Report
to/Rapport au :
Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee
Comité consultatif sur la conservation de
l'architecture locale
and /
et
Planning
and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, General Manager/Directeur général,
Planning and Development
Department/Services d'aménagement
Contact Person/Personne
ressource : Grant Lindsay, Manager / Gestionnaire
Planning Approvals / Approbation des demandes
d’aménagement
Planning and Infrastructure Approvals / Approbation des demandes d’urbanisme et d’infrastructure
(613) 580-2424 x13242, Grant.Lindsay@ottawa.ca
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee recommend that Planning and Environment Committee and Council approve the application to alter 724 Manor Avenue in the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District in accordance with the plans included as Document 5 and received on May 10, 2004.
(Note: Approval to alter under the Ontario Heritage Act must not be construed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a building permit.)
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité consultatif sur la conservation de l'architecture locale
recommande au Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement et au Conseil
municipal d'approuver la demande en vue de transformer le 724, avenue Manor,
qui est situé dans le district de conservation du patrimoine de Rockcliffe
Park, conformément aux plans reçus le 10 mai 2004 et annexés comme Document 5.
(Nota : L'approbation de la demande de transformation en vertu de la Loi
sur le patrimoine de l'Ontario ne signifie pas que les critères de délivrance
d'un permis de construire ont été satisfaits.)
BACKGROUND
724 Manor Avenue, the Papal Nunciature, is a 2 1/2 storey house clad in rough and smooth dressed stone masonry. It features a steeply pitched hip roof with multiple dormers and a formal doorway with double-curved steps. The Papal Nunciature was built in several stages. The original structure, dating from 1838-39, was extensively enlarged in 1868 by T.C. Keefer. The house was completely transformed in 1929-30 by Boston architect J.W. Ames for the family of Senator Cairine Wilson. The house has been the official residence for the Apostolic Delegate to Canada since 1962. Please refer to Document 1 - Location Plan, and Document 2 - Heritage Survey Form.
The applicant is proposing to alter the greenhouses at 724 Manor Avenue. The greenhouses were constructed in stages beginning in 1929. They are steel frame structures supported by concrete or stone masonry foundation walls. The steel frame supports glass panels, and the frame is covered by painted white wood. The greenhouses are composed of three connected components. The first is greenhouse A, square in plan with a circular basin, fountain, and steps up to the house with ornamental railing. Greenhouse B runs parallel to the Nepean limestone wall along the driveway to the house. Greenhouse C was a later addition which provides access to the lawns. Greenhouse A has masonry walls and slate flooring, while Greenhouse B has masonry walls and a poured concrete floor. Greenhouse C has poured concrete floors and walls. The greenhouses are not in use and are in very poor condition. Please refer to Document 3- Photographs, and Document 4- Site Plan- Existing.
The entire former Village of Rockcliffe Park was designated as a heritage conservation district under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1997. Within the district some houses have been identified as being of high heritage significance, and the Papal Nunciature was included on that list. This report has been prepared because the consent of City Council is required before an alteration to a building included on the list of significant buildings within the heritage conservation district can proceed.
DISCUSSION
The Village of Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District Study contains guidelines that are intended "to protect and enhance those elements in the Village that contribute to the definition of heritage character." The Guidelines make it clear that they are not intended to be prescriptive, rather they are intended to apply the design ideals that have informed the design evolution of the former Village in the past in order to perpetuate the image of Rockcliffe Park as a picturesque landscape characterized by large houses on large lots, surrounded by informal grounds with large trees and many shrubs.
City of Ottawa Official plan policy 4.6.1, 2 states:
2. Where an alteration or addition to a building located in a heritage conservation district is proposed .... the applicant will consult the heritage conservation district study of that district for design guidance.
The relevant Guidelines stress that:
1. Any application to demolish an existing building should be reviewed, with consideration of its historical and architectural significance, its contribution to its streetscape, and the appropriateness of the proposed redevelopment. Demolition should be recommended for approval only where the existing building is of little significance and the proposed redevelopment is sympathetic to the surrounding environment.
4. Any application to construct a new building or addition should be reviewed, with consideration of its potential to enhance the heritgae character of the Village. New construction should be recommended for approval only where the siting, form, materials and detailing are sympathetic to the surrounding natural and cultural environment.
5. New buildings and additions should be of their own time, but should also harmonize with the existing cultural landscape. They should also be sited and designed so as to retain the existing topography. The use of natural materials should be encouraged.
The applicant is proposing to convert the greenhouses to seating areas with pergolas and a knot garden. The steel frame and glass portions of the greenhouses will be removed. The pergolas will be built on the stone masonry walls, and will not be visible from the street. The poured concrete floors will be replaced by slate floors, and the poured concrete walls will be replaced by stone masonry piers. Please refer to Document 5- Site Plan and Elevations- Proposed.
CONCLUSIONS
The Planning and Development Department supports this application to alter because preservation of the greenhouses was not warranted given financial constraints and the relatively minor contribution of the greenhouses to the heritage character of the Papal Nunciature. The proposed pergolas and garden are appropriate additions to the landscape surrounding the building and will enhance the picturesque landscape character of the property. Specifically, the siting, form and materials of the pergola and garden will be sympathetic to the character of the Papal Nunciature. The outcome of the removal of the greenhouses will be to create an aesthetically and functionally pleasing transition from the house to the lawn and gardens, which is key to the relationship of the built form and the landscape in Rockcliffe Park.
The Department supports this application because it conforms to basic principles of heritage conservation. The application includes the restoration of the existing stone masonry. Wherever possible, the original masonry and slate are retained. The alteration of the greenhouses will be reversible as the original drawings are available for reference in the event it becomes possible to reconstruct the greenhouses. Newly introduced masonry and slate will be distinguishable from the existing materials. The proposed pergolas and garden will be a harmonious blend of new and old elements.
CONSULTATION
Adjacent property owners and residential tenants were notified by letter of the date of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) and Planning and Environment Committee meetings and were provided with comment sheets to be returned to LACAC.
The Ward Councillor is aware of this application.
The Rockcliffe Park Residents' Association Heritage Sub-committee has reviewed this application and has no objections.
Heritage Ottawa was informed of the application.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
N/A
APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE STATUS
The complete application was received on May 10, 2004. It was processed within the 90-day timeline established under the Ontario Heritage Act for the processing of heritage applications.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1- Location Map
Document 2 - Heritage Survey Form
Document 3 - Photographs
Document 4 - Site Plan- Existing
Document 5 - Site Plan and Elevations- Proposed
DISPOSITION
The Department of Corporate Services, Council and Committee Services Branch, to notify the applicant/ agent Mr. Vincent Alcaide, 370 Churchill Avenue, suite 202, Ottawa, K1Z 5C2 and the Ontario Heritage Foundation (10 Adelaide Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3) of City Council's consent to alter 724 Manor Avenue.
