The Prospect Neighbourhood
Oak Bay’s first Heritage Conservation Area
We have been meaning to share this good news for a while, and now — during the COVID-19 pandemic — it may be a welcome reminder of the good things a community can achieve when working together on a shared cause.
In February, Oak Bay Council unanimously gave approval to the bylaw which officially establishes the area bounded by Oak Bay Avenue, Beach Drive, San Carlos Avenue, Prospect Place, York Place and includes Broom Road as The Prospect Heritage Conservation Area.
It is wonderful that this special area is formally recognized for today and future generations.
To watch the historic vote by Council, visit this link: https://youtu.be/qB1Oe5osYkU
There are so many people who helped to make this grass-roots, resident-led, neighbourhood initiative happen. Our sincere thanks to community members, volunteers, heritage consultants, planning staff and council.
To see the bylaw and related design guidelines, go to this link:
https://oakbay.civicweb.net/document/42593/4620.003%20Prospect%20Heritage%20Conservation%20Area.pdf
HISTORIC FEATURES OF NEIGHBOURHOOD CRUDELY ATTACKED
Abstract Developments owner Mike Miller has defied Oak Bay Council and enraged local neighbourhood by smashing through historic 122 year-old walls on York Place and Prospect Place.
A DISGRACEFUL ACT OF CORPORATE VANDALISM
On October 17, 2019, Abstract Developer Miller flagrantly disregarded a stop work order issued by the District of Oak Bay to protect heritage assets on his 1561 York Place property. His blatant motive was to exercise private property rights before the final approval by Council at the end of the month of a Heritage Control Period for the entire neighbourhood.
Public outrage was immediate and has drawn extensive attention on social media and by local papers and television.
STATEMENTS BY DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
Read statement by the District of Oak Bay about this controversial incident at this link:
A NEED FOR RENEWED COMMITMENT AND COMMUNITY VOICES
We call on all friends of heritage protection and sensitive development to condemn this outrageous action by Miller and to express their support for robust heritage conservation by
- writing a letter to your local paper [Times Colonist (email [email protected]), Oak Bay News (email: [email protected])]
- writing to Oak Bay Council and Mayor – Link to list of email addresses
- spreading the word with friends
- sharing the news on social media:
OUR CALL TO ACTION
THAT Oak Bay Council designate 1561 York Place as a heritage property – including the surrounding walls
THAT any restoration of the walls on the property be done by qualified heritage specialists under the supervision of the District, and, to that end, all pieces from the breaks in the walls be retained on the property
THAT the District obtain legal clarification as to the validity of the recent actions by Abstract Developments on this property
Protect This Historic Landmark Mansion and
Preserve One of Oak Bay’s Earliest Neighbourhoods!
We are citizens of Oak Bay
who care deeply about supporting and respecting the heritage values and historical characteristics of our community.
Oak Bay is
a municipality in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. We are located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
As residents of the neighbourhood
bordered by Beach Drive, Oak Bay Avenue, York Place, San Carlos Avenue, and including Prospect Place and Broom Road, we are actively exploring making our neighbourhood Oak Bay’s first Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), “The Prospect”.
Statement of Support
Please follow this link to show support for Oak Bay’s first proposed Heritage Conservation Area:
Mansion worthy of restoration
Solid and imposing, the mansion has good bones and is worthy of preservation and restoration. A lavish and expensive home to build originally, it cost nearly double most other homes of the period.
Presentation: Learning About Heritage Conservation
We are pleased to inform you of an upcoming community presentation, sponsored by the District of Oak Bay, on Learning About Heritage Conservation: Practices and Insight From Around the World.
One of Oak Bay’s first planned subdivisions: “The Prospect”
York Place, Prospect Place, San Carlos Avenue, Broom Road, and part of Beach Drive and Oak Bay Avenue is one of the earliest planned subdivisions in Oak Bay, and illustrates one of the ways in which Oak Bay developed in the early years.
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