Vancouver Schools: Establishing Their Heritage Value
The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board are working together to establish the community heritage values of Vancouver public schools.
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Remaking Vancouver: 1940 -1970
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Heritage Register Update
The Vancouver Heritage Register has been updated to September 19, 2011, to reflect Council approved additions, deletions and address changes since july 2010.
What is the Vancouver Heritage Register?
The Vancouver Heritage Register [PDF] is the cornerstone of the City’s
Heritage program. Adopted in 1986 (then known as the Heritage Inventory),
it is a policy and guideline document which includes approximately 2,150
buildings, and 131 landscapes, monuments and archaeological sites. To
be included on the Register, sites must be identified as having heritage
value and/or heritage character and be at least 20 years old. The Register
is a planning tool which provides a valuable record of Vancouver’s
heritage.
How Was the Heritage Register Completed and How Are Buildings Evaluated?
A comprehensive architectural survey of the city was completed by a
study team in 1985 that looked at every street in the City to identify notable
buildings. This work, together with additional historical research on
the buildings, was used to evaluate each building according to the following
criteria: (1) architectural significance; (2) historical significance;
(3) the extent to which the original context of the building and its
surroundings remain; and (4) the degree of alteration to the exterior
of the building.
To be included on the Heritage Register, a site is evaluated as outlined
above, and in so doing it must be identified as having heritage value
and/or heritage character. Heritage value means historical, cultural,
aesthetic, scientific or educational worth. Heritage character means
the overall effect produced by traits or features which give a property
or an area its distinctive quality. There can be different degrees and
kinds of value and character. A rare example of a once-common building
type may be of considerable value in one neighbourhood over a similar
building in another area where that building type is more prevalent.
What do the “A”, “B” and “C” Evaluation
Categories Mean?
These categories are general classifications and are based on any combination
of historic, architectural, cultural, spiritual, scientific or social
values.
A - Primary Significance
Represents the best examples of a style or type of building; may be associated
with a person or event of significance.
B - Significant
Represents good examples of a particular style or type, either individually
or collectively; may have some documented historical or cultural significance
in a neighbourhood.
C – Contextual or Character
Represents those buildings that contribute to the historic character
of an area or streetscape, usually found in groupings of more than
one building but may also be of individual importance.
While the category is a useful reference, the key is that whichever
category a building is placed under, it has heritage value.
Can Registered Buildings be Altered or Demolished?
Does a Building’s “A”, “B” or “C” Category
Affect How It Is Treated?
A building which is listed on the Heritage Register can be altered on
the exterior. However, when considering alterations,
the way in which the exterior is treated should not depend on whether
it is an “A”, “B” or “C”. In other
words, the heritage value of each building on the Heritage Register is
formally recognized and the elements that define its character should
be afforded the same level of respect. If a permit is required for the
alteration, it will be referred to heritage staff for comments as part
of the permit process.
Council's "Heritage Polices and Guidelines" describe Council's
intent with respect to heritage properties listed on the Vancouver Heritage
Register (VHR). Before a permit can be issued to demolish a building
on the VHR, development and building permits for the new development
must first be obtained. In this period staff would explore retention
options with the applicant. Often applicants do not know all the options
and incentives/bonuses which are applicable if a heritage building is
retained. These can include floor area bonuses and relaxations in height,
setbacks, parking, etc. Heritage incentives are meant to be used to successfully
find alternatives to the demolition of heritage buildings to the satisfaction
of both the property owner and the city.
In addition to the process described above, Council policy specifies
that if a building is listed in the "A" category on the VHR
and demolition is sought by the owner, then:
"Council has instructed that, prior to consideration of a proposal
for the demolition of an "A" building, a formal independent
consultant's report on the physical condition and economic viability
of retaining the building should be reviewed by the Director of Planning.
The consultant's report is to be carried out at the expense of the applicant.”
The Planning Department's practice in this regard has been to advise
Council of the demolition request for an "A" listed building
and seek their advice. For all other buildings on the Vancouver Heritage
Register, if the development application is "outright" with
respect to use and regulation, and there is no voluntary interest in
keeping the building by the owner (or prospective owner) then the heritage
hold would be removed and the demolition application process would proceed.
The process typically takes one to three weeks.
For applications that seek a "conditional" development with
respect to use or regulation, (e.g. a single family dwelling containing
a secondary suite) the City is under no obligation to approve an application
that seeks the demolition of a building on the VHR. Instead, Council's
policy instructs staff to give special consideration through applying
zoning incentives to applications that seek the retention of a resource
on the Heritage Register. It can take one to six months to complete the
permitting process to retain the heritage building, depending on the
complexity of the site, development requested and the level of negotiation.
In addition to the procedures described above, the Vancouver Charter
(sections 583 and 589) permits Council to delay the demolition approval
of a building either on the Heritage Register or a building that "may
be heritage property", through temporary protection for a period
of 120 days. During this time, a heritage inspection may be ordered (at
the owners expense) to assess the heritage value of the site.
How are Sites Added to the Vancouver Heritage Register?
When the original Heritage Register was adopted in 1986, Council supported
a public nomination program whereby sites would be nominated for addition
to the Register. Public nominations are reviewed by heritage staff who
prepare an evaluation form for the site. The evaluation is then reviewed
by the Vancouver Heritage Commission. If the person nominating the building
is not the owner, then consultation with the owner must occur to determine
whether or not the owner is supportive of the nomination. Sites with
sufficient heritage value or character are forwarded to Council for consideration
in amending the Register. If approved, the site is added to the Register.
What is a Recent Landmark?
When the Heritage Register was initially conceived it only included
buildings that were constructed before 1940. However, the post-war era
in Vancouver produced an important collection of buildings with local,
regional and national significance noted for their innovative design,
technological features and social significance. The Recent Landmarks
Program was initiated to identify the most important buildings from this
period. Recent Landmark buildings, that are at least 20 years old and
meet the same evaluation criteria for Register properties, can be considered
for inclusion in the Register. A list of 100 buildings was identified
for possible inclusion in the Heritage Register. To date, 22 of these
buildings have been added to the Register. Five of these are also protected
through designation: the former BC Hydro building, the former Vancouver
Public Library, the Gardner House in Southlands, and the Dodek House
in Oakridge, and the Evergreen Building.
What is the Difference Between “Designation” and the Heritage
Register?
Buildings on the Heritage Register are sometimes referred to as “designated.” However,
the Heritage Register and heritage designation are entirely separate
classifications. Heritage designation is a legal means of heritage protection.
It allows the City to regulate, by By-law, the demolition, relocation
and alteration of heritage property. Interior features can also be protected
by designation. Changes to a designated site require a Heritage Alteration
Permit, while changes to the exterior of a building on the Heritage Register
do not require such a permit.* Designations are noted on the property
title; the Heritage Register is not.
* (However, if work on a building on the Heritage Register requires
a permit – development/building permit, sign permit, etc. – the
permit will be referred to Heritage staff for comments.)
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