I was pleased to read the following article in the North Shore News which appeared following Monday's West Vancouver Council meeting.Thanks Brent Richter for taking an interest in the project. Usually, my projects only end up in the newspaper when they are really controversial!
West Vancouver council will soon vote on whether to provide permanent protection to one of the oldest homes in Ambleside in exchange for allowing development on its lot.
The Rush
House, at 1195 12th St., was built in 1923 by Maj. Frederick Rush, a First
World War veteran who developed the lot into a 0.73-hectare farm following the
war.
The house
is built in the craftsman style and is notable for its “gabled roofline,
wrap-around verandah, cedar-shingle cladding and its extensively landscaped
setting,” according the official statement of historical significance.
Under the
proposal, developer Michael Geller would have the Rush House hoisted up and
moved about 30 feet to the east and put it down on a new foundation, which
would include a garden-level suite, along with a new garage and covered deck.
Two new “cottages” of just under 2,000 square feet would also be built on the
lot.
The
finished product would also include a recreated Edwardian garden, something the
house has been known for over the years.
“I think
the heritage value is in the exterior of the house. It’s in the story of the
house. And instead of having a big flat-roof boxed development that may end up
on this property, you will forever be able to keep the character of that
house,” Geller said.
Coun.
Bill Soprovich recalled riding his bike over the Lions Gate Bridge, as a
delivery boy in 1951, to drop off prescriptions to the home’s owners. “Isn’t
that amazing?” he said.
“And in
50 years from now, it will look exactly the same,” Geller responded.
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| Maj. Frederick Rush is pictured in a photo taken during or slightly before the First World War. photo SUPPLIED Ian Macdonald |
Council
members were warm to the proposal, not just for saving the home but for its
ability to sensitively add infill housing to the neighbourhood.
“This is
a good model for addressing the missing middle – creating housing for people
who live in the community wanting to downsize or people wanting to come into
our community with children. This is the right size and type of housing,” said
Coun. Mary-Ann Booth.
Mayor
Michael Smith, however, lamented that none of the units would be purpose-built
rental.
“It’s been
50 years since we built any rental accommodation in West Vancouver and the
community is crumbling as a result. That’s the feedback I get from our
residents,” he said.
Neighbours
were cautiously supportive of the plan when it was presented to council Monday
night. The official public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.
West
Vancouver council has approved a number of similar heritage revitalization
agreements in recent years.
(Below are some additional images of how the completed project will look.)
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| View looking north across the lane. Laneway and Garden Cottages in foreground. Rush House and garages behind. |
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| View looking along the lane |
 | |
| View looking along Jefferson Avenue |
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| View along 12th Street |
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