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

 

11 January 2006 / le 11 janvier 2006

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, Deputy City Manager/

Directeur municipal adjoint,

Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance 

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Grant Lindsay, Manager/Gestionnaire

Planning and Infrastructure Approvals/Approbation des demandes d’aménagement et d’infrastructure

(613) 580-2424 x13242, grant.lindsay@ottawa.ca

 

Rideau -Vanier (12)

Ref N°: ACS2006-PGM-APR-0044

 

 

SUBJECT:

APPLICATION FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE WILBROD/LAURIER HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT AT 417-421 LAURIER AVENUE EAST

 

 

OBJET :

DEMANDE DE NOUVELLE CONSTRUCTION DANS LE DISTRICT DE CONSERVATION DU PATRIMOINE WILBROD/LAURIER AU 417-421, AVENUE LAURIER EST

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee recommend that Planning and Environment Committee recommend that Council approve the application for new construction in the Wilbrod/Laurier Heritage Conservation District at 417-421 Laurier Avenue East in accordance with the plans filed by Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects included as Documents 5 to 7.

 

(Note : Approval of this application 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 de préconiser au Conseil d'approuver la demande de nouvelle construction dans le district de conservation du patrimoine de  Wilbrod/Laurier au 417-421, avenue Laurier Est, conformément aux plans déposés par Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects ci-joints comme documents 5 à 7.

 

(Nota : L'approbation de cette demande aux termes de la Loi sur le patrimoine de l'Ontario ne signifie pas qu'elle satisfait aux critères de délivrance d'un permis de construire.)

 

 
Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee Recommendation - 26 January 2006

 

LACAC unanimously supported the departmental recommendation.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The property at 417-421 Laurier Avenue East is situated within the Wilbrod/Laurier Heritage Conservation District which is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) through By-law 307-82. Alterations to existing buildings and new construction within a Heritage Conservation District requires the approval of City Council following consultation with the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC). A location plan is included as Document 1.

 

DISCUSSION

 

This project proposes the rehabilitation of the existing house-form buildings at 417 and 421 Laurier Avenue East with the addition of a new four-storey, eight-unit building at the rear. Original elements on the exterior of the two houses will be restored or, where missing, reproduced and reinstated. Reinstated architectural features will include wood verandahs, decorative bargeboard, and cresting along the roof. An historic photo included as Document 2 illustrates some of these elements. 417 Laurier Avenue East was first occupied by Louis Audette, Registrar-General, Exchequer of Canada in approximately 1903.  421 Laurier Avenue East was constructed c. 1896 for James Robertson who worked for the Commission of Agriculture and Dairying.  Additional historical information is described in the Heritage Survey forms included as Documents 3 and 4.

 

A new four-storey, eight-unit apartment building will be constructed to the north of the existing buildings. A portion of the rear of 417 and 421 Laurier Avenue East will be removed to accommodate this addition. The overall project as proposed is illustrated in Documents 5 and 6.

 

The new building respects the siting, height and character of the existing buildings on Laurier. Red brick will be the dominant cladding with a limestone foundation to further unify the entire development. The landscaped open space fronting on Laurier is left intact as is the large spruce tree in front of 417 Laurier Avenue East as illustrated in the landscape plan included as Document 7. The design of the new infill is differentiated from the existing buildings through the use of precast concrete band courses and detailing, a stuccoed penthouse storey and tall multi-paned windows. The entrance to the new building is located between 417 and 421 Laurier with a new address of 419 Laurier Avenue East and is setback considerably from the street in the manner of the Strathcona apartments across the street.

 

A Cultural Heritage Impact Statement included as Document 8 describes the project in greater detail including its relationship to the Heritage Conservation District.

 

The Department supports this application because it respects the character of the Wilbrod/Laurier Heritage Conservation District through its retention and restoration of the front portions of the existing buildings at 417 and 421 Laurier Avenue East and the open space that fronts on Laurier. The new addition to the north has been designed in a manner that gives prominence to the existing heritage buildings and streetscape while still being clearly identified as a new structure of its own time. 

 

 

CONSULTATION

 

Adjacent property owners were notified by letter of the date of the Local Architectual Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) and Planning and Environment Committee meetings and were provided with comment sheets to be returned to LACAC. This is in accordance with the City's public participation policies.

 

Ward Councillor Georges Bedard, supports this project.

 

Action Sandy Hill supports this project.

 

Heritage Ottawa supports this project.

 

The zoning variances required for this project were approved by Committee of Adjustment without objection and are in place. There was public consultation as a result of that process as well as the Site Plan Control application.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      Location Plan

Document 2      Historic Photograph-Streetscape

Document 3      Heritage Survey Form - 417 Laurier Avenue East

Document 4      Heritage Survey Form - 421 Laurier Avenue East

Document 5      Elevations

Document 6      View Looking Northwest from Laurier

Document 7      Landscape Plan

Document 8      Cultural Heritage Impact Statement

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

The Corporate Services Department, Council and Committee Services Branch, to notify the applicant/ agent Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects, Ste. 313, 377 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9N8 ( acting on behalf of 421 Laurier Avenue Ltd.) and the Ontario Heritage Foundation (10 Adelaide Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3) of City Council’s consent for new construction in the Wilbod/Laurier Heritage Conservation District at 417-421 Laurier Avenue East.

Document 1

 

LOCATION PLAN                                                                                                                           


Document 2

 

HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPH-STREETSCAPE                                                                              


Document 3

 

HERITAGE SURVEY FORM – 417 LAURIER AVENUE EAST                    



Document 4

 

HERITAGE SURVEY FORM – 421 LAURIER AVENUE EAST                    



Document 5

 

ELEVATIONS                                                                                                       


Document 6

 

VIEW LOOKING NORTHWEST FROM LAURIER                                       


Document 7

 

LANDSCAPE PLAN                                                                                             


Document 8

 

CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT