New Westminster New Westminster Heritage Conservation Area St d - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

New Westminster New Westminster Heritage Conservation Area St d Study

Power Point Presentation for Information Meetings g May/June 2013

What is a Heritage Conservation A ? Area?

• A distinct area with special

heritage character

• Identified on a map for heritage

Identified on a map for heritage conservation purposes in an Official Community Plan (OCP)

• May contain a schedule of

properties and landscape features that represent the character that represent the character defining elements of the area

Scheduled vs Non‐Scheduled P ti Properties

• A scheduled property or
• A scheduled property or

landscape feature should be retained in order to maintain the h i l f h heritage value of the area.

• A non scheduled property or
• A non‐scheduled property or

landscape feature does not have to be retained, but if demolished, its replacement must respect the heritage character of the area and follow the design guidelines. follow the design guidelines.

What are the benefits of a Heritage i ? Conservation Area?

D i id li t d ith th t

• Design guidelines are created with the property
• wners and must be followed by all properties

within the HCA Building alterations or new within the HCA. Building alterations or new construction that does not conform to the HCA guidelines could be denied by the City guidelines could be denied by the City.

• An HCA provides reasonable assurance to existing

and potential property owners that the heritage character of the neighbourhood will remain in l f th l t place for the long‐term.

Benefits, continued Benefits, continued

• Scheduled properties would be eligible for

– a small grant program (if the Heritage Foundation ) agrees) – possible future tax exemption programs

• Guidelines for an HCA would help ensure that

public improvements (like street work) are consistent with the area’s heritage character and values

What are the consequences?

• For home insurance, might need an Insurance

Agency that understands about protected Agency that understands about protected heritage property

(A list of agencies is available at: http //www vancouverheritagefoundation org/learn with us/heritage information/) http://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/learn‐with‐us/heritage‐information/)

• The City would have the ability to withhold or

y y deny a demolition permit*

• The City would have the ability to withhold a

building permit*

*if the proposed work was contrary to heritage conservation best practices and/or contrary to any design guidelines established

Consequences, continued

• Changes to the outside of the building would

C a ges to t e outs de o t e bu d g

• u d

require a Heritage Alteration Permit:

– No fee for application – Reviewed by Heritage Commission – There can be a list of exemptions – This does not affect the inside spaces p

• A protected heritage house might result in a reduced

market value (which also means lower property taxes) market value (which also means lower property taxes) BUT there is growing evidence that protected heritage houses fair as well as or better in the market place than d h unprotected houses.

Performance of Designated vs Average i i h i k l Properties in the Ontario Marketplace

Community Above Average Average Below Average Above Ave + Average London 74% 13% 13% 87% Oakville 88% 0% 12% 88% Ottawa (V) 53% 0% 47% 53% Ottawa (V) 53% 0% 47% 53% Windsor 54% 8% 38% 62%

Based on sales history between 1976 and 1997

Robert Shipley: “Heritage Designation and Property Values – Is There an Effect?” 2000 http://www.environment.uwaterloo.ca/research/hrc/pdf/p_value.pdf

What are the Steps for Creating a H it C ti A ? Heritage Conservation Area?

• City identifies a possible Heritage Conservation Area
• City consults with property owners (then with RAs)

If t d th Cit th t HCA i

• If property owners and the City agree that a HCA is

warranted, then:

– Property owners and City discuss control mechanisms, Property owners and City discuss control mechanisms, including design guidelines, and together create a list of work that is exempted from needing a heritage alteration permit permit – City prepares the bylaw, which must include a description

• f the area’s special features, objectives and guidelines

B l th h l b l d ti d – Bylaw goes through regular bylaw adoption procedure

Can I sell my house if it is in a ? Heritage Conservation Area?

• Yes

– There are no restrictions on selling your house if it is in a Heritage Conservation Area.

ld h f Would the zoning of my property change?

• No

– Keep in mind that not every property can achieve h i ll d i h i l i what is allowed in that zone, no matter its location.

Do I need to invest money in my h d fi i i house and fix it up or restore it to a high heritage standard? g g

• No

No

– You do not need to invest/repair/upgrade/ renovate/restore your house if it is in a Heritage renovate/restore your house if it is in a Heritage Conservation Area. – There could be minimum maintenance standards There could be minimum maintenance standards established to deal with possible future abandoned properties or properties that become unsightly.

Why the 200 Block of Wood Street?

• Part of a City‐wide review of the

Official Community Plan (OCP) Official Community Plan (OCP)

• Contains 10 houses which pre‐

date 1915 and 11 which pre date date 1915 and 11 which pre‐date 1945

• Oldest and largest collection of
• Oldest and largest collection of

1912 houses left in Queensborough

• Draft Queensborough Community

Plan identifies Wood Street as the main North/South pedestrian / p connection

Why the Bent Court Area?

• Part of a City‐wide review of

the Official Community Plan the Official Community Plan (OCP)

• The land use for Bent Court is

identified in the current OCP as a Commercial Historic Area

• Associations with interesting

historic residents of the City

• There is an excellent collection

and mix of historic building and mix of historic building types, dating from 1890

Why Ash/Gloucester Area?

• Part of a City wide review of the
• Part of a City‐wide review of the

Official Community Plan (OCP)

• Collection of pre 1900 houses
• Collection of pre‐1900 houses

with near original designs

• Mix of historic building types
• Mix of historic building types

Why This Part of Queen’s Park?

• Part of a City‐wide review of the

Official Community Plan (OCP) Official Community Plan (OCP)

• High percentage of houses with

near original designs near original designs

• High percentage were on the

Heritage Inventory from the Heritage Inventory from the 1980s and these houses still exist

• Associations with interesting
• Associations with interesting

historic residents of the City

• Mix of historic building types
• Mix of historic building types

Study Timeline

• Conduct preliminary heritage analysis of each of the four proposed

d d h l areas and determine the most appropriate properties to list in a

• schedule. April

C t t th id t f h t ti l H it C ti A

• Contact the residents of each potential Heritage Conservation Area.

March

• Hold information meetings for residents of the potential Heritage
• Hold information meetings for residents of the potential Heritage

Conservation Areas. May/June

• Report back to Council with recommendations July
• Report back to Council with recommendations. July
• Consult with the Community Heritage Commission,

relevant Residents Associations and members of the public Ongoing relevant Residents Associations and members of the public. Ongoing

The 4 Study Areas

Queen’s Park Bent Court Royal/Eighth St Wood Street