NOTICE OF MEETING VANCOUVER HERITAGE COMMISSION A G E N D A

Transcription

1 NOTICE OF MEETING VANCOUVER HERITAGE COMMISSION A G E N D A DATE: Monday, TIME: 10:30 a.m. PLACE: Committee Room #1 Third Floor, City Hall PLEASE NOTE: Agendas and Minutes are available on the City of Vancouver Civic Agencies' website at If you are unable to attend the meeting please call Diane Clairmont at or at diane.clairmont@vancouver.ca. Adoption of Minutes 10:30-10:35 a.m. Minutes of the July 7, 2008 meeting to be adopted. 1. Business Arising from the Minutes 10:35-10:40 a.m. 2. Conservation Projects (a) 3409 Arbutus Street, The Curry Residence 10:40-11:10 a.m. VHR B DE# Built in 1930 for Michael H. Curry, operator of the Dominion Theatre at 965 Granville Street, the modest house at 3409 Arbutus Street (Arbutus and 18 th Avenue) is valued for being a rare surviving example of the Mission Style of architecture imported from the west coast of the United States during the 30s, as well as being one of the earliest houses developed in this area of Point Grey (it is actually an unusual variant of the Mission Style, with a flat roof and expressed parapets on all four sides of the building). Although many of the original windows have been lost in the last couple of decades, the house survives with most of its original details intact, both on the interior and the exterior. Defining characteristics include the parapet walls with decorative clay tile roof overhangs and tile inlays at corners, clay parapet caps, wood braces at the soffits, ornate rain water boxes and leaders, brick chimney with a curious ecclesiastical motif, rough cast stucco, flat roof porch with doric columns and decorative metalwork, and tall expressive windows with iron juliette guards. The interior is also virtually intact and of value. Features include original plaster walls and coves, coffered ceiling and beam work, the original fireplace and flooring, and more unusual ecclesiastical references in the pointed archways and wall niches.

2 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 2 The proposal is to retain the building as is and rehabilitate and designate it, including reintroducing wood windows to match the original windows where these have been lost. While staff are not considering protecting the interior, it is proposed to be maintained with some improvements for modern living, and to allow for a suite in the basement. The site would be subdivided with a Heritage Revitalization Agreement, to both reduce costs associated with upgrades (if the site were to be strata titled), and to allow separate ownership of the house. A new house would be constructed on the rear parcel which would provide compensation to the owner for the costs associated with the rehabilitation and designation of the heritage building. : (ii) Overall proposal; and Statement of Significance and Conservation Plan. Annabel Vaughan, Birmingham and Wood Architects Planners Bruce Bennett, owner Statement of Significance and drawing package James Boldt, Heritage Planner Marie Linehan, Development Planner (b) 1090 Hamilton Street 11:10-11:40 a.m. Not currently listed on VHR DE # (Minor Amendment) The building at 1090 Hamilton Street is currently not listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register but has in the past been identified as a significant historic building in the Yaletown neighbourhood. Built in 1911 as the Coutts A.R. & Co. by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and now commonly known as the Sylvia building, it s defining features include the post and beam construction, un-reinforced red clay common brick with an artificial cast stone base, simple metal parapets with a raised central portion, a concrete string course between the parapet and 2 nd storey lintels. On the Hamilton Street side, there are double paned, double hung sash windows, and on the Helmcken Street and Mainland Street sides, multi paned, wood sash windows. An old set of wood barn doors on the dock side has been removed but will be reinstated after renovations are completed as shown on the drawings. The building is in excellent shape although some windows are in need of repairs. The building is currently being renovated under DE# to accommodate a large commercial tenant and other interior changes. Previously, the Commission supported changes to the building which proposed the discrete enlargement of windows on Hamilton Street, and a few other modifications to windows and doorways. The applicant has now submitted a minor amendment to the original approved development permit, including a couple of new canopies

3 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 3 on Helmcken Street. Staff are seeking comments on the proposed introduction of a new entrance on the Helmcken Street elevation (second bay in from the corner) to improve the viability of the retail unit in that location, which will result in the demolition of a couple of existing windows. While the change is still fairly small, there have been concerns about changes to the significant facades of this building in the past. Suitability of a new entrance on Helmcken Street. Simon Bonettemaker, Gower Yeung & Associates Ltd. Arkun Durmaz, owner Drawings James Boldt, Heritage Planner (c) 2600 East Broadway, Vancouver Technical School 11:40-12:20 p.m. VHR B DE# (Minor Amendment to DE#409977) Vancouver Technical Secondary School is listed in the B category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. Built in 1928, the original building has seen a number of additions and associated buildings constructed over the years up to In June 2006, a development permit (DE409977) was issued for interior renovations including the seismic upgrade of the building. Under this application, exterior changes are limited to a small addition, exterior painting, and the replacement of some windows on the south side. On May 1 st, 2008 a minor amendment was submitted which proposes the demolition of a two storey, free standing building on the site identified as the Girls Building. Staff asked the Vancouver School Board to have a Statement of Significance (SOS) for the entire Vancouver Technical School prepared as a part of the review of the submission. An SOS, prepared by Commonwealth in June, was submitted on July 7 th, The Girls Building was constructed in 1941 as a separate structure and was the first technical school built explicitly for female students in western Canada (the male students were completely segregated in the original building). The Girls Building has been identified in the Statement of Significance as having cultural and historic value. Defining characteristics of the concrete building include a running series of 4 x5 small paned wood windows with centre pivots, arched entrances, and protruding gables. On July 17 th, 2008, the Director of Planning advised that the Vancouver Heritage Commission is to review the demolition of the Girls Building and the Statement of Significance before

4 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 4 approval of the minor amendment is concluded upon. (ii) Demolition of the Girls Building; and Statement of Significance. Richard Newel, Colborne Architectural Group Henry Ahking, Vancouver School Board Statement of Significance, site plan (NB: as this is a late item to the agenda, staff may have more information available for distribution at the meeting). James Boldt, Heritage Group Claudia Hicks, Development Assistant David Autiero, Project Facilitator (d) 800 Robson Street 12:20-12:50 p.m. VHR A (F)(M) (800 West Georgia St.) DE , Heritage Alteration Permit required The site spans Robson Street and is located on both the designated A Art Gallery site and the unlisted Law Courts site. A Development Permit application has been submitted to: alter the existing Robson Square skating plaza by replacing the existing glass domes with two new domes and add two new access stairs. As well, it will replace the waterproofing membrane, ice plant and mechanical systems related to the rink. The proposed changes are intended to: - extend the skating surface by 60 feet to a allow for expanded capacity, - eliminate the dark ceiling to allow for a more hospitable environment for the public, - increase access to and visibility of skating plaza from Robson Street, and - expand weather and shade protection for the skating surface. The intention is to complete the work for the 2010 Olympics and use the area as a media centre. There is no Statement of Significance for these sites, and the Heritage Building Evaluations do not list the underground skating area as part of the site s historic value. Given the limited changes proposed to this site, heritage staff do not have issues for the Commission to comment on, therefore the Commission s advice is sought on the application in general. Brad Mctavish, Clive Grout Architect British Columbia Building Corporation, owner Reduced drawings Marco D Agostini, Senior Heritage Planner (In lieu of Yardley McNeill) Diana Leung, Project Facilitator

5 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 5 (e) City Hall, North Lawn and Western Boundary 12:50-1:20 p.m. VHR A(M) Enquiry When the Canada Line construction along Cambie Street began, the sidewalk and concrete retaining wall along the western boundary of City Hall s north lawn were removed to facilitate the subterranean construction. With the upcoming completion of the Canada Line there is a commitment to reconstruct the sidewalk and this edge condition. The base construction will be funded through the Canada Line contract. The City of Vancouver has concluded that this is a prime opportunity to improve wayfinding to City Hall from the location of the new Canada Station at Broadway while also re-evaluating the urban realm along the western boundary and up into the north lawn. As a priority project, this is first being presented as an enquiry to give the Commission an opportunity to review early design concepts and provide feedback. Once a development application is made, it will return to the Commission for detailed design follow-up. (ii) Review of the preliminary draft and progress of the Statement of Significance for the City Hall grounds. Given the interest in providing an open and welcoming experience to City Hall, consider how the design concepts complement the site s historic values and characterdefining elements. Dylan Chernoff and Jane Durante, Durante and Kreuk Ltd. Mark Lau, Janson Ho, Garrick Bradshaw, Facility Design and Management Paul Kreuger, Rapid Transit, Engineering Services Design concept. Draft Statement of Significance to be provided at the meeting. Shelley Bruce, Heritage Planning Analyst Anita Molaro, Development Planner 3. Sub-committee Reports (a) DTS SOS Sub-committee 1:20-1:50 p.m. Heritage staff have reviewed eighteen properties as a part of a Council approved study to assess the value of the remaining pre-war houses in the Downtown South area west of Yaletown. Of the eighteen properties, there are five designated houses ( Hamilton and 1380 Hornby) and one VHR-listed house (869 Hamilton). The other houses currently have no

6 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 6 formal recognition, although the following resolutions regarding six of these houses have been made by the Commission. 1. At the November 19, 2007 meeting of the Commission, the following was resolved: THAT, regarding the heritage value of the Downtown South Houses, specifically 439, 435 and 431 Helmcken Street, 1062 Richards Street, and 1080 Richards Street, as presented at its November 19, 2007 meeting, the Vancouver Heritage Commission supports the following: Statements of Significance relating to the afore-mentioned houses; and adding the afore-mentioned five houses to the Heritage Register. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. At the June 16, 2008 meeting of the Commission, the following was resolved: THAT, regarding the project at 1237 Howe Street, the Vancouver Heritage Commission (VHC) supports the project as presented at its meeting on June 16, 2008, specifically noting the following: i) heritage value of the building at 1237 Howe Street and eligibility for addition to the Vancouver Heritage Register; and ii) unique circumstances of this project. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Staff will report to the Commission on the assessment of heritage values for the six properties at 819 Drake Street, 1243 and 1251 Hornby, the Penthouse (1019 and 1033 Seymour Street) and the house at 819 Pacific Street. The Commission's Sub-Committee on Statements of Significance will report on their support for the potential nomination of these properties to the VHR. Support for nominating the afore-mentioned six properties for addition to the Heritage Register. Statements of Significance and photographs for 819 Drake Street, 1243 and 1251 Hornby, the Penthouse (1019 and 1033 Seymour Street) and the house at 819 Pacific Street. Liberty Walton, Heritage Planner James Boldt, Heritage Planner

7 Vancouver Heritage Commission, Agenda Page 7 (b) Sub-committee Request: Heritage Streetcar Interpretive Plan 1:50-1:55 p.m. To enhance the Downtown Historic Railway system between Granville Island and Leg-In-Boot near Cambie Street, Engineering Services has secured funding to develop an interpretive plan and the first in a series of interpretive panels. Engineering Services staff will be working with a consultant to develop the plan and the panels while the Heritage Group will be providing technical support. To provide additional expertise, the project will require an advisory committee. Expected to start in September with completion in March 2009, the time commitment for the advisory committee will be modest with no more than a few meetings with some associated preparation (for instance, reviewing draft material). Staff are asking for one or two volunteers to join the advisory committee, with the intent of reporting back to the Commission at key milestones. For more information on the Downtown Heritage Railway, please visit: Shelley Bruce, Heritage Planning Analyst (c) Hollow Tree Sub-committee 1:55-2:00 p.m. Update on recent activity. Chair: Karen Jarvis 4. Correspondence Correspondence received will be circulated 5. Other Business 6. Next Meeting Monday, September 8, 2008, 10:30 a.m. Committee Room #1 Third Floor, City Hall * * * * *