PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Planning Refers Item No. 3 Public Hearing of June 10, 2014 MEMORANDUM June 9, 2014 TO: CC: FROM: Mayor Robertson and Councillors Penny Ballem, City Manager Sadhu Johnston, Deputy City Manager Lynda Graves, Administrative Manager, City Manager s Office Janice MacKenzie, City Clerk Michael Magee, Chief of Staff, Mayor s Office Kevin Quinlan, Director of Policy and Communications, Mayor s Office Rena Kendall-Craden, Director of Communications Brian Jackson, General Manager, Planning and Development Services Peter Judd, General Manager of Engineering Bill Aujla, General Manager, Facilities and Real Estate Services Frances Connell, Director of Legal Services Dwayne Drobot, Planner, Planning and Development Services Paula Huber, Planner, Planning and Development Services Kevin McNaney, Assistant Director, Planning and Development Services SUBJECT: CD-1 Rezoning, 998 Expo Boulevard (Area 5b West) RTS #10565 On May 13, 2014 the above-referenced rezoning application was referred to public hearing. This memorandum responds to items identified by Council at the time of referral to public hearing. This memo also addresses some of the more complex questions raised at the time of referral. The remaining questions will be addressed verbally during the staff presentation. Specifically, this memo addresses the following: 1. Public Benefits arising from the Development 2. History of Creekside Park 3. History of the Paddling Centre 4. Motion from Park Board regarding the Paddling Centre 5. Results of the Public Consultation
1. Public Benefits arising from the Development A summary of Public Benefits Package arising from the development has been provided below. For further information see the Public Benefits section of the Rezoning Report. 2. History of Creekside Park The Province purchased the land on the north shore of False Creek for the Expo 86 World s Fair. The site was the industrial heart of Vancouver for over a hundred years and included coal gasification plants, saw mills and wood preserving operations, metal shops and CPR rail yards. These historic activities left the soil and groundwater contaminated with a range of metal and organic contaminants The City- owned land at the east of False Creek was included in the Fair site and decking was built on it to expand the site area available. Following Expo 86, the Province sold the site to Concord Pacific Development Ltd. for redevelopment of residential, park, commercial and other purposes. The property became known as Pacific Place. Under the terms of the sale, the Province assumed full liability for the costs of site remediation and Concord controlled the timing of development with the Province providing corresponding contaminated soil management. In 1989, the City constructed the portion of Creekside Park around Science World (6.3 Acres) in anticipation of development planned east and north of the creek. The FCN ODP (1990) included a 9 acre extension to Creekside Park to be constructed in conjunction with the development of Area 5a or Area 6c, whichever proceeded first. Page 2 of 9
In the mid 1990 s further soil investigations were conducted by the Pacific Place Remediation Project that confirmed that contamination levels on the western portion of Parcel 9 (future park site) are lower than the levels within Area 6 (development site). In 2000, the Province, Concord and the City agreed that the Province could relocate contaminated soils onto land to be developed into park and leave contaminated soil on land designated as street. In 2005, Council approved changes to the timing for the building of the park, so that it would be built with the development of the later of 6a or 6c in order to maintain flexibility and reduce costs and risks for management and relocation of contaminated soils. In 2006, Concord Pacific hosted a series of community design workshops to advance the program and design of the future Creekside Park Extension and a concept plan was created. In 2007, the City began the Northeast False Creek High Level Review to reconsider the land use advice for the area around the stadiums including remaining Pacific Place sites. The Council approved NEFC Directions for the Future (2009), which identified the possibility of reconfiguring the Creekside Park extension to reduce soil contamination cost and risk, and possibly allow for an earlier delivery of the park. In 2010, the City initiated a series of meetings with Concord and the area residents to further explore the idea of park reconfiguration. The group worked together to produce an option that the group agreed warranted further discussion and evaluation. In 2011, Council considered the rezoning of Area 5b West. The public benefits proposal included a lease for a two acre temporary park on Area 9. Council referred the application back to staff for further work on park timing and public benefits. Figure 1: Proposed 2 acre Temporary Park (February 2011) Page 3 of 9
In 2011, following the Council referral of the 5b West application, City staff completed further technical work on reconfiguration and confirmed that it was the best option available at that time to develop at least part of the park. As part of the 2011 NEFC Issues Report, Council endorsed in principle the park reconfiguration option. In November 2011, the viaducts re:connect design competition identified the opportunity of replacing the viaducts with an at-grade road network and creating a larger park. Both the park reconfiguration option (2011) and the opportunity for an expanded Creekside Park Boundary resulting from viaduct replacement, are shown below. Figure 2: Park Boundary Options The current legal agreements between the City, Concord and the Province identify the development of Area 6c as the trigger event for the completion of the Creekside Park Extension. Over the next year, staff and Concord will work together to create a new area plan that would allow for the replacement of the viaducts with an at grade road network. This work will involve changes to existing agreements on soils and land exchanges required to optimize the public amenity outcomes associated with removing the viaducts including a reconfigured and larger Creekside Park Extension. Page 4 of 9
3. History of the Paddling Centre 1986 Dragon boating was introduced to Vancouver as part of Expo 86, and this activity continued as an annual Dragon Boat event in 1987 and 1988. 1989 The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (DBFS) was formed by Founders David Lam and Milton Wong to bridge understanding between cultures. This was the first Dragon Boat Festival outside of Asia featuring dragon boat races and culinary, visual and performing Arts. The event took place at Plaza of Nations. 1990-2007 the Dragon Boat Festival location changes multiple times, from Coopers Park before it was a park, to Plaza of Nations, back and forth using either of the empty lots on each side of the Plaza. The Festival moved to Creekside Park in 2007. 1996 Vancouver hosted the first World Championship Dragon Boat Festival outside of Asia. 1997-1998 Dragon Boat participated in community workshops for SEFC with boating community (paddling and rowing) and residents. 1999 South East False Creek (SEFC) Policy Statement is approved including the following: - Active, water-oriented recreational opportunities in SEFC should be encouraged through provision of a pier along the waterfront, as well as facilities, possibly associated with a community centre, to accommodate non-motorized craft, such as kayaks, dragon boats, native canoes and small sailboats. 2003 DBFS members begin participating in NEFC planning. 2004 DBFS equipment trailer and container moved to present site in SEFC for dragon boat practices. 2006 Concept plan for the extension of Creekside Park (Area 9) includes provision for dragon boat related items. 2006 DBFS members begin participating in SEFC planning process. 2007 Festival moves to Creekside Park. 2007 Approved SEFC Official Development Plan includes community centre with a nonmotorized boating facility. 2008 DBFS told that present activities operated by Society too big for new Community Centre to be built in SEFC (Creekside). 2009 Securing a permanent site for dragon boating identified as a planning objective in the NEFC Directions for the Future. 2010 DBFS start using Creekside Community Centre for staging practices and festival in June 2010. 2010 DBFS started robust inner city school program for elementary school children. Page 5 of 9
2011 DBFS began kayak rental program and supported Junior Program 2012 City of Vancouver builds accessible ferry terminal at Creekside Community Centre. DBFS expands use of former ferry dock and adds floats. 2013 Dragon Boat Festival celebrates 25 th Anniversary with 220 Teams registered, approximately 6000 paddlers. 2013 June 26 Council approves a budget of up to $125,000 to be used to undertake a Project Definition Report for phasing in the establishment of a permanent home for the Greater Vancouver paddling community. 2013 July Staff initiate Paddling Facility Feasibility study 4. Motion from the Park Board re: Paddling Centre Excerpt from Park Board Minutes May 12, 2014 REPORT: Non-Motorized Boating Centre at Creekside Community Centre Dave Hutch, Manager of Planning and Research, reviewed the report, and along with Malcolm Bromley, responded to questions. The Committee heard from two speakers: one of whom spoke in support of the motion; and one who expressed concern that rowing was not included in the facility proposal given the number of rowers and popularity of the sport. MOVED by Commissioner Jasper SECONDED by Commissioner Sharma THAT the Committee recommend to the Board THAT the Vancouver Park Board endorse the concept outlined in the report dated May 8, 2014, entitled Non-Motorized Boating Centre at Creekside Community Centre for improvements to the paddling centre in False Creek next to Creekside Community Centre. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. Public Consultation Summary Results The Council report provides a summary of all previous public engagement on this rezoning application completed in 2008 and 2011. The information below provides a summary of the third open house held on May 22, 2014. 998 Expo Boulevard (Also known as 47 Nelson, 10 Terry Fox Way, Area 5b West) Public Notification A rezoning information sign was installed on the site in November 2010 and updated in early May 2014. Notification and application information, as well as physical and online comment forms were available at the events and online via the City of Vancouver Rezoning Centre webpage (vancouver.ca/rezapps) and Northeast False Creek webpage (vancouver.ca/nefc). Page 6 of 9
22 May 2014 Community Open House A community open house was held from 5:00-8:00 pm on 22 May 2014, at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie and Pacific). A notice of rezoning application was mailed to 2805 surrounding property owners on May 7, 2014. An email notification was also sent out to 1,603 recipients on the Northeast False Creek email distribution list. Staff, the applicant team, and a total of approximately 191 people attended the Open House. Public Response Public responses to this proposal have been submitted to the City as follows: In response to the 22 May 2014 open house, a total of 142 comment forms were submitted from individuals by paper or online. A total of 2 letters and e-mails were submitted from individuals Below is a summary of all feedback (both online and from the open house) related to the proposal: Question 1 Yes Maybe No The developer's proposal is for two towers with heights of 28 and 30 storeys, with 620 residential units and two floors (20,000 sq. ft.) of commercial. Do you believe this is appropriate for this site? 84 (61%) 32 (24%) 21 (15%) Question 2 Yes Maybe No The public benefits proposed for this application have a total value of $19.6M and include the City receiving ownership of 58 West Hastings for affordable housing, heritage density, a paddling centre, and improvements to the area under the Cambie Bridge and the sea wall connection between Plaza of Nations and Creekside Park. Do you believe that this is appropriate for the proposed redevelopment of Area 5b West? 108 (80%) 12 (9%) 15 (11%) Page 7 of 9
Question 3 Please indicate your overall opinion of the project. Really Like It Like It Neutral Don t Like It Really Don t Like It 49 (36%) 48 (36%) 25 (19%) 7 (5%) 6 (4%) Comments regarding the application (listed by order of frequency) Paddling Centre Seventy-four (74) comments support a Paddling Centre. Many of the responders are long-term users of the existing facilities at Creekside Community Recreation Centre. Emphasis was provided regarding the need to replace the existing facilities and the benefits a new facility will provide to a large paddling population on a regular basis. It was also noted that an improved facility would fill a void in terms of meeting program requirements. Improvements to Area Nine (9) comments indicated support for the proposal as a way to improve and complete the area. Comments referred to fulfilling the potential for the area, adding to the community, showing great vision, and indicated support for adding retail use to the area and transforming vacant/surface parking lots. Greenspace and Creekside Park Nine (9) comments referred to the need to add green space to the area. These included references to expedite Creekside Park and add green space for children and pets in the nearby area. Some comments objected to the proposal, seeking green space in its place while others supported the density as long as sufficient amenities were provided as part of the package. Density Seven (7) comments related to the high density of the area and the increase in residential density as part of this proposal. Issues with density referred to traffic and the concern that a reduction of density on Area 6c would delay the trigger of Creekside Park. Views and Height Six (6) comments referred to height or view concerns. Three people commented that the proposed building height was too tall, once comment questioned why the adjacent 5b East development was limited to 20 floors but 5b West is not. Another comment expressed concern that the building should be low enough to leave the roof of BC Place visible. One comment stated that the project will block their private views. Transportation Five (5) comments referred to concerns with traffic and parking in the area. A further comment provided examples of opportunities to further enhance the bicycle network and facilities in the area as part of this proposal. Seawall Improvements and Connections Four (4) comments referred to the False Creek seawall. Some supported the idea of improving the seawall between Quebec and Plaza of Nations, while keeping it as naturalized as possible. Others supported additional connections to the seawall. Page 8 of 9
Retail/Commercial Four (4) comments related to commercial or retail in the area. Three (3) comments supported additional retail options in the area. One concern was directly related to the reduction of commercial density in the area. Affordability Four (4) comments were related to concerns regarding a reduction in the percentage of affordable housing within False Creek North. There was also a comment hoping that the units would be affordably priced. All other questions raised by Council will be addressed at the Public Hearing. Kevin McNaney Assistant Director, Planning & Development Services tel: 604.871.6851 fax: 604.873.7898 email: kevin.mcnaney@vancouver.ca KM/DD/PS/ns Page 9 of 9