A survey of hopes and fears over Powell River’s historic Townsite closed on Monday, October 15.
Conducted by City of Powell River planning department, the purpose of the survey and a Townsite heritage planning meeting on September 27 was to get community input on a preservation plan and a draft development permit area for Townsite.
“Significant heritage planning has not been done by the city in over 20 years and so we want to take temperature and see how people feel in Townsite and in our community overall about heritage planning,” said senior planning director Daniella Fergusson.
In 1995, Townsite was named a National Historic Site by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, but that recognition does not come with heritage protection, according to Fergusson, and the city is working with Townsite Ratepayers Association and Townsite Heritage Society to ensure the neighbourhood retains its authentic integrity with tools and incentives.
Heritage society director Ann Nelson, who has been working closely with Fergusson, said heritage protection requires a shared philosophical commitment to preserving the contributions to Canadian history that Townsite has made.
“It's very important because the visual presentation of the Townsite as people come to explore this shared history is their first introduction to it and if we don't respect it, how do we expect anyone else to respect it,” said Nelson.
Fergusson said there were 87 responses to the online survey and 50 people attended the public meeting.
“They hope it means our Townsite neighbourhood is a piece of history that's preserved for future generations and is a place that makes us feel proud of our city,” said Fergusson.
There are fears. Some homeowners expressed concern that they would have to put their house back to its original condition even if it has been heavily modified.
“That's not the case at all,” said Fergusson.
The number of homeowners who are restoring their houses continues to grow, according to Nelson.
“We've been really gratified by the number of new homeowners in Townsite who are taking the time to research what their houses looked like before and making some effort to restore them when they can,” she said.
The second reason for seeking public input was for council as it considers a development permit area for Townsite single family and two family homes.
“The purpose of that development permit area is heritage protection for existing buildings and making sure any new buildings fit in with the heritage character,” said Fergusson.
According to Fergusson, it’s about putting in planning tools for preservation more so than encouraging development. However, there is some disagreement among the stakeholders about policy.
“We we want to understand why there's disagreement and how we can move forward with that,” she said.
She added that with strong support for heritage protection, the next step will be to report to committee of the whole in November or December.
Fergusson said the city, ratepayers and heritage society will review the committee’s input and direction.
Another public information event is expected early in 2019.
