One of the City of New Westminster’s advisory committees is recommending council place a temporary protection order on a 1939 duplex in Sapperton.
The owner of a duplex at 349 Cumberland St. approached the city about rezoning the property into two small lots and building two new houses. The site is currently home to a 1939 duplex that city staff and the community heritage commission believe has heritage value and is worthy of heritage protection.
“The result would be the loss of an identified heritage asset, an existing rental duplex,” said a report to the city’s land use and planning committee. “Staff has advised the owner such an application would not be supportable by staff.”
In response to the applicant’s request for a heritage review (demolition) of the site, staff said a heritage revitalization agreement could provide alternative development options, such as the addition of a new house(s) or another duplex to the property. Another option would be large additions to the existing duplex units.
According to the staff report, the 1939 duplex is a “fine example” of the Mission Revival style of home. It’s one of only a few Mission Revival style homes in New West and retains many of its original features.
Staff doesn’t currently support the application as it would result in a loss of rental infill housing units in a low-density, low-rental neighbourhood and would result in the loss of an identified heritage asset. They also stated the current application lacks community benefits or amenities.
In a report to the land use and planning committee, staff said one of the city’s goals is to maintain and expand other “more affordable missing middle” housing options like duplexes.
At its Jan. 31 meeting, the land use and planning committee passed a motion recommending that council direct staff to discourage submission of a rezoning application on this site for a small lot subdivision. The committee, comprised of three members of council, also directed staff to place a temporary protection order on the heritage building so the applicant and staff can continue to discuss redevelopment options that includes retention of the heritage house.
“There really wasn’t much debate. It was sent to council for support,” Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, chair of land use and planning, told the Record. “We have signalled that we are looking for some creative solutions to the housing crisis.”
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