Heritage Revitalization Agreement top of mind at May 30 New West council meeting

Mayor and council kicked things off with a public hearing to talk about the proposed plans for 328 Second St., in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood. The property is home to a Victorian-era house in desperate need of repair. 

The idea included subdividing the lot to make room for one more property. The site measures at 8,167 square feet, with the heritage house getting the smaller share of the subdivision (3,674 feet). Staff recommended that the mayor and council support the plan, based on its review.

Property owner James Garbutt explained their initial plan was to tear down the Victorian home, but the heritage designation of Queen’s Park changed that. Garbutt and his group said news about the work went out through about 80 postcards mailed last November; the postcards were mailed to anyone who lived within 100 metres of the home.

Of the 69 postcards that came back:

• 85% of respondents supported the project

• 15% said they didn’t due to concerns around parking

To remedy those concerns, the proponent decided to take away one of the parking spots that would have been added to the property – bringing the number down from three to two.

Most of the speakers at the public hearing did not support the project, or were at least wary of it going ahead. Speaker Pat Muise had concerns about the drawing simply being a “pretty picture” that would deceive the mayor and council. Muise felt there should instead be a laneway home in the area – but felt even that was inappropriate. 

Another speaker who lived two houses down didn’t support the idea of making the neighbourhood more dense, while resident Emma Tones wondered if the benefit of the project would be to the neighbourhood or to the owner, especially if the property were to be sold.  

A speaker named Leanne said the home would tower over her backyard and garden. “It will degrade my property,” she went on to say. “What if the postcard came to my house when I was out of town? Tough luck for me, right?”

Christa MacArthur was the only person to speak in support of the project during the hearing. MacArthur noted that people in the area needed to remember there is an ongoing housing crisis.

The hearing ended and the topic headed over to the council meeting for discussion. Here are the highlights:

• Councillor Nadine Nakagawa said she’s walked by the home and noticed it wasn’t in good condition, suggesting the need for repair. She also noted her disappointment in having to listen to “50% of the community invisibilized” during the hearing, because many live in rentals or smaller spaces, and wanted to make a note of the disappointing discourse. Nakagawa supported the project. 

• Councillor Chuck Puchmayr said he had no issues with the proposal itself, but couldn’t support it because of the subdividing. Puchmayr was against the project.

• Councillor Jaimie McEvoy wished the proposal had included basements, and found the idea to be a heritage win. McEvoy supported the project.

• Councillor Mary Trentadue acknowledged the speakers on both sides, but also hoped people would notice how much the various neighbourhoods are changing. Trentadue supported the project. 

• Councillor Chinu Das said she understood the concerns around parking and green space reduction, but noted it is a housing option. Das supported the project.

• Councillor Patrick Johnstone called the project well-balanced. Johnstone supported the project.

• Mayor Jonathan Cote said he was comfortable with the creativity of the proposal, and the suggested density. Cote supported the project. 

City staff resource challenges

Mayor and council reviewed and received a report that discussed the challenges staff at the city are facing, namely because of the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A variety of departments outlined their challenges; some are having trouble retaining staff, while other departments are looking at, in the short-term, “buying their way out” by using consultants. One memo notes that, in some cases, using consultants might not even be an option, because the prices they’d charge for the work would be “well outside what one could support in a public service context.” 

Some good news to end the night

During the announcements portion, councillor Chuck Puchmayr mentioned he’d recently visited MLA for Richmond-Queensborough Aman Singh after his surgery. Singh, who has been vocal about his battle with cancer, had the procedure done at Vancouver General Hospital.

Puchmayr said Singh was in good spirits during the visit. Based on their conversation, it looks like Singh has at least six weeks of recovery ahead of him.

Editor's note: a previous version of this article stated that there would be two additional homes on the 328 Second St. property. There will only be one additional home on the property.