For the second time, West Vancouver staff are urging the council to issue a second temporary protection order for the historic Nesbitt House at 1281 Clyde Avenue in Ambleside.
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The recommendation that will be discussed by the council at a meeting tomorrow seeks to delay the demolition permit for the heritage property to allow further discussions with the new owner about possible preservation options.
Project History
The District of West Vancouver first imposed a 60-day temporary protection order on the Nesbitt House in January 2022, after receiving a demolition application from the previous owner. Although staff provided information on the house’s heritage value and potential incentives, the owner didn’t want to pursue heritage preservation. The protection order expired, and while demolition and building permits were processed, the applicant failed to submit the required documentation in time, which caused the licenses to lapse.
The property was sold, and the new owner has resubmitted applications for demolition and the construction of new single-family homes on the site’s two legal lots. In response, staff recommend that the Council reissue a 60-day protection order to engage the new owner in discussions about retaining the historic house. If retention efforts fail, the demolition permit will only be granted once building permits for the new homes are approved.
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History of the Nesbitt House
Built in 1926, the Nesbitt House is a modest Craftsman-style bungalow located between 12th and 13th Streets in West Vancouver’s Ambleside neighbourhood. The house, still partially clad in its original unpainted cedar shingles, was constructed by Harry Nesbitt, a notable early resident and one of the first drivers of West Vancouver’s “Blue Bus” service.
The house’s significance is closely tied to the Nesbitt family, who were among Ambleside’s early settlers. John and Emily Nesbitt, Harry’s parents, established a small dairy farm in the area in 1912, making the home an essential piece of the neighbourhood’s early development. The property’s historical value lies not only in its architecture but also in its connection to West Vancouver’s pioneering past.
Staff have recommended that if the owner is not open to preserving the house, the property should be removed from the Community Heritage Register, and demolition will proceed once building permits are issued.
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