ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: December 22, 2000
Author/Local: G. McGeough/7091

RTS No. 1733

CC File No. 1401-29

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “A” category, as a protected heritage property.

B. THAT Council commend the building owners for designating their property on a voluntary basis and for participating in the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s True Colours project.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of Recommendations A and B.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council policy on heritage designation states, in part, that:

“The City’s long term goal is to protect through voluntary designation as many resources on the Vancouver Heritage Register as possible.”

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council’s approval for the designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive, listed in the “A” category on the Heritage Register, as a protected heritage property under Schedule A of the Heritage By-law. The building owners are requesting the heritage designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive on a voluntary basis.

BACKGROUND

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is near completion of its second round of grants for its “True Colours” program. With the assistance of Benjamin Moore Paints and Dunbar Lumber the Foundation is providing owners funding and expertise to restore the authentic colour scheme of heritage homes true to the period. The Foundation has made municipal designation a condition of receiving the grant. Three of the seven recipients previously designated their houses. The four other recipients, including this recipient, are now seeking Council approval to designate.

DISCUSSION

Heritage Value: 1210 Lakewood Drive, the Harris Residence, one of a group of eight similar houses, is listed in the “A” category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. This house has survived virtually intact, inside and out, while the other seven have been altered over time. Speculatively built in 1909 by Mrs. S.J. Wing, its first resident owner was Reverend David James, Pastor of the nearby Robertson Presbyterian Church. The Harris family has been its second owner resident since 1919. Miss Evelyn Harris is well aware of the heritage value and has previously received a City of Vancouver Heritage Award (1989) for maintaining this heritage landmark. A meticulously maintained home, in pristine original condition, this is a noteworthy example of a working-class interior from the pre-World War I era. The continuity and lack of alteration is unique in the city. This two and a half storey wood frame building features a gabled roof with saddle-bag dormers, eaves with brackets, and a full porch and upper balcony. The original front door is flanked by sidelight stained glass, the porch’s curved opening with keystone shingle definition on the main and above is supported by understated columns. The building base is narrow, wood siding with corner boards, while the house body and dormers are shingled.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RT-4 Zoning District. The intent of the RT-4 District Schedule is to encourage the retention of existing residential structures and to encourasge and maintain a family emphasis. Heritage designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive will ensure that the single-family character of the existing house is retained. This is consistent with community planning objectives as defined in the RT-4 Zoning District Schedule.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is a permitted use under RT-4 zoning. There is no development permit application for this site.

Condition and Economic Viability: The house is in good condition. The owners have determined the retention of the building in its present use to be economically viable.

Support Required to Enable Conservation: The property owners have submitted a letter (on file with the Law Department) requesting the designation of 1210 Lakewood Drive and waiving any future compensation demands. Therefore, no additional support to achieve appropriate conservation of this building is required.

Notification: The Director of Legal Services has prepared the necessary Heritage By-law amendments and requirements have been met for notification as specified by the Vancouver Charter.

CONCLUSION

An important long-term heritage policy of the City is to protect heritage resources through designation. The owners of 1210 Lakewood Drive have proposed the heritage designation of the building on a voluntary basis. Designation of this house is compatible with community planning objectives and the zoning for the site. Furthermore, the owners participation in the True Colours program for which designation is required for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, will help create greater awareness about historic paint schemes in the city. The owners have agreed the retention of the building to be economically viable and they have agreed that they will not seek any compensation from the City in the future. Designation of the building will ensure that it is protected from inappropriate alterations or demolition in the future. Therefore, it is recommended that Council amend Schedule A of the Heritage By-law to designate 1210 Lakewood Drive as a Protected Heritage Property.

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General Mgr./Dept. Head:
Date:
This report has been prepared in consultation with the departments listed to the right, and they concur with its contents
Report dated:	December 22, 2000
Author:	G. McGeough
Phone:	7091
Concurring Departments:
Legal Services

Q:\public\aHeritage\True colours\1210 Lakewood\1210LARP.WPD

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