POLICY REPORT
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT
Date: June 6, 1995
Dept. File No. RGL
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Associate Director of Planning -
Land Use and Development
SUBJECT: Eligibility for Heritage Density Bonus -
901 Seymour Street
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the former Dominion Motors Building at 901 Seymour Street
listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the 'C' category, be
eligible for a heritage density bonus to be used on site or
transferred to the applicant's site on the east side of the 900
Block Seymour Street, subject to the Transfer of Density Policy and
rezoning.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
The Heritage Policies and Guidelines (adopted by Council May 13 and
September 23, 1986 and reaffirmed April 18, 1991) outline a procedure to
be followed in applying the heritage density bonus provision as
permitted in the Downtown Official Development Plan. Category A
buildings on the Vancouver Heritage Register [formerly the Inventory]
are automatically eligible for consideration of a bonus for heritage
preservation. Categories B and C buildings may be eligible for
consideration, but must first be approved by Council.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's approval to consider a heritage bonus
density for this heritage building.BACKGROUND
The former Dominion Motors Building at 901 Seymour Street is located at
the south west corner of Seymour and Smithe Streets, opposite the
Orpheum Theatre (see location plan below). The applicant, DVM Realty
Ltd., also owns most of the east side of the 900 Block Seymour Street.
Development Permit No. 217430 has been issued for the change of use of
the former Dominion Motors Building for an office supply retail store.
The applicant wishes to pursue redevelopment of their property on both
sides of Seymour Street. This will entail retaining, rehabilitating and
protecting as heritage property the former Dominion Motors Building
which may be eligible for a heritage density bonus. If applicable, a
mixed residential and commercial building may be developed on the west
site, with some of the heritage bonus density then being transferred,
through a rezoning process, to the east site. The east site may then be
redeveloped with two towers of mixed residential and commercial space.
[location map leave about 5´ here]
DISCUSSION
The Building
The Dominion Motors Building was built in 1925. It is a good example of
vernacular commercial design with Art Deco motifs in the parapets and
pilasters. There are three storeys. The architects, Townley and
Matheson, were a notable firm in Vancouver, who also designed Vancouver
City Hall. The building is listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in
the C category. While the windows have been replaced and the
storefronts altered, there is sufficient archival evidence to support a
restoration and rehabilitation of the building which would raise its
heritage value considerably. Contextually, the building is important as
it has a landmark presence at the corner of Seymour and Smithe and
relates in scale to the Orpheum Theatre and the Dufferin Hotel.
Proposed Rehabilitation
In the short term, the building will be used as an office supply retail
store on the ground floor; the upper floor will remain vacant. It will
have new storefront glazing, a new canopy and signage and will be
repainted.
Transfer of Density
Should Council determine that the Dominion Motor Building is eligible
for a heritage density bonus the applicant will be submitting a rezoning
application to establish and then transfer some of the bonus to their
site on the east side of Seymour Street. The building will be
rehabilitated with the facade restored, a seismic upgrading will be
completed as well as other upgrading for the ultimate use of the
building as mixed retail and other commercial uses. The rezoning, if
approved, would result in the protection of the former Dominion Motors
Building through heritage designation.
Comments of the Vancouver Heritage Commission
The Vancouver Heritage Commission considered the request for a heritage
density bonus at their meeting on June 12, 1995. Their comments and
resolution will be forwarded, by way of memo, to Council for
consideration with this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff believe that the former Dominion Motors Building has an important
landmark presence and, therefore, warrants eligibility for consideration
of a heritage density bonus, in exchange for the rehabilitation and
preservation of the building. If a subsequent rezoning application to
transfer some of the heritage density to the eastern site is approved,
it would result in the rehabilitation and protection, through heritage
designation, of a valuable building in Downtown Vancouver.
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