A heritage revitalization agreement in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood will go to public hearing this month.
The city has received an application for an official community plan amendment and a heritage revitalization agreement for 612 to 618 Brantford St. The applicant is proposing to build a six-storey wood-frame multi-unit building and restore the 1890 Fulton/Thompson house on the site.
The public hearing will be held on Monday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
Queensborough woman honoured
A new street in Queensborough is being named in honour of a woman who made her mark on the community.
Council has endorsed Mable as the name of a new street in Queensborough, after consulting with the Queensborough Residents’ Association and the city’s community heritage commission.
“The name is in recognition of Mable Bowell, Queensborough’s first school teacher who taught in the area starting in 1911,” said a staff report. “She was the daughter of the well-known undertaker/funeral home owner, Samuel Bowell.”
Connecting the waterfront
New Westminster is funding a plan to connect Westminster Pier Park and Sapperton Landing Park.
Council approved a recommendation to support a partnership with TransLink to develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for linking the two parks. The city will allocate $50,000 from this year’s special projects budget toward the study, with TransLink also providing $50,000.
A staff report states that TransLink is supportive of cycling opportunities associated with the Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway.
“Due to overlapping scopes and timelines with the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, there is an opportunity to partner with TransLink to complete the conceptual designs and costing work for that connection that will allow it to be integrated properly with the new bridge and facilitate applications for grant funding,” said the report.
Arenex removed from register
The Queen’s Park Arenex is being removed from the city’s heritage register.
The roof and three walls of the 1938 building collapsed under the weight of snow on Dec. 19. Because the rest of the building will be demolished, it’s being removed from the city’s heritage register.
The Arenex was added to the heritage register in 2009 because it was valued for its architectural design and its cultural and social associations.
Project works way through process
The city will consider setbacks at the site of a future highrise and Urban Academy
On Feb. 20, council will consider a resolution to issue a development variance permit to vary the east side yard setback for the property at 100 Braid St. A staff report states that the setbacks are required in order to facilitate the subdivision of the property into two parcels – one for Urban Academy and another for Wesgroup’s tower.
According to the staff report, the variance will allow Wesgroup to continue leasing space within the existing building on Site 2 until redevelopment occurs.
“Urban Academy will proceed with the development of Site 1 subject to completion of the proposed subdivisions, council consideration of Urban Academy development permit application, demolition of the existing building on Site 1 and issuance of a building permit application for the proposed new school,” said the report.
Temporary building eyed at Copp’s Shoes site
A temporary sales centre will be established at a downtown site that’s sat empty since a fire in October 2013.
Bosa Development is proposing to build a one-storey temporary sales centre for its proposed waterfront development at 600 to 720 Quayside Dr. The temporary building would be on the site of the former Hambley Block and E.L. Lewis Block, which was the longtime home of Copp’s Shoes. The development variance permit allows construction of a temporary building over the interior property lines of 628 and 638 Columbia St. (including a condition that a covenant be registered on title requiring removal of the building after five years.
“Based on the temporary nature of the building and the relatively minor aspects of the variance requests, staff is supportive of the variances,” said a staff report. “Given the current vacant state of the sites, having a building with active uses and frontages that provide eyes on the street will contribute to the streetscape and public realm along Columbia and Front streets.”
A staff report states that the applicant has designed a building that’s contemporary in nature. City staff and Bosa are also working “to create an active and engaging interface” with the Front Street Mews project that’s currently under construction at the rear of the property and are inviting ideas such as a temporary pop-up park.
Transportation plan takes aim at seating
A public seating strategy is being implemented to support the pedestrian objectives of the city’s master transportation plan.
Council has directed staff to develop a public seating strategy that would include the creation of standards for distances between seating opportunities and principles for bench placement, such as places providing summer shade and winter sun, views of sunsets and sunrises and multiple benches to facilitate group conversation. A staff report states that accessible seating in public places is an important part of pedestrian and transit infrastructure.
A staff recommendation stated that “seating as a destination” encourages spontaneous conversation and supports the building of community connections, and places to rest encourages the young, the aged, the fit and the frail to walk.
A staff report to council states that a $42,000 budget would be required to implement a pilot public seating implementation project in 2017.
According to the report, public parklets on East Columbia Street and on Belmont Street have been “well received” by the neighbourhood and business community.
