Vancouver is a relatively young city, but at 130 years old, it has many older homes that reflect its history and character.
Heritage and character buildings are highly valued by many Vancouverites, and are an important component of defining our neighbourhood identity and character. Recently, there’s been growing concern over the increasing number of demolitions permit requests for character homes in the city. The compatibility and fit of new homes built in older neighbourhoods is another community concern. Also, some of the homes being demolished are in very good, livable condition.
So, how do we retain character homes while still increasing housing choices for Vancouverites?
The City’s Character Home Zoning Review launches this week with a series of public consultation events to look at options for retaining character or heritage homes while creating more housing choices in single-family (RS zoned) areas in Vancouver.
The review will consider zoning changes in several areas with higher concentrations of character homes. Character homes are defined as those built before 1940, meet established criteria for the integrity of original features, and are not listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register.
Options being explored look at ways to incentivize keeping a character home, adding housing choices, and improving the compatibility of new homes in older neighbourhoods. Some of the ideas include:
- Opportunities to increase floor area of character homes
- Converting older homes into multi-unit residences, and adding infill housing. These new units could be for family use, rental or strata title if a character home is conserved.
- Reducing and rebalancing allowable floor area of new homes being built to improve neighbourhood fit.
- Examining how to streamline zoning regulations and the permitting process for new homes and character home retention.
Four open houses are being held to give the public the opportunity to learn more and provide their input on the options.
Monday, November 21, 2016, 5-9 pm
Hellenic Centre, 4500 Arbutus Street
Saturday, November 26, 2016, 10 am – 4 pm
Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue, Town Hall
Monday, December 5, 2016, 5-9 pm
PNE Hastings Room, 2901 East Hastings (Gate 2, Forum Gate)
Tuesday, December 6, 2016, 5-9 pm
Hellenic Centre, 4500 Arbutus Street
An online survey will also be available at vancouver.ca/characterhomereview starting November 21.
Recommendations from the Character Home Zoning Review are expected to be presented to Council in early 2017, followed by additional public consultation before any zoning changes are made.The review is being conducted as part of the City’s Heritage Action Plan, which is examining different ways to encourage and support the retention of character homes and other heritage resources in Vancouver.
To learn more, visit vancouver.ca/characterhomereview. For more information on character homes, continue below:
What is a character home?
Under the City’s current guidelines, a character home is one that was built before 1940 and meets four or more of the following criteria and is not listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register.
Character Checklist Criteria:
- Original massing and roof form
- Original front porch or veranda
- Cladding consistent with 1940 and earlier
- Period windows (50% or more)
- Original casings or trim (50% or more)
- Period details or decorative elements
- Other period features
Why is a character home worth preserving?
Often people consider demolishing a house as the first alternative after purchasing an older property. However, there are many benefits to keeping and restoring a character home.
Benefits to the owner:
Retaining an existing character home helps fit in well with the community. Many people enjoy the look and feel of an older home, the historic streetscape, mature landscaping.
Benefits to the city overall:
Environmental benefits include:
- Reuse of quality building components and materials that might otherwise go to waste
- Reducing the amount of new and often more energy-intensive materials being used in building new homes.
Social benefits include:
- Opportunity to increase housing choices in the city
- Preserving and maintaining a neighbourhood’s unique identity
- giving neighbourhoods a sense of stability and continuity over time
- Connecting the city and its neighbourhoods - past, present, and future.
