Downtown to get noisier as city relaxes rules to benefit Games

[SpongeG]

sounds good

Downtown to get noisier as city relaxes rules to benefit Games

Sandra Thomas, Vancouver Courier
Published: Monday, July 20, 2009

While New York is often referred to as "the city that never sleeps," from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2010, Vancouver's downtown will offer serious competition.

The city is amending bylaws to benefit the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which in the downtown core will mean truck deliveries 24-hours a day, international radio and TV broadcasts-and the crowds that accompany them-24-hours a day and recorded and live music, entertainment and voice amplification systems at Olympic venues from 8 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week.

The city will temporarily change the noise control bylaw's definition of "daytime," from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday to 7 a.m. to midnight. On Saturdays and Sundays "daylight" hours will change from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. to midnight.

Some of the amendments, such as earlier times for garbage pickup, will affect the entire city. City council will vote on the proposed amendments tomorrow, after the Courier's print press deadline. If the number of speakers is too large to accommodate Tuesday, the decision will be held over until a committee meetingJuly 23.

Kitsilano resident Celena Benndorf is unhappy about an amendment to allow licensed restaurants across the city to extend the closing times of their patios from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. The amendment would allow restaurants with street patios to erect temporary tents.

Benndorf belongs to an ad hoc group of residents, dubbed Advocates for Sustainable Communities, who are against any extension of hours for licensed restaurants or bar.

"If it's not a good idea for today, why would I think it's OK for the Olympics," said Benndorf. "I've seen report after report that says there is a direct correlation between alcohol and increased violence. They say that for every single hour a [licensed establishment] stays open, the chance for violence increases."

Other Games-related bylaw amendments include closing streets to create pedestrian-only corridors and to accommodate security and venue operations, while street performers in and around Olympic venues and sites must be approved by the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee. Commercial advertising material will be prohibited on some streets, pedestrian corridors, in the vicinity of VANOC venues and along Olympic routes.

Residents, business owners and building occupants will have to clean up graffiti on private property in a timely manner or the city will have it done and charge the building owners' for the work. The city will also grant more temporary licences for taxis and limousine fleets at a cost of $200 each as compared to the yearly fee of $479.

Vision Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs said residents will be happier with some amendments than others, which means some changes could become permanent.

"Council will consider any changes people like, but there would be discussion before making them permanent," said Meggs. "More pedestrian thoroughfares in the downtown area is one possibility."

Meggs is aware some people won't like the noise from 24-hour delivery trucks or from early morning garbage and recycling pickup, but added the changes are necessary to keep the city running smoothly.

"It's not long term, it's only during the Olympics," he said. "It's the same with patios. I don't know how many will even use their patios, but I guess that will depend on the weather."

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http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=d7542d13-9ced-4d6a-ada4-f015e2752837

[Metro-One]

You mean downtown Vancouver will actually act like the center of a metropolitan area, instead of a bedroom community? I do hope some of these changes become permanent. Maybe after the event is over Vancouver will seem so quiet and sleepy that people living here can finally put things into perspective and realize how extreme the bylaws were before (for a major downtown center). If we ever want to get rid of dumpsters we are going to need such things as late night and early morning garbage/recycling pick up.

[GMasterAres]

I was pulled over by some VPD a few weeks back coming home from a show downtown late in the evening. They claimed my exhaust was too loud. I have a sports car with a big V8 in it and Corsa Sport exhaust. Nothing extreme, nothing too loud by any standard, and I rather think 99% of the Mustangs racing around have much louder exhaust notes.

I admit that the tall skyscrapers in downtown and close proximity magnify the sound (which I happen to like when I'm downtown) but still, I've never been pulled over anywhere else in the Lower Mainland in the car, even in White Rock at 1am in the morning on the strip passing 3 RCMP cars. Same car, same exhaust.

I'm of the opinion, if you want to live downtown in a major city, expect noise. If you don't like noise at all, move to Chilliwack.

[SpongeG]

its been getting worse - my friends live in a highrise and they say the noise is horrible at night and they are in the deep west end away from busy streets

sirens all night

my friend has lived in the west end since the 90's on and off and he said it was never as bad as it has been the last few years and just as a visitor i have noticed a lot more noise when walking around

it goes with the territory but it definately has increased and its much more lively - which is a good thing

i've never experienced the same sleepy town as metro one has though - atr least not lately - compared to the 90's when it was a dead zone

[Metro-One]

The west end is a little more lively, i will agree with that (hence why i like it) but that is because it consists more of students, renters and those of a slightly lower income (essentially they do not carry as much power, so they are not as strong on the NIMBY factor). But much of downtown is far to regulated. Also it is all relative, when you travel to Asia and Europe (and even other cities in the states) you will realize how lively a downtown core should be at night. If you go to japan there are streets that during the day are empty, it is not until night falls that all the billboards, neon lights and entertainment starts up. These are true night streets full of bars, restaurants and cheep shops (also brothels) and they are not in full swing until 10 or 11pm, and they are open until dawn. Despite how crazy this sounds these streets are also kept clean, free of garbage, panhandlers and you don't see anyone shooting up. Thats what i wish Granville would become. the intersection of Granville and Robson should be lit up like a christmas tree, have street venders and performers and not close at midnight or 1am.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by jhausner

I'm of the opinion, if you want to live downtown in a major city, expect noise. If you don't like noise at all, move to Chilliwack.

I think the problem is that people want density and amenities all clustered together, which the rest of the valley really doesn't provide. If there was another super-dense, amenity-ridden district that was quieter than downtown, people would have an option. As is downtown has to be the restricted to the quiet area (which it shouldn't be) to appease the NIMBYs.

[Yume-sama]

There are more sirens downtown during the Summer.

Not surprising, the heat brings out idiots, and patios encourage a lot more drinking.

[Metro-One]

The following are some pictures i took while in Japan this June, and i believe this is what Vancouver needs at least a little of.

Now this first picture is from Kobe i believe would be more suited for streets such as Robson. These are very normal streets in any Japanese streets, notice the awnings! Also notice the bright fun atmosphere the signage and lights bring.



This next set is from Osaka in the Shinsekai district. Notice the landmark tower and again fun use of lights. This is actually considered one of the "bad" parts of Osaka, notice the difference from what we call a "bad" part (example, downtown east side). Despite being a "bad" part of town life is hoping there and it is a popular entertainment area for locals and tourists alike.








this last area in Osaka, is the center of nightlife, it really is an amazing feeling to be there, and to those who thing electronic billboards and bright lights do not help create a fun atmosphere, obviously they have never been to a place like this (or they are a stick in the mud). Also note the bike parking and the fact that this area is pedestrian only (same with the area above). Also note that there are no dumpsters! Also there are plenty of public washrooms. These are all important factors in creating good night districts













Now of course i never expect vancouver to have a district quite like this, but could you imagine if Granville street embraced at least 20% of such an atmosphere? All of these areas have great access to subways and other rail, as does granville street, making it the perfect candidate for such night life. Also, it does not have to be exactly the same as this, could you imagine if we were to incorporate some native art or ocean/rainforest themes into some huge neon and LED displays such as above? that would be so cool. And then add a few jumbo screens that play hockey, soccer and football games for those having a beer on the patios along the pedestrian only Granville street? Not to mention they could also advertise community events and updates.

I dont want a carbon copy of Japan here, but i feel just as we learned to built up and not out from other cities and added our own style to it we can do the same with a true entertainment district. Main key points here are...

Lights
Screens
Awnings
Pedestrian only (even if only at night)
Mass transit access
biking
No dumpsters
Clean


And here is a good pic of some club girls for good measure



Again, all pics are my own.

[Delirium]

the biggest issue to noise is the fact that most residential buildings don't have A/C so you have to have your windows open all summer (i realize some condos do but the majority don't).

if your windows are shut at all times, you really don't hear much outside and it's not an issue.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Mmmm. Kani Doraku. One of my favorite restaurants in the entire World, and probably the best crab in the World.




http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=kani&w=24503701%40N02

[Metro-One]

I am sure in Vancouver their landmark crab sign would be breaking a number of by-laws and would have to come down...

[Yume-sama]

Hehe, yeah. But it fits in with the area. On the same street they have a giant Takoyaki octopus, and a Fugu blowfish.

[ckkelley]

If it's just for the Olympics that's fine but I definately object to the 1 am patio closings. It may not be an issue as I can't see anyone wanting to "enjoy" a patio at night in February....

Okay, let me have it!

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by ckkelley

If it's just for the Olympics that's fine but I definately object to the 1 am patio closings. It may not be an issue as I can't see anyone wanting to "enjoy" a patio at night in February....

Okay, let me have it!

They get to have tents. Presumably heated

[Metro-One]

Well that is what the awnings are for, not to mention areas could have seasonal regulations (they could change from winter to summer). Also note how i only reference Granville street and Robsons, those would be the only zones to have such 24 hour life (possibly Gastown, but in much older style to fit the architecture). So the more residential parts of down town would retain their more strict bylaws. To me this is the problem with placing residential towers down every street, then we get a mono feeling city. In Osaka you have these new lit to the tits areas that are wild and fun, then you have historic areas that are very peaceful and traditional, then you have the old parks and museum districts, then you have the huge shopping and business districts, etc... Mix use in Vancouver is starting to become a problem, because it is making every corner of the city a residential neighborhood, which is fine only if one knows that when they buy a house on Granville they should expect a lot of party noise and lights, and don't complain about it, but this is not the case. I was hoping mix use would entail more mix office and hotel towers, or office and retail towers, like in Japan.

Again, we should pump up streets like Granville and Robson, but keep areas like Yaletown more as they are now, that is my entire point, read my post again.

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by ckkelley

If it's just for the Olympics that's fine but I definately object to the 1 am patio closings. It may not be an issue as I can't see anyone wanting to "enjoy" a patio at night in February....

Okay, let me have it!

If its a heated patio why not. Or as a compromise do it from May to September as a compromise.

At the end of the day Vancouver is a young city that is only now adjusting to being considered a cosmopolitan world city. It will take atleast a decade for the bylaws and such to catch up. I know most can't wait but I think we are slowly making progress.

[wrenegade]

I love the news about the 1am patio closings, I just wish it was in the summer time as opposed to February. Now, 1am patio closings shouldn't be present everywhere in the city, but in entertainment areas like Granville street and Hamilton/Mainland I definitely think it should be. It's downtown for christ's sake, if you move into the Spot, Capitol, or any of the Yaletown Park buildings you have to accept that there will be noise from the restaurants/clubs.

[flight_from_kamakura]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

this would be great on robson.

[WBC]

Well downtown is turning into a suburb as we speak. The one way streets designed to improve traffic flow are turned into neighbourhood two way streets. More and more residential space is encroaching on business space and business given the cost is moving out the downtown area (or at least not expanding). If you go and build dozens of residential high-rises and advertise those high-rises as high class living, soon you will find out that most of the residents who move in will not like to share their new neighbourhood with clubbers, drunks and bums regardless of the fact who was there first. Especially given that a lot of resents are opting to raise their families downtown. So what the city needs to do as some previous posts suggested is keep these things reasonably separate. Why let new residential buildings pop up in the middle of Granville entertainment district and business district? Why let new clubs open on Denman? Keep things separate and everybody will be happy.

[Metro-One]

Exactly, downtown needs districts!