Heritage Conservation Area Guidelines Review (2025)
Provide Your Input on Kelowna's Heritage Guidelines 2025
The City of Kelowna is seeking resident feedback on the draft Heritage Guidelines.
Your input is valuable and will help shape the future of our city's heritage.
How to Participate:
Review the information on this page to get a general idea of what’s happening soon.
Submit your formal questions or comments: Robert Miles at the City of Kelowna rmiles@kelowna.ca no later than February 21, 2025
Submit specific questions regarding the HCA Guidelines: Peter Chataway Email: peterjchataway@gmail.com Phone: 250-801-0597
What happens next?
Following the public comment period, the final guidelines will be presented to the Council for approval.
Approved guidelines may lead to bylaw amendments, which will also involve a public hearing process.
Stay informed about upcoming Council meetings and public hearing dates by checking this page regularly.
Shape Kelowna's Heritage Future – Your Voice Matters!
Sources: City of Kelowna Website, 1997 HCA Development Guidelines, 2024 Draft Guidelines, City Council Report
* Please note that all of the information provided below are drafts, general notes, and the information may not be 100% accurate. The information below is to give everyone a general awareness of what is going on. Please consult with Robert Miles in the next week for the most accurate and relevant information.
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1. Introduction & Context
This briefing document reviews the development guidelines for the Abbott Street and Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) in Kelowna, BC. The sources reviewed include the 2024 Draft HCA Guidelines, information from the "Get Involved Kelowna" website regarding the guideline review, and the original 1997 Development Guidelines for the HCAs. The overall goal is to understand the principles guiding development within these historically significant areas, the processes for managing change, and the ongoing community engagement.
2. Key Definitions & Concepts
Heritage Value: The aesthetic, historic, scientific, cultural, social, or spiritual importance of a place for present and future generations. It is embodied in "character-defining materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses and cultural associations or meanings."
Historic Place: Any structure, building, group of buildings, landscape, or site that has been officially recognized for its heritage value.
Statement of Significance (SOS): A document that identifies a place's description, heritage value, and character-defining elements. This is required for a place to be listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.
Heritage Character: The overall distinctive heritage quality or appearance of a property or area, as defined in its SOS.
Heritage Conservation Area (HCA): An area designated by the City of Kelowna to protect local heritage. It is the overall heritage character, not just individual properties, that distinguishes an HCA.
Contributory Properties: Properties that contribute to the heritage value of an HCA. These are identified based on several factors, including listing on the 1983 Heritage Resources Inventory, heritage significance, and construction date during the area's most prolific development period (1900-1959).
Statement of Desired Future Character: A "roadmap for managing change in a way that respects and enhances the unique historical and cultural significance of the heritage area."
Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP): A permit required for construction, additions, external alterations, or demolitions within an HCA, under section 617 of the Local Government Act.
Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA): A voluntary agreement between a property owner and the local government, allowing for superseding zoning regulations and providing incentives for conservation of heritage properties.
Sustainability: A group of economic, social and environmental objectives that must be addressed to ensure long term viability of the communities and planet.
3. Vision & Overall Goals
Acknowledging Indigenous History: It is essential to acknowledge the syilx/Okanagan people, whose history and cultural significance are embedded in these lands. The SOS was written through a colonial lens, and it is crucial to integrate Indigenous perspectives.
Preservation of Unique Character: The vision celebrates historic homes, mature landscaping, a strong sense of community, and a unique sense of time and place. The areas are viewed as a "sanctuary," "a green, shady, authentically historic place that is walkable, bikeable, centrally situated, and that offers interesting, educational and pleasant experiences to all - comparable to a public park."
Managing Change & Growth: The areas will continue to evolve through "gentle and thoughtful renovations, house conversions, additions, and new buildings." The guidelines aim to balance growth with the retention of the authentic, historic character.
Context-Sensitive Development: New development must integrate with the existing built environment, preserving the area's historical continuity.
4. Development Guidelines: Key Principles & Requirements
Distinguishability, Compatibility, and Subordination: New additions and buildings must be "informed by the existing historic character, local topography, urban design, and overall sense of place."
Hierarchy of Priorities:Highest Priority: Retention of contributory buildings. "If essential character-defining elements of a contributory property...undergoes significant transformation or demolition, it shall no longer retain its classification as a contributory property."
Second Highest Priority: Retention of mature trees. Adjustments to parking or site plans can be made to accommodate tree preservation.
Streetscapes:Maintain the character-defining streetscapes by respecting the historic, consistent, and/or average siting of buildings, hardscaping, and landscaping.
Preserve the original form, scale, massing, and layouts of contributory properties.
Prioritize pedestrian-oriented design with vehicle access from the lane if available. Avoid blank walls at street level. "Property walls, solid gates and hedges are not permitted."
Site Planning and Layout:New street-fronting buildings should reflect the neighborhood’s traditional single-dwelling form, footprint and (up to 2 storey) height.
Three storey structures should be sited at the rear of properties or set back from street-fronting buildings.
Support house conversions within contributory buildings to achieve additional units.
Variances in rear setbacks are allowed to accommodate additions and infill buildings at the rear of properties.
Tree Canopy:Plan development to enhance tree canopy cover.
Engage a Certified Arborist to conduct a Pre-Development Tree Inventory.
Implement tree protection measures during construction.
Fences and Property Walls:Front property line elements must be low (under 1.2 meters) and/or permeable.
New solid property walls are not allowed. Limit new fences and hedges to a maximum height of 1.2 m.
Precinct-Specific Guidelines: Development within each precinct must respect and enhance the unique characteristics of the area.
Maple and Marshall Street precincts are characterized by consistent massing and scale.
Early Home Precincts are valued for their concentration of early homes.
Stormwater Management:Use best practices for improving runoff, such as draining to vegetation and using permeable paving.
Redirect downspouts to gardens, grassy areas, and rain barrels.
Incentives: Incentives and variances are possible for projects that retain the heritage value in existing contributory buildings.
Technology: Consider future technical innovations suitable for heritage buildings, like solar-cell shingles.
5. Heritage Conservation Areas Precincts
The Abbott and Marshall Street HCAs are divided into distinct precincts, each with its own character:
Marshall Street Precinct: Characterized by the W.J. Marshall House and smaller traditional houses, with a consistent scale, shallow front-yard setbacks, and mature landscaping. It is an "island" within the surrounding multi-family, institutional and commercial areas.
Early Homes Precinct #1 (Park Avenue and Pandosy Street): Concentration of earliest homes built before World War I with diverse sizes, styles, and siting.
Early Homes Precinct #2 (Abbott Street from Lake to Beach Avenues): Includes another cluster of early homes constructed before World War I, also diverse in size and style.
Maple Street Precinct: Unique for its consistent 1.5 storey homes, aligned siting, central entrances, side-gabled roofs, and lack of sidewalks, creating a country-lane feel.
6. Review and Community Engagement
Ongoing Review: The City of Kelowna is actively reviewing the Development Guidelines for the Abbott Street and Marshall Street HCAs to update and refine them.
Public Input: The public has been invited to provide input to help shape the future of these areas. The draft guidelines were presented to Council, and refinements are being made based on community feedback.
Transparency: The process includes public comment periods and council meetings, with information posted on the "Get Involved Kelowna" website.
7. 1997 Development Guidelines
The 1997 guidelines provide additional context:
Purpose: To maintain the single or two-family residential and historical character of the HCAs, encouraging compatible development and the retention and renovation of existing buildings.
Guiding Principle: "Existing architecture, landscape and transportation elements...provide the basic patterns upon which new development should be based."
Emphasis on Context: New designs should be derived from the existing building (for additions) or from the immediate context and dominant style (for new construction).
Four Civic Settlement Phases: The guidelines identify four phases of architectural styles, with specific characteristics for each (Victorian, Dutch, Mediterranean, Tudor Revival, Arts & Crafts, Vernacular Cottage, Moderne, and Suburban Bungalow). The style should be consistent within a block.
Detailed Style Inventory: Lists buildings by address and by architectural style within the HCAs.
Streetscape Analysis: Encourages a detailed site analysis, including photographic documentation of the streetscape, inventory of landscaping elements, and identification of dominant architectural and landscape patterns.
8. Key Quotes
"The heritage value of an historic place is embodied in its character-defining materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses and cultural associations or meanings."
"A roadmap for managing change in a way that respects and enhances the unique historical and cultural significance of the heritage area." (Statement of Desired Future Character)
"Although housing is critically important, the siting and design of infill developments must integrate thoughtfully with the existing context, with a strong emphasis on preserving mature trees wherever possible."
"The Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Area is an ‘island’ community of 25 character homes sheltered along a creek, among mature trees."
"New contemporary designs and additions will reflect their era of construction as guided by the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, in keeping with the range of existing buildings in the neighbourhood that are easily identifiable."
"Fences or screening landscaping, greater than 1.0 metre in height, are discouraged in front yards unless inconsistent with treatment derived from the context of the adjacent sites."
“Maintain the substantial tree canopy in the neighbourhood, including mature and large trees and other plantings, both on private and public property.”
"The variety of architectural styles is often limited to one or two styles on any particular block. In order to maintain the integrity of a streetscape, limitations on style choices are proposed for all block frontages."
9. Conclusion
The Abbott and Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas are valuable assets to Kelowna, with a rich history and distinctive character. The ongoing review of the development guidelines aims to balance the need for growth and development with the preservation of the areas’ unique heritage. A key aspect of this process is community engagement and a thoughtful approach to change that respects the past while looking towards the future.
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Timeline of Main Events
1892: A rail branch line is completed between the CPR mainline at Sicamous and Okanagan Landing, and paddlewheeler service connects various points on Okanagan Lake, boosting Kelowna's expansion and agricultural industry.
Early 1900s: Residential neighborhoods established between Pandosy Street and Okanagan Lake, south of Mill Creek, and north of the hospital.
1904: The Abbott Street area is initially subdivided for farming homesteads, later adjusted to urban residential lots by 1906.
Approx. 1904-1918: The "First Civic Phase" of architectural styles emerges, characterized by Victorian, Dutch, Mediterranean, Tudor, and Early Arts & Crafts styles.
Post WWI: Marshall Street area subdivided into lots and marketed through the 1920s and 1930s. Homes of this era reflect the Early Vernacular Cottage style.
1918 - 1932: "Second Civic Phase" sees a continuation of traditional styles with Late Arts & Crafts and Early Vernacular Cottage being prominent.
1920s-1930s: The Abbott Street area becomes a prestigious residential district.
Approx. 1933-1945: The "Third Civic Phase" takes place, with the decline of traditional styles and the rise of Late Vernacular Cottage and Moderne styles.
1940s: Maple Street is developed with houses inspired by house pattern books of the decade, consistent in scale and style.
Approx. Post-1945: The "Fourth Civic Phase" is characterized by Early Suburban Bungalows.
1983: The Abbott & Marshall Street areas are recognized for their built and scenic character as part of the Kelowna Heritage Resource Inventory project. This was supported by staff at the Kelowna Centennial Museum, volunteer members of the City of Kelowna Heritage Advisory Committee, the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, the Okanagan Historical Society, and residents of the neighborhood.
1993: City Council identifies the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas as part of the South Central Neighbourhood Structure Plan.
1993: The Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods (KSAN) is formed.
1994: Heritage Conservation Statutes Amendment Act provides the basis for the establishment of Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA).
1995: The Heritage Management Plan for Kelowna reaffirms the Abbott and Marshall Street areas.
August 1997: The first "Abbott Street & Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas Development Guidelines" document is published by the City of Kelowna Planning & Development Services Department.
1998: The Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas are officially established as Heritage Conservation Areas.
1998: The Friends and Residents of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area Society (FRAHCAS) is formed.
2000: Kelowna’s Heritage Register is adopted by Council resolution on March 20th.
1998-2001: A review of Kelowna's Heritage Conservation Areas takes place.
2016: The Kelowna Tree Protectors community group is formed.
2021: The first phase of the HCA review is completed, providing insight into how the 1997 guidelines are meeting intended outcomes.
Fall 2023: Community Engagement phase of the HCA review to understand perspectives from various stakeholders including City representatives, community partners, residents, heritage professionals, and the development community.
December 2024: Revised "A HCA Development Guidelines" document is published by the City of Kelowna, including detailed principles, precinct maps, and a glossary.
January 13, 2025: Draft Guidelines are presented to Council where staff is directed to move forward with refinements.
January 2025: The City of Kelowna is completing a review of HCAs and seeking public input
February 21, 2025: Deadline for residents to submit questions or comments related to the draft guidelines via email.
Future: Final guidelines to be subject to Council approval and subsequent bylaw amendments will require a public hearing process.
Cast of Characters
City of Kelowna: The governing body responsible for creating and enforcing the heritage conservation guidelines. The city staff is involved in implementing the guidelines, processing permits, and making decisions on development proposals.
syilx/Okanagan people: Indigenous people whose traditional territory encompasses the Abbott and Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas, their history and cultural significance acknowledged in the vision of the guidelines.
Valerie Hallford: Member of the Kelowna South Central Association of Neighbourhoods, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Gordon Hartley: Member of the Community Heritage Commission, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Debbie Helf: Member of the Kelowna South Central Association of Neighbourhoods, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Michael Hill: Member of the Kelowna Heritage Foundation, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Alice Lundy: Member of the Okanagan Historical Society, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Lin Merchant-Webster: Member of the Kelowna Heritage Foundation, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Kathinka Makela: Member of the Kelowna South Central Association of Neighbourhoods, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Denise Nahirney: Member of the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, involved in the initial 1997 guidelines.
Robert Miles: Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Kelowna, contact person for questions regarding the revised guidelines in 2025.
Lauren Sanbrooks: Planner for the City of Kelowna, also involved in addressing questions about the revised guidelines in 2025.
Property Owners/Developers: Individuals or groups planning construction, additions, or alterations within the Heritage Conservation Areas. They must adhere to the HCA guidelines.
Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods (KSAN): A community group formed in 1993 that has advocated for heritage conservation in the Abbott and Marshall Street areas.
Friends and Residents of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area Society (FRAHCAS): A community group formed in 1998 that has advocated for heritage conservation in the Abbott Street area.
Kelowna Tree Protectors: A community group formed in 2016 that has advocated for tree preservation in the Abbott and Marshall Street areas.
Community Heritage Commission: A group advising on heritage matters, reviewing permit applications, and advocating for heritage conservation.
City Council: The elected body that approves the HCA designation, guidelines, and bylaw amendments.
Heritage Professionals: Consultants, architects, and other specialists involved in the design, assessment, and conservation of heritage properties.
Certified Arborist: A professional who assesses tree health and provides expertise on tree management and protection, particularly important during construction.
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The Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) of Abbott Street and Marshall Street are divided into four distinct precincts, each with its own unique characteristics and historical significance. These precincts are:
Marshall Street Precinct: This precinct is characterized by the presence of the W.J. Marshall House at 1869 Marshall Street, along with smaller, traditional houses along both sides of Marshall Street, from Buckland Avenue to Mill Creek. The precinct also includes the partial blocks of Rowcliffe and Buckland Avenues to the east. The buildings in this precinct contribute to its character due to their relatively consistent scale, siting, shallow front-yard setbacks, street trees, mature landscaping, and the narrow street culminating at a cul-de-sac. Mill Creek also contributes to the precinct's character. From a legislative perspective, the Marshall Street Heritage area has been and continues to be a Heritage Conservation Area.
Early Homes Precinct #1 (Park Avenue and Pandosy Street): This precinct is one of two areas with a concentration of the earliest homes built in the neighborhood before World War I. It includes homes on the 400 block of Park Avenue, the north side of the 300 block of Park Avenue, as well as 377 Beach Avenue, 2024 Pandosy Street and 2034 Pandosy Street. The homes in this precinct are diverse in size, style, and siting, reflecting the early settlement efforts in the area.
Early Homes Precinct #2 (Abbott Street from Lake to Beach Avenues): Similar to Precinct #1, this area contains another cluster of homes constructed in the neighborhood before World War I. It includes homes on the east side of the 1900 block of Abbott Street, as well as 236 Beach Avenue, 278 Beach Avenue, and 263 Lake Avenue. Like Precinct #1, the homes here are also diverse in size, style, and siting, reflecting the early settlement efforts.
Maple Street Precinct: This precinct is unique because all 16 properties were developed within a short period, mostly in the 1940s. The homes are very consistent in scale, siting, and finishes, being mostly 1.5-story homes with central entrances and side-gabled roofs. The streetscape has a country-lane feel due to the large street trees and the lack of sidewalks.
These precincts contribute to the overall heritage of the HCAs, reflecting diverse architectural styles, histories, and community values that have shaped the city over time. The guidelines for development within each precinct aim to ensure that new construction and alterations respect and enhance the unique characteristics that define each area. For example, the Maple, Marshall and Custom Mid-Century Modern Precincts are characterized by consistent massing, siting and scale, and any proposal that disrupts this would not be supported. The two Early Home Precincts, though not characterized by consistent siting, style, or scale, are valued for their grouping of early homes, and their conservation in situ will be prioritized.
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1. What are Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) and why are they important in Kelowna?
Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) in Kelowna, specifically the Abbott Street and Marshall Street areas, are designated neighborhoods recognized for their unique historical and cultural significance. They are areas where the overall heritage character and value are prioritized, encompassing a collection of heritage resources that collectively create a distinct sense of time and place. While individual properties within an HCA may have heritage value, the area as a whole is what makes it special. These areas are important because they represent the history and evolution of the city, preserving the stories, architecture, and natural elements of the past for future generations. The HCAs help maintain the aesthetic and historical continuity, while managing growth and change in a thoughtful way. They are identified as having a particular value to the community.
2. What are "contributory" and "non-contributory" properties within an HCA, and how does this distinction impact development?
Within an HCA, properties are classified as either "contributory" or "non-contributory." Contributory properties are those that directly contribute to the heritage value of the area due to factors such as their historical significance, architectural style, or construction date (typically pre-1959). These properties are subject to stricter guidelines to ensure their preservation, with a strong emphasis on retaining existing buildings and their character-defining elements like trees, siting, and architectural features. Changes to contributory properties should retain or enhance their unique heritage character. In contrast, non-contributory properties are those that do not significantly contribute to the heritage value of the area. While changes to these properties must still be compatible with the HCA, there is more flexibility for redevelopment and the introduction of more modern designs, as long as those designs remain distinguishable from and subordinate to neighbouring properties. The distinction affects potential access to incentives and development variances.
3. What is a "Statement of Significance" (SOS) and why is it important?
A Statement of Significance (SOS) is a document that identifies and summarizes the historical, cultural, aesthetic, scientific, social, spiritual, and environmental values of an historic place, whether it is an individual property or an entire area. It includes a description of the historic place and its key features, a summary of the area’s heritage values, and a list of character-defining elements. Character-defining elements are the aspects of a place that contribute to its heritage value and should be retained to preserve this value. The SOS is important because it serves as the basis for understanding the heritage value of a property or area, guiding conservation decisions, and informing development guidelines. It helps ensure that any alterations or new constructions respect and enhance the unique character of the historic place. It also clarifies which aspects of a building or area must be conserved and which have more flexibility to be modified. It's essential to note that the SOS is written from a colonial perspective and should be re-examined through other lenses.
4. What is a "Statement of Desired Future Character", and how does it guide change within HCAs?
A "Statement of Desired Future Character" is a roadmap for managing change in Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) that aims to respect and enhance their unique historical and cultural significance. It acknowledges that these neighborhoods have always evolved and densified over time and will continue to do so. The statement guides future development through a thoughtful and gentle approach, emphasizing renovations, house conversions, additions, and new buildings that align with the area’s historic character. It emphasizes the importance of balancing growth with the preservation of the neighborhood's authentic vibe, mature trees, and strong sense of community, ensuring continuity of the 'sense-of-place'. This statement directs development towards the long-term preservation of the character and experience of the area, allowing change that reflects the evolution of the area while being contextually sensitive.
5. What is a Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP) and when is it required?
A Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP) is a permit required by the City of Kelowna before undertaking certain activities within a Heritage Conservation Area. It is a mechanism used to ensure that any changes made to properties within an HCA adhere to the development guidelines and preserve the area’s heritage character. An HAP is required for activities such as: construction of a new building, additions or external alterations to an existing building or structure, and demolition of a building or structure within the designated areas. This permit is essential to ensuring that any development activities align with the overall goals of the Heritage Conservation Area and the preservation of heritage values.
6. What are the key principles and guidelines that inform development in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street HCAs?
Development within the Abbott Street and Marshall Street HCAs is guided by several key principles and guidelines:
Preservation of Character: Prioritizing the retention of contributory buildings, mature trees, and the unique streetscapes of the area.
Contextual Design: Ensuring that new constructions or additions are compatible with, distinguishable from, and subordinate to the existing historic environment.
Streetscape Integrity: New development should respect the existing streetscape by considering aspects like building siting, distance between buildings, typical form and size, street trees, sidewalks, and other unique aspects of the block.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design: Prioritizing pedestrian-friendly spaces with vehicle access preferably from lanes and discouraging blank walls at street level. Front-yard walls, fences, and hedges must be low (under 1.2 m) and permeable.
Tree Canopy Protection: Prioritizing the preservation of established tree canopies and implementing tree protection measures during construction, with variances allowed to prioritize tree retention.
Contributory Properties: Changes to contributory properties must retain or enhance their character-defining elements, and they may be eligible for incentives and variances.
Distinguishability: New construction should be from its historical context by displaying design features that are not copies of historical ones.
Compatibility: New development should harmonise with adjacent properties, not clash with them in height, style and massing.
Subordination: New development should not dominate the streetscape. Infill housing should be secondary to the primary home, so not to overwhelm the heritage character of the area.
Precinct Specificity: Adherence to additional guidelines specific to the designated precincts within the HCA, which have unique architectural and historic characters.
Sustainability: Incorporating environmentally sustainable features into new development.
Stormwater Management: Implementing on-site management practices for stormwater.
7. What are the different architectural styles found in these HCAs, and how does this affect new development?
The Abbott and Marshall Street HCAs are characterized by a variety of architectural styles that reflect different periods of development. These styles include:
First Civic Phase (approx. 1904-1918): Victorian Revival, Dutch Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Tudor Revival, and Early Arts & Crafts.
Second Civic Phase (approx. 1918-1932): Late Arts & Crafts and Early Vernacular Cottage.
Third Civic Phase (approx. 1933-1945): Late Vernacular Cottage and Moderne.
Fourth Civic Phase (approx. 1945-1960s): Early Suburban Bungalow.
New development is encouraged to be informed by the existing context, especially in the street where the building is located. While new buildings aren't required to match the dominant style of a given street, they should be compatible in terms of form, massing, and scale. For streetscapes that have a predominant architectural style, new development should harmonize with it, not clash. This helps to ensure a consistent and cohesive streetscape.
8. How are residents and the public involved in the management and review of HCAs?
Public involvement is crucial in the management and review of Heritage Conservation Areas. The city of Kelowna has actively sought input from residents and the public during the review process of the HCA Development Guidelines. This includes opportunities for residents to provide feedback on draft guidelines through submission of questions and comments, and through public hearings on any relevant bylaw amendments. Community members, heritage professionals, and the development community have all been consulted. The formation of community groups such as Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods (KSAN) and Friends and Residents of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area Society (FRAHCAS) and the Kelowna Tree Protectors also demonstrate active citizen participation in advocating for heritage conservation. This ongoing engagement ensures that the HCAs evolve in a way that reflects the values and priorities of the community and is responsive to local needs.
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The updated Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) guidelines aim to improve Kelowna's heritage in several ways, addressing the shortcomings of the previous guidelines. The updated guidelines will provide clarity and refreshed guidance on how these neighbourhoods will evolve in the future.
Here are some of the key improvements:
Alignment with National Standards: The updated guidelines will align with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, which the previous guidelines lacked. This ensures that heritage conservation practices meet recognized standards.
Prioritizing Heritage Value: The new guidelines prioritize the retention of contributory properties. These are properties that contribute to the character of the Heritage Conservation Areas due to their historic development era, form and siting, or have been determined to have heritage value. The updated guidelines provide additional considerations for "contributing" properties.
Incentives for Conservation: The updated guidelines will offer incentives for the conservation of contributory buildings and streetscapes. These incentives may include adjustments to development regulations such as modifications to setback requirements, parking standards, use flexibility, and density increases. Certain fees may also be waived for proposals that retain contributory buildings.
Contextual Design: New developments are required to consider the immediate historic context and align with the desired future character of the Heritage Conservation Areas. New constructions must be compatible with, distinguishable from, and subordinate to existing historic structures. The guidelines emphasize that new additions or infill buildings should be viewed as contemporary complements to existing structures.
Preservation of Character: The guidelines focus on preserving the historical context, landscape, and streetscape character of the neighbourhoods. This includes maintaining the original form, scale, massing, and finishes of contributory buildings. The updated guidelines also aim to preserve the established tree canopy and prioritize pedestrian-oriented design.
Addressing Past Shortcomings: The updated guidelines will address the fact that the previous guidelines did not require heritage protection or enforce heritage conservation, allowed demolition of buildings and replacement with new builds, permitted flexibility in form, scale, and style, and were oriented towards retaining overall aesthetic rather than heritage value.
Specific Precinct Guidelines: The updated guidelines include specific guidelines for different precincts within the Heritage Conservation Areas. These precincts include Maple Street, Marshall Street, and two precincts of early pre-World War I homes. This will ensure that development respects the unique characteristics of each area.
Sustainability Considerations: The updated guidelines integrate sustainable practices in the preservation and maintenance of contributory buildings. This includes prioritizing the reuse of existing materials, enhancing energy efficiency, and using stormwater management practices.
Community Input: The updated guidelines are a result of a multi-phase review process that included community engagement. The public had opportunities to provide input through surveys and workshops, and the draft guidelines were presented to the Council for feedback.
By implementing these improvements, the updated HCA guidelines aim to better manage change and development while preserving the heritage values and unique character of Kelowna's historic neighbourhoods for future generations.
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The key design principles for new constructions within the Abbott Street and Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) are centred on ensuring that new buildings and additions are compatible with the existing historic character while also being distinguishable and subordinate to it. These principles are based on the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
Here's a breakdown of the key design principles:
Distinguishability: New constructions must be clearly differentiated from existing historic structures. This helps in understanding the timeline of construction and changes over time and avoids confusing what is old and what is new. This can be achieved through the use of different architectural styles, materials, and periods of construction. New buildings should reflect contemporary architectural styles rather than directly mimicking historic designs.
Compatibility: Compatibility doesn't mean uniformity or replication. New and existing structures should achieve a harmonious coexistence through aspects like height, roof form, material finishes, or window patterns. The objective is to create a logical, harmonious, or fitting relationship between new and old structures. The design should not be so subtle as to create confusion about what is old and what is new.
Subordination: Subordination means that a new addition or building should not overshadow the historic place. This can be achieved through simpler finishes, restrained detailing, or a discreet location and color palette. Even if the addition is larger than the historic structure, it should enhance the prominence of the historic structure rather than competing with it. Additions and infill buildings (up to 3 storeys) should ideally be sited behind contributory Buildings. New street-fronting buildings should maintain a low-rise, single-dwelling form appearance, with a maximum height of 2 storeys.
Contextual Design: New development must consider the immediate historic context and align with the Desired Future Character of the HCAs. New buildings should be informed by the existing historic character, local topography, urban design, and overall sense of place within the HCAs. This means that new constructions should be visually compatible with, subordinate to, and distinguishable from the existing context and the historical design of adjacent properties.
Retention of Contributory Buildings: The guidelines prioritize the retention of contributory buildings which are crucial to preserving the character and heritage value of the area. Proposals that retain the heritage value in existing contributory buildings may be considered for variances to development guidelines and development regulations.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design: Designs should prioritize pedestrian-oriented design, with vehicle access taken from the lane if available. The portion of any building facing the street should facilitate easy access for pedestrians to front entrances from the street, and avoid blank walls at street level.
Material Choices: Durable, fire-resistant, or non-combustible materials should be used for new buildings, such as smooth finished fiber cement siding and shingles, fiber cement panels, stucco cladding, and metal cladding. Certain materials like combed, brushed or textured lumber, textured wood, vinyl or plastic sidings, and brick or stone as a primary facing material are prohibited.
Landscaping: Onsite landscaping and off-site frontages should contribute to the urban livability and historical design of the neighbourhoods by promoting the conservation or introduction of mature yard plantings, curved pathways and traditional landscaping approaches that enhance the public visibility of properties.
Streetscape Integration: New constructions should maintain the historic, consistent and/or average siting of street-fronting buildings on a given block, and preserve the original form, scale, massing, and finishes of contributory buildings.
Tree Canopy Preservation: The established tree canopy should be preserved to maintain the neighbourhood’s heritage values, natural beauty, and environmental benefits.
These design principles are meant to guide new development in the HCAs to ensure they respect and enhance the existing historical character, and encourage thoughtful and context-sensitive design.
