ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

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

RTS No. 1730

CC File No. 1401-29

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 2620 Oxford Street

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 2620 Oxford Street, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “B” 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 2620 Oxford Street, listed in the “B” category on the Heritage Register, as a protected heritage property under Schedule A of the Heritage By-law. The building owner is requesting the heritage designation of 2620 Oxford Street on a voluntary basis.

BACKGROUND

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is near completion of its second round of grants for its “True Colors’ 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: 2620 Oxford Street is listed in the “B” category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. This two and a half storey wood-frame house is adjacent to a grouping of Craftsman style homes built along Oxford Street in 1918-1919, after Hastings Townsite became amalgamated into the City of Vancouver during the war years. A prominent house, unusual in its gambrel roof form, 2620 Oxford Street exhibits Arts & Crafts influence in its stained glass, its decorative diamond windows, front verandah and off-set front entry. The dual pitch front gable with eave return houses a second storey sleeping porch. This individual house with its quirky appearance and plan complements its neighbours 2640 and 2625 Oxford Street, enhancing the 2600 block’s diversity. It is a modest house despite its appearance from the outside. It features a shingled base, with the main body of the house being narrow wood siding complete with cornerboards, the gables also being narrow wood siding. The present designating owner is only its third resident family.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RS-1S Zoning District. The intent of the RS-1S District Schedule is to maintain the single-family residential character of the district. Heritage designation of 2620 Oxford Street will ensure that the single-family character of the existing house is retained. This is consistent with community planning objectives as defined in the RS-1S Zoning District Schedule.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is a permitted use under RS-1S 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 owner has submitted a letter (on file with the Law Department) requesting the designation of 2620 Oxford Street and waivingany 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 owner of 2620 Oxford Street has 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 owner has 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 2620 Oxford Street as a Protected Heritage Property.

* * * * *

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

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