sokol: Mgr and Boyle correct me
aware of 1.75? xxx
yes, some preliminary re site adjacent to the Shell stn
fire
they asked about higher density
second question: planners in Ms are constantly looking for the right balance......
in Amb and WV, what really impacts us here are prop valuations
Mayor; ... Plan back Feb 4th
MUMBLINGS: Mar 4
Mayor corrects himself: Mar 4
7. CLOSURE OR ADJOURNMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING
MOVED: THAT staff report back to Council re the Jan 21 PH; be adjourned to March 4th
Mbrs of Ccl are not permitted to receive any further submissions once the Public Hearing is closed.
NG: wd like it if our Legislative ... be clear about what happens now; not allowed to speak
SSch: to be reconvened Mar 4
CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY
+ REGULAR CCL MTG NOTES Monday January 21
Note: At 7pm the PH will commence in the Council Chamber. The reg Ccl Mtg will commence in the Ccl Chamber immediately following the PH.
*7:00 PM
Following conclusion of the Public Hearing the following items will be considered.
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of January 21, 2013 Regular Council Meeting Agenda
adding to item 9
REPORTS
3. Reports from Mayor and Councillors on Boards, Committees, and Working Groups
NG: 10am first mtg of Invasive Plants
meet ev second Wed; anyone from public welcome to join us Jan 30 at 11am
ML: two mtgs: tomorrow: Amb Activation mtg at 3:30 in foyer
links with other activities in Amb not least of wch is 1300blk
imp to see in totality; xxx
Wed next public open house for 1300blk
anticipating large crowd
really critical that public be engaged
MAB: implementation grp -- looking to get the voice of youth
youth-based service model; 11 to 17 this is the chance for you; applications at 2121 MDr by Jan 25
imperative we get input from young ppl
services where and how
hold the date [mem o cx??] Ccl Congress Feb 28, 5 and 9
focus group today
Van ch survey
info so can implement child and family friendly
almost two years ago
on Hollyburn Lodge -- had a v gd mtg with Mgr of Cypress Mtn
for owner of mtn, so get Lodge under [joint???] ownership
CC: open session Spirit Room Jan 30 re PSB
architect various diff massing
interested welcome to attend, particularly those around M Hall
Mayor: on Sat morning went to breakfast mtg at St Stephen's; 100th anniversary this year
first Anglican church in WV; planning fun and festivities
Mayors; ccl mtg on TransLink, wd like to say something achieved but not; want to move this albatross fwd
dead set against any invasion of [8:21]
HAVE ALREADY hit us harder> [8:23]
4. Applicability of a Cmnty Amenity Contribution for the Rezoning and Devt Permit No. 12-059 for 1455 Bellevue (File: 1010-20-12-059)
Information to be provided.
{how can the public review this report in order to comment if it won't be made public until the time/night of the ccl mtg? Without time, shd be deferred}
Sokol: on Dec 10 was deferred
add' info
gaps, wording
CAC policy in other metro Ms
gathered info through multiple means
direct phone calls
info on website frequently conflicts with what told on telephone
staff provided Ccl earlier today Mar 12 report
summarized policies in other Ms
no clear consistent trend
some don't charge at all some for resid, some mixed, some don't charge at all [8:15] get his examples
crafted to unique circs
DWV provided as
scope and scale size and scope
as well as how it responds
related to this project
in Amb the level of CAC determined by the bonus xxx
mixed and AC1 and AC 2
Floor area
entirely residential highest rate; mixed, pay lower
{er, um. Mixed does not pay lower if above 1.4! See how confusing this all is!}
no specific rate for all comm
xxx; can intuitively wd be lower than mixed
can't say xxx on, but wd be less
[8:27] ...
difficulty for xxx market
we're affecting market by putting up the prop's value
cdn't find anything re xxxx
some recomms went into that
no mention of comm only, just an oversight
{er, er; um, um. The rate goes up to 99.99% so not an oversight to omit all commercial???}
for a primarily residential bldg, where comm less than 20%
includes lower rate
xxx
seems unlikely staff wd hv overlooked when ......
{???!!!}
encourage ofc devt but not require it
logical policy fit {cto to tke -- can't guess these typos :-)}
policy encourages renovation; many do not apply CACs re goals; staff recommends not applied in this application
Scenery Slater:
I feel that it is imperative that a Community Amenity Contribution be provided for such a large proposed expansion. To not do so is simply not in the public interest. If this is permitted what would stop future developments initially building at a Floor Area Ratio of 1.00 and then merely renovating in the future to avoid a Community Amenity ContributionFurthermore, I hope that Council ensures that any renovation includes provision of the required amount of off street parking.The OCP indicates that buildings of four storeys only be considered in limited circumstances and a November 2007 staff report indicates that if [these] criteria [are] met then the plan is to be reviewed by a public process including view analysis. Does this apply in this circumstance?
Mayor: [Heather Mersey]
Heather: -- on Hollyburn Mews
Mayor: sorry, can't read
George Pajari: Good evening, Your Worship and Councillors.
You have several difficult decisions to make related to the Walker proposal, the first of which is the applicability of Community Amenity Contributions.
In order for you to make these difficult decisions, you need accurate information -- the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So I'm very disappointed that during the presentations December 10th on this proposal you were not given the whole truth. Not by staff. Not by the applicant.
I only have three minutes, so I can only touch on some of the major issues but I have prepared a detailed report that includes all my authorities.
{thud! sound of about 200 pages landing on the podium}
You do not have to take my word that what I say [is the whole truth], you can check my sources.
Staff says that the rate for mixed use is less than residential -- but that is not the whole truth. The rate is only different for buildings below 1.4 FAR. The Walker building is already 1.44. The rate is the same at 1.44 and above.
If this building were 30% commercial, the CAC rate would be $50 per square foot. If the building were 50% commercial, it would be $50. If it were 99% commercial, under this bylaw it would be $50. So if it's 100%, it only makes sense the CAC shd be $50 per sq ft.
Staff implies there is a policy gap. There is no policy gap. Council policy says CACs are payable on density increase. Period. No exemption for commercial or office space. The OCP, Policy LE 2.4 says CACs apply to all three categories: 100% residential, mixed, and 100% commercial. Where's the policy gap? There may be a mistake in the bylaw, but that's not a policy gap. That's a mistake in legislation.
With my remaining seconds I should like to turn my attention to some of the claims made by the applicant.
She said Vancouver is not taking CACs for office buildings. Simply not true. She said no CACs were payable on the Bentall project on Thurlow, the office component on Telus Garden, the Credit Suisse development, and the Oxford [development]. Again, not true.
The Bentall project is a red herring. It was built without any density above that permitted [by the existing policy and zoning] so no CACs.
Telus Garden came with $17 million in CACs.
The Credit Suisse development, 100% office space, provided $15.1 million in CACs.
The Oxford development is another red herring. No rezoning. No CACs.
The applicant said no municipality in Metro Vancouver takes CACs from commercial developments. Again, not true. A comprehensive study by Metro Vancouver published last year, and which Planning seems to have discovered over the weekend, says the majority of municipalities do have a policy for at least considering CACs on commercial bonus density -- eight out of 14 municipalities they studied. [A copy is in my report.]
I could go on listing the questionable and misleading information surrounding this application but my time is up. As my report shows, your policy, and the policy of the majority of Metro Vancouver municipalities is to collect CACs for commercial bonus density. I urge you to stick to your policy. Stick to your OCP. Reject this request for a gift of three-quarters of a million to offset the costs of repairing and renovating this aging building.
Thank you. And I'm prepared to take questions if you have any.
ML: xxx
Sokol: CACs
what Mr Pajari was referring to between 1.0 and 1.4 and 1.4 and 1.75
what is charged 4 to 75 is the same
Mayor: does this apply to comm only?
Sokol: says shd be considered, not what it shd be
shd be based on how it meets xxx
5x uplift xxx
Mayor: put motion on floor
MAB: yes, based on CAC not being applied
ML second
MAB: speak against the motion
my review of all the info, OCP, other cmnty practices
interesting info re WVFlorist applicn
another ref to amenity contributions; none existing but it doesn't diff at all
confusion has arisen but from ev that I've reviewed, CAC shd be charged whether resid, mixed, or purely comm
am interested in hearing from rest of Ccl
if it's something we want to encourage, good quality ofc space, and seems to be a dearth of good ofc space
way to incentivize, reduce CAC
can be in kind or cash
that wd be subject to what rest of Ccl has to say
no questions at this point; give it a little more thought
ML: ultimately there is some confusion about CACs; at the discretion of Ccl
doc conflicting with staff report conflicting with anecdotal I got when I phoned
is this a devt that's going to enhance the fiscal and xxx vibrancy of Amb?
strikes me an ofc bldg full of employees a greater impact quite frankly than of ppl my age who go out and have lunch
clearly a need by prop owner and what I've heard from xxx
clearly there's a diff economic model from xxx
residential covers the commercial
wd have no comm if no residential above it
cost of construction and rents
a multistep devt -- does the amenity apply or not, this isn't approval
really just Ccl confirming a willingness to do what is potentially needed some activity in central of cmnty
TP: what are we trying to achieve in Amb?
xxx or not
a strong and vibrant -- comm is critical
hard to get it into
are we open to biz or not?
we always go case by case
don't see anything in Amb strategy about CACs -- is that by design?
the highest and best use is resid; but is that best use?
putting monetary CACs on this puts it at risk; I want to encourage ofc in Amb
we talk about diversity on our task base
at least $100K a year in taxes
our biz class rate is more than residential ---- but lowest in Metro
only 7% comes from biz cmnty
opportunity to increase, I'll support
our nbr PkR vigorously pursuing commercial
have to balance that
if putting CACs of 75% on this -- not going to get what we need in Amb
{not provable}
understand a precedent here
xxx a good point of debate going forward
applicn came to us in July
xxx; so will be supporting it
my understanding is that the parking behind the Walker bldg is public
{also not true}
this may be part of that in-kind amenity cmnty is looking for
Sokol: parking in the lane is private
{right}
cd engage applicant in
number of diff approaches
raised some concerns -- spaces cd be leased
something interesting in parking in the lane
Ksf expansion reduced by [8:48] spaces wd go away
Mayor: parking behind is not counted as
Sokol: it is required parking and use xxx
GB: xxx
Mayor: how
GB: not assigned to tenant A
cd be assigned to a tenant and gen public cdn't park there
gen parking with time periods; then cd be used by public
Mayor: are we counting behind as av parking?
Sokol: counting them as part of the negotiations
four missing spaces; wd fully disclose to Ccl how that went
CC: xxx on Dec 10 Ccl requested add'l info
our policy for some of us was unclear; wanted to go fwd; clear policy before going fwd; other Ms' practice
unfortunately the staff report doesn't provide for going forward
what it is, going fwd
more importantly there's no rationale in the report from staff why 100% exemption
intuitive a lower rate -- wd be a logical policy decision
nice and want to encourage
issue is whether we need to exempt this or whether a reduced rate
??? mixed rate same as ???[8:52]
that answers our Q
if mixed charged, then charging on the comm portion
don't have rationale
heard Cclr Lewis that 100% xxx
Hollyburn 100%; so residential not an essential part
I'm concerned about setting a precedent without setting out a well set our xxx policy
do we need all comm devts?
staff report finds do not
in fact report Cclr Booth [found/circulated] Mar 5 2012 shows most Ms do charge
{Gee, how did staff miss that???}
so I'm having w? have correct or reliable info
no coherent way forward well-reasoned
what do we do now; some time sensitivity; want it to go ahead
no doubt upzoning increases value of prop by many of thousands of dollars
I will not support waiving entirely
Staff --- can't wait to get our ducks in a row so what do we do
instead of denying, work with proponent, in-kind and financial CACs
come forward with a suggestion
will compromise like MAB; but not waive
in District's upzoning
NG: try not to repeat
I too am torn esp at this time; see a lot of value in the comm as per our Amb Stra
renov rather than demolishing however it will increase the value so not fair
as Cclr Cam, have a diff option re CACs -- less than resid and mixed use but in-kind or reduced rate
not going to vote for the motion as proposed
Mayor: three opposed to the motion
I try to listen to both sides and both make sense
Agree in Amb need badly, Panz
one point hasn't been made, if this project went ahead; caveat not be residential; value wd be less
CACs as Panz conservative estimated $100K in tax revenue
either defeat and another; table or
what shd I do?
CC: prefer another
ML: prefer a polled vote
Mayor: in favour?
negative: MAB CC NG
Mayor: if I don't vote then in favour?
MOTION DEFEATED
{whether he votes or not it wd be defeated. A tied vote fails and since Sop absent, only six voting. With three negative, it of course fails if the Mayor votes no, but even if he votes yes, it's only a tie, so fails.}
so will entertain another motion
ML: what wd be the CAC?
Mayor: he doesn't have one
ML: xxx
CC: I'm not going to presuppose
Mayor: staff meet with proponent and come forward with some inkind/cash
NG: not just this one; get policy clear
Mayor: need to determine to move this devt forward
then I agree after we conclude that, staff a permanent policy
don't want to lose this application
CC: I'll agree to amend
first as I stated... staff report back, reasonable period, Mr Sokol
sev policy options for 100% comm
Sokol: months
Mayor: why not deal with applicns as they come fwd
CC: don't want to be in same situation
policy xxx
understand time sensitivity of this one
so against in same ?
what's the policy going to be brought fwd?
Sokol: can understand
but been eight to ten years since 100% comm so don't have that concern
Mayor: all these hands up; can you put a motion and see if a seconder
CC: in-kind; and staff return to Ccl
ML: in-kind and/or financial
CC: part of their 2013 work plan
uncomfortable making this decision before policy in place
see some in-kind and some cash???
MAB: a bit of a broken front across the Ms
several actually do negotiate on a case by case basis
support motion neg and look at policy at future date whether we can establish
at a minimum we shd fill the gap
future, not second-guessing
ML: don't want to preclude; case by case may be approach
NG: [9:08] so staff xxx
Sokol: give some sort of framework; somewhat less than mixed ... xxx
Sokol: M-wide it is on a case by case basis
predictability xxx
{An exasperated Correspondent writes:
Not sure what Sokol is trying to say here. The entire point of defining "Amenity Units" in the new AC1 and AC2 zones was to move away from case-by-case decisions on bonus density and to provide developers with a predictable formula. The problem is that Planning scr*wed up and made a mistake when they wrote the new zoning bylaw. It provides a formula for bonus density for 0% commercial; for 50% commercial; for every %age commercial up to 99.99%, but not for 100% (which is what the Walker building is).}
Mayor: our hope we have a project we want to happen
but hope applicant and staff will come forward with something
CAO: hear
SSch: xxx and bring it back to Ccl
Mayor: carries unanimously [9:10]
NB: Saturday Jan 19: the report is now on the DWV website
5. Public Safety Building Budget Tracking Report (File: 0500-01)
RECOMMENDED: the report re Project Status Report for Dec 2012 dated Jan 14 be received for information.
6. Proposed Council Procedure Bylaw No. 4730, 2013 (File: 1610-20-4730) Information to be provided.
{Again, Cclr CC reasonably asked for documentation with changes indicated and residents shd be able to see this too so they can provide input.}
who?: discrepancy in the ......
shd say Dec 10 not 12????
Mayor: jumping
this time I'll pay attention
staff: progress
resoln passed allowing us to report on progress -- there was no resoln per se but an excerpt in the report
rec'd for information and not a resoln
ML: if we're going to work from a report it shd be accurate??? [9:12]
SSch: as revised by staff so built into the motion
ML: just don't want to accept something inaccurate
SSch: owing to add'n to solicitor
will be coming; at Library and distributed to Ccl
MOTION DEFERRED {good!}
7. Restricting Westbound Left Turns on the Marine Drive Corridor from 13th to 18th Streets (File: 1785-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the report dated Jan 7 from the Transportation Engineer be received for information.
{The Editor recommends you listen to the full explanation given by Ray Fung (and read the report, of course). The cost of lights is also a factor.)
NG: I'll preempt CR by saying consult with local residents/groups
LAUGHTER [9:25]
{yes, thanks, Nora! that is good news; hope it will always be the case....}
NB: Replacement of those controllers; at 15th already been replaced; will be able to address systematically.
8. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
RECOMMENDED: be approved:
8.1 Street Naming Request for the Subdivision of 2190 Camelot Road, 2185 Union Avenue, and Lot 3 in the 2100 block of Union Avenue: Union Court (File: 1785-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the new cul-de-sac servicing the Camelot subdivision located at Skilift Road and 21st Street be named Union Court.
8.2. Proposed Amendment to Development Permit No. 08-041 (Hollyburn Mews) for property located at 2011 Esquimalt Avenue (formerly 2031, 2047, and 2063 Esquimalt Avenue) (File: 1010-20-08-041)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the MClk give notice that a proposed amendment to Devt Permit No. 08-041 (Hollyburn Mews) for property located at 2011 Esquimalt, attached as Appendix C to the report from the Sr. Cmnty Planner, dated Jan 9, is to be considered on Mon Feb 18.
8.3. Development Variance Permit Application No. 13-001 (1690 21st Street)(File: 1010-20-13-001)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the MClerk give notice that DVP No. 13-001 for 1690 21st Street to allow exterior stairs from the ground to the main floor deck to be constructed within the required rear yard, will be considered by Council at its meeting on Feb 18.
8.4. Development Applications Status List (File: 1010-01)
RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
Do look at this to see if there's an application in your area. One I saw was from Park Royal for a 19-storey and a 24-storey building connected by a five-storey bldg with 289 units and also some commercial and also some cmnty and amenity land uses.
8.5. Correspondence List (see link on electronic agenda) (File: 0120-24)
Council Correspondence Update to January 11, 2013 (up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
1 Royal Lepage Northshore, Jan 7, re Topic : Innovations in Housing : [Self-Owned (Secondary-Basement)] Suites (Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
Received for Information
2 K. Higgs, January 9, 2013, regarding PLEASE HELP CANADA IN THIS REGARD...
Council Correspondence Update to January 15, 2013 (up to 4:30 pm)
Referred for Action
1 M. Miller, January 14, 2013, regarding Comment: TransLink plans bus route changes
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
2 January 15, 2013, regarding Marine/Ocean Energy and Geothermal Initiatives
(Referred to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for consideration and response)
3 J. Wyckham, January 12, 2013, regarding Pedestrian Overpass at Park Royal
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
Received for Information
4 City of North Vancouver, January 10, 2013, regarding Wireless Communication Design and Consultation Policy (Attachments available for viewing in Legislative Services Department)
5 14 submissions dated January 14-15, 2013, re Rezoning Application -1821 Marine Drive (West Van Florist) (Referred to January 21, 2013 Public Hearing)
6 2 submissions dated January 13, 2013, regarding 1300 block Marine Drive
Responses to Correspondence
7 Mgr of Community Devt, Youth, and Families, January 14, 2013, response re Homelessness in West Vancouver
8 Director of Engg and Transportation, January 14, 2013, response re RE: Marine Drive and 23rd Avenue
9 Director of Engg/Transportation, Jan 14, 2013, response to A. Kowalski re Change to Bi-Weekly Garbage Collection
9. OTHER ITEMS
Mayor: 8.2 pulled out; for second time, Heather Mersey
HM: excuse my ignorance, I thought Mr Geller wd be speaking first
NO
is the motion coming forward
Sokol: this is just scheduling; will be on agenda Feb 18
HM: more approp
MAB: ... report from last March
[9:30] RF: xxx staff feel actually quite conflicted, a work in progress; encourage that PkR finish construction
some reports that during Xmas rush some accommodations made
urging them to complete asap
landscape median and wrought iron fence replacing chain link
PkR advises the schedule from contractor shows for March
[delay] owing to weather
staff felt conflicted not got into a normal state
diff to assess success of the xxx [9:31]
know there's inconvenience
layout
in meantime some inconvenience
we understand wch is why pushing PkR to asap
MAB: can't put my finger on
ML: the remaining overpass
MAB: no
ML: bet N and S; off ramp
MAB: that's a diff one
Mayor: some semblance of order
MAB: xxx
Mayor: whip to PkR
RF: can be some confusion; already occurred
existing vehicular overpass
PkR will be appearing Feb 4
addressed to them directly
NG: letter from Judith Wyckham
writing to ask each of you
replacement and the Village -- the ped overpass
last time Rick here, I asked him specifically will you consider not removing it? he said yes, and next xxx it was gone!
have seen dozens of ppl jaywalking there; wrote back to Rick
{Rick Amantea of PkR}
his response is going to put up barriers wch they have done
currently no intention of [revisiting?] the overpass
if you walk from PkR -- there are 17 lanes of traffic; as I pointed out 500m
PkR convinced us of the viability, telling us big improvement for pedestrians
probably look better
do a survey of ppl in those and see what they think
Mayor: on Feb 4th
10. PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Mayor: Carolanne Reynolds
CR: Thank you, Mayor Smith
To clarify, Mr Gustavson's statement was incomplete. I called him before the [public/info] mtg to ask if there'd be a presentation since it was not mentioned in any of the information, b/c ppl ask. And in the newsletter, I like to put the time of the presentation since residents don't want to miss it. IOW, I just asked for something for the information. There was NO discussion of any aspects of the devt or of the applicn; just providing info on [timing] basis. So I didn't want that, that you thought I was misleading b/c it wasn't anything about the devt. So that was what speaking was -- finding out the time of the presentation. BTW, I shd say, that some of your presentations at the public mtgs do say: starts at 6, presentation at 7 or whatever. That's really helpful b/c ppl can then come for the talks.
And thank you for saying you'd consider staff's role b/c it's v valuable and important at these open mtgs.
There's another situation with confusion that was raised earlier this evening that I'd like to bring to your attention.
It's when something comes and it says it's "received for information". There have been cases in wch, when you've received it for information, it's a done deal, and it's done, and staff do it. Other times, when it hasn't been.
So I was v interested to hear that the solicitor said that that particular document had to be a resoln of Ccl. So that's something you might find helpful to clarify b/c many ppl over many years, both mbrs of Ccl and public, have asked: what does rec'd for information mean? and they have received several explanations. So that wd be good to clarify. So it's been magical -- they can use it either way.
And the third thing is, I want to thank Cclr Gambioli for mentioning {ie, including} the residents and maybe the ratepayer groups. I'll try to win you over one at a time. Think it's up to three now.
So, thank you very much.
Mayor: thank you. Anyone else?
11. ADJOURNMENT
COMMITTEE of the WHOLE MTG NOTES -- MONDAY JANUARY 28 {Housing}
4:30 PM IN MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
No voting takes place in Committee of the Whole meetings. Following discussion of an item a decision may be made to forward the item to a regular Council meeting for consideration and vote, or a decision may be made to send an item back to staff to provide further information or clarification before proceeding to a regular Council meeting.
1. Call to Order
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the first Cmte of the Whole: We're trying to cover subjects in more detail and allow the public to participate in discussions and ccl mbrs to express themselves in a free way. Expect tweaks as we go. Housing and Nbrhd Character No. 1 on the agenda.
Mr McRadu will go over format
The CAO explained CoW (yes, he actually called and pronounced it 'cow') saying: this is an experiment
major and complex projects before Ccl; take them and have a fuller opp/discussions. Ccl identified five priorities.....
Dir start, staff wd present the topic; Ccl will ask questions, then public; the Dept Head wd take questions (there'd be no speakers' list, just raise your hand, pose question to Director or Ccl); Director Sokol will facilitate; there wd be no formal resolutions but possibly report for Ccl. Ccl can raise other issues.
Next mtg is with Sch Bd over the fence; then cell towers, third on CEC (some want to make a presentation).
Advise us re future topics and we'll try to find time.
This is an experiment, tell us now to improve the process
REPORTS
2. Housing and Neighbourhood Character (File: 2515-02)
Presentation - Part I: Neighbourhood Character and Building Bulk; and Part II: Housing Diversity.
Sokol: Staff will give a brief presentation then hear public (during that not ask questions).
MAB: one question; draft had trees -- coming session
CAO: did have it on; long so pushed off, maybe a future mtg
CC: trouble putting our discussion into context; what is our objective? clearer direction for staff?
Sokol: staff is seeking direction from Ccl; Ccl given draft plan and gone out to public
may make some revisions to the Housing Action Plan
CC: ...see how it plays out
CAO: want to leave it; didn't want to drill down too much
Sokol: Cmnty Dialogue and Housing WG recommendations -- 2008 made 21 recommendations
first grp nbrhd character, integrating new houses
construction process more nbrly; protect blvd... character
minimize site alterations (bulldozing of lot)
designing with nature
retention of heritage resources
articulate nbrhd character
our legis v strict, only sgl-fam houses -- they asked for allowing some variation
conditions for infill housing...
encourage green bldgs.
A lot of work done since
legalize sec stes and we have nearly 800 legal now, many not even aware in existence, so now safer
{but most believe there are thousands of stes -- have heard anywhere from 3K to 7K}
2011 rewriting of zoning bylaws after 40 years
sold some road ends
srs' housing -- 90 Kiwanis, 126 Westerleigh; Hollyburn Mews
nbrhd character involved in variances
green bldg covenants
Sop: legalization of sec stes right thing to do; stated strong support for housing choices
increasing sec stes doesn't provide alternative/affordable housing; 92 new
high assessments in WV; hard, looking re affordability; it's market-driven -- for the world not our citizens and families
Sokol: we're talking about 'relatively' affordable, so talking about increasing the supply
ppl say want more choice; allowing diff types
Sop: your own report says legalizing does not increase housing/rental supply
Sokol: ev ste now safer -- fire extinguisher, safe egress
NG: No 2.1 topic is articulating nbrhd character, current status is fit; understand only multifamily
Sokol: only for applicns for variances
NG: capacity for ev sgl-fam home b/c that's what I hear
Sokol: certainly we don't; staff can study to see if we can (re legislation)
add'l step in devt process
NG: so your work plan
Sokol: if Ccl so desires.
2.2 on same page is integrating new houses in est'd nbrhds re size and apparent bldg bulk
part of 2013 work plan?
Sokol: direction of Ccl; history of striving; discuss later
ML: bit unclear; we just had three or four slides -- talking about them or leaping to docs not addressed yet
Sokol: intent discussion around topics
ML: don't know what else is coming so don't know when questions
Sokol: docs background reading; this intended as an overview
Mgr of Cmnty Planning will discuss nbrhd character and bldg bulk
Steve M will talk on housing diversity
ML: see some sequences.....
Mayor: introduced -- now question?
Justin Webb: came to talk about the nbrhd; struggling to contain my angst -- those three slides
your list or achievements, if you were in biz, you'd be fired
Go down Inglewood -- huge houses, we've lost more trees and greenery in the past five years than we did when clearcut 100 years ago
walked our nbrhd, Esq to Mathers and 11th to 15th and photographed all the new homes, there were over 25 of them, 80% were ugly and 75% had clearcut.
You guys need to take serious action
you spend a lot of time on Marine Dr, right behind it, nbrhd being ruined, let them put down gravel, build boxes.....
fantastic list and in five yrs that was your accomplishment? an embarrassment, you're ruining our cmnty by lack of action
ruining by not being tough and strong, and setting tough guidelines.....
don't hide behind process; make a big diff; implore you, don't let devprs make a quick buck at the expense of one of the most beautiful cmnties in Canada
not legacy any one of you want; work to make our cmnty green, livable, beautiful; don't sell out through shortsightedness...
be strategic, be tough
I beg you, I love this cmnty, I don't want to leave, I don't want to sell my two lots that I sit on so some guy can bulldoze ev tree that's on it so I can make a buck
Pls take this seriously and don't delay. You don't have a tree policy. I can cut down a tree and you can't do anything about it.
You cd fund --, you can --, guys are dropping a million five on a lot and you can't tell me you can't charge a fee to have ppl staffed up to, you know, do a proper job in terms of governance? That's bull sh*t.
There's money flowing out of here like crazy. You can self-fund all the things you need to get this done, so I ask you, pls love our cmnty, make it green, make it beautiful.
Mayor: We get your point, Sir. That's what we're doing here tonight. We recognize we have a problem.
{JW -- stepped away from the mike so unintelligible}
Mayor: we're trying to peddle a little faster
APPLAUSE
DepCAO, BL: the rights of private property are something unfortunately that we deal with
no Ccl can come in with a draconian hand and say that those rights will be swept clean, and we will maintain some sort of notion that we wd all love to maintain about some notion of character, so I wd hate to see you leave the room under the auspices [sic] that you have the right as a citizen to say to all of our Ccl and of the staff that we're derelict in our duties. That is-- you need to have a discussion, stay for the discussion, learn about the double bind that we're in in trying to preserve this cmnty that we also love. I think it's important [for] you to do that.
Pls stay, pls let us engage in that discussion.
JW: I'd love to stay and I'd love to engage in the discussion, and I totally understand that there are constraints on private property, but I think from that list and a five-yr window, I feel that you haven't moved the yardsticks potentially as you cd. You don't have a tree policy and you cd, and that wd be a simple one. Can you mandate good taste? No. I think you're going down the right path with that list but five years, and we are here today? So, I think it's a question of pace, and being strategic. And that's what I wd encourage--
Mayor: we're trying to pick up the pace, by starting with this mtg tonight. Ms Boyle, do you want to dive into the tricky character of nbrhds?
JW: want to ask me any more questions? I appreciate the offer, but I just can't stay.
Mayor: nbrhd character and building bulk; everybody's interested in that.
GB: to give it some historical context; not the first time subject has come up and shocking it's been {she said 'bin'} the subject of discussion
SLIDES
"overall nbrhd character difficult to articulate"
WV's sgl-fam zoning regulations as amended in 1982 are among the most restrictive in the Greater Vancouver area"
WV "cognizant of the residential bulk syndrome since 1980 when the trend to large houses first studied"
from the report: The Large House Syndrome in Traditional and Developing Nbrhds
four key components of nbrhd character:
land use (not even an issue in WV, we have sgl, multi, comm areas)
but bldg bulk, and how the bldg fits on the land, is one of the key focuses
how sited, how high, form and articulation, degree to wch the land is altered in order for the bldg to fit on
the background also is the importance of views
landscape character on the lot itself (blasting and tree regs)
public realm, roads and blvds
historically what have we done?
in 1982, FAR was introduced -- residential and only a few years to commercial zones; prior to that devt defined by side yards, bldg ht, site coverage -- that was the extent
in the early 1980s all of BC became faced with the monster house issue and to tackle WV one of the first
In the Valley where I worked in the late 80s
WV set an example some followed
the 1988 report -- WV took recommendations out to the public for discussion
four phases
when introduced FAR was 0.45 for most lots; in 1989 reduced to 0.35
{yes, I was on Ccl and proud we succeeded in reducing it; another cclr said .38 but I stuck to .35 and rest agreed (in executive session; unanimous out in the chamber; we of course not aware when drawn up it wd have exemptions}
but with that came exemptions, related to basements and how things fit on the site; other recommendations, some successful
beyond strict features of the bylaw
one, dealing with the Altamont area, the blvd areas wch they felt defined their nbrhd
{yes, a cmnty assn started}
at same time, 1996 a proposed roads policy (Adv Planning Commission), saying there's a direct correlation between the organic evolution of our traditional nbrhds and the peace and harmony that we cherish; in few settings is the link between nbrhd design and quality of life so apparent ; through revisiting the design features of traditional roads, it is possible to retain what is unique and truly West Vancouver.
We flag the public realm is so imp in the character of WV
can debate specifics but clearly flagged as one of the truly unique things -- nbrhd and M
last five years
2007, undertook Clovelly Caulfeild area -- look at, we were losing trees, roads being widened,
study to achieve "design with nature"
[grp] tackle tree-cutting and put in tree policy
strong grp of indivs, but larger group strongly rejected that idea; taken to public mtg, stopped, didn't proceed further
{controversial; Planning enlarged the 'nbrhd' boundaries and that included residents not as committed to the heritage conservation -- eg, some wanted to subdivide and sell}
reference to Rodgers Crk zone 2008, concern about bldg bulk; unique -- we said basement included FAR (but not mechanical rooms) and covered decks beyond 300sf
sets Rodgers quite a bit apart from the rest of WV
writing on covered decks in 2008; still a concern to the rest of cmnty and in the fall amendments were made generally re exclusion
{I was part of the DNA (Dundarave Nbrhd Assn) active briefly to push including covered decks, and happy to say changed.}
Lower Caulfeild Heritage Conservation Area Review -- over several years; started with a workshop; residents concerned
{b/c protection they thought wd happen didn't; devprs getting variances; still much discontent, now with LCAC -- cutting of trees, etc}
to explore, used workbooks; residents concerned about zoning regs, majority then thought something we shd tackle
we did devp possible zoning regs -- no doubt responded to some, but revisions soundly rejected by the nbrhd
final review focused on bldgs and natural site features as well as looking at the edge condition, blvds
guidelines were revamped moved away from architecture style and focus more on fit
We view this as an opp to focus on housing bulk
Mayor: ev interested in the exemptions -- to basements, decks, height, -- nobody understands our rules
seem logical that any space above grade, ground level shd count in FAR
{Mayor's right; several letters in Correspondence complaining}
letter to Ccl last mtg, went there, stood on Esplanade and looked back and it's obviously out of character of the nbrhd. Three massive floors you're staring it and apparently the bottom floor at grade counts as a basement
{yes, just look at the photos she sent with her letter -- overpowering across the street}
don't know how calculating FAR; perhaps you cd enlighten us what the calculation is
Sokol: based on grade around the house, and what %age of the basement space is actually underground, and based upon that %age, that floor area is exempted, all that is counted is the %age of the floor area that is above ground and all the floors up above count.
Mayor: okay; everyone has their hand up. Cclr Sop, can you keep it brief want to hear from public as quickly as we can
Sop: sounds like this is a reg ccl mtg to have it brief; we devised these mtgs--
Mayor: --let's not debate it then, just take as long as you like; that's fine
Sop: thank you
to follow up on Mayor Smith; there are some examples not too far
nbr said house next affected view..... talked.... into side and resulted in a less bulky house
on Jefferson, two units joined by a walkway, less bulky than sgl house next
[gave another example] all done under bylaws without variances
can be a bulk house on a small lot as well
wd you see elimination of the basement as not part of FAR
future? and what impact on size?
GB: haven't done that work; including 100% of basement has been raised numerous times and the focus of our work on housing bulk
{yes, raised numerous times over years and nothing done, eh. Wonder why not.}
can learn from work done in past; look at how been executed by bldg industry on these v large houses
{how long does anyone have to look before doing anything???}
MAB: wd like to hear from mbrs of audience and then ask
ML: my sense is going to be lots of questions; they then become part of work plan for 2013 and then you will come back
clearly there seems to be an ability of a devpr to finesse or abuse the regs to their advantage re bulk
{yup; you got it right, Mike!}
the Mayor's example good -- play with the topography of the lot and all of a sudden, look at this, it's an apt bldg!
wd be interesting info and discussion
the definition of the exemptions confuses ev, clarity around that wd be v useful
{ask a devpr!}
other thing I noticed, it tends to be area-specific, many of these initiatives with the exception of the deck
talking about Clovelly, Rodgers Crk
now potentially about district-wide implications; one bookmark how come about
don't expect you to answer now but in work plan
CC: feedback I get from ppl, heard tonight already
more to do with massing and height, and removal of vegetation
difficult to legislate taste...
when built mine I had ppl coming by saying what an awful house, they thought I was the gardener working there; they
were honest
who lives there? horrible. I just shook my head and said yes, it is terrible.
so I'm skeptical re ability to legislate re taste
I know in Shaughnessy if you're putting in a house, must draw a line from the peak of one house to the other and the peak of your house has to be in line so they go quite far down that road; madness lies in that direction
massing and removal of vegetation the key issues
make sure fits and not upset nbrhd unduly
constraints here but we haven't done much in this regard; it's v area-specific and nibbling around the issue; take to cmnty
endless discussions re nbrhds
diff between district-wide standard and tailor-made; former efficient, latter more sensitive, but staff have to scrutinize ev devt
wd like staff to come up with suggestions better regulate mass and better enforce retention vegetation, building with existing vegetation and topography
concrete options we can take to cmnty; if say hands-off then... and like Mr Webb happy to restrict; shd be done asap
out there, not fishing and cutting bait
need to have that hard conversation
Sokol: reason Clovelly and LCaulfeild b/c two nbrhds more easily definable; ten years ago had more definable
{yup, lost; again wonder why}
nbrhd voted against those regulations; that was a lesson
NG: earlier looked at FAR reduced -- 1988, 25 years ago;
{1989}
at that time restrictive, wonder if that's the case now; wd like updated info on what other Ms doing now
need to follow Rodgers Crk example; propose including the basement
{great, Nora!}
wd look for work plan focus on 2.1, 2.2, and 2.5 in this chart; and 2.5 not mentioned yet, minimizing site alteration so we're talking about preparing designs sympathetic, [addressing] loss during construction
wd like to see some general suggestions around that
have been on LCAC, a lot of work, to define nbrhd character, v v difficult and time-consuming and difficult for staff; we simply do not have the resources or ever, impossible
will not be able for ev nbrhd
{Don't try to do it all at once! Don't give up so easily. Start with a couple of things most can agree with. Other characteristics can be added later. Isn't the saying, the perfect is the enemy of the good?
Lately the Japanese term kaizen (continuous improvement) is being used -- sort of do what you can for now. Don't stop b/c you see a mountain, think of the Chinese saying, every ascent/trip starts with a (first) step.}
ht; have to figure the other way
as falling asleep the other night, just take 20 houses nearest site and average volume, say you can't build bigger than that
{but that means new ones will have half of them larger than they're allowed to build!}
something creative, sure happening in other places; need suggestions
bringing down the bulk is necessary in my opinion
Mayor: can we hear from the public re housing and nbrhd
[~5:30]
Michael Geller: plsd to see this discussion, in informal way
there is a more creative way to do zoning, it's dynamic zoning
devt more responsive
slopes, sites, and diff area; worth looking at above and below ground
.35 quite low then I realized doesn't include basements
Vanc has .6 but does include
more staff time, higher FSR but has to go through Design Review
some Ms willing to charge devprs or home-builders
discretionary zoning -- Vanc can do things b/c of its charter
infill projects get so much more scrutiny
worthwhile to see if a better way
for most of WV will be sgl-fam houses and they're the ones that seem to alter character
Michael Evison: we're making life a bit more difficult for ourselves
there are opps to carry through existing regs
beat my head over years: relnship between blvd, street, and house -- can mitigate some of the problems on what's being built
examples we allow blvd to be bulldozed; prop owners think it's their right but it's not
in Sandy Cove where I live we're saying, pls have some respect for the blvd; one owner said it's only a laurel hedge. But it's part of the character!
nbrs on either side shd be consulted; a landscape plan for the blvd
another thing to go through -- yes, you have to b/c 'ours'
will cost v little; almost in place; insist on right away
Sokol: they're guidelines, not put into bylaws so see teeth; happy to dust off that issue and bring it back; no reqmt to consult
{good}
GB: last yr made it a reqmt must initially submit a blvd plan so know and we can address up front not at tail end
CC: can I ask a question about this?
Sop: I had my hand up first
Mayor: let's hear from the public then go back to questions from Ccl
Sop: it's informal--
Mayor: --but I've already recognized this next speaker
Dianne Bryden: my name is Dianne Bryden in Dundarave area
if truly concerned about seniors living in big homes ....
saw in newspaper, four or five townhouses around a garden; shd open it up
so many monster houses we've lost character already
gated, gardens, often bark mulch
monster houses, maybe cd hv some little [coach?] houses
Sop: someone doing a house probly contacting Chapman and amazed at border
bulldoze along prop line injuring trees, nbr....
no bylaw, little experiences
for public's info, we don't see majority of houses, they meet the bylaw; get calls after the fact
don't want to be in staff's face; can take a drive and see
12Ksf lot -- last ten years double in wealth, value of land
infill, carriage, two houses on lot, we're going to alter the character of this cmnty, density, for who? devprs?
story re impact, future
want to see densification wch I don't like -- coach houses, infill, etc stratification? duplexes?
we stood test of time and being unique
east of Lonsdale can't find parking, homes, sec stes
doc five years ago, outdated; Mr Geller stated that
it was a targeted survey, outdated
we have to look a specific type of housing -- area or across the board
CC: re blvds; support what former Cclr Evison said
for all new construction shd require blvd plan; no scrutiny for mine; it's low-hanging fruit -- not enforced
Sokol: on blvd, since July last year requiring a blvd plan with ev; won't see that till next year
CC: does staff have to approve? cedars across line?
Sokol: compliance with blvd guidelines -- not aesthetic, just practical
CC: to retain existing blvd conditions (2.5); not something staff is scrutinizing for
Mayor: Mr Sokol is making a note re blvds
MAB: reminds me, "to ev complex prob, there's a solution that's simple, clear, and wrong"
captures idea we're dealing with. Sounds simple. There is a prob though-- you drive through the nbrhd and you see monster houses.... sight line, etc
.... prob is we have sellers wanting to maximize and then they're going to leave the nbrhd
buyers, devprs, sell to maximum
zoning -- have to be realistic how you motivate to do the right thing
creating other options for value and density
buyers coming from other places asking how big (can it be) to get most
have to be realistic and practical
incentivizing for other options but resistance in nbrhds
don't have to study more
WG in 2008 made 20 recomms around character and choice
need to focus on what we've got here: first around character, second around choice
2.1 v labour-intensive; integrating 2.2, siting requires sp consideration -- right now doesn't make sense, smack dab in middle of lot and then forward sightlines impeded; look at FAR re basements wd like to see limit on size of house but that's personal; 2.4; then 2.6, pilot projects without clear parameters around what trying to achieve. Prev pilot projs, wdn't support, too vague
how inter-related
Mayor: anyone else?
John Lawson: Nelson in Dundarave
reln to blvd; have experience as an owner and a nbr on Nelson Ave
re built form, etc, can't emphasize enough how much the public spaces affect nbrhd character
shdn't underestimate what the public space means to ppl
[shdn't] say blvd too difficult so dismiss it
staff's work plan for 2013/14, go beyond blvd guideline; not just test against what went before
in terms of trying to define nbrhd character, wdn't dismiss as too hard
tremendous enthusiasm and energy and have opp to have residents be part of the work plan, imp elements of their nbrhd
re value, ten years in this cmnty tend to connect value only with FSR... and think v monochromatic view
recent study: heritage and character inherent value
recog nbrhd character increases value, has
LSE study 2012, may I table this re applicability to this discussion
Bill Chapman (Land Surveyor): my firm has surveyed over half of WV
Mayor: we don't accept advertising
[laughter]
BCh: won't give name of my company
basements exempt b/c not visible
where you have v steep slope and the three floors become visible
find a way to hide; done with berms
{even if 'hidden' by a berm it still contributes to height of bldg!}
BPP, not putting in basements on a lot of their hillside devts, they're doing 'reverse plans' wch also is v new in WV
you live on the upper floor and the basement is the lower floor
look at those; they sell v well
highest building face is what staff have difficulty with; something cd be looked at
topographic surveys are required on all props prior to demolition; brought in so ppl wdn't artificially fill in before building
Unfortunately no one looks at these surveys except the purchaser and his designer
blvd plan is what they'll look like when they finish
has just come out that the topographic survey must show what features (eg trees) are there now
that's v good but nobody looks at it
goes to Bldg Dept, look at what blvd's going to look like with new house; they're not allowed to cut the trees down but trees do disappear -- unfortunately it's cheaper to remove a tree than negotiate a tree
open discussion here; going to solve a prob, have to look at what prob is
example in Vancouver with a heritage home: the lawyer went into city hall and asked what the fine wd be if the ppl demolished the heritage home. He was told $200K. He took his cell phone and called the contractor who said, demolish the house. All he wanted to know is how much it wd cost not whether he cd save it. A lot of the rules you make, have to be thought through a little bit more.
I don't build houses, I've lived in one house for 20 years, I'm not in the market of making money on devt. We've got a company policy that we don't compete with ppl we work for so we have nothing to gain from any of the rules you bring in, and we're more than willing to help with the soln, and try and solve the prob.
Most of the builders are willing to help with the soln too.
we all want a better WV; if you can make it better then the homes cost more.
Ppl will pay more for what we build, smaller homes
complained about subdivided the waterfront; we haven't, the prov has taxed it so highly that your sr citizens on the waterfront can't afford to live there. Can't afford to sell their home and move somewhere else unless they subdivide
that's why waterfront got subdivided; not b/c they wanted to but b/c they had to
$45K in taxes! ppl pay more in taxes on the waterfront than I make in a year.
nbrhd character: one thing ppl forget is often that character is it's eclectic but that's the not the problem; but what you don't want is monster homes, coming in ten in a block
sometimes the character is that it's different everywhere
homes are built to maximum size: I blame the prov for that and the fed govt. It's the only place ppl can make money tax-free. Build a home bigger than they want and then sell sq ftg when finished.
try to talk them into building smaller homes, they want them, but they say they can make another half-million dollars if bigger.
want biggest they can have; don't know how you solve that.
willing to enter into a dialogue
Mayor: thx for your offer of help; over to Mr Mikicich
GB: a few intro comments; this section deals with housing diversity; in our Housing Action Plan (to Ccl in Nov)
seeking input on this action plan and want to bring it back as Ccl's priorities; Stephen will speak of priorities
SM: past practices and current issues
five actions for staff [SLIDES]
one: continue providing for srs, adaptable, etc some results signif and other modest
early in 2012, coach houses focus for 2012/13, cmnty discussion, etc
see: westvancouver.ca/housing
will be putting forth newspaper advertisements, using social media; mtg with a ratepayer group
housing forum based on successful dialogue, cmnty survey
hope to come back to Ccl before the summer break with recommendations
if supported by cmnty, draft legislation for coach houses; help to .... {gave examples, questions}
retain and purpose-built
discussion paper; will report before summer break; followup in fall
housing gaps
est character
identified weaknesses in our housing policy; will clarify
the adopted plan will provide framework, will report on annual basis
GB: new housing based on applicns coming in; here's a brief summary currently filed with the District
the Unitarian Church, revising plans from 24 heard 19 and FAR down to .41; think will be much better
applicn for assisted living NW corner of Keith and TWay -- 110 beds and ~1.25; coming to Ccl hope before Easter
6035 MDr not an applicn (was a pilot) but owners discussed various options; wd like to see smaller lots with smaller houses, ageing in place
rental infill housing; will discuss in more detail in report coming forward
on PkR White Spot site, for 289 units, FAR just below 3.0, tower format; staff currently doing staff review
2074 Fulton -- in infill housing block, owner looking at putting three units (across the lane from Hollyburn Mews)
an idea of housing we're starting to see from the industry
Sop: want to articulate what earlier
build them where will this go
are we going to infill throughout the cmnty below the hwy considering we're built out
my reaction right away to concerns of nbrs -- if you can't articulate nbrhd character you have a prob
sum of many parts; a way of life, it's kids in a lane... real value to ppl
last year or year before the highest sgl-home devt processes in years -- ppl want to stay in their homes, redo their homes, and die in their homes
I'm not going to, necessarily ... don't want to see -- will ev nbrhd see advantage of a coach house?
a person wants to go ahead and invest is going to look at some v serious money to go about
will produce a fairly healthy rent -- sec ste, chn
alternate housing rental or stratified? we'll become a cmnty of duplexes
way this moves forward, I'm serious, this is widespread, ev questioned -- shd be a referendum question
Mayor: 11 minutes left; lady in second row; have some pearls of wisdom
Heather Mersey: 20th St, long-time resident
wd like to encourage Ccl, Planning, at this point, and the Housing Action Plan, to go through the process of identifying nbrhds
I think in our cmnty, ~45K ppl, shd proceed to do that, finish it off
in terms of long-term and impact of whatever is decided of infill and coach housing that if we go with a blanket policy it does not serve the uniqueness of our existing nbrhds.
if we're going to do that b/c economical and it's fast, then that's the wrong answer for where we live. We deserve better than that. We are a cmnty of unique nbrhds so we'd just like to say, although it may sound like an onerous job but I think we're halfway there, Let's continue, do it, and when we move fwd with the housing policy, the areas that cd possibly be impacted with infill housing or coach houses, those areas will be able to respond accordingly. I must say -- I live close to Hollyburn Mews, and that has had a huge impact on our nbrhd. It was v controversial coming fwd and we have yet, it's almost finished, going to be a major change in the area, and wd hate to see a policy that is stamped for all of WV -- free fall for everybody. If you want infill housing you can have it anywhere, go for it! Let's preserve our uniqueness and take the step to identify nbrhds.
Mayor: lady in second row
Kim Little: local realtor and on contract with a laneway housing company. Today I'm here as a resident and mother of three kids, lived in WV since 1979
find interesting considering impact of coach houses when our zoning is across the board
massing happening with the monster housing now
had an opp three years ago when brought about pilot prog, it was cutting edge but didn't take effect
in that three years we've lost little cottages, post and beam homes, gardens, and instead seen a lot of these giant boxes
more concerned about the impact of the monster boxes than bringing in these little cottages
when I bought my prop in West Bay, 14Ksf lot, my husband and I went to a designer...planned fantastic dream home ... b/c wanted a four bedrooms, zoning meant we had to go further out on the main floor wch then meant further into the basement .... realized I had a 2500sf basement. I thought who's going to heat, clean that, what am I going to do with that.... We ended up panicking and bailing and ended up looking at existing cottage 1200sf with a rec room
what if we walled off the rec room to two bedrooms... that was the best thing we ever did. Our existing 14Ksf lot is lots of green area,... nbrhd thrilled; nbr 7Ksf ; wd have one little cottage on one side and another
in NV, you'll be discussing whether automatic sq ftg -- wd be a smart thing to do
build house plus laneway...in Vanc
take existing footage, instead of a 5Ksf home, why not put one 2Ksf and another 2Ksf
less bulky and less dense...
Cclr Sop you said didn't want duplexes; a home with a suite is a duplex; just that you have one owner
can have fantastic duplexes that look like a sgl-fam home
all kinds of bldg forms
do it fast, don't wait any longer; wait three years, we'll lose little cottages and won't be many left
save -- on the right track
happy to help; Small Housing BC has done surveys, besides laneway
contrary to what ppl think, lane now clean, ppl walking instead of just garbage
nbrs that didn't want one; can have a positive effect
don't think will be massive impact as we're seeing with the monster homes.
Mayor: thank you for that; anybody else?
Lady: encouraging infill housing, gentle densification
don't take signif housing; was garage now house
tend to enliven as Kim said
a benefit to our cmnty; wd really like it to happen
Sokol: wd like to get direction what you want us to work on
heard discussion about housing bulk issue, how others doing it
want to see blanket and other instance not
interest in diversity of housing as long as sensitive to nbrhd
will report back on Housing Action Plan as well as bulk.....
Mayor: Mr McRadu, how long will that take?
CAO: take from Mr Sokol's summary
SSch: at end, Cmte can determine whether or not they feel prepared to Rise and Report to next ccl mtg on what action they feel the Cmte shd recommend to Ccl and bring fwd to Ccl for debate and voting. That can be part of the motion to rise and report.
Mayor: if we want to lie low and not report, we just don't pass this motion?
CAO: yes
CC: housing diversity piece: I don't think the status quo as some have mentioned is acceptable; it's not serving the cmnty's needs in many ways. it's altering character or nbrhds, not providing any diversity, not ameliorating affordability, not providing housing choice, so the longer we debate, study, endless analysis, meanwhile Rome is burning
my concern any proposals staff bring back getting changes sooner than later
massive failure before next election if not pass changes to increase diversity.
to Cclr Sop's pt, no projects going fwd radical; to pass proponent to address nbrs; not going to ram anything down throats
Sop: moved
Mayor: report brief summary
Sokol: Feb 4th
CAO: certainly for Feb 18; trying not to get it on table
Sop: changed motion to Feb 18?
Mayor: motion carries and mtg is adjourned
CAO: uh -- maybe ccl mbrs can submit to you many suggestions for CoW mtgs
provide to me future items for CoWs as well as what went well and what didn't, how to engage; does this move in right direction
Mayor: adjourned
{looks as if they just whizzed through the rest without stopping to indicate the agenda item.}
3. Future Committee of the Whole Meeting Items (File: 0120-01)
An opportunity for Council members to request or suggest items for future Committee of the Whole meetings.
4. Public Questions and Comments -- none {ppl just spoke as you saw above earlier}
RISE AND REPORT
5. Committee of the Whole rise and report to next regular Council Meeting
6. Adjournment ~6:30
REGULAR COUNCIL MTG NOTES -- MONDAY JANUARY 28 {Finance}
7:00 PM IN MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of January 28, 2013 Council Meeting Agenda
Mayor: Financial Cmte minutes from 2012 have to be withdrawn (Item 7); so next mtg
ppl can speak but no need to sign up tonight
REPORTS
3. 2013 Divisional Services Reviews (File: 0800-01)
Mayor: want me to address this?
Nov 2011 everyone spoke about need to ensure we spend our public's money efficiently and wisely
it's ~ $115M entrusted to us; big; want to make sure spending in best way possible
talking for a year how to go through our services, whether alternatives to do them differently
comprehensive reviews by dept; how operate, suggestions for change, ...
alternatives staff looked at?
CAO: report has...
at your urging, answering are we providing right service in right manner
what are the key performance indicators you as Ccl wish budget prepared
have 1000s of indicators
looked at past answers to those questions
December, binder with Fiscal Sustainability Task Force recommendations; Ccl of the day took some to heart
in 2008 Ccl/staff reopened it to see where we were
2010 rose again; Value for Services formed and asked that question (for one year) right services in efficient manner?
challenge; we look at continuous improvement; process, we can learn
explain our indicators, our biz plans; are they appropriate, what happens if not provided or reduced; how come up with fees and charges? tweaked? added?
take a tree down rather than rationalize it?
Core Services Review; talked to KPMG
our recomm staff be able to explain to you service, implications (new/cancelled)
Mayor has said what he wd like to see in this
staff explain not just high level but all
ask, provide not just justification but what you feel comfortable about.
Mayor: Mr Koke?
MK: no, CAO has
MAB: Cclr NG has provided us a link to what Pr Geo has done
a lot we are already doing -- diff what PG is doing; in debt paying interest, they're twice as big as us
hiring KPMG, some consistency -- raise revenue, etc
we're doing divisional service reviews, so options 2 and 3
what I see coming out is a way for Ccl to make better discussions
want to hear recommended tools from staff; first part shd be how
do want to see recommendations from staff, tools to apply in a strategic way
Mayor: Cclr Booth, then Cclr Sop
Sop: Cclr Booth just spoke
Mayor: I'm sorry, Cclr Panz; having a senior moment -- you'd know all about that.
LAUGHTER
TP: helpful for me looked a FSTF and V4S and a lot relevant, structure and mgmt
like a little checklist -- what have we done
not clear about Core Services Review for 2012
agreement full service review not appropriate but did like the CSR in PG
legislated so we have to do it
formats helpful -- we have to do that, we don't have to do that
traditional, optional, etc
what comes to Ccl turns out to be political decisions
learning, where's independence
Sop: starting to pick gnats out of a dog's collar
staff workload over the years, we have AAA credit rating, incredible investments, beautiful cmnty
everyone wants to live here
over 16 years and it's improved and even greater in last three to four years
time lines? cost factor? we're going to get an education over the year and starting with Parks tonight...
Core Services Review need, don't have to reinvent the wheel
good things going on; will be listening with an open mind
Mayor: suggesting we leave the gnats on the dog's collar?
Sop: no, we can pick those off later
NG: I support this idea of divisional review; like public to learn
consultant comes in $200K+, speaks to many, 500-page binder ppl don't read all
look at this room, best backdrop I've seen
ML: of two minds, supportive of reviews; concerned we've done these internally in past as well with grps
at end, substantial cmnty participation with many recomms and many not implemented
external expertise, need for reports; an approp process followed, recomms made, and they too not followed
going down path of cat guarding the canary.
perhaps there's a hybrid; not suggesting $1000s of dollars but benefit of external objectivity
this forum is great but not radically different from the two others, both were open to the public
concerned that at the end of the day, a year from now and no further along
have high expectations re deliverables, timeframes, etc
don't want to leap into divisional reviews till we have that decision
don't want to go through a whole six hours of patting ourselves on the back
how much does it cost, diff ways, how much diff ways, revenues subsidies, approp?????
perhaps have it
this is not going to be an easy process, likely to be painful but equally rewarding -- to residents (too)
shd hv some external expertise -- citizen volunteer or a consultant
CC: echo concerns
getting criteria of efficiency; objectives we don't see
self-reflection nec but human nature likely to think doing a good job -- bias to status quo
thirdly, agree Cclr Lewis what's good, use M's service with my family and staff doing a good job
how to substantiate what we're doing well at what cost, quality
what we cd do better
had benefit of divisions, high, [this more]
NG: re objectivity, agree, but Ccl's pretty objective, public at these mtgs, objective; hybrid if questions staff can't answer hive off to a consultant with expertise in that area rather than consultant from day one
CAO: FSTF and V4S -- not done in public, xxx
you're asking, ask the right questions
of course it's difficult; don't delegate this; look at continuous improvement
if we can't recommend/improve, then
review, will tell you what services legislated -- I'll tell you: "that many" {but amt can't be seen on video}
ask, challenge, why in your biz, why doing x for seniors, why charge $5 for swim -- how much does it cost you?
get to tipping point and revenue can go down
independent review? these hard questions -- you have to decide, we have but together in public
I can tell you from 30 years' experience certain Ccls will have different....
Fiscal responsible -- I'm v proud of this Ccl and staff. We've never supported a zero increase.....
public: how money is spent; fiscal challenges ahead
be clear what you want independent person to do
consultant come in and still political decisions to be made
partnership: Ccl, staff, public
if no sound biz case then something wrong
Mayor is challenging me, saying what's your biz case, what about six years from now
Mr Koke has provided options
try the first one and if you want someone to validate, great
know someone from V4S here tonight, invested time, a lot will ask tough questions
Mayor: name of the game is to get results in a relatively fast manner
Ccl mbrs have a broad overview, but don't really understand how prog decisions made, delivered, xxx
when public asks questions, we give them a blank stare, no idea why we subsidize some progs and not others, ... all over the map...
Cclr B made a good point; object to make better decisions, have to have better knowledge
make sure the knowledge that is out there, we understand
I bit my tongue and didn't say anything but having spent a lot of time in biz dealing with lots of lawyers, consultants, biz reviews, xxx , we have seven mbrs of this Ccl, we're the ones who shd have a good idea of what cmnty expects
we're the one who shd take an independent look; I'm not going to take a back seat to any consultant who comes in here
we are the ones who shd be doing this review
I wd suggest -- I made myself a worksheet, what I want to glean from each dept, chair, happy to share my worksheets to fill out
for each prog I hope to understand the objective, what the action prog is, planned outcome is, service level plans, service level trends are, what the key success factors are, what the capital plans are, if the budget is increased 5% what impact that wd have on service levels and what if decreased 5%, want to know what the dept's strengths and weaknesses are, what suggestion the dept has for improving their operations internally and externally, what's happening outside the dept that can help; whole plethora of knowledge and facts we can find out by going through this review
can emphatically state, no group more capable than the mbrs of this Ccl
NG: I'll move: THAT staff undertake divisional services reviews as recommended in the Divisional Services Reviews memorandum dated January 22, 2013 from the Acting Chief Financial Officer.MAB: appreciate those guidelines
Mayor: it's for sale
LAUGHTER
MAB: looked at year's [topics], wd like to have some v clear objectives set for each mtg, staff can work toward answering questions
want to see what I'll get......
at the end of the session you'll be able to do what and one is to answer those questions
TP: see roll; questions bang on; want to feel confident get info and can act on them
good questions, Mr Mayor
if not getting what I want will make m voice known
BL: V4S; zero; budget discipline; working hard what will stay and what will go; imperative
sev years, tight enough, excellent context, nec
CAO: this is a process that we want to learn as much as we can
more than prepared to make any changes, tweak it, so you and cmnty get questions answered
Ms Mooi been working on this process
She has a teaser tonight, vastness of her division; she has her staff here; if passes then will tweak
ML: prepared to go along with anything that will improve situation
we may have had no tax increases but our operating budget is growing well in excess of inflation, and well in excess of CPI, in a cmnty that has no growth in popn
need to get our heads around this but don't want to look at slides and listen to a presentation that pats ourselves on the back b/c the cmnty ctr is beautiful
I want to get down to meat and potatoes quickly
Mayor: get this motion passed and dive right in
Sop: that's all well and good, Cclr Smith -- er, Cclr Lewis
no doubt in my mind in course of time staff follow best mgmt practices, efforts, tools, are doing the job
if want improvement, shd listen to them; go through ea dept, that's how we educate ourselves
think made major headway in three, four years
cooperative, educated, better decisions, think we shd go through with it
Mayor: well said, Cclr Sop. {vote} In favour?
Motion carries unanimously
4. 2013 Council Meetings regarding financial matters Agenda Items (File: 0800-01)
Mayor: Mar 25 spring break and end of week Good Friday; can meet 4, 11, and 18, so two ccl mtgs and one CoW mtg.
MAB: glad you raised that; Mr McRadu said we weren't going to meet during spring break; it's the week of 18th and 25th
Mayor: we need to have mtgs at some point, so 4, 11, and 18; still gives everybody a two-week break.
MAB: 18th is the Monday, the start
Mayor: if you want a two-week break you cd leave on the Tuesday 19th and come back on the Sunday week. Leave it up to Ccl; happy with majority decision
NG: we have CoW on the 11th so propose that we do both [as] we did today
TP: open to moving it
Mayor: 11th CoW and ccl mtg and ccl mtg on 4th; not have one on 18th if we don't need one; if we do, have one and who can't make it we party on without us
MAB: as former co-chair of Finance Cmte -- things out for conclusion
had fees and charges -- 45 minutes may not be long enough; don't know if makes sense going to CoW
asked about having a fulsome [sic] decision about unclaimed damage deposits, growth of the operating budget including staffing; Harmony Arts; some in financial reports; carrying forward
CAO: fees and charges -- hope to have in ev dept, so have in specific areas; bylaw tied together; a major
unclaimed and Harmony Arts, bring as staff reports
BL: there was a report, will send link, debriefing and if like more ...
MAB: divisional service review; Library is third; in V4S Planning has come up; why Library came up, how
CAO: they drew the short straw
trying to deal with the two largest first, wd take most time
Chief Librarian said she cd easily spend two hours
maybe putting two boards at same mtg; explanation of how Library operates and their legislative function, and what role Ccl has in developing their budget; same with the Police Bd.
can sequence this any way you're comfortable with
wanted to start with the two largest depts, divisions, first, tweak that so you feel comfortable and however you want to do it after that
the direction that the Mayor has given is wants to move this forward and have a good dialogue
can change as we move along; that's what the arrangement is
Mayor: so you're saying the first two are Parks, then Engg, as we go can make adjustments, if Ccl wants to see another dept come fwd
CAO: yes
Mayor: call question;
MOTION: THAT the 2013 Ccl Mtgs re financial matters Agenda Items be received for information.
carries unanimously
5. Financial Services 2013 Divisional Objectives (File: 0800-01)
Mayor: need to pass 5 or move to 6?
MK: this is the first draft, prepared for your ref
will be reviewing this doc quarterly, updating Ccl, happy to ans questions
Mayor: maybe receive report and if any questions, bring them up at next mtg?
MK: absolutely
Mayor: acceptable to Ccl?
Motion: THAT the Financial Services 2013 Divisional Objectives be received for information.
PASSES
6. Divisional Services Review Parks and Community Services (File: 2100-01)
Presentation to be provided.
Mooi: ask our sr staff to come fwd.
they'll be involved in this discussion also
Mayor: I think we're outnumbered!
CAO: this is only an introduction, not intended to be the divisional review tonight; just the vastness of the division
will start getting into it then detail later.
Mooi: pleased..... will return in February
share wide range and scope of services we provide
how division collaborates with the cmnty
v aware in this environment be responsible, cost containment, always in our mind; evaluate...
.... organizations.... partnerships....
describing breadth
picture tells a thousand words
SLIDES
will provide a high-level overview
Mayor: at some point an introduction?
Mooi: yes, introducing our staff right now
sr staff here, signif services
Jill Lawlor, Steve Kellock, Arleta Beckett, Pam Fretz; Alex Hejduk, Andrew Banks, Corinne Ambor, Dan Henegar, Ian Haras
Mayor: we shd hv bn using the mike
Mooi: go round the other way
{did, this time names cd be heard}
SLIDE
shows our budget; we receive $9.4M in revenue, $15.7M in expenditures with a net [sic] of $6.4M
{must mean a difference}
per household that works out to about $420
FTE 144 including golf and cemetery; recovery rate has been increasing
this increase does not include any of the volunteer hours
how know providing value
accountability, situational analysis, yearly work plan...
binder shows xxx, etc
work with Engg; synergies
quarterly reviews -- these staff with theirs
using an interactive tool for this tonight
this pictograph in front of you -- in blue, services responsible for
not time tonight, go round the table and ask you, you ask.....
highlight
we've made copies of this tool -- at your own discretion can look at and provide feedback at the next mtg
Mayor: thank you
Mooi: choose from blue
Mayor: concessions
IH: three concessions; asking public, what they want, part of Amb Action plan
what type of food, when they want it, fine tune, [etc]
Mooi: neglected to tell you how this image works
area in black is the cmnty benefit; table are examples of metrics, .....
little ppl who we work with
ML: can I click on something to see how much revenue from
Mooi: don't have that right now but there are slides with that info on
get commentary from Ccl of what they want to see
CC: presumably other metrics; you just haven't shown them
Mooi: correct
CC: wd like to say how much revenue generate and how compares with other Ms
qualitative; some cuz nothing else around; some wdn't go
full panoply
financial return so can decide if maximized and if not, why not
CAO: where are we with our RFP
another question is shd be even be in concession biz
money-maker? are we really true cost-accounting? is there another provider?
food trucks for example; not enough of a market?
why are we in that biz? are we making money? .....
two Amb and Dund, can explain how going fwd
CC: seems present-focused
Amb concession, what cd be there -- like what we have at Kits or English Bay
we're not going to get that from present -- forgone opps
Mooi: we're asking those questions in the Amb Action Plan
what are their expectations
CC: think you'd find cmnty demand
concession only open three months a year; restaurant all year
case re this much revenue
[8:10] CAO: challenge is short-, medium-, long-term.
short, concession
what are we going to do? prob with parking
need to invest in change room facilities
what shd we do in two years, next five years, ten?
need to dig down
ML: going to go through this, think there's going to be benefit, but at the end, when do we actually have the discussion as a Ccl and as a cmnty as to what is a core service and what isn't what's discretionary?
we have to have a library and a police force but honestly over and above that, pretty well discretionary
how do we get from cmnty what truly matters to them
where do they put a hanging basket in comparison to their toilet flushing?
I get more calls on garbage day when not picked up than I've ever had on anything else
when have that discussion
a prioritization exercise as well of the limited resources we have
toilets flushing, police come when there's a burglar, fire comes when I'm having a heart attack
CAO: interesting part of this discussion
why shd Fire Dept come, it's not in our/their mandate; it's first responders
we have absorbed that responsibility
other Ms don't come for heart attack
{Correspondent says: With improved building codes and mandatory sprinklers, the number of serious fires has dropped significantly. Fire departments quickly realised if they did not find something else to do, their multi-million dollar budgets would become harder to justify. They hit on the bright idea that since there are many more fire stations than ambulance depots, they could get to medical emergencies faster and provide first-aid. While true, it is not clear that a good value-for-money analysis has been done on this fire department mission-creep.
My comment: saves lives.}
ML: you're missing the point
irrespective, the issue is what really matters
turn on tap get clean water, sewer works, garbage get picked up and they feel safe
CAO: others say we need to support our seniors; provide bylaw enforcement; need to provide parks
$4M to buy house on waterfront, some say those are our
each time
you need to ask
if you're saying we shd not be in the concession biz, then do it
don't use weight room
lot of time on value for services WG...
changes for other ppl
some say I don't use the Library so why put any money...
collectively you have to ask
hodge-podge of responses
cmnty gardens, or cemetery -- why is the WV cemetery the only one that makes money
Mayor: getting back to concessions, the topic; cmnty has paid for three
MAB: to Cclr Lewis's point; golf courses -- I love to golf
in the Pr Rupert? report, was terminating
always asking ourselves; topical b/c of what they're going through in Vancouver re Langara
sustainable even private enterprise
Mooi: the intent of this exercise is to make sure Ccl understands what we do [8:21]
best info you can to make decision
Mayor: intending to stay on topic
Mooi: xxx
Sop: concessions or cmnty ctres
SLIDE
*** 134K GCC; over 400K CCC ***
March celebrate our tenth anniversary
147xxx
won many awards for design and programming
Sop: couple of points
Mayor: question?
Sop: that's my point xxx staff...
Mayor: not a valid point for staff to answer
Mooi: I can answer that
SMIRKS
cmnty mbrs that are part of the operation of the services of signif benefit to the cmnty
Tiddly Cove Lions Club -- so many orgs there giving time and expertise to help us xxxx and improve
Sop: volunteer hours
Mooi: we have a slate of volunteers to help
Sop: Leisure Guide
what's with the hands?
Mayor: we're listening
Sop: all those hands going?
[8:24]
in course of year this didn't work, are these altered
Mooi: Yes, examined regularly
Jill Lawlor: our situational analysis
take it in front of our bd, society or cmnty; here's where we at
financially wise to carry on? or 'society?' benefit
Sop: guide is that thick
all efficient effective and cost-effective as well
you net out in course of the year
wd that hv any effect if scrutinized regularly
Mooi: it is regularly; if they don't meet cmnty's orgs they're reviewed
wd help if we explain the situational analysis
it's v analytical way of looking at it
BLONDE: some work we were doing with the cmnty services board
they asked for stacks
they cdn't absorb it so wanted a one page
wanted to see graph -- benefit + how much costing
we do it once a year across all except for yourh
CC: metrics, don't find it that helpful
xxx those aren't separate ppl
large but hard to get a sense of what that means
cmnty ctr 44K get $1.87
guess interesting on a global scale
a lot of progs dollars? negative
have to show a whole suite of metrics
easy to compare with other cmnty ctrs
cost recovery; 68% is cost recovered
xxx
much ctr in excess of that
successful in LMainland
Mooi: Ms don't necessarily provide the same services we're providing
nor analyze financials in the same way
we have found comparable Ms; our recovery rate 10% better than other
CC: bunch of kids, not
summer camps; big ticket item
ML: curious re $5 fee
any sharing of the mbrship fee between the facilities?
Gleneagles has nearly 50% of the number of participants as the ctr has
why wdn't they be entitled to some portion of that fee to support progs
don't want an answer tonight
Mooi: good; mbrship fee at ctr goes to funds; don't oversee the Gleneagles so don't pay a fee
ML: register for at both so pay
xxx [8:33]
Mayor: how many $5 fees going to cmnty ctr?
NG: decide
we shd put this on a big poster and inform everyone
Cmnty Gardens
Dan Henegar: in growing demand from our residents
active and learn from each other
Mooi: xxxx; gardens north shore
Mayor: not the Victory Gardens
NG: think it wd be helpful, prioritizing; esp in Parks and Rec
get an estimate of the volunteer not just hours but value
say $20/hr
really relevant to our budget
Mooi: having Ccl determine a value to houses, wd enable us to c
incredible contribution
imp to equate that in dollar value
Mayor: someone's signed to speak; it's 8:37 so that means have to 8:57
TP: urban and wilderness trails
NAME?: below hwy trails and xxx
150km trails in District
amenities being used 365 days; always trying to make new trails
many stop and end so trying to continue
Mayor: ans your q?
TP: just start
cost of urban vs rural trails; standard? expectation
Ans: can get back
ML: shuttle bus?
Jill Lawlor: service for our snrs: assist with walkers, opening doors, service unlike other
ML: think this is fabulous and not quite ready to use it
10K ride since 2012
interesting to know the costs
Sop: at one point in time they raised the funds; driver, gas; and well used
do they have to go year after year on fundraising
Mooi: we're not contributing to the shuttle bus any more
devping a model and we'll bring
CC: the trails we're maintaining and many we're not
running past Blue Gentian to Cleveland Dam and met a guy; part of the trail well-maintained
ran into a guy, he says he comes up twice a week and he maintains the trail
understand we don't maintain any of the trails -- Baden Powell and TransCanada
bunch of trails and we're not xxxing a penny
inventory
trails are deteriorating, that one is for sure
Andrew: Pks Master Plan process
look at all our infrastructure; trails, grass, tree, forest areas
one recommendation was to look at mgmt and xxx
key aspect of our future is to engage with groups, volunteers to look after
re trails in poor condition
devp a trail mgmt plan
match volunteer hours toward our trails
Mooi: anyone want to ask about the srs' ctr
there are some hidden facts
ML: ask about format and content of next session?
Jill: qtr mill; 3600 mbrs
SLIDE of a day in the life of the srs' ctr
we had volunteers, a day in the life
GREAT SLIDE -- 8:46
Mayor: re liquor licence; still can't have a drink of wine
with MLA Sultan
too many events
to Police Stn
Mayor: back off
Sop: "Mikey Smith" (bistro)
[?6 658 cinnabun soles in 2-12?]
CAO: intent to put on the web
when we look forward
Parks $18M, no one of those is legislated
spent b/c past ccls believe services shd be provided to WV
what we need to do -- collectively -- is it what we need to provide
reduce? limit? better way (contracting?) more services (as in Vanc)
this is not going to be an easy task
cd bring a consultant in
really hard work -- have to do it ourselves; challenge
we need to provide you with information
fees and charges, taxation, or eliminate
CC: xxx
areas of interest
long-term issues, eg ice arena, concessions; long-term planning in these areas
controversy such as dog area -- political heat
third are, maybe all l35[?]
where actual choices to be made
some areas maybe only tinkering
certain areas hard choices to be made
staff: here's top ten, top 15
allow us to xxx all through
Mayor: that wd be helpful
staff come with the hot button issues
Mooi: come up with our list and send to Ccl
wd be helpful
make sure you have all the info you need
Mayor: Sop, Lewis, and Panz
Sop: next six months
wd it be helpful to look at $18M and net out
are we going to sustain that level?
net out more
what other vehicles
things are working
ev look in Cmnty Ctr, they're moving
can you see
change in next ten years
been doing this consistently and amt been growing
what do you see?
Mooi: one of the most imp pieces of info are plans, master, sports fields, resp xxxx
these plans inform us what the cmnty is looking for
the boards around you are some plans that hv bn completed
a lot of work this cmnty has done to set the direction
ML: think we're getting a bit off track already
seven of us roll up ourselves and get involved to detail to make a diff
to do that, we need data; certainly want data; want to see the books
no way I have any idea as efficient xxx [8:54] as
that's what
this has been interesting and been fun
Mayor: staff have idea what needed for next
TP: where's best opp for contracting out
Mooi: we'll come up with ten suggestions we'll circulate
material for next mtg, end of Feb
Mayor: Ccl L makes a good point
$9.4M and $17.4M that's $6.4M
{subsidy}
if we strip out parks; don't know how recovery for pulling weeds along the seawall
took out fixed costs
what then is the number actually subsidizing these progs; what's the rationale behind the subsidy
these are the types of things
Mooi: will be on the list
Mayor: that leaves us to motion
RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
CAO: want to thank Anne and staff; grinding it out; didn't find out till she got back
6. Divisional Services Review Parks and Community Services (File: 2100-01) Presentation to be provided.
7. Finance Committee Meeting Minutes - November 2012(File: 0116-20-FIN) Information to be provided.
8. Public Questions/Comments
CR: tyvm. I'm sorry personal commitments delayed my arrival. I'm sorry I missed all the fun Cclr Lewis was referring to.
The slides were marvellous, esp that one with all the ppl at the cmnty ctr was really impressive
These mtgs, I hope, will there be videos of them on the website?
Mayor: Ms Scholes?
SSch: Mr Mayor, the mtgs are being video-streamed and tonight we're also live on Shaw TV
{several 'ohs!'}
CR: wish I'd known, I'd have put that in my newsletter
when I was at a Fiscal Task Force or V4S [mtg] some years ago, one of the experts asked staff when they gave the figures of the cost of running a facility, did they include the salaries, the insurance, the heat, and a few things like that -- and the staff said no, we don't.
So, all I was doing -- I don't know if you do now -- but when you're asking how much it costs, make sure that all the costs involved in running a facility are included b/c that was a report in wch it wasn't included, and so I want to make sure you have all the facts you're looking for. I'm sure it might have been an oversight or something but I just wanted you to be aware of that
thank you
Mayor: well, thank you for that comment; anyone else? motion to adjourn
look forward to the next mtg
9. Adjournment
=== COUNCIL AGENDAs -- MONDAY FEBRUARY 4 ===
=== CLOSED MTG 6pm:
90 (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public...:
(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer,
employee, or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;
(g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality;
(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
Purpose of meeting: committee membership and legal matters.
=== REGULAR COUNCIL MTG 7pm:
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of February 4, 2013 Regular Council Meeting Agenda
3. Adoption of January 14 and 21, 2013 Meeting Minutes -- Minutes to be provided.
{!!! hm? before we went to mtgs only first and third Mondays, Ccl met every week and we got the minutes on Friday for Monday night. To relieve some of the pressure, minutes were then presented not at the next mtg but the one after so they had over a week to prepare them. That's been the practice now for some years. Why wd the January 14th minutes not have been ready for the 28th? and the 21st by now? Puzzling. Wonder why the delay. Cclrs and residents need time to read them to see if any errors or omissions. So defer these to the next ccl mtg? That will be Feb 18 since the 11th is our new holiday -- Family Day.}
DELEGATIONS
4. North Shore Keep Well Society (File: 0055-20-NSKW1) RECOMMENDED: be received for information, with thanks.
REPORTS
5. Reports from Mayor and Councillors on Boards, Committees, and Working Groups
6. West Vancouver Police 2012 Crime Statistics Update (File: 2900-01) PowerPoint presentation to be provided.
7. 2012 Community Grants Committee Annual Report and 2013 Work Plan (File: 0116-20-CGC1)
PowerPoint presentation to be provided.
RECOMMENDED: THAT the report dated Jan 17, from the Mgr of Cmnty Devt, Youth, and Families, be received for info.
8. Council Procedure Bylaw No. 4730, 2012 (File: 1610-20-4730)
RECOMMENDED: THAT Council Procedure Bylaw No. 4730, 2012 be read a first time.
9. [Five-]Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4717, 2012, Amendment Bylaw No. 4745, 2013 (File: 1610-20-4745)
RECOMMENDED: be read a first, second, and third time.
10. New Website Project Update (File: 0138-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT Ccl receive the report dated Jan 23 titled New Website Project Update for info.
11. Integral Grp for Grosvenor Grp Ltd. Request for Order of Non-Enforcement of Noise Control Bylaw (File: 1010-20-12-069)
RECOMMENDED: THAT
The request from Integral Group on behalf of Grosvenor Group Ltd. for an Order of Non-Enforcement of Noise Control Bylaw No. 4404, 2005, Section 6.1.2 (a) for the night of Thursday, Feb 7 between the hours of \
10:30pm and 12:30am, allowing for night time work to conduct a condition assessment of an 8 concrete storm
line running from the 1300 Blk South of Marine Dr to its terminus at the ocean, be approved; and
Notification be provided by letter drop by the applicant on February 5, 2013 to area residents.
12. Applicn for a Liquor Primary Licence Capilano Rugby Football Club 305 Klahanie Court (File: 1605-14)
RECOMMENDED: DWV participate in the licensing process for the Liquor Primary Licence application submitted by the Capilano Rugby Football Club by gathering public input in the manner set out in the report dated Jan 25.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
13. Consent Agenda Items (considered for approval in one motion, or considered separately, or items excluded for debate.
13.1. Appointment of Ccl Liaisons to the Cmnty Website Development Working Group (File: 0117-20-WEB1)
RECOMMENDED:THAT the following be approved: Councillor Booth and Councillor Soprovich.
13.2. Appointments to Community Website Development Working Group (File: 0116-20-CEC)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the report dated Jan 29 from the Cmnty Engagement Cmte informing that the Cmte approved the draft terms of reference for the Cmnty Website Devt WG and made the following appointments to the group:
P. Best, S. Dubois-Phillips, A. Flintoft, J. Hemond, A. Mitha, R. Morris, A. Rowland, A. Schaff, and P. Wieck;
be received for information.
13.3. Amendment to 2013 Council Meeting Schedule (File: 0120-01)
RECOMMENDED: be amended by rescheduling the March 25 regular Ccl Mtg re financial matters to Mar 11 at 7pm in the MHall Ccl Chamber.
13.4. Correspondence List (File: 0120-24) RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
(see link on electronic agenda)
Council Correspondence Update to January 18, 2013 (up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
1 J. and C. Adshead, January 7, 2013, regarding the Spirit Trail
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
2 C. Ballantine, January 15, 2013, regarding Shadow Study!
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
3 K. Higgs, January 18, 2013, regarding As sent to W. Van Historical Society this morning....
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
Received for Information
4 Committee and Board Meeting Minutes Board of Variance November 28, 2012
5 K. Higgs, January 11, 2013, regarding Gun death tally:Gun deaths since Newtown Sandy Hook shooting: 695" 6 MetroV, Jan 11, re Changes to Metro Vancouver Dog Management Effective January 1, 2013
7 K. Higgs, January 12, 2013, regarding NY Times today: The ties that bind....
8 Rotary Club of North Vancouver Lionsgate, January 15, 2013, regarding Operation Red Nose 2012
9 Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers Association, January 15, 2013, re 1821 Marine Dr, West Van Florist
(Referred to the January 21, 2013 Public Hearing)
10 Five submissions, dated October 18, 2012 to January 18, 2013, re 1300 block Marine Drive
(including submissions previously received at 1300block@westvancouver.ca)
Responses to Correspondence
11 Director of Planning, January 16, response regarding Privacy Concerns
12 Dir/Planning, Jan 11, response to P & H Chapman re FW: My new View/new build address is 1105 Esplanade, WV
13 Dir/Engg, Jan 16, response re re. Impending removal of second vehicle overpass at Park Royal
14 Dir/Engg, Jan 16, response to M. Carter regarding Spending
Council Correspondence Update to January 25, 2013 (up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
1 Wood WORKS! BC, January 2013, regarding 44 Wood First commitments in B.C. and counting. Could you be next?
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
2 J. and E. Olson, January 19, 2013, re 90th Birthday Congratulations Letter Request
(Referred to Mayor and Council for consideration and response)
3 January 18, 2013, regarding Caulfeild Park more illegal tree cutting
(Referred to Director of Parks and Community Services for consideration and response)
4 January 20, 2013, re The bridge deck over Dogwood Creek, Caulfeild Park
(Referred to Director of Parks and Community Services for consideration and response)
5 P. Best, 5 January 18, 2013, re DWV Use of Kay Meek Theatre
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
6 K. Losken, January 21, 2013, regarding Collingwood School/Glenmore properties border
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
7 K. Hardie, January 20, 2013, regarding the Spirit Trail
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
8 S. and V. Thompson, January 21, 2013, regarding Proposed Spirit Trail Horseshoe Bay
(Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
9 Jan 21, re Public Safety Building Project Status Report for Dec 2012 Ccl Agenda 21 Jan 2013, Item #5
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
10 E. Lyman, Jan 21, re Fwd: Radiation from Wireless Devices Dangers Young People Need to Know About!
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
{Quotes Jerry Flynn, a military expert}
Received for Information
11 Committee and Board Meeting Minutes West Vancouver Memorial Library Board December 5, 2012
12 E. Lyman, January 21, 2013, re Fwd: * ZERO POINT TO SMART METERS ! Jerry Flynn & Curtis Bennett
ARCHIVE IS POSTED AND OPEN FOR LISTENING NOW!
13 P. Chapman, January 21, 2013, regarding FW: I just saw this on Vancouver Sun
14 43 submissions, dated January 20 - 24, 2013, regarding 1300 block Marine Drive
15 Two submissions, dated January 20, 2013, regarding 1821 Marine Drive (West Van Florist)
16 W. Bennett, Jan 18, re FW: Motion Picture Production Industry Assn and Save BC Film, Industry wide Town Hall Mtg
17 S. Slater, January 19, 2013, regarding Thank you
18 A. McFarlane, January 20, 2013, regarding Whats in a name?
19 G. Pajari, January 21, 2013, re
On the Applicability of a Cmnty Amenity Contribution for the Rezoning/Devt Permit ... for 1455 Bellevue
20 Pret-a-PorterLuxe, January 21, 2013, regarding renovations for Walker Place on Bellevue
Responses to Correspondence
21 Dir/Engg, Jan 24, response to M. Miller regarding Comment: TransLink plans bus route changes Council Correspondence Update to January 29, 2013 (up to 4:30 pm)
Referred for Action
1 Iranian-Canadian Congress of Canada, Jan 17, re Request for Delegation to Ccl
(Referred to Municipal Clerk for response)
2 Civic Assn of Iranian Canadians, Jan 28, re Nowruz Table Arrangements at West Vancouver City hall
(Referred to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for consideration and response)
{Municipal Hall!!! WV is not a city; it doesn't qualify yet, well, almost does}
Received for Information
3 Park Royal/The Village at PkR, Jan 21, re Connectivity and safety are essential elements of Park Royal upgrades
4 Hollyburn Heritage Society, Jan 15, re Re: Hollyburn Heritage Society Annual Report to Council for 2012OTHER ITEMS
14. Ccl has requested the following corresp be brt fwd for discussion, and may propose a motion if Ccl considers further action required
14.1. Dir/Engg and Transportation, Jan 14, response to A. Kowalski regarding Change to Bi-Weekly Garbage Collection
15. Public Questions/Comments 16. ADJOURNMENT
=== ANIMALWATCH ===
Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl IX: http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/puppy-bowl/videos/touchdown-tuck-and-eli.htm
=== INFObits ===
+ Lunar New Year ~ Happy New Year, Year of the Snake, not just Chinese -- also Vietnamese, Korean, and Tibetan.
+ The end of our penny Feb 4th -- how will we cope not being able to spend a penny???
+ about 22 US veterans commit suicide every day.
+ Tsawwassen means land facing the sea.
+ Mustique is a small island in the Caribbean (when we were there, one store, one restaurant; the grass shack airport 'lounge' had bookshelves along a wall where books were dropped off and picked up to read during your holiday); Princess Margaret had a place there. Kate and Wills there now (see below in Royalwatch).
=== ROYALWATCH === a royal tweet! and a royal bump
> TheBritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) tweeted at 3:59 AM on Wed, Feb 06, 2013:
Today is the 61st anniversary of The Queens #Accession.
Read about Her Majestys #Accession and #Coronation http://t.co/OGD2mV5d
#Royal (https://twitter.com/BritishMonarchy/status/299125266918285314)
> Kate & Will
Feb 6 .....Kate Middleton is currently enjoying some R&R with Prince William and her family on the idyllic island of Mustique in the West Indies. It's thought William and Kate are staying in a swanky £19,000-a-week villa at the exclusive holiday location, which reportedly has a luxurious infinity pool, games room, and stunning views out onto the Caribbean Sea.
Meanwhile, Kate's parents Michael and Carole Middleton, and brother James, are staying in a villa close by.....
Feb 7 Kate Middleton & Prince William's romantic break
=== AFRICAWATCH === MALI: amusing scene, were it not so sad
written in April by Robert Lacville who used to live in Mali (writes in The Guardian)
by Robert Lacville TRANSCEND Media Service
The neocolonial scramble for Africa has led to a declaration of the Independent Republic of Azawad.
See: http://www.transcend.org/tms/2012/04/africom-overheard-by-lacville/
=== BEERWATCH ===
Howe Sound Brew Pub is at it again. As we said, we really liked Megadestroyer. Here are three new ones we're looking forward to trying -- they sound intriguing.
.....spring seasonal release:
+ SUPER JUPITER GRAPEFRUIT IPA
6.8% alc./vol. 69 IBUs 16 degrees PLATO 1 litre bottle SKU: #294249
A refreshing aromatic IPA brewed with real grapefruits and dried grapefruit peel, Canadian pale, dark crystal and carastan malts, and four varieties of bittering and aroma hops. This dry hopped beer offers wonderful citrus and tropical aromas, with grapefruit at the apogee. Named for the newly discovered Super Jupiter planet, which was identified by a team of Canadian astrophysicists in late 2012.
Brew the Beer you wish to see in the Universe!
Look for our "Super Jupiter Grapefruit IPA" throughout the Galaxy in both private and government liquor stores.
.....Back in our seasonal rotation is our 2010 Olympic Beer,
+ THREE BEAVERS IMPERIAL RED ALE
7.5% alc./vol. 46 IBUs 17 degrees PLATO 1 litre bottle SKU: #832519
A strong, malty red ale with an aromatic Cascade hop nose. Made with barley, hops, and fresh Canadian water.
Grab an ale by the tail!
+ WEE BEASTIE OAK AGED SCOTCH ALE
7% alc./vol. 26 IBUs 17 degrees PLATO 1 litre bottle SKU: #231761
A rich, malty Wee Heavy style Scotch ale, brewed with 100% barley malt, hops, water, and yeast. Peated malt provides a subtle smokiness to this beer, while medium toasted American oak imparts a silky smoothness and additional complexity. Named in honour of Scottish poet Robbie Burns's famous poem, To A Mouse, written in 1785.
Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie, O, what panic's in thy breastie!
A brave big bodied ale!
Look for our "WEE BEASTIE" & "THREE BEAVERS" in private liquor stores
or ask your local GLS to bring it on for you by special order!
=== CPTWATCH === ...the sound of silent ethnic cleansing
CPTnet 7 February 2013
PALESTINE REFLECTION: A night in Firing Zone 918
by Jonathan Brenneman
I recently returned to Palestine for my second stint with CPT. I most looked forward to visiting Firing Zone 918 in the South Hebron Hills, because I have become friends with the family that hosts CPT there. During my talks in the States I noticed I always spoke most passionately while telling their story. I found out upon arrival that they had often asked when I would be returning. Recent news that soldiers had been encamped right outside their village added to my eagerness.
So although the weather was terrible, another CPTer and I trekked through Masafer Yatta to the village of Jinba to visit the family. After some warm hellos, and some time by the warm wood stove we chatted about the military presence outside the village. The Israeli military had left a few days ago, but came back often for 'training', I was told. Eventually, after a nice meal and playing with the kids, it was bedtime. The family went to another room, they turned the generator off, and the two CPTers hit the sack.
No more than five minutes after head touched pillow we heard gunfire. The military was doing night training. Both of us got up and looked out the window. We couldn't see anything in the dark, but the gunfire was a good distance away. Every once in a while tracers would fly across the sky, and shooting would pick up, but after about fifteen minutes the gunfire stopped and we went back to bed. Two hours later we were awakened by a flare, followed by another round of shooting, but the shooting was far enough away that after our long trek that day, we both quickly fell back to sleep. Another two hours later we were awakened by an explosion. This was different. It sounded close, and it was loud. We jumped out of bed and looked around, but it was past 1am and we couldn't make out anything. The explosion seemed like a one-time thing, [we hoped].
We laid back down, but for me there was no chance of falling back asleep. Paranoia had sunk in. Now every sound (and the night wind made many) worried me. Were soldiers moving toward the house? (They had entered homes in another village a few nights before.) Was that tap on the roof a misguided explosive?
As I lay wide awake I thought about my friends in the next room. They have to deal with this every night. How do any of them ever sleep -- especially the parents? I don't have to worry about my children's safety. I don't have to comfort a crying baby awakened by an explosion. I don't have to wake up for school the next day. I don't have to feel this fear every night. I realized, lying there, that my friends were some of the bravest people I'd ever met. And I am honoured for the opportunity to walk beside them in their struggle.
See: http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2013/02/08/palestine-reflection-night-firing-zone-918
{Be grateful for and enjoy your peaceful quiet nights in our wonderful cmnty}
=== FISHWATCH === from Alex Morton
Date: February 1, 2013 3:43:10 PM PST
Subject: [wildsalmonpeople] ISA virus contaminated salmon now for sale
Hello
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has decided that ISA virus contaminated feedlot salmon can be grown-out in the ocean and sold to Canadians. The U.S. has reportedly rejected the product. This has become an national incident, Canada is stepping away from international protocol for this reportable influenza virus. The producer of these fish, Cook Aquaculture, is in a serious financial situation and perhaps the CFIA is simply unable to continue paying up to $30/fish in compensation for culling ISA-infected fish. Instead the fish are going to be disposed of down the throats of Canadians, who will support this practice by paying for the product.
The situation just seems to go from bad to worse.
I hope you will consider pitching. See how you can really help at the end of my blog.
Alexandra Morton
=== HERITAGEWATCH ===
+ HERITAGE SOCIETY of BC http://www.heritagebc.ca/home/ http://www.heritagebc.ca/heritage-week-2013
HERITAGE WEEK: FEBRUARY 18 - 24 2013
Good Neighbours -- Heritage Homes and Neighbourhoods
+ HERITAGE WEST VAN
Heritage Week always starts the third Monday of February. If you have an idea for an event or wd like to participate or volunteer, pls write to heritage@westvan.org {See flyer at end for the week's events in WV}
+ HERITAGE VANCOUVER SOCIETY Read bulletins from our website: www.heritagevancouver.org/bulletin
E-bulletin sign-up for event listings, alerts, heritage info; all coming events: www.heritagevancouver.org
Read this bulletin from our website: www.heritagevancouver.org/bulletin/bulletin_20121106.html
Other Coming Events All events: heritagevancouver.org
= VANCOUVER HERITAGE FOUNDATION -- http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org
o Gritty City: Vancouver in the 60s
Presenting movies at the historic Hollywood Theatre
It all came together! We've teamed up with the lovely crew from Church at the Hollywood to bring you a mini-film festival. Through three film nights we look back at Vancouver in the mid-20th century when neon and mid-century architecture were at their zenith, and the grittiness of the city was captured on the screen. Entry and concession are both by donation, all are welcome!
7:30pm February 12
Coast Modern (2012) Directed by Mike Bernard + Gavin Froome
Showcases the pioneers of West Coast Modernist Architecture, and the homes that have become their legacies. Screening of the film followed by open discussion with the directors of the film.
Part Two of Gritty City: Vancouver in the 60s film festival
Our first night of the Gritty City: Vancouver in the 60s film festival was a great success! We had a fantastic turn out of engaged patrons who came to see and discuss Vancouver's neon era with Glowing in the Dark.
Next up in our film fest is the 2012 release, Coast Modern. Showcasing the amazing architectural feats of some of the biggest names in mid-20th century design, Coast Modern was first shown at last year's DOXA festival to great acclaim. Directors Gavin Fromme and Mike Bernard will both be available for a post show discussion.
Entry is by donation, at the door. CONCESSION IS ALSO BY DONATION Historic Hollywood Theatre, 3123 W Broadway
7:30pm Tuesday February 12th (doors at 7pm) More about the Gritty City film festival
=== HAIKUWATCH ===
February is National Haiku Writing Month. Write a haiku every day.
New to haiku? Basho is known as the first great haiku poet; he wrote the most famous (there are several translations):
ancient pond
frog jumps in
splash
(the last line is sometimes "sound of water")
Jessica Tremblay is a comic haiku-writer. See her website: http://oldpondcomics.com/master.html
~~~ MAIKU ~~~ 2013 January 5
so hard to walk a straight path
through the moiling mess
of humanity
quotations thoughts puns
Democracy and capitalism have both been hacked.
-- Al Gore in his new book: The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change
The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions.
-- Sir Antony Jay, CVO, English writer and director of TW3, 'Yes, Minister', etc (b 1930)
Most people would rather die than think; in fact they do so.
-- Bertrand Russell, British philosopher (1872 - 1970)
People, like sheep, tend to follow a leader -- occasionally in the right direction.
-- Alexander Chase, American journalist (b 1926)
Never cut what you can untie. -- Joseph Joubert, French essayist (1754 - 1824)
{Keep in mind when discussing the Senate. -Ed}
When in the end, the day came on which I was going away, I learned the strange learning that things can happen which we ourselves cannot possibly imagine, either beforehand, or at the time when they are taking place, or afterwards when we look back on them.
-- Isak Dinesen, Danish author in Out of Africa 1937 (1885 - 1962)
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
-- Voltaire, French philosopher and writer (1694 - 1778)
He who builds walls to create exclusion for others builds walls across his own freedom.
-- Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali polymath (1861 - 1941)
Just remember, when you're over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.
-- Charles M. Schulz, American cartoonist (1922 - 2000)
The first SIGN of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left.
-- Jerry M. Wright in Chicago Tribune
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. -- Groucho Marx, American comedian (1890 - 1977)
Some Sayings: Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength.
I am responsible for what I say. I am not responsible for what you understand.
Apologizing does not always mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value the relationship more than your ego.
Your inner beauty doesn't need makeup.
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Friendship is when people know all about you but like you anyway.
I like my statistical data median rare.
I just bought a pair of bad frequency shoes. I keep doppling over and my foot hertz.
I got a small ticket for speeding. It's fine with me.
The dermatologist and his wife enjoyed the backyard BBQ, while their children played a game of skin tag.
Did you see the movie about the hot dog? It was an Oscar Wiener.
AMAZING! Can't help being inspired by this blind quilter. See http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ
Every day we decide who we will be by the actions we take.