Tuesday 14 February 2012

PavCo Minister Bell admits that lack of consultation by rogue agency BC PavCo is “problematic”

The following CKNW interview on the Bill Good Show was recorded following a meeting with BC PavCo Minister Pat Bell on February 8, 2012.  In the interview, Take the Giant Screen Down Now spokesperson David Cookson describes what representatives from the citizen’s group discussed with the Minister.  Also explained is the group’s new conciliatory demand concerning the three giant outdoor screens at BC Place Stadium.

Despite the Minister’s non-responsiveness towards residents for the five months following the erection of the outdoor screens, and despite the screens’ continued operation daily and nightly, the group has made great concessions from its previous demands to 'Take the Giant Screen Down Now' and now instead has made a simple request: that basic City standards and processes be applied to the signage at BC Place Stadium.

Adhering to City standards and processes IS WHAT ALL CROWN CORPORATIONS HAVE ALWAYS DONE in the City of Vancouver and also very importantly IT'S WHAT PAVCO SAID THEY WOULD DO when they engaged the City in 2008 about the BC Place Stadium renovations (see the September 2008 FCN ODP 'Upgrade Commitment Agreement' where PavCo agreed "not to fetter Council discretion" concerning the development of False Creek North).  This conciliatory demand that PavCo 'follow the City standards and processes' (which would mean that PavCo simply submit three sign permit applications to the City as per the City's bylaw requirements) is a completely reasonable request and one which is increasingly resonating with the vast majority of the public who are seeking a speedy resolution on this matter.

On January 17, 2012 Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a motion demanding that BC PavCo comply with the City's sign bylaws.

(CKNW radio interview player should appear just below this sentence)