Heritage Designation of 656 East Cordova

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: August 23, 2001
Author/Local: T. Brunette/6467

RTS No.: 02274

CC File No.

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Heritage Designation of 656 East Cordova Street -
True Colours Program

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 656 East Cordova Street, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the "B" category, as a protected heritage property and the amendment of Heritage By-law No. 4837 to include this 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 Program.

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 656 East Cordova 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 owners are requesting the heritage designation of 656 East Cordova Street on a voluntary basis.

BACKGROUND

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is near completion of its third round of grants for its "True Colours" Program. With paint provided from Benjamin Moore Paints, the Foundation provides a modest grant and expertise to restore the colour scheme of heritage homes true to the period. Designation is a condition of receiving the grant. Of the six houses being painted in 2001, two are covered by Heritage Revitalization Agreement and one owner has begun the designation process. Ms. Alison Spurrell and Mr. Joe Chaput, the owners of this property, are one of the three remaining sets of owners now seeking Council's approval to designate.

DISCUSSION

Heritage Value:

The heritage house at 656 East Cordova Street provides an important point of reference to the earliest residential development in Vancouver and makes a significant contribution to the architectural context of the area. Listed in the "B" category of the Vancouver Heritage Register, it was built around 1895.

The vertical proportions and "decorated shed" details of this house refer to late Victorian residential prototypes. Simple gable-end massing is enhanced with the asymmetrical placement of the bay window, and an aedicular porch treatment with a subsidiary gable. The one and a half storey mass of the house is clad with drop siding and significant decorative treatment such as the dentilled barge-boards, shingling to main and porch gable-ends, pierced fretwork to the main gable apex, diamond panels to the bay window, and decorative bracketing to the porch columns. It is a fine and typical example of late Victorian housing in the Strathcona Area.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District (DEOD) zoning. The Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer Official Development Plan recognizes the significance and uniqueness of the area in the overall City context for its historic character, among other qualities. Heritage conservation is a stated policy goal for the area seeking to "preserve and enhance the heritage character of the Downtown-Eastside/Oppenheimer area and recognize its historical significance in the evolution of Vancouver". The house is located in the Cordova Street Sub-area whose intent encourages rehabilitation of existing residential buildings. Heritage designation of 656 East Cordova Street will fulfill these policy goals.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is a permitted use under the DEOD Official Development Plan. 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 656 East Cordova Street and waiving any future compensation demands. Therefore, no additional support to achieve appropriate conservation of this building is required.

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

CONCLUSION

The owners of 656 East Cordova Street have proposed the heritage designation of their house on a voluntary basis. Its designation is compatible with community planning objectives and the zoning for the site. Furthermore, the owners'participation in the True Colours program will help create greater awareness about historic paint schemes in the city. Therefore, it is recommended that Council amend Schedule A of the Heritage By-law to designate 656 East Cordova Street as a Protected Heritage Property.

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TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 656 East Cordova Street - True Colours Program