ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 27, 2002
Author/Local: Hugh McLean/7056

RTS No. 2945

CC File No. 1401-49

Public Hearing: October 22, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 5629 Angus Drive

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approve the designation of 5629 Angus 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 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 5629 Angus 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 5629 Angus Drive on a voluntary basis as part of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation's True Colours program for 2002.

BACKGROUND

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is nearing completion of its fourth round of annual 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. One of the recipients has previously designated their house, while the three other recipients, including this one, are now seeking Council approval to designate.

DISCUSSION

Heritage Value: The Montgomery House at 5629 Angus Drive is listed in the "A" category on the Vancouver Heritage Register. This 2-storey wood-frame house sits in the context of large well landscaped lots common to the area known as Third Shaughnessy, with similar style homes to the north and across the street to the east. It is named after the first owner, Donald Montgomery, a lawyer who commissioned architects John Honeyman and George Curtis to have it built in 1926 in the Tudor Revival style.

The design of the house is characterized by the symmetrical placement of dominant features, including a steep pitch front gabled roof with chamfered gables on both the north and south sides and sun rooms on each end of the south side. The house is clad with shingles on the lower level and main floor, and rough stucco on second floor with mock Tudor board. The front porch is supported by large square posts, with elongated flared inserts set in at the top of each. A number of windows have leaded glass set in rectangular panes, while the north side features a square bay protrusion and three long stained glass windows. Donald Montgomery lived here until 1944. The Montgomery House is an excellent example of the later years of Honeyman and Curtis' practice, which ended in 1931 after their partnership was devastated by the Depression.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RS-3A Zoning District. The intent of the RS-3A District Schedule is to maintain the single-familyresidential character of the area in a manner compatible with the existing amenity and design of development. Heritage designation of 5629 Angus Drive supports the intent of this zone. This is consistent with community planning objectives as defined in the RS-3A Zoning District Schedule.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is permitted under RS-3A zoning. There is no development application for this site.

Condition and Economic Viability: The house is in very 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 5629 Angus 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 5629 Angus Drive have agreed to the heritage designation of this house as a condition of participating in the True Colours program administered by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Designation is compatible with the community planning objectives and the zoning for the site. It will also ensure that the house is protected from inappropriate alterations or demolition in the future. Participation in the True Colours program will also heighten community awareness of historic paint schemes. The owners have agreed that the retention of the building is economically viable and have agreed that they will not seek any compensation from the City in the future. Therefore, it is recommended that Council amend Schedule A of the Heritage By-law to designate 5629 Angus Drive as a Protected Heritage Property.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver