Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Heritage Designation - Heather Pavilion (2733 Heather Street)

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY
Council policy on heritage designation states, in part, that "legal designation will be a prerequisite to accepting certain bonuses and incentives";
Vancouver General Hospital Precinct Policy Statement.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council designation of the Heather Pavilion as a Protected Heritage Property.

BACKGROUND
The Heather Pavilion, listed in the "B" category on the Vancouver Heritage Register, is located in the middle of the VGH precinct. On December 6, 2001, Council approved the rezoning application by Mark Betteridge, development consultant for Vancouver Hospital and Health Science Centre, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions prior-to enactment, including designation of the 1906 Heather Pavilion and the two end bays and towers of the 1908 addition.
A companion Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) was reported to Council on October 22, 2002 to allow time for it to be registered in the Land Title Office before the CD-1 amendment enactment scheduled for November 7th.
DISCUSSION
Heritage Value
The Heather Pavilion, listed in the "B" category on the Vancouver Heritage Register, was originally known as the Fairview Building. When it was constructed in 1906 it was a very prominent granite structure in the landscape dominated by its four stone towers. Immediately following, in 1908, two complementary L-shaped wings of similar style were added to the southeast and southwest corners. Many portions of the original building are now hidden by subsequent additions.
The 1906 and 1908 structures were designed by Grant and Henderson Architects in the Italinate Style and planned in accordance with the Beaux Art school of design. G.W. Grant was well established as the region's premiere architect at the time and has the distinction of being the first resident architect of the City of Vancouver.
Heather Pavilion is also culturally significant. It has been in continuous use as a hospital since 1906 and is the oldest remaining building in the VGH complex. Many Vancouver residents have a strong association with it having been born there or having received other health care services.
Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives
One of the primary goals of the Vancouver General Hospital Precinct Policy Statement, adopted by Council June 2000 is:

The proposed designation and adaptive re-use of the 1906 Heather Pavilion in a new public open space fulfills the first portion of this goal. The majority of the other heritage structuresidentified will be demolished to make way for the open space, however, as commemoration the two end bays and towers of the 1908 addition will be preserved and designated.
Compatibility of Conservation with the Zoning for the Property and Adjoining Land
The VGH Precinct CD-1 amendment approved by Council at the December 6, 2001 Public Hearing supports the conservation of the Heather Pavilion. When enacted it will permit a broad range of uses for the Heather Pavilion that Council considered compatible with the precinct and adjoining lands and that will maximize the viability of the adaptive re-use of the building. To further support conservation, the CD-1 by-law excludes the floor space contained within the Heather Pavilion from the 2.6 maximum floor space ratio for the precinct.
Condition and Economic Viability of Conservation
Several additions have been made to the original 1906 and 1908 Heather Pavilion which significantly detract from their heritage character. Site testing by the applicant has determined that most of the exterior walls of the original structures remain intact. When the current hospital uses are relocated to new facilities, the owner will remove the unsympathetic additions and as funds become available pursue the adaptive re-use and restoration of the Heather Pavilion.
In addition to designation, the owner has entered into an HRA to secure the conservation (stabilization) of the heritage resource until rehabilitation begins. The owner has also committed in writing to seek full funding of the premium cost of restoration and has entered into a restoration agreement for a $3.1 million cash Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) graduated over time. This CAC will be held by the City to be returned to the owner of the Heather Pavilion to complete the restoration work. The City also retains the option to spend these funds for emergency conservation (stabilization) measures if required.
The owner has accepted the rezoning of the VGH precinct as just and fair compensation for the designation of the Heather Pavilion and other heritage obligations and waives any future compensation demands.
Notification
The Director of Legal Services has prepared the necessary Heritage By-law amendment. The requirements for notification, as specified by the Vancouver Charter, have been met.

Comments from the Vancouver Heritage Commission
Prior to approving the rezoning with conditions, Council considered the following Commission resolution:
"That the Vancouver Heritage Commission supports the overall approach to the rehabilitation of the 1906 building at Heather Pavilion and recommend that the faithful rendering of the exterior, including window detailing and colouring, be executed. Further that the Vancouver Heritage Commission urges the applicant to incorporate remnants of the heritage buildings slated for demolition in the landscape design, and in particular the heritage mitigation approach of scenario three that seeks to reuse the towers of the 1908 portions of Heather Pavilion. That the Vancouver Heritage Commission regrets that other heritage buildings were not incorporated into the plan, namely the Doctors' Residence, Health Care for Children building, and the Tzuchi Centre, noting that they too form a worthy presence on the site."
CONCLUSION
Council's long term goal is to protect as many heritage resources through voluntary designation as possible. The owner of the Heather Pavilion has agreed to the designation in return for the rezoning of the property. The proposed designation of 1906 Heather Pavilion and two end bays and towers of the 1908 addition will ensure their protection from unsympathetic alterations and demolition in the future.

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