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CITY OF VANCOUVER
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
July 23, 1996
A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, July 23, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, third
floor, Vancouver City Hall, for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing
to consider Heritage Revitalization Agreements and a proposed amendment
to the Heritage By-law.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Ip, Kennedy, Price, Puil and
Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Gary MacIsaac
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair, to consider proposed Heritage Revitalization
Agreements and a proposed amendment to the Heritage By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. Heritage Revitalization Agreement and
Heritage Designation: 3689 Selkirk Street
(former Cenacle Convent "Rosemary")
An application by Western Asia Land Co. Inc./Andre Rowland,
Architect, was considered as follows:
The proposed Heritage Revitalization Agreement by-law and Heritage
Designation would:
- secure the conservation and protection of the historic Cenacle
Convent listed in the "A" evaluation category on the Vancouver
Heritage Register; and
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
- vary the Subdivision By-law and the Zoning and Development
By-law to permit three parcels, one for the heritage building,
and two for the new single-family dwellings, both of which do
not meet minimum parcel width requirements.
The Director of Land Use and Development recommended approval of
this application.
Staff Opening Comments
Mr. Robert Lemon, Heritage Planner, advised a Heritage
Revitalization Agreement is proposed to achieve the conservation of a
distinct landmark in First Shaughnessy, the historic house "Rosemary",
presently the Convent of the Order of the Cenacle.
Mr. Lemon advised this site is eligible for four infill units, but
the application proposes to retain and restore the exterior of the
heritage building and subdivide the site from two parcels into three.
This proposal requires variances which would be achieved through a
Heritage Revitalization Agreement.
The First Shaughnessy Advisory Design panel is in support of this
application.
Applicant Opening Comments
Ms. Andre Rowland, Architect, stated the retention of the Cenacle
Building is an important part of the project, and the intent of the
proposed subdivision was to preserve as much ground and landscaping
around the Cenacle as possible. This preservation of the land around
the Cenacle has led to a proposed width of 90 feet for the southern lot,
rather than 100 feet which is permitted.
In addition, placement of the lane along the edge of the southern
lot is proposed to preserve the grandeur of the Cenacle. This is the
best location for the laneway because both adjacent properties have
lanes along the edge, as well as garages and substantial hedging.
Summary of Correspondence
There was no correspondence received regarding this application.
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Speakers
Ms. Victoria Gray, Bull Housser and Tupper, advised she was
representing the neighbourhood property owners. Council was requested
to reject the application and send it back to the Planning Department
with instruction to address concerns about privacy and loss of trees.
Ms. Gray submitted that this application is contrary to the First
Shaughnessy guidelines, which call for preservation of the estate
character. It was contended the application will create a suburban
atmosphere instead. Also, the property value of the neighbouring
property will be diminished, as the proposed lane will lead to a loss of
privacy. In addition the loss of trees will cause further privacy
concerns.
A variety of alternatives were suggested, such as creating
underground parking, and shifting the siting of the house and driveway.
Mr. Harold Lando, 1200 Block Matthews Street, advised his property
shares 120 feet of common fence with the Cenacle property. Mr. Lando
expressed concern with the proposed lane running of the property along
his fence, and the associated loss of privacy, pollution and noise
resulting from this lane.
Applicant Closing Comments
Ms. Andre Rowland advised this application has been before the
First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel on four occasions, and has
received the support of the Panel. The density is less than the maximum
permitted for the site, and the application will result in less
development which could be achieved by creating four infill dwellings
on the site.
The current subdivision configuration is consistent with the
comments of the First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel, which stated a
preference that the Cenacle be the primary building on the site.
Mr. Donald Fuller, owner of the site, advised it would likely be
more profitable to demolish the Cenacle and develop the site in
accordance with existing zoning. However, the applicant has attempted
to achieve a proposal which would preserve the heritage character and be
financially feasible.
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Staff Closing Comments
Mr. Robert Lemon responded to questions from members of Council
concerning the public consultation which has occurred on this site. A
notification letter was mailed to the neighbours, from which a response
was received from one of the neighbouring properties. Changes were made
to the application to reflect the comments made in the letter from the
neighbours, but no formal meeting was held.
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
A. THAT Council authorize the City to enter into a Heritage
Revitalization Agreement for the site at 3689 Selkirk: to
vary the Subdivision By-law to permit a non-conforming parcel
size; to secure the preservation of the heritage building, the
Cenacle Retreat, listed in the "A" category on the Vancouver
Heritage Register; and to commemorate it with a bronze
heritage plaque.
B. THAT Council authorize the City to enter into a statutory
right-of-way to secure prompt performance of certain
restoration work on the exterior of the heritage building.
C. THAT Council approve the designation of the heritage building,
the Cenacle Retreat at 3689 Selkirk and listed in the "A"
category on the Vancouver Heritage Register; and amend
Schedule A of the Heritage By-law accordingly.
D. THAT the Director of Legal Services bring forth the by-laws to
authorize the Heritage Revitalization Agreement and the
designation.
- CARRIED
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the Public Hearing be adjourned, and staff be directed to
undertake additional public consultation regarding this application.
- LOST
(Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip, Kennedy, Price
and Sullivan opposed)
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
The motion by Councillor Puil to adjourn the Public Hearing having
lost, the motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED with
Councillors Bellamy, Puil and Mayor Owen opposed.
2. Heritage Revitalization Agreement
2005 West 16th Avenue
An application by Susan Lorraine Pouchet/Actual Homes Ltd. was
considered as follows:
The proposed Heritage Revitalization Agreement would:
- secure the conservation and protection of the heritage house
at 2005 West 16th Avenue listed in the "B" evaluation category
on the Vancouver Heritage Register;
- vary the Subdivision By-law to allow subdivision of the site
into two parcels: one for the heritage house and the second
for the proposed new dwelling; and
- vary the Zoning and Development By-law to allow construction
of the proposed new dwelling.
The Director of Land Use and Development recommended approval of
this application.
Staff Comments
Mr. Robert Lemon, Heritage Planner, advised this application was
before Council two years ago, but an issue emerged regarding the costs
of sprinklering a heritage building. Through this Heritage
Revitalization Agreement, the City can vary the Subdivision By-law to
permit a fee simple site subdivision as opposed to strata titling of the
premise. This will eliminate the sprinklering requirement.
Applicant Comments
The applicant offered no comments in this application.
Summary of Correspondence
There was no correspondence received on this application.
cont'd....
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Speakers
Mayor Owen called for speakers for and against the application and
none were present.
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
A. THAT Council authorize the City to enter into a Heritage
Revitalization Agreement for the site at 2005 West 16th
Avenue: to vary the Subdivision By-law to permit a
sub-standard sized parcel and to increase the conditional RT-8
maximum FSR of 0.75 to 0.89 FSR for the conservation of the
heritage building on its new parcel; to vary the Zoning and
Development By-law for the construction of a new dwelling, as
proposed in Development Application DE215420; to secure the
preservation of the heritage building, listed in the "B"
evaluation category on the Vancouver Heritage Register; and to
commemorate it with a bronze plaque;
B. THAT Council authorize the City to enter into a statutory
right-of-way to secure prompt performance of certain
restoration work on the exterior of the heritage building;
C. THAT the Director of Legal Services bring forward the by-law
to authorize the Heritage Revitalization Agreement;
D. THAT Council rescind the following recommendations it approved
on February 24, 1994:
"THAT the Director of Planning be advised that Council
supports the approval of a floorspace relaxation for 2005
West 16th Avenue, from the conditional RT-8 maximum FSR
of 0.75 to 0.903 FSR, on the basis of the development
generally as proposed in DE 215420.
THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to
draft a heritage designation by-law for the house at 2005
West 16th Avenue."
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED BY Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted, and the
Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare and bring forward
the necessary by-laws.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * *
The Special Council meeting adjourned at approximately 3:05 p.m.