ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: December 28, 2000
Author/Local: G. McGeough/7091

RTS No. 1731

CC File No. 1401-29

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 3223 West 37th Avenue

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 3223 West 37^th Avenue, 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 3223 West 37^th Avenue, listed in the “B” 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 3223 West 37^th Avenue 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: 3223 West 37^th Avenue is listed in the ‘B’ category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. This two and a half storey house is a very sophisticated example of the Arts and Crafts style built in pre-war Vancouver at the height of Point Grey’s building boom in 1912. On the north side of West 37^th Avenue, on the bike path, this gracious home is set back from the street on a slight rise, giving it prominence. It features a side gabled main roof with dormers which extends generously to protect the wide full-width wrap-around verandah, from south to the west where double doors open out from the living room. This wood frame house is clad at its base in narrow wood siding, interrupted by rectangular granite piers which receive the verandah columns. The body of the house and dormers are shingled with triangular knee braces under wide gable eaves. The verandah is supported by paired columns with elaborate overscaled decorative brackets, six of which have been reconstructed at the owner’s direction. Bay windows and original wooden balustrade complete this outdoor ‘room’. The designating owners have refurbished their home over the last 25 years and actively maintain and restore its original character.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RS-5 Zoning District. The intent of the RS-5 District Schedule is to maintain the existing single-family residential character of the district. Heritage designation of 3223 West 37^th Avenue 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-5 Zoning District Schedule.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is a permitted use under RS-5 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 3223 West 37^th Avenue andwaiving 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 3223 West 37^th Avenue 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 3223 West 37^th Avenue 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 28, 2000
Author:	G. McGeough
Phone:	7091
Concurring Departments:
Legal Services

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