ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 15, 1999
Author/Local: GMcGeough/7091
RTS No. 01001
CC File No. 1401-14

Public Hearing: October 5, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 42 West 10th Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approves the designation of 42 West 10th Avenue, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “B” category, as a protected heritage property.

B. THAT Council commends the building owners for designating their property on a voluntary basis and for participating in the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s True Colours project.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council policy on heritage designation states, in part, that:

“The City’s long term goal is to protect through voluntary designation as many resources on the Vancouver Heritage Register as possible.”

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council’s approval for the designation of 42 West 10th Avenue, listed in the “B” category on the Heritage Register, as a protected heritage property under Schedule A of the Heritage By-law. The building owners are requesting the heritage designation of 42 West 10th Avenue on a voluntary basis.
BACKGROUND

Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s first grant and education program is “True Colours”. With the assistance of Benjamin Moore Paints and Dunbar Lumber the Foundation is providing owners funding and expertise to restore the authentic colour scheme of heritage homes true to the period. To receive the grant the Foundation requires the house be municipally designated. One of the five recipients previously designated their house. The four other recipients, including this recipient, are now seeking Council approval to designate.

DISCUSSION

Heritage Value: 42 West 10th Avenue is a good example of the economical architectural style popular during the Edwardian period in Vancouver: the Classic Box (aka “The Four-Square”). Built in 1910, this two and a half story wood-frame building features a hipped roof, wide eaves with brackets, side-hall entrance with sidelights, and a centrally placed hipped dormer with brackets. Claddings are differentiated between the two storeys with narrow wood siding on the first level and shingles on the second; the sill plate is articulate with dentils. The entry is marked by a pedimented porch with bracketed cornice and turned spindle supports. Ornamentation is kept to an understated minimum in this style that marks
a transition from the excesses of the Victorian period to more economical - and modern -housing solutions. This building is the butterfly image of its neighbour, 46 West 10thAvenue which is also part of the True Colours paint project. These ‘B’ listed buildings are part of a larger cluster of heritage buildings listed in the Vancouver Heritage Register. In the 0-100 block of West 10th alone, there are four “B” classified and three “C” classified. If one were to extend the look down the avenue one block further on either end, one would discover sixteen additional heritage-classified buildings, of which half are protected by municipal designation – an indicator of strong heritage neighbourhood character and commitment.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RT-6 Zoning District. The intent of the RT-6 District Schedule is to encourage the retention, renovation and restoration of existing residential buildings which maintain an architectural style and building form consistent with the area. Emphasis is placed on requiring the external design of buildings and additions to buildings to follow the proportions, rhythm and details of architectural features of the area. Heritage designation of 42 West 10th Avenue is consistent with these community planning objectives.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a single-family residence which is a permitted use under RT-6 zoning. There is no development permit application for this site.

Condition and Economic Viability: The house is in good condition. The owners have determined the retention of the building in its present use to be economically viable.

Support Required to Enable Conservation: The property owners have submitted a letter (on file with the Law Department) requesting the designation of 42 West 10th Avenue and waiving any future compensation demands. Therefore, no additional support to achieve appropriate conservation of this building is required.

Notification: The Director of Legal Services has prepared the necessary Heritage By-law amendments and requirements have been met for notification as specified by the Vancouver Charter.

CONCLUSION

An important long-term heritage policy of the City is to protect heritage resources through designation. The owners of 42 West 10th Avenue have proposed the heritage designation of the building on a voluntary basis. Designation of this house is compatible with community planning objectives and the zoning for the site. Furthermore, the owners participation in the True Colours program for which designation is required by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, will help create greater awareness about historic paint schemes in the city. The owners have agreed the retention of the building to be economicallyviable and they have agreed that they will not seek any compensation from the City in the future. Designation of the building will ensure that it is protected from inappropriate alterations or demolition in the future. Therefore, it is recommended that Council amend Schedule A of the Heritage By-law to designate 42 West 10th Avenue as a Protected Heritage Property.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver