At its regular meeting on July 20, 2018, the City of Vancouver Seniors’ Advisory Committee unanimously passed the following motion regarding public access to privately-owned public spaces.
These spaces are provided by developers as a condition of rezoning and should be fully accessible to the public. Unfortunately, it appears that this is not always the case.
We hope that this motion is a positive step towards addressing this problem.
MOTION: Ensuring Public Access to Privately-Owned Public Spaces (“POPS”)
MOVER: Eddy Elmer
SECONDER: Gudrun Langolf
WHEREAS
- In 2013, Vancouver City Council approved the Age-friendly Action Plan and the City’s intention to seek recognition from the World Health Organization as a “Global Age-friendly City;”
- Key features of an age-friendly city are adequate, safe, and accessible public spaces designed for relaxation and social activity;
- The Seniors’ Advisory Committee recently published a report (www.seniorsloneliness.ca) underscoring the role that such spaces play in preventing social isolation and loneliness; and
- Developers are often required to provide such spaces for public use as a condition of rezoning;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Seniors’ Advisory Committee recommend that Council direct staff to:
- Seek a statutory right-of-way for all current and future privately-owned public spaces to ensure that they remain fully accessible to all members of the public;
- Prohibit property managers from restricting or discouraging access to these spaces; and
- Ensure that there is appropriate signage.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
