Heritage Priorities:

The following is an excerpt from an email NERA received from the City of Kelowna.

The City is currently reviewing its heritage assets and working on a long-term strategy for heritage conservation. Presently the City owns approximately 19 sites/buildings listed on the heritage register. We are aiming to create a mechanism that will allow us to prioritize funding for work that needs to be done with the properties.  

At this point of the project, we are looking for stakeholder input regarding the priorities we have created to assess heritage properties. The priorities have come from staff input as well as input from a sub-committee of the Community Heritage Commission (CHC). The CHC has representation from heritage organizations in the city. At this point we are looking for some input from the North End Residents’ Association. 

I have attached a summary document about the heritage properties that the City currently owns. As well, I have attached a brief summary document of what we are doing with toward stewardship of heritage assets. PLEASE NOTE: both attached documents are draft versions and for discussion only. 

What I am asking from the North End Residents’ Association is to rank the top four (4) priorities for City-owned heritage properties from your organization’s perspective from the 8 listed below.  

In summary, the priorities are (in alphabetical listing):

1. A rare and at risk example of a heritage asset that embodies an important aspect of the community’s identity

2. Accessible to the public

3. Accommodates or has the potential to accommodate a municipal service

4. Along the agricultural corridor, running north-south between the foot of Dilworth Mountain (Brent’s Mill) to the Juncture of Lakeshore and Chute Lake Drive (approximately the Surtees Property)

5. Designated by bylaw (currently 9 buildings)

6. Has an existing  or potential stream of revenue to offset maintenance and operations costs for the foreseeable future

7. In a Town or Village Centre and provides a physical icon anchoring the distinct character and identity of the City, Town Centre or Village Centre

8. Sites related to the founding of Kelowna, including but not limited to, water management and transportation.

Feel free to provide input via email or in person at the next meeting.

Heritage Award: (Submitted by Cherie Hanson)

Several days ago we in the 500 block of Okanagan Boulevard learned that we had earned this year's heritage conservation award from the Heritage Society. Our homes were built between the years 1946 and 1955 and are a Cape Cod bungalow style. Four major templates were used to create these homes for returning veterans. The criteria for the homes which were $4000 to mortgage was that firstly the veteran had a family or that he was at least married without children. Those with families were the first to be selected for the small homes that had an earthen floor laundry room and wood heat stoves.

The 500 block of Okanagan Boulevard has seem some incursions into the look and feel of the beautiful neighbourhood lined with fifty year old trees. One builder came in and built large carriage houses in what is a relatively small back yard area. The carriage houses, or mother-in-law houses are taller than the surrounding buildings and can be seen looming over yard three or four properties away. Many young renters would come in to share out the rent and they would turn the "garage" area into just another bedroom. Finally, when a drug addict on house arrest ended up having a screaming brawl with an imaginary enemy at 4 am still wearing his anklet care of the police, we began to work at changing the by-laws so that the carriage houses would be more for their intended purpose. With new building codes in place the secondary houses became secondary houses.

One more carriage house has been built in our block and many of the houses which were once owned and cared for have been rented out without close supervision. The resultant lack of paint, dead lawns and pit bull pets have not been good news for the neighbours. We do, however, have many homes that are sweet, well landscaped and loved structures. We do have the ability to lean over our fences and admire a new plant or a blossoming rose bush. We have small gestures that have built this neighbourhood and kept it a place to be grounded. They are as simple as sharing seeds, going for walks together, bringing a straying dog back home, watering the lawn when the neighbour is away in the summer, loaning books or even just stopping to ask how another person is getting on. This is what makes a place one owns or rent a true home. It is about liveability which is every bit as important as sustainability.

And this is why our neighbourhood so appreciates and deserves the heritage award which will be given out Thursday, February 19th at 7 pm at 2279 Benvolin Road at the Benvolin Church.

Our heritage is for the men and women who fought for a way of life, for the builders who created a way of life and for those of us who have maintained a way of life called a neighbourhood.

Mari Macintosh Honored by Mayor:

President's Report for 2008 November 26, 2008

Written and submitted by Ray Lewis

The year was a busy one (again), with work continuing on the environmental front, keeping up with changes happening within the city and fighting to he heard with our concerns on the Argus Properties heliport proposal. The community at large showed what could be accomplished when there was a focused and educated effort to right a wrong.

As all attending tonight are very much aware, we are a small association with a very small membership. This limits what we can accomplish, however, this is not to say we are not active. Members have been involved with a number of activities this past year including;

- community clean-ups

- attendance at various city sponsored workshops including numerous on the new CD for the downtown revitalization proposal.

- ongoing communication and meetings with Tolko to address pollution concerns

- providing guidance material for members on how to contact city officials with their concerns

- bringing forward neighbourhood concerns to by-law and police enforcement agencies

- continuing work with OK Cement and Kelowna Ready Mix to get them to reduce the amount of airborne contaminants they generate

- semi-annual meetings with the Mayor and all other Resident Associations

Development continues to be an ongoing concern for the North End, and we must continue to be informed and make our concerns known to the City and potential developers. We have made contact with the Heritage Society, looking for information and guidance on how we might be able to preserve the architecture and style of the area we refer to as ' Knox Mountain Village '.

This area is comprised of 1940's vintage homes, with a simple but characteristic look that reminds us of times when life was simpler. The proximity to the lake, Knox Mountain Park and the downtown area make this area more and more desirable, increasing the appeal to the developers. At risk are the small homes, who many see as shacks that should just be bulldozed to make way for big homes. We can't let this happen. We need to let the City know this is not acceptable and push for development guidelines that recognize and preserve the character of our neighbourhoods. We are not against development, but want to make sure that the new homes being built blend in with what is already there.

Membership is still a critical element and efforts need to be made to increase our membership. If we had more members, we could accomplish more, which in turn would create a broader perception that we actually did something, which in turn draws more interest in NERA and more members. Survival of the association is dependent entirely on its membership.

We are a small organization, but we know from prior dealings with the city, we do have a voice. We must remember that, and use it to promote and protect the North End. I encourage all of you to get involved with your community, in whatever way you can.

Martin Centre Mosaic Bench:

Latest news: The unveiling of the three benches at the Martin Avenue Community Centre took place on November 17, 2007.

Pictures taken by NERA member Cherie Hanson.

Thanks to the Martin Avenue Center for the use of the gymnasium and support! Thanks to our sponsors and supporters: Tolko, OK Ready Mix and OK Builders, Knox Mountain Market, S.H.A.R.E, the Martin Avenue Centre, Opus, and Bean Scene Coffee.

Director’s Summary Report of Martin Avenue Mosaics Project

Submitted by Meredith Ferner(project coordinator)

The following project idea was brought to NERA last fall and was ongoing for the past year and was completed this month with the unveiling Nov 17.

Goal of project:

Goal of project was to work with an artist to install some community public art in the North End. Project was designed to meet guidelines set out by the City of Kelowna for the matching grant program designed for community public art.

The goal took shape as three benches with three trees to be placed at the Martin Avenue Centre. Each artist designed bench was to be decorated with tiles that community members had a chance to paint with their name or self portrait. We also planned to record the project process in a journal and short video for the public to see.

Funding:

We were awarded the city’s matching grant, which was set at the agreed amount of $2500. Matching funds were allowed to come in the form of cash, donated materials, and volunteered hours valued at $10/ hour. NERA and Tolko donated cash towards the project. Other businesses including OK Ready Mix, OK Builders, and Opus donated materials towards the project. We received deals from many other local businesses. The Martin Avenue Centre generously provided space for our tiling sessions and unveiling. Volunteer hours received exceeded our estimated the amount we agreed to raise.

Those involved:

Holiby Ross was our artist. Project was partnered with the city and we worked with Sandra Kochan from the cultural Services Department. Project was also supported and partnered with The Martin Avenue Centre. The project was made possible with help from many NERA members. Lyn Watson was my assistant, and Ray and Sarah Lewis, Sheree Wolansky and Dirk, Cherie Hanson, Lisa Wensink, Maria Tokarchuck all contributed time energy and expertise! Community members also volunteered their time to help with the tree planting, and hole digging for the benches. We had great community participation in the tile painting and ended up with 183 tiles. (This was approximately 160 individuals who painted a tile) This community participation also came from a few clients of the Kelowna Drop in Centre.

Summary:

We met our goals so would consider project a success; thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

Graffiti Eradication: The following article was forwarded to NERA by the Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Coordinator:

Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Program

The City of Kelowna ’s new Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Coordinator is calling all citizens to assist in wiping out graffiti! The key to eradication efforts will be the community’s recognition that graffiti is a crime, which costs thousands of dollars every year to remove or cover up. With the help of residents and business owners, graffiti vandalism can be reduced, resulting safer and more inviting neighbourhoods!

Here is how you can help:

• If you see graffiti, report it! Report graffiti on private and public properties to the City of Kelowna Graffiti Hotline - 469-8600 or email a message to graffiti@kelowna.ca. Be sure to leave a detailed message noting the location of the vandalism, and whether it is on private or City-owned property.

• G.E.T. Motivated! Join the Graffiti Eradication Team. We are currently looking for volunteers for this new community policing initiative. Volunteers of the clean team will be trained and equipped to remove graffiti from “street furniture” throughout Kelowna . Street furniture includes mailboxes, lamp standards, transformers, garbage cans and other metal structures located on public and private property.

• Sign up for the Adopt-A-Spot program. Individuals, organizations and/or businesses are invited to adopt a street lamp, mailbox, utility transformer, or other “spot” and pledge to keep it graffiti free for a minimum of 6 months. As a member of the Adopt-A-Spot program, participants will receive a graffiti removal kit, complete with supplies that will assist participants as they take to the streets to wipe out graffiti!

For information regarding all Graffiti Eradication & Prevention initiatives, please contact Colleen Cornock, Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Coordinator at 215-2876 or by email ccornock@shawcable.com

Stockwell Avenue: Recently, Stockwell Avenue was reclassified as a major two lane collector in the 20-Year Major Road Network and Road Classification Plan. This reclassification could have serious consequences for Stockwell, and many other quiet residential streets in the Downtown neighbourhoods. This reclassification shows that the City is planning to increase through traffic within our neighbourhoods.

The following is an excerpt from an email received from the City, by a resident of Stockwell Avenue:

The City has a responsibility to ensure that traffic flows reasonably smoothly throughout the City, while endeavouring to allocate through traffic as much as possible to the major road network. Connecting with arterial roads may not always be easy or convenient, and collector roads serve an intermediate function, providing both access and a certain degree of mobility. In the case of the Downtown road network, the only major east-west roads north of Harvey Avenue which provide continuity between Water Street and Gordon Drive at present are Bernard Avenue and Clement Avenue. In the future, Clement will link directly across Gordon Drive to the North End Connector (now referred to as the Central Okanagan Bypass Road), while Bernard Avenue continues right through to Spall / Glenmore Road. Hese routes will be the more convenient for most users. However, the City's plan is to realign the intersections of Doyle and Stockwell with Richter Street to provide a 4-way intersection. In the long term there would probably be traffic signals at both Richter and Gordon. This would provide an alternative parallel route, but since eastbound motorists would still have to turn left or right to proceed beyond Gordon Drive, it is unlikely to become a major route, but rather a relief valve and back-up route. It is likely that Stockwell would remain stop-controlled at Ethel, which will further constrain traffic movement.

In summary, yes, Doyle-Stockwell will become busier over time, but volumes are unlikely to be much above 400 vph in the afternoon commuter peak before 2020, and at other times of the day it will likely be considerably quieter. While the City hopes to link Doyle and Stockwell in the next few years, even then it is unlikely that the Gordon / Stockwell intersection would be signalised or the stop at Ethel Street changed to some other form of control.

Historical Photos: NERA welcomes any additional historic photos of the North End. Contact NERA if you have photos you would like to submit.

Aerial


Oxford 1947

1965 House