ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 15, 1999
Author/Local: GMcGeough/7091
RTS No. 01000
CC File No. 1401-14

Public Hearing: October 5, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Heritage Designation of 1641 Dunbar Street

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approves the designation of 1641 Dunbar Street, listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “B” category, as a protected heritage property.

B. THAT Council commends the building owner 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 1641 Dunbar Street, listed in the “B” evaluation category on the Heritage Register, as a protected heritage property under Schedule A of the Heritage By-law. The building owner is requesting the heritage designation of 1641 Dunbar Street 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 owner 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: This elaborate Craftsman-style house was built in 1912, at the height of Vancouver’s building boom, in the north-east corner of the stylish new suburb of Kitsilano. Its builder, S.W. Hopper, was also responsible for constructing many of the handsomely detailed houses in the immediate vicinity. Located on the north-east corner of the Dunbar Street and 1st Avenue West intersection, 1641 Dunbar Street is at the centre of four blocks which together have fourteen buildings recognized for their heritage merits by the Vancouver

Heritage Register (two are “A”, seven are “B”-, and five are “C”- classified structures). Across the street at 1711 Dunbar Street is a beech tree which is one of just thirty-three “Tree Landscape Resources” in the city documented in the Vancouver Heritage Register.

1641 Dunbar Street is listed in the “B” category on the Heritage Register. A side-gabled sub-type of the Craftsman-styled house, it features a stone foundation, a large full-front porch under the main roof, twin gabled dormers, distinctive supporting columns with dentils, triangular knee braces under the gable with decorative treatments, and fenestration which includes coloured glass and a diversity of window shapes and sizes. Its high-profile location on a corner lot enables the appreciation of its design from many vantage points.

Compatibility with Community Planning Objectives: The house is located in the RT-8 Zoning District. The intent of the RT-8 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 1641 Dunbar Street is consistent with these community planning objectives.

Zoning Considerations: The house is currently occupied as a multiple-family residence which is a permitted use under RT-8 zoning. There is no development permit application for this site.

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

Support Required to Enable Conservation: The property owner had submitted a letter (on file with the Law Department) requesting the designation of 1641 Dunbar Street 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 1641 Dunbar Street 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 economically viable 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 1641 Dunbar Street as a Protected Heritage Property.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver