Monday, February 1, 2010

Cotoneaster Gussy-ups Grey Stucco

Greeting visitors to the simple boxy grey stucco house at 359 East 13th Street is the ornamentally trimmed cotoneaster shrub.  The cotoneaster thrives in the rainy North Vancouver City weather.  From the looks of the shrub it could have been planted at the same time as the house was built.  This was probably in the 1950's although there is no listing as to the exact date in the Building  Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives. The cotoneaster is covered in bright red berries during the  grey winter months and small pink flowers in the spring.

The house on East 13th Street was definitely built before 1960 because by that time  Margaret and James W. Marshall had moved into it.  James was an auditor for the Workman's Compensation Board. They lived there in 1971 when James worked in the assessment office at the WCB.  In fact James lived in the house even after he retired and until 1991.  That means the Marshall family lived in the house probably over 30 years.  The front walk cotoneaster must have become an old friend by then.

The housing to be built at 359 East 13th Street is a  side-by-side two storey duplex with a cellar. The two units with cellars will be approximately 1,783 sq ft each with exterior access.  Two parking spaced in an enclosed garage with vehicle access from a newly opened rear lane will be provided (North Shore News Nov 11, 2009).  The question is, "Will the cotoneaster still be there?"

Photo: Taken in 2010 by SW.