The future is uncertain for a North Park townhouse proposal after the City of Victoria has determined a damaged heritage home must be restored, not demolished.
In this week’s committee of the whole meeting, City staff will be presenting a proposed development plan for the corner of Cook and Caledonia Streets.
The proposal would see one heritage house demolished, a parking lot built in its place and a row of 11 townhouse units built on the property’s existing parking lot.
This development is envisioned for lots spanning from 1909 Cook Street to 1110 and 1112 Caledonia Avenue, across the street from Royal Athletic Park and the popular Parsonage Cafe.
Included on this lot is the The Ukrainian church in North Park, St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, which was built between 1910 and 1911.
As per the current plans, no changes will come to the church building that is the cornerstone of this property.
Part of this proposal includes knocking down a heritage home at 1112 Caledonia Avenue which was badly burned in a 2022 arson.
Beside this damaged home is a near exact twin. Both homes were part of an early period of development along the street and were owned by renowned local architect John Teague.
“It is probable that Teague designed these twin residences, since their design is similar to his other residential work in Victoria,” wrote City staff in their report.
The burned home housed the ministers and priests of the church from 1957 onward, earning it a heritage designation in 1977.
The City has determined that based on the structure’s background and history, the house has aesthetic value, historical and cultural value and spiritual value.
Furthermore, it has been determined that this development’s applicant has not taken any action to remediate, repair or restore the building since its fire.
Ultimately, the City has determined that tearing the heritage building down and building a parking lot in its place is not supportable.
“The demolition of heritage protected properties does not comply with the heritage land use policies and is therefore not considered supportable,” reads the report.
“The damage to the building is repairable and the relocation of the house on-site but off the property line, is feasible.”
City staff are recommending that council refer the application back to staff to work with the applicant on a number of unaddressed matters.
Most importantly, the applicant must revise the proposal to meet heritage conservation policies by rehabilitating the burned heritage home and either incorporating it in the new development or salvaging and relocating the structure offsite.
Furthermore, the City would like the applicant to meet tree minimum requirements, revise accessible parking requirements, revise parking lot design, enhance the shared open site space and incorporate a lighting plan in the application.
