Councillors in Gibsons have given Town planners the go ahead to draft a covenant and special zoning to help ensure a piece of Sunshine Coast, and Canadian, history is preserved.
Stonehurst, at 529 Gibsons Way, was built around 1913 as the home and offices for Dr. Fredrick Inglis. During the later years of World War I, J.S. Woodsworth and his family lived with the Inglises and ideas Woodsworth developed during his time in Gibsons would play a key role in the foundation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, which grew into the modern-day NDP.
The building is currently a single-family home with six bed and breakfast suites. The owners, Bill and Evlyn Sluis, went to the Town in February when they were considering selling.
In a letter to the Town, Sluis said he’d already turned down an offer from a buyer who wanted to demolish the property and redevelop it. “My concern is the type of buyer that is interested in the house and property are developers who would like to put multi-family developments on the land while taking down the house… I am a long-time resident of Gibsons. I think it is important for the history and the culture of the Town to try to preserve the existing building.”
Council asked staff to come back with a plan for rezoning and other measures to protect the building, and their report was brought forward at the June 6 committee of the whole meeting.
It included a review of the building by architect Teryl Mullock.
“Perhaps the finest example of the historic residential craftsman style building in the Town of Gibsons,” Mullock’s review said. “Its large size, prominent location on the hillside, attractive massing and construction details must have given the home a commanding presence in Gibsons Landing when first built, and it continues to be a significant defining structure.”
Mullock also concluded it would be practical to update the wood cladding and the windows with modern materials that respect the character of the building.
Planner Andre Boel said his department is preparing a Comprehensive Development Zone for Stonehurst that divides the property into two areas – the Stonehurst building itself, and the vacant parcel to the rear of Stonehurst. The Stonehurst sub-area would be zoned for residential use and tourist accommodation. The other section would be designated as multi-family with the potential for tourist accommodation as well.
The idea of a formal heritage designation was rejected as too restrictive. Only two buildings in Gibsons carry that designation, and both are publicly owned – the school building at School Road and Gibsons Way and the Heritage Playhouse. Stonehurst is listed in the Community Heritage Inventory prepared for the Town in 2006.
The covenant being drafted would protect the exterior character of the building, but would allow interior renovations.
“I do understand that it is a private dwelling house and ultimately how you configure it inside [is up to the property owner],” said Mayor Wayne Rowe.
One concern raised by Rowe was the possibility of a formal subdivision of the lot in the future, something that was raised back in February, and whether it would need an easement on Town land. He also wanted to “make sure we’re covering all our bases” by ensuring a future owner couldn’t demolish the building without Town authority or make significant renovations without a development permit.
Coun. Silas White said, “I see this as a very positive step towards possible full preservation. This step only ensures the exterior of the building, but it’s quite possible that with the allowances for the back piece of the property, someone may just buy this property who’s interested in full preservation or might be willing to work with other groups, the Town included, to fully preserve the exterior and interior. I don’t think we’re closing the door on that possibility.”
The preservation strategy will still have to come back to council for endorsement of the details of the covenant, and then again for rezoning.
Boel noted that the property is now listed for sale and has attracted interest, but no firm offers. The asking price is $2.48 million.
