ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Date: December 15, 1998
Author/Local: D.Murphy/7056
RTS No. 421
CC File No. 5052

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Community Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT:	Amendment to the Vancouver Heritage Register to add 2132 Cypress Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be amended to add 2132 Cypress Street

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

On September 23, 1986, Council resolved that the Heritage Register (formerly the Vancouver Heritage Inventory) be kept up to date and that amendments be referred to Council on an annual basis or as required.

PURPOSE

This report recommends that Council amend the Vancouver Heritage Register by adding a building nominated by the owner.

BACKGROUND

The Vancouver Heritage Register was adopted by Council in August 1986. Council last amended the Register on January 8, 1998. Since the last amendment a public nomination has been received from a building owner requesting that their building be added to the Heritage Register.

DISCUSSION

The building is an Edwardian Classic Box style constructed in 1909/1910, located next to the CPR tracks near 6th and Cypress. The structural proportions, fenestration and simple details of the building are all good examples of this housing type. Features include clapboard siding with wood trim exterior cladding, a front porch entry with square column supports, and an upper front gable with small porch and fluted columns. Most windows are single sash and double hung, and there are some lead pane glass windows remaining on the side. In combination with two heritage character buildings located directly across the street, the three structures present a fine example of an early Vancouver streetscape.

The owner has requested that the building be added to the Heritage Register, which will allow for future consideration of relaxations to the Zoning and Development By-law and facilitate the retention of this building. Staff are currently reviewing a redevelopment proposal which involves this site, and will report to Council for the designation of this building at a later date, should Council approve its addition to the Register.

An evaluation of the heritage merit of the building at 2132 Cypress Street has been completed by staff and was reviewed by the Heritage Commission on July 6, 1998. As an example of an early style of house in Kitsilano, the building is considered to have sufficient heritage merit to be included in the "B" evaluation category.

CONCLUSION

This building has been nominated for inclusion on the Heritage Register by the owner. This request has been reviewed by Planning staff and the Vancouver Heritage Commission. This report recommends that the Vancouver Heritage Register be amended to add 2132 Cypress Street as a ‘B’ category building.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver