A8

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: May 7, 1999
Author/Local: D. Murphy/7056
RTS No. 716
CC File No. 5052

Council: June 1, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Central Area Planning
SUBJECT:	Amendment to the Vancouver Heritage Register to Add 1234 Matthews Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Vancouver Heritage Register, dated August 1986, be amended to add 1234 Matthews Avenue.

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 5, 1999. 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 existing house, built circa 1910, is a good example of the Edwardian Builder Style, and is one of the earlier homes built in Shaughnessy Heights. The building is symmetrical in design, with a verandah (now enclosed) in the northeast corner. Features include a portico entrance supported by solid wood square pillars, hipped roof with centrally placed dormers on each side, clapboard siding on the first storey and cedar shingles on the second storey. Most windows are wood sash and double hung, arranged in triple bays on the first storey, and double bays with shutters on the second. There is also a decorative oblong leaded glass window centrally aligned on the second storey. The house is listed on the First Shaughnessy Heritage Inventory, as are the two houses to the west. There are two heritage buildings located directly across the street, one an `A' and the other a "C' on the Register, and the `A' listed, municipally designated Cenacle Retreat at 3689 Selkirk (The Rosemary) abuts the rear property line.

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 1234 Matthews Avenue has been completed by staff and was reviewed by the Heritage Commission on June 1, 1998. As an example of an early house in Shaughnessy Heights, 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 1234 Matthews Avenue as a `B' category building.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver