Mission Statement In carrying out its mandate, Bowen Island Municipality will work towards conducting operations in a way that: Improves the economic, environmental and social well-being for present and future generations; Encourages and fosters community involvement; Enhances the small, friendly, caring character of the community; Maintains an open, accountable and effective operation; and Preserves and enhances the unique mix of natural ecosystems and green spaces that Bowen Island possesses. NOTICE: That a Heritage Commission will be held at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM for the transaction of business listed below. Stefania Shortt, Committee Clerk REVISED AGENDA Heritage Commission (Revised to Include On-Table Items) Thursday, October 11, 2018 Page Timing OPENING OF COMMITTEE MEETING 7:00 PM 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1.1 Introduction of Late Items Recommendation: That the Heritage Commission approve the agenda for the October 11, 2018 meeting. 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 2.1 Minutes of the May 24, 2018 Heritage Commission Meeting 4-13 Recommendation: That the minutes of the Heritage Commission meeting held May 24, 2018 be adopted. Bowen Island Municipality Heritage Commission October 11, 2018 Page 1 of 44
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Comment is an opportunity for members of the Public to comment regarding items on the agenda or any other comments or issues they may wish to bring to the Committee's attention. (5 min) 4. DELEGATIONS 7:05 PM 4.1 Davies Orchard Update (Jeffrey Fitzpatrick, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, West Area and Sylvia Pendl, Planner, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, West Area) Presentation 14-29 (45 min) 5. ACTION ITEMS 7:50 PM 5.1 Review of Action Items from the May 24, 2018 meeting 30-31 (10 min) 6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 8:00 PM 6.1 Lieben Update (Dave Pollard) (10 min) a. Email dated July 24, 2018 32-33 b. Lieben Fact Sheet (Bowen Island Arts Council) 34-35 7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 8:10 PM 7.1 Legislation and Incentives Subcommittee (5 min) 7.2 Inventory Research Subcommittee (5 min) 7.3 Community Engagement Subcommittee (5 min) 8. ORGANIZATION UPDATES 8:25 PM 8.1 Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association (5 min) 8.2 Bowen Island Museum and Archives (5 min) 8.3 Bowen Island Arts Council (5 min) 9. NEW BUSINESS 8:40 PM 9.1 2019 Heritage Commission Work Plan (20 min) 9.2 Notes from Heritage Commission Meeting held February 15, 2017 re: Work Plan 36 9.3 Proposed 2017 Heritage Commission Work Plan 37-43 Bowen Island Municipality Heritage Commission October 11, 2018 Page 2 of 44
10. INFORMATION ITEMS 9:00 PM Note to members of the Public: if your correspondence is referenced in this section below and you wish to speak to the Committee regarding such, you are welcome to appear during our "Public Comment" section near the beginning of this agenda 10.1 Excerpt from the Regular Council Meeting held September 24, 2018 re: Community Lands Workshop Report 44 10.2 Link to: Tofino Heritage Master Plan 11. NEXT MEETING To be discussed. 12. ADJOURNMENT 9:00 PM Bowen Island Municipality Heritage Commission October 11, 2018 Page 3 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 DRAFT Heritage Commission Meeting - 24 May 2018 Minutes of the Heritage Commission Meeting held Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 7:00 PM at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, B.C. COMMITTEE IN ATTENDANCE STAFF IN ATTENDANCE OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE REGRETS OPENING OF COMMITTEE MEETING APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councillor Maureen Nicholson, Co-Chair Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair, Bowen Heritage Cathy Bayly, Bowen Island Museum and Archives Rondy Dike, Member at Large Allie Drake, Bowen Heritage Rob Forbes, Bowen Island Museum and Archives Dave Pollard, Bowen Island Arts Council Josephine Riley, Member at Large (*arrived at 7:08 PM) Andrew Todd, Bowen Island Museum and Archives Peter Vaisbord, Bowen Heritage (*arrived at 7:09 PM) Nil Lisa Wrinch, Minute Taker Emma Chow, Island Community Planner 1, Staff Liaison Councillor Nicholson, Co-Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. It was Moved and Seconded That the Heritage Commission approve the agenda for the May 24, 2018 meeting with the addition of the following on-table item: ORGANIZATION UPDATES: Item 7.4 - Metro Vancouver update CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTION OF MINUTES Minutes of the February 15, 2018 Heritage Commission meeting It was Moved and Seconded That the minutes of the Heritage Commission meeting held February 15, 2018 be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Page 4 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 PUBLIC COMMENTS Nil ACTION ITEMS Review of Action Items from February 15, 2018 Heritage Commission Meeting Invite Jeff Fitzpatrick and Sylvia Pendl from Metro Vancouver to May 10 HC meeting re: vision of next steps in Davies Orchard Make concrete action plan regarding Lieben at the next HC meeting Provide list of potential heritage sites, including Islands Trust pamphlet Look at heritage policies in similar communities Send BIM Comparator Communities list to Melissa Harrison Send Cathy Bayly copy of draft registry Look for copies of documents re: early 2000 s efforts to obtain heritage status for Lieben Councillor Nicholson advised that Jeff Fitzpatrick and Sylvia Pendl were unable to attend today s meeting due to prior work commitments and that she was in discussion with them regarding their availability to attend a meeting in July. To be discussed as part of Item 5.2 (Lieben Planning and Next Steps) on this agenda. Cathy Bayly advised that the compilation of potential heritage sites is ongoing. To be discussed as part of Item 5.4 (Policy in Comparator Communities) on this agenda. Councillor Nicholson advised that this action item was completed. Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair advised the draft registry is included as part of this agenda package (Item 5.3) Cathy Bayly advised that this task is ongoing and that she has not found anything significant so far. Page 5 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Rob Forbes had spoken to a Lieben relative at Museum - get contact information from Rob and share with the Commission Request that Metro Vancouver Parks allow an opportunity to provide feedback on future designs Walk the heritage trail before next meeting Rob Forbes advised that he had provided Allie Drake with the appropriate individual s contact information. To be discussed as part of on-table Item 7.4 (Metro Vancouver update) on this agenda. Not all Commission members had the opportunity to walk the heritage trail. Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair noted that the trails signs can all be found on the bowentrails.ca website. Action Item: Poll Commission members on date to heritage trail walkabout (Stef Shortt). BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES Melissa Harrison, Bowen Heritage, Co-Chair re: Heritage Trail Walk Feedback on Walk Potential Addition of Lieben to Trail Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair circulated on-table a mock-up of the Heritage Trail sign and provided an overview of work to date on signage and the Bowen Trails website. Highlights included: Municipal grant received for nine signs/stops; Poised to sign Collaborative Agreement with BIM and erect signage at: o Municipal dock; o Near cenotaph; o Seaside Cottage; o Sandy Beach; o Lagoon and causeway; o Terminal Hotel Resort site; o Bridal Veil Falls o Bowen Island Museum and Archives; o Davies Orchard. Virtual Heritage Trail can be viewed at bowentrails.ca; The Virtual Trail can be used on one s phone while walking to find points of interest (e.g. explosives factory site). Page 6 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Discussion ensued: Key comments included: Old General Store site appears to be omitted from the website. Melissa Harrison: Old General Store is included on the Cenotaph page. Action Item: Follow up with John Dowler about featuring the Old General Store more prominently on the Bowen Trails website (Melissa Harrison). Community feedback has been very positive; Concern about inclusion of the Lieben property to the Heritage Trail at this time; o Lieben site is currently very rough and there could be potential liability issues; o Points of interest can be stand-alone sites; Lieben can be a single site; o Bowen Island Arts Council has Lieben on its list of priorities. Action Item: Follow up with Bowen Island Arts Council regarding its plan for Lieben and report back to the Commission (Dave Pollard). Councillor Nicholson, Co-Chair advised that the recommendation on this agenda re: installation of a heritage site marker for Lieben was premature and should be deferred at this time for further review. Councillor Nicholson, Co- Chair re: Lieben Planning and Next Steps Councillor Nicholson, Co-Chair advised that she spoke with Richard Linzey who referred her to his staff regarding process. Further, she advised that two representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRO) will be visiting Bowen Island on May 29 for a series of appointments, including a walkabout of the Davies Orchard cottages. Action Item: Report back to the Commission on the FLNRO visit to Bowen Island (Councillor Nicholson). Page 7 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Discussion ensued. Key comments included: Two items on the Bowen Island Arts Council s workplan in the next year are (1) to work with the Heritage Commission on an application to the federal government recognizing Lieben s historical significance and (2) production of the Lieben Story theatrical performance; Options for obtaining protection for Lieben include via a heritage registry or requesting that the Province do so as it is on provincial land; A heritage registry is more formal document, whereas an inventory is only a listing of potential heritage sites; Process for approval of a heritage registry starts at the municipal level, after which it can go onto the provincial and federal levels; Formal heritage registry does not confer any protection in itself; however, it can be easier to attract grant funding for a heritage site if it s on a national register; The existing inventory was received for information by BIM Council but they were not asked to formally adopt it as: o No public consultation had taken place; o Planning staff were not in a position to embark on that engagement process at that time; and o Council did not want to adopt a register until Metro Vancouver had made a decision regarding the Orchard cottages. Action Item: Develop flow chart in consultation with Bowen Island Arts Council for process of obtaining national heritage status for Lieben (Melissa Harrison, Councillor Nicholson, Dave Pollard). Action Item: Draft heritage register application for inclusion in the flow chart (Peter Vaisbord). Action Item: Contact David Smith via email to determine his knowledge regarding the status of a script for the Lieben Story theatrical performance (Cathy Bayly). Cathy Bayly, Bowen Island Museum and Archives re: Potential Additions to the Draft Heritage Registry Cathy Bayly provided some potential additions to the Draft Heritage Registry, including: Mine remains on the Charles McNeil property on Mt. Gardner waterfront; Page 8 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Moonwinks (Millers Landing); Remains of explosives factory; Rosebank Cottage; Bowen Lodge by the Sea (aka CNIB); Tea House in Mt. Gardner; Culturally-modified trees; Log-runs and log-chutes up Mt. Gardner. Discussion ensued. Key comments included: Suggest the inclusion of the Mt. Gardner dock; Original inventory included Collins Farm, The Lodge at the Old Dorm, Evergreen Hall, etc; Focus should be on non-controversial sites; Suggest that a phase 2 register or scratch list of potential properties/sites be created for future review and discussion. Action Item: Include earlier Draft Inventory (that included private homes) on next Commission meeting agenda for review and discussion (Stef Shortt). Melissa Harrison, Bowen Heritage and Councillor Maureen Nicholson, Co- Chairs re: Policy in Comparator Communities Councillor Nicholson and Melissa Harrison, Co-Chairs, provided an overview of the review of Comparator Communities. Highlights included: Sixteen communities were reviewed that are comparable to Bowen Island in terms of population, amenities, etc; City of Rossland is the only comparator community that has a Heritage Commission; Other comparator communities have heritage-type committees but most tend to be an arts/culture/heritage mix; No comparator communities appear to have designated heritage planning staff; Policy tends to be only OCP guidelines with the exception of Tofino, BC which completed a Heritage Master Plan. Action Item: Obtain copy of District of Tofino s Heritage Master Plan for inclusion on next Commission meeting agenda (Stef Shortt). Village of Pemberton has some heritage policy over and above OCP guidelines; Page 9 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Approximately one-third of comparator communities has heritage inventories. Two communities have registers; Several communities have designated heritage buildings (done on a case-by-case basis); Limited staff resources and lack of funding is a factor in comparator communities; Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne will be attending the July 23 Council meeting to discuss housing issues and short-term vacation rentals. Suggestion that Mayor Osborne meet with Commission members on Sunday, July 22 to discuss Tofino s Heritage Master Plan. Action Item: Canvass Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne s availability to meet with Commission members re: Tofino s Heritage Master Plan on July 22, 2018 (Councillor Nicholson). Action Item: Review City of Rossland Heritage Commission s website heritagerossland.com -- before next Commission meeting (ALL). Allie Drake left the meeting at 8:12 PM. Melissa Harrison, Bowen Heritage and Councillor Maureen Nicholson, Co- Chairs re: Policy in Comparator Communities (CONTINUED) Discussion ensued. Key comments included: Heritage preservation tends to be less of a priority on the west coast; Suggestion that BC Ferries be consulted re: Bowen Island heritage as part of their surveys and planning on future Horseshoe Bay terminal design/renovations (include information about the destination, not just Horseshoe Bay itself); Suggestion that information about Bowen Island heritage also be featured on-board the ferry. Action item: Talk to Emma Chow, Staff Liaison about consulting with BC Ferries representative (perhaps Darin Guenette) on its destinations in Horseshoe Bay terminal and on-board the Queen of Capilano (Councillor Nicholson). Page 10 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Legislation and Incentives Subcommittee Inventory Research Subcommittee Community Engagement Subcommittee Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair provided an overview of the Heritage BC annual conference she attended. Highlights included: Session was divided into discussion of four different incentives: Planning, Financial, Program-based and Processbased; Upon review of Comparator Communities, it did not appear that any were currently using any incentives; Key to employing incentives is having heritage-based Planning Department staff that effectively take on the workload. Councillor Nicholson, Co-Chair advised there was nothing to report at this time. Councillor Nicholson, Co-Chair advised there was nothing to report at this time. ORGANIZATION UPDATES Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association Bowen Island Museum and Archives Deferred. Rob Forbes advised that the Bowen Island Museum and Archives Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2018. Action Item: Send a blurb on the June 24 Bowen Island Museum and Archives AGM to the BIM Communications Coordinator for inclusion on the municipal newsletter (Rob Forbes). Bowen Island Arts Council Dave Pollard provided an overview of current Bowen Island Arts Council initiatives, including: The Knowing Our Place initiative; Series of events for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21; Project launch starting in July including a salon to discuss creating shared space off-island (such as Horseshoe Bay) where Bowen Island arts and heritage can be promoted, and be used as a halfway meeting space with off-island participants; Page 11 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 Suggestion that Jordan Sturdy and Pamela Goldsmith-Jones should be invited to discussion in July. Metro Vancouver update Melissa Harrison, Co-Chair provided a summary of her discussion with Sylvia Pendl, Metro Vancouver Planner on current activity in the Davies Orchard cottages slated for removal. Discussion ensued. Key comments included: Metro Vancouver is currently undertaking a tree assessment in Davies Orchard; RFP out for consultancy team to develop remaining orchard buildings and overall-area plan; Draft building management policy for all buildings in regional parks is on Metro Vancouver Parks Plan for the fall; Jeff Fitzpatrick will provide regular updates to Bowen Island; Suggestion that Metro Vancouver compile an inventory of salvageable items that have heritage value (e.g. hinges, doorknobs, etc.) for possible future use. NEW BUSINESS Melissa Harrison, Bowen Heritage, Co-Chair re: Heritage BC Conference Melissa Harrison, Bowen Heritage, Co-Chair re: Maritime Museum Project See above. Melissa Harrison provided an update on the Maritime Museum Project. Highlights included: Maritime Museum has a fair-sized archive on the Union Steamship Company; Would like to canvass the possibility of having the Museum share that archive in some way (e.g. digitization). Andrew Todd advised that he is on the Board of the Maritime Museum, and that the museum curator met earlier this year with Bowen Island Museum and Archives. Action Item: Liaise with Andrew Todd on coordinating with the Maritime Museum on its Union Steamship archives (Melissa Harrison). INFORMATION ITEMS Provided for the Commission s information Page 12 of 44
Heritage Commission Meeting May 24, 2018 NEXT MEETING ADJOURNMENT Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 7:00 PM By unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. Certified Correct: Councillor Maureen Nicholson, Co-Chair Lisa Wrinch, Minute Taker Page 13 of 44
CRIPPEN REGIONAL PARK DAVIES ORCHARD Page 14 of 44 Jeffrey Fitzpatrick Sylvia Pendl DIVISION MANAGER, REGIONAL PARKS, WEST AREA PARK PLANNER, REGIONAL PARKS, WEST AREA Bowen Island Heritage Commission Meeting, October 11, 2018 27066898
Agenda Welcome Introductions Presentation Q&A Page 15 of 44 2
Regional Park System 22 municipalities + 1 treaty First Nation 22 parks 5 greenways 2 ecological Page 16 of 44 conservancy areas 4 park reserves 3
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Regional Parks protect natural areas and connect people to nature (Regional Parks Plan 2016) Page 17 of 44
Crippen Regional Park Located in Snug Cove 300 000 visitors 220 ha 13 km trails Page 18 of 44 Davies Orchard 5
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Page 20 of 44 Snug Cove 7
Historical Features in Crippen Regional Park Davies Orchard and Cottages Seaside Cottage Causeway at the Lagoon Ruins at the Terminal Farm in the Meadow Page 21 of 44 Lady Alexandra Boardwalk 8
Page 22 of 44 the site s cultural landscape, history of orcharding and use of the holiday cottages have played an important role in it s identity and sense of place 9
Davies Orchard Snug Cove 2.3 acres Limited open space, trails and parking 6 cottages Page 23 of 44 10
Context Agricultural, Orchard and cottage history Metro Vancouver acquired land in 1983 Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association Page 24 of 44 Site underuse, deteriorating cottages, limited use and poor connections (1940-1948)
Project Purpose 1. Improving public access and use of the orchard area 2. Better integrating Davies Orchard into Crippen Regional Park 3. Celebrating the unique heritage of the site Page 25 of 44 12
Approved Concept Plan (November 2017) Central open space Public cottage access Site circulation & connections Improved connections Orchard plantings Page 26 of 44 Collaboration with partners Family friendly amenities Historic features preserved, celebrated and used November 2017 13
Process 2016 Project and Public Engagement commences 2017 Davies Orchard Board approval 2018 Deconstruction of 4 cottages 2018-2019 Detailed design 2020 and beyond Project Implementation Page 27 of 44 14
Next Steps Complete detailed design of the concept plan Seek input on design details Agreements for existing cottage use (museum / Bowen Heritage) Ongoing information sharing with BIM Page 28 of 44 Collaborate (demonstration garden, orchard, Museum, interpretation) 15
Thank you. Questions? Page 29 of 44
Action Items Heritage Commission May 24, 2018 Ongoing from February 15, 2018 1. Provide a list of potential heritage sites, including Islands Trust pamphlet (Cathy Bayly). 2. Look for copies of the documents regarding the early 2000s efforts to obtain heritage status for Lieben (Cathy Bayly). May 24, 2018 1. Poll Commission members on date to heritage trail walkabout (Stef Shortt). 2. Follow up with John Dowler about featuring the Old General Store more prominently on the Bowen Trails website (Melissa Harrison). 3. Follow up with Bowen Island Arts Council regarding its plan for Lieben and report back to the Commission (Dave Pollard). 4. Report back to the Commission on the FLNRO visit to Bowen Island (Councillor Nicholson). 5. Develop flow chart in consultation with Bowen Island Arts Council for process of obtaining national heritage status for Lieben (Melissa Harrison, Councillor Nicholson, Dave Pollard). 6. Draft heritage register application for inclusion in the flow chart (Peter Vaisboard). 7. Contact David Smith via email to determine his knowledge regarding the status of a script for the Lieben Story theatrical performance (Cathy Bayly). 8. Include earlier Draft Inventory (that included private homes) on next Commission meeting agenda for review and discussion (Stef Shortt). 9. Obtain copy of District of Tofino s Heritage Master Plan for inclusion on next Commission meeting agenda (Stef Shortt). 10. Canvass Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne s availability to meet with Commission members re: Tofino s Heritage Master Plan on July 22, 2018 (Councillor Nicholson). Page 30 of 44
Action Items Heritage Commission May 24, 2018 11. Review City of Rossland Heritage Commission s website heritagerossland.com -- before next Commission meeting (ALL). 12. Talk to Emma Chow, Staff Liaison about consulting with BC Ferries representative (perhaps Darren Guenette) on its destinations in Horseshoe Bay terminal and on-board the Queen of Capilano (Councillor Nicholson). 13. Send a blurb on the June 24 Bowen Island Museum and Archives AGM to the BIM Communications Coordinator for inclusion on the municipal newsletter (Rob Forbes). 14. Liaise with Andrew Todd on coordinating with the Maritime Museum on its Union Steamship archives (Melissa Harrison). 15. Reach out to Leiben relatives (Alle Drake). Page 31 of 44
Email dated July 24, 2018 re Lieben Hello fellow HC members: I promised a bit of background on what BIAC has done regarding getting national heritage designation for Lieben. Here's what I've learned: 1. Heritage designation can be obtained at the federal, provincial or local level, or any combination thereof. It is not necessary to start at a lower level to get designation at the national level. Since Lieben's history and value is not specific to Bowen or BC, it would seem that national historic site designation is the logical step. 2. Here is the link to get a place designated as a national historic site (NHS), and hence automatically added to the federal register (the Canadian Registry of Historic Places CRHP): http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/pages/register-repertoire/conservation.aspx 3. To be recognized as a national historic site, this site shows the process: http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/pages/more-plus/contact.aspx#add_place This page says: To be included in the Canadian Register of Historic Places, a site must first have been designated at the municipal, provincial or national level... To obtain designation as a national historic site, consult the section on Applying for Designation on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) Web site. [unfortunately the link to Applying for Designation is broken; however this page describes the current criteria: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/evaluation and this page describes the application process: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application The attached brochure from the NSMBC website describes the process, what happens (bronze plaque etc) when NHS designation is obtained, and contact information to nominate Lieben as a NHS. My recommendation would be that the HC and BIAC jointly write to the HSMBC Secretariat with our nomination. Note that HSMBC is a commission of Parks Canada. Jacqui Massey points out the following additional considerations: 1. The Lieben property is actually owned by the Government of BC, as a result of the lapsing of an agreement between the historic property owners and the province (a bequest to a program that no longer exists). As a result it currently has no legal protection from development, logging etc whatsoever. Its current ownership does not preclude national rather than provincial registry as a historic site, but designation as a NHS requires the "consent" of the current property owner. 2. Furthermore, designation as a NHS does not protect the site from development or destruction. Parks Canada advises " While a national historic site designation helps to focus public attention on a particular site, it does not affect ownership of the site or provide protection against destruction. In Canada, protection of heritage property not owned by the federal government is the responsibility of each provincial and territorial government under its respective legislation. Only provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction over private property, which enables them to pass and enforce legislation extending legal protection to designated properties. Page 32 of 44
Email dated July 24, 2018 re Lieben 3. A brief Fact Sheet prepared a number of years ago by Jacqui for BIAC and Friends of Lieben is attached. It is based on info from the Bowen Archives. Hope that's useful. Dave Committee member note: National Historic Site designation and listing on the Canadian Register of Historic Places being two different (but related) listings. Page 33 of 44
Here, Briefly absent from Struggle and turmoil, Disarray and chaos, Ugliness and frustration. I rested, And found beauty, Peace and friendship. Chris Smith April 28, 1946 Lieben Lands Fact Sheet Cultural & Heritage Values Prepared by the Bowen Island Arts Council (BIAC) Page 34 of 44
What is Lieben? Lieben is a 3.82 hectare (9.5 acre) parcel located in the Eaglecliff area of Bowen Island, formerly used as a retreat for many famous Canadian artists and writers. Its owners, Einar and Muriel Nielson, gifted it to the Province of British Columbia in 1977, to be returned to the flora and fauna. Why is it significant? Lieben was established as an artist s colony and used extensively between 1946 and 1965. Its guest book reads like a who s who of Canadian literature and art. Visitors included: Malcom Lowry, Earle Birney, William McConnell, Margaret Lawrence, Eric Nicol, Lister Sinclair, Bob Allen, Lionel Lemoine FitzGerald, A.J.M. Smith, Watson Thomson, Mary Thomson, Arthur Hill, Jane Rule, Andrew Suknaski, Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Margaret Hutchison, Charles Wassermann, Mario Prizek, David Watmough and Pat Duffy Hutcheon. Many of the writers won awards (Governor General s Award for Poetry/Fiction Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Order of Canada). Malcolm Lowry wrote the first draft of his final novel, October Ferry to Gabriola in a guesthouse at Lieben. Earle Birney brought lovers to Bowen as well as friends fellow academics and writers, artists and broadcasters. Birney wrote three books there, including his first novel, Turvey, which won a Stephen Leacock Medal for humour. Margaret Laurence sent her friends an ebony head from West Africa where she lived for a year. What is its status? In 1977, Einar and Muriel Nielson donated Lieben to the provincial Greenbelt Inventory (a discontinued provincial program) with provisions for a life estate. The conditions of the bequest were that the land was to remain in perpetuity as a nature reserve with controlled public use and habitat management. (Sorken Memo to G.A. Rhoades, Regional Directory BC Lands Parks & Housing, File 0344077 dated 83 11 23.) After the demise of the Greenbelt program, the property reverted to Vacant Crown Land. A memorandum dated 04/28/99 from Tony Duffy of BC Assets and Land Corporation indicated that the Province was not considering the property for sale, and that it should remain in perpetuity as a nature reserve with controlled public use and habitat management. However, as vacant Crown land, no Crown agency is currently undertaking to ensure that there is controlled use and habitat management as required under the bequest. Environmental Significance In May, 1964, Earle Birney undertook the first comprehensive biological inventory of Lieben. The list he made provides an important baseline for future inventory work on the property. Biologically, the property has significant natural values. The steepness of both the bluffs and creek ravine has been a deterrent to logging and stands of older forest remain intact. An active bald eagle nest is located in an old growth Douglas fir tree below Eaglecliff Road. The Earle Birney Inventory of 1964 provides an extensive baseline of all wildlife species documented on the property. The Arts Council s Interest in Lieben Lieben is identified in the Cultural Master Plan, which is part of the Official Community Plan of Bowen. It is the mandate of the arts council to promote the cultural and heritage significance of the lands. For the past four years, as part of its annual Write on Bowen Festival, the arts council has organized and led heritage tours of the lands, introducing both on and off island visitors to the property, explaining its history and cultural significance. The arts council has hosted readings and small gatherings as well, and has also organized work parties dedicated to cleanup of the property. The Bowen Island Arts Council considers its role as a steward of the lands, and would like to continue in that role, with the development of an interpretive site. The Board of BIAC passed a motion in 2010 that it if part of Bowen Island were to become a National Park, Lieben should be included in the National Park due to its high national cultural and heritage values. BIAC would like to partner with Parks Canada to ensure the preservation and conversation of the property, understanding that this would comply with the National Parks mandate. Sources: The Crown Lands of Bowen, Dunster & Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd., November, 2000, pgs 78-78; Bowen Island Archives Page 35 of 44
Notes on Revised Work Plan Heritage Commission February 15, 2018 The Chair provided an overview of the history of the Heritage Commission Work Plan that had been provided by Emma Chow, Island Community Planner 1, and then submitted to Council, noting that Council had referred the document to the Strategic Planning sessions wherein the workplan was not selected as a priority for 2018. The Commission discussed selecting goals from the workplan to pursue in 2018 and agreed that Phase 1: Review of the workplan was doable: 1.1 Develop heritage register 1.2 Inventory potential sites 1.3 Review policies and legislation 1.4 Review activities and initiatives 1.5 Summarize findings The Commission decided that the new workplan would comprise steps 1.1 1.3, along with commitment to try to register Lieben. Page 36 of 44
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Excerpt from the Minutes of the September 4, 2018 Special Council Meeting Councillor Nicholson re: Community Lands Workshop Report. RES#18-374 Councillor Nicholson introduced and reviewed the "Community Lands Bowen Island Workshop" report. Discussion ensued. It was Moved and Seconded That Council receive the report titled "The Community Lands of Bowen Island Workshop Report", dated September 4, 2018 and refer it to staff and Municipal Committees for information. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Page 44 of 44