RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council approve the following
applications for Commercial Façade Improvement Grants in the following amounts
subject to the applicants obtaining the necessary approvals, entering into a
Grant Agreement with the Town, and subject to the noted conditions:
- 96 Main Street North, Markham Village (subject to submission of a
second quote), Grant Amount: $3,200 (or 50% of lowest quote);
- 116 Main Street North, Markham Village (subject to staff confirming
the heritage status of the windows to be replaced). Grant Amount: $10,259;
- 40-44 Main Street North, Markham Village (subject to shingles being
used and not shakes), Grant Amount: $15,000;
- 48 Washington Street, Markham Village, Grant Amount: $4,280;
- 114 Main Street North, Markham Village (subject to revision to the
storefront pilasters), Grant Amount: $11,341;
- 124 Main Street North, Markham Village (notwithstanding the work has
been initiated), Grant Amount: $7,490;
- 69 Main Street North, Markham Village (subject to submission of a
second quote for storm windows), Grant Amount: $4,763 (or 50% of lowest
quote);
·
165 Main Street North, Markham Village (notwithstanding the work has been
initiated), Grant Amount: $15,000
THAT Council approve the following application for a Signage Replacement
Grant in the following amount subject to the applicant obtaining the necessary
approvals:
·
114 Main Street North, Markham Village, $848
THAT the Mayor and Clerk be
authorized to execute a Façade Easement Agreement with property owners who
receive a grant of $5,000 or more, and any other documents required to give
effect thereto, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor;
AND THAT the programs be funded through the following Development Services Planning Capital Accounts: Façade Improvement Program (80-5350-3510-005), Sign
Replacement Program (80-5350-3511-005) and Façade Improvement/Sign Replacement
Program (80-6150-6633-005).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the report is to recommend the
approval of grant assistance for façade improvements and signage replacement
projects for properties within heritage districts.
BACKGROUND:
Commercial
Façade and Signage replacement grant programs were approved in 2004
In 2001, Council approved $25,800 for a
future façade program and $6,400 a future signage replacement program. Council approved the Commercial Façade
Improvement Program and the Commercial Signage Replacement Program on June 8, 2004. In 2004, Council approved an
additional $60,000 in total to be used for both programs.
The purpose of the programs
The
purpose of the façade program is to assist in the exterior improvement of
privately owned buildings in commercial use located within the Town of Markham’s heritage districts. The financial assistance is available to
encourage the restoration and improvement of commercial building facades in the
heritage districts/ main street areas.
Both heritage and non-heritage buildings in commercial use are
encouraged to apply.
The purpose of the signage program is to
encourage the replacement of inappropriate commercial signage in heritage
districts. The current sign by-law
supports the development of signage that is considered appropriate for a
heritage area in terms of size, placement and form of illumination. However, there are a number of legal,
non-conforming signs that have been grandfathered and are permitted to
remain. These include illuminated sign
boxes with acrylic panels as well as other over-sized or inappropriately
located signs which obscure architectural features. These types of signs are not complementary to
the desired character of the heritage areas, and are encouraged to be replaced.
Eligibility requirements for grant assistance
Commercial properties located in
the Town’s heritage districts are eligible for both programs. Owners and tenants of commercial property can
apply for assistance. The subject
property must not be in default of any municipal taxes, local improvements or
any other monies payable to the Town (fees or penalties). The property must not be the subject of a
contravention, work order or outstanding municipal requirements. The proposed work cannot commence prior to
application approval.
Types of
improvements that are eligible for assistance
Eligible facade improvements on heritage properties may include:
- Repair or restoration of original features
(cornices, parapets, eaves, other architectural features)
- Repair, restoration or replacement of windows
and doors
- Cleaning and repair of masonry
- Removal of non-original siding or facing
Eligible façade improvements on non-heritage properties may
include:
- Renovation of existing commercial storefronts
in accordance with standard principles of traditional storefront design
(fascia board for signage above storefront, appropriate display windows,
removal of incompatible alterations, etc.)
- Improvements to the principal facades of
incompatible buildings being sympathetic and compatible with the historic
character of the area and the policies of the heritage conservation
district plan
- Re-cladding in more traditional materials
complementary to the district character
Eligible signage work would include the design
component, sign production and sign installation as well as the cost associated
with appropriate external forms of illumination. Eligible costs shall be the cost of
materials, equipment and contracted labour to complete eligible
improvements.
Amount of grant
assistance
The maximum façade grant is $10,000 per property ($15,000 for heritage
buildings). The assistance is in the
form of a 50/50 matching grant that is paid upon completion of approved work. An applicant can receive one grant per
calendar year.
The signage assistance is in the form of a 50/50 matching grant, which
is paid upon inspection of the approved signage. The
program offers a matching grant for eligible work to a maximum limit of $1,000
per commercial establishment.
As a condition of any grant of $5000 or more, the property owner is
required to enter into a façade easement agreement, in perpetuity, with the
municipality.
Applicants who secure grant approval are
required to enter into a Grant Agreement/ Letter of Understanding with the
municipality. This Agreement establishes
a formal arrangement between the applicant and the Town, and outlines the
amount of the grant and the project completion date.
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
Thirteen applications were received
The review of all grant applications was
undertaken by a grants review committee comprised of Planning and Urban Design staff. Applications were also reviewed by Heritage
Markham. In total, thirteen applications
were received; 11 façade improvement and 2 signage replacement. The following criteria were considered when
reviewing applications for assistance:
- The project must comply with the policies and guidelines of the
area’s heritage district plan;
- Preference is given to applications proposing work on heritage
properties;
- On heritage properties, conservation and restoration of original
architectural features will occur to the extent possible;
- Projects must obtain municipal approval to qualify;
- The assistance should not reward poor property stewardship;
- Substantive improvements rather than short-term cosmetic patch-ups
should be given priority.
Although one of the program criteria is that
proposed work cannot commence prior to grant application approval, staff is
recommending that this requirement be waived due to the extended time it has
taken to process the current applications.
Some of the application work was undertaken over the summer to take
advantage of weather conditions and the availability of contractors.
Three of the façade applications submitted were
not considered eligible for grant assistance.
One of the sign replacement applications was not eligible as it did not
involve the removal of an inappropriate sign, but rather was seeking financial
assistance with the production of wooden ground sign.
Eight façade grants and one signage replacement grants are
recommended
Based on the above, eight façade grants and one
signage replacement grant are recommended for approval. Individual summary sheets of the applications
are attached as Appendix ‘A’. The recommended
façade grants are:
165 Main
Street North, Markham – a major
exterior restoration of a former dwelling that has been converted to commercial
office space. Grant amount: $15,000
96 Main Street North, Markham –
replacement of double oak doors at front entrance. Grant amount: $3,200
116 Main Street North, Markham –
brick restoration, window restoration.
Grant amount: $10,259
40-44 Main Street North, Markham –
replacement of wooden roof. Grant
amount: $15,000
48 Washington Street, Markham –
repainting of wooden exterior. Grant
amount: $4280
114 Main Street North, Markham –
install new historic storefront, cedar shingle roof. Grant amount: $11,341
124 Main Street North, Markham –
paint removal from brickwork. Grant
amount: $7,490
69 Main Street North, Markham –
repainting of wooden exterior, new wooden storms. Grant amount: $4,763
One signage replacement grant is recommended:
114 Main Street North, Markham – wooden wall sign. Grant
amount: $848
Façade easement agreements will be required
Five of the applicants will be
required to enter into Façade Easement Agreements with the Town as the grant
amount is over $5,000.
Council has approved funding for these programs.
The total cost of the requested façade
grants is $71,333. The cost for the signage
replacement grants is $848. Council has
approved funding to cover the cost of the eligible grant requests.
ENGAGE 21ST
CONSIDERATIONS:
The enhancement of commercial
properties in heritage conservation districts helps to recognize, promote and
strengthen a sense of community.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The applications were forwarded to Heritage
Markham for consideration and recommendation as per the approved grant program
guidelines. The Finance Department has
reviewed this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix ‘A’ - Summary of each eligible grant
application.
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Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Urban Design
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Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Development Services
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Q:\Development\Heritage\SUBJECT\Grant
Program Facades\2005 Applications Summary\DSC Nov 6 05 Grants.doc
FIGURE 1
File Path: Q:\Development\Heritage\SUBJECT\Grant Program
Facades\2005 Applications Summary\DSC Nov 6 05 Grants.doc
