CITY OF VICTORIA HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES July 13, 2010

Transcription

1 CITY OF VICTORIA HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES July 13, 2010 Present: Staff: Absent: Richard Collier, Chair Lisa Mort-Putland Judith Cook Barry Cosgrave Roger Tinney John Dam Pamela Madoff, Councillor Steve Barber, Senior Heritage Planner Helen Cain, Planner/Heritage Planner Lauren Martin, Heritage Secretary Gail Price-Douglas, Community Development Planner, Parks, Recreation & Culture Terri Askham, Manager, Culture, Sports and Neighbourhoods Ken Johnson Michael Angrove John Adams The Chair called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. 1. Approval of Agenda 2. Announcements Copies of the Draft Downtown Plan were distributed to the members for review and comment at the August 10 th meeting. Robert Batallas, Community Planning, will give a presentation at that time. Steve distributed copies of the Heritage BC Quarterly (Spring 2010) and the Hallmark Society Preserve newsletter. Steve distributed copies of a letter from the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport regarding exemption of the Old Morris Tobacconist window signage from the Tobacco Control Act. Steve introduced the new committee member, Judith Cook. Judith is an acting heritage planner with the Heritage Branch of the BC Ministry of Tourism, Culture & the Arts. All meeting attendees introduced themselves to Judith. 3. Minutes of April 13, 2010 Meeting That the minutes of the April 13, 2010, meeting be adopted as circulated. 4. Business Arising from the Minutes - nil

2 Heritage Advisory Committee Page ½ Fisgard Street Proposed Mural For comment to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department The proposal is to paint a wall mural on the east elevation of the Heritage Register building at ½ Fisgard Street (the Lee Benevolent Association). The applicant is seeking City funding to assist this project under a grant through the Community Public Art Program of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Council referred the application to Heritage Advisory Committee for advice and comment with respect to the mural s potential impact on the heritage value of Chinatown which is a Heritage Conservation Area and National Historic District. The City s heritage program does not have a policy on murals on heritage properties or in heritage conservation areas, nor are there specific guidelines in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. However, it is staff s conclusion that the large scale, theme and content of the proposed mural need to be reevaluated in terms of the its location within a highly significant historic context and its relationship to the history and heritage values of Chinatown. Another alternative would be to seek a new location for the mural that is outside of Old Town. Gail Price-Douglas: Initially, the artists met with the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) A report was presented to Council in mid-june and the grant request was tabled, pending more consultation A meeting followed with Councillor Pamela Madoff, Councillor Charlayne Thornton- Joe, the artists, the Lee Benevolent Association, a member of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and the PAAC in attendance The Lee Association requested changes to the mural as follows: the teapot as depicted be changed to a Chinese-style teapot, the trees be shaped more in keeping with Chinatown. The artists will consult further with the Lee Association and Chinatown community. This is an unusual situation. Typically public art / art in public places have involved a City-organized call for artists. In this case, the City received an application from the Olio Artists Collective for a $10,000 grant. The Olio artists have studios on the second floor of the Lee Association building Mural is contemporary and more non-representational in style, not historic Graffiti has been an ongoing issue and the mural will serve as a deterrent The applicant would like to begin the painting in September The artists have verbally stated that they would be responsible for maintaining the mural over time, but there is no written agreement for the maintenance of the mural once complete A letter of understanding could be drafted to ensure that the mural is maintained by the artists Other locations for the mural have not been considered at this time

3 Heritage Advisory Committee Page 3 The imagery differs from other murals in Chinatown, i.e. vibrant, interesting, whimsical, thoughtful, youthful Chinatown and a heritage building may not be an appropriate location for the mural s contemporary design and content and its proportions The size and scope of the mural could detract from the heritage value and character of the building s façade General standards from the Standards and Guidelines indicate that any changes to a historic place should be compatible, subordinate to or distinguishable from its character-defining elements The committee would be interested in reviewing a revised version of the mural that addresses the scale and content of the art to reflect its location on a heritage building and the history and heritage value of Chinatown Concern regarding the integrity of painting on stucco over brick; this type of surface is permeable and paint can caused problems to the physical integrity of the material (i.e. wear, cracks, streaks) One possible solution is to place the mural on a wooden board that is mounted on the wall like a canvas (e.g. Dragon on 1713 Government Street) Originally the wall was meant to be a secondary (non-character defining) wall with another building against it; in the future, the mural may be covered by another building or painted and thus may not be permanent Currently the murals in Chinatown are historical in content. Does the Chinese community have a modern take on Chinatown? Would the proposed mural fit this viewpoint? The mural could be framed rather than cover the entire wall; other media, such as projected light, could be explored if contemporary art is desired Letters of support were provided, but it is not clear if the writers support the artwork as an expression of heritage values in Chinatown in its content and media Comment to Parks, Recreation and Culture: That the applicants revisit the proposal by exploring alternative designs, scale, technical details and different locations and present alternatives to staff and the Heritage Advisory Committee at the earliest date Dallas Road - BP #47578 Building Permit Application #47578 Addition of two basement windows and exterior crawl access Heritage Register house Zoned: R1-B - Single Family Dwelling District For comment to applicant A building permit has been requested for the heritage-registered, Arts & Crafts style house at 1134 Dallas Road. The applicant is unable to attend the meeting. The committee is requested to advise the applicant on the installation of two new windows on the basement level. The original drawings show multi-pane leaded casement windows with single-pane sashes. Some of these windows were replaced by vinyl windows by a previous owner.

4 Heritage Advisory Committee Page 4 It is not appropriate to install more vinyl windows as these are not similar to the original windows and detract from the heritage value of the house Applicant should review the drawings of the house and install alternative windows that are similar in character to the originals An acceptable design solution would be five casement windows that are similarly dimensioned and placed to reflect the windows above Steve will draft a letter to the applicant and the building permit will be released That the building permit proceed, and it be suggested to the applicant that the new basement windows be similar in dimension and type to the original leaded casement windows Broad Street / Trounce Alley Heritage Designation # Owner Request for Heritage Designation Zoned: CA-3C - Old Town District For recommendation to Council The Green Block ( Broad Street / Trounce Alley) is a two-storey brick structure that stands at the corner of Broad Street and Trounce Alley in downtown Victoria. This late Victoria-era Italianate-style building features two richly-decorated façades, one of which runs along Trounce Alley. A square-domed tower marks the corner of Trounce Alley, and a decorative parapet marks the Broad Street entrance to the second floor offices. The building is in good condition, but requires seismic upgrading, new insulation, a new roof and exterior work. The owner is applying to the Victoria Civic Heritage Trust for financial assistance from the Building Incentive Program to re-roof and re-paint the property. Building s heritage value is evident Designation is consistent with the CA-C3 Zone, Old Town District Whereas the existing building at Broad Street / Trounce Alley is of heritage significance, City Council designate it as a Municipal Heritage Site.

5 Heritage Advisory Committee Page St. Lawrence Street Heritage Designation # Owner Request for Heritage Designation Zoned: MS-1 - Marine Service Outer Harbour District For recommendation to Council The existing building at 330 St. Lawrence Street, located on the harbour in the James Bay neighbourhood of Victoria, is a significant example of mid-twentieth century Modernism and the former studio of an important Victoria artist and sculptor, Elza Mayhew. The Victoria Harbour Plan identified this property for higher density redevelopment in order to secure construction of a waterfront walkway. This is in conflict with the preservation of the building. After investigating the site more closely, Parks staff has concluded a pedestrian bridge over Heron Cove is a better solution for the continuation of the harbour pathway in this location. Parks and Planning staff have negotiated an agreement with the owner (riparian rights easement) to allow the construction of the bridge and to address his riparian rights. The Heritage Designation will proceed to Council after the finalization of the latter agreement. Appreciate the original photos provided by the architect, Alan Hodgson Building is an excellent example of mid-twentieth century modern movement Whereas the existing building at 330 St. Lawrence Street is of heritage significance, City Council designate it as a Municipal Heritage Site. Whereas the heritage designation is in conflict with some of the existing policies in the Harbour Plan, it is further recommended that staff initiate the required amendments to this plan to ensure the policies are compatible St. Lawrence Street Heritage Designation # Owner Request for Heritage Designation Zoned: MS-1 - Marine Service Outer Harbour District For recommendation to Council The two-storey, Victorian Italianate residence at 426 St. Lawrence Street is located on the harbour in the James Bay neighbourhood of Victoria. Built in 1892 by Robert Horton, it was a prominent building on the harbour as it presented two storeys on the water side, while featuring only one storey to the street. While it has been disguised for decades by trees and shrubs, the house is important as one of the few remaining nineteenth century residences on the waterfront in Victoria. It is also significant for its association with a later resident, artist and sculptor Elza Mayhew.

6 Heritage Advisory Committee Page 6 An application for heritage designation from the owner was received on December 12, Due to the conflict with the Harbour Plan policies and the requirement for negotiating a waterfront walkway in this location, the application was delayed while discussions continued with the owner to resolve this issue. Building is recognized as one of the last remaining houses of its type on the harbour Plans for rehabilitation? No plans at this time Whereas the existing building at 426 St. Lawrence Street is of heritage significance, City Council designate it as a Municipal Heritage Site. 10. New Business - nil Lisa Mort-Putland left the meeting at 1:20 pm. 11. Tour of Bossi House (1007 Johnson Street) with Iain Laing and Barry Cosgrave 12. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2:15 pm. W:\Heritage\HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE\MINUTES\2010 HERITAGE MINUTES\July 13.doc