Report to: Development Services Committee                               Report Date: March 20, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Eligibility

                                            Emergency Storefront Repair and Restoration

                                            Hamid Imani

                                            7705-7707 Yonge Street

                                            Thornhill Heritage Conservation District

 

PREPARED BY:               Peter Wokral ext. 7955

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council permit the owner of 7705-7707 Yonge Street to be eligible for the Markham Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program prior to the regular application deadline date of May 1, 2007, due to the unique circumstances under which the storefront must be repaired, and the exceptional architectural and historical significance of this Yonge St. property;

 

That the application be processed for early approval subject to the applicant meeting all other applicable requirements;

 

That the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement between the property owners of 7705-7707 Yonge St. and the Town;

 

That the grant be funded through the Development Services (Heritage) Capital Accounts (see pg. 2) up to the maximum of $15,000.00;

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Funding for the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program and the Commercial Signage Replacement Grant Program has been brought forward from 2001 and is included in the Development Services Commission’s capital budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Heritage Façade Improvement Program is funded under the following (Heritage) Capital accounts: 

                       

Account Number, Name and Budget Year

Balance Remaining as of Mar 1, 2007

80-5350-3510-005 Heritage Districts – Façade Improvement Program (Yr 2001)

$8,061

80-5350-3511-005 Heritage Districts – Sign Replacement Program (Yr 2001)

$6,400

80-6150-6633-005 Heritage Districts – Sign Replacement Program (Yr 2005)

$60,000

80-6150-7050-005 Heritage Façade Improvement/Replacement Program (Yr 2006)

$10,000

Total

$84,461

Less Committed grant applications from 2004 & 2005

$41,341

Balance Available

$43,120

 

 

  Additional funding for these programs will be assessed on an annual basis through the budget process.  The maximum grant for this application is capped at $15,000.00.

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval to allow eligibility for the Markham Commercial Façade Improvement Program to the owner of 7705-7707 Yonge St. prior to the regular application deadline of May 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

The Town created the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program in 2004.

In 2004, the Town initiated the Town of Markham Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program.  The purpose of the program is to facilitate the physical upgrading of privately owned buildings in commercial use, located in the Town of Markham’s Heritage Conservation Districts.  Eligible property owners can receive a matching grant from the Town up to maximum of $15,000.00 for each calendar year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eligibility Requirements for the Program

In order for a property owner to be eligible for the program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

 

  • The proposed work cannot commence prior to application approval.

 

  • The existing use of the property must be in conformity with applicable zoning by-law regulations and other relevant planning controls.

 

  • For grants over $5000.00 the property owner must enter into a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement with the Town. 

 

  • Applications for the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant program are due on or before May 1st of every year. 

 

  • The subject property must not be in default of any municipal taxes, local improvements or any other money payable to the Town (Fees or penalties). The property must not be the subject of a contravention, work order or outstanding municipal requirements.

 

 

On January 27, 2007 a car damaged the storefront of 7705-7707 Yonge St.

The property owner of 7705-7707 is faced with a dilemma. On January 27, 2007 an impaired driver smashed his car into the storefront of 7707 Yonge St.  The brick knee wall of the storefront is crushed and pushed in, one of the windows is broken and can’t be replaced as the window frame is out of line and the entrance door no longer closes properly.  The storefront must be repaired.  This situation has created an opportunity to restore the storefront in keeping with the historical character of the building.

 

The Gallanough Store is a significant Hertiage Resource worthy of restoration

7705-7707 is a very significant heritage property and one of a handful of remaining heritage structures that line Yonge St. within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District.  The building was constructed in 1850 for Archibald Gallanough and functioned as a store and post office.  Over the last century, the original storefronts have been replaced with modern ones and much of the original building fabric has been removed. 

The owner is willing to restore the building starting with the storefronts of 7705 and 7707, based on historic photographs, but he cannot afford to wait until the deadline for applications on May 1, 2007 as the damage needs to be repaired as soon as possible.  The owner is aware and understands that in order to be eligible for any grant over $5000.00, that he must enter into a Heritage Conservation Easement with the Town and not begin construction before the grant is approved. 

 

 

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

This building is a very significant heritage resource on Yonge St., and the proposed restoration is aligned with what the Town of Markham Commercial Façade Grant Program was created for.  The restoration work must commence as soon as possible because of the unique circumstances under which the storefront was damaged.  For these reasons, it is recommended that Council authorize a Heritage Conservation Easement between the Town and the property owner and allow this application for a Commercial Façade Improvement Grant early eligibility subject to the applicant complying with all applicable requirements of the program.

 

Heritage Markham was made aware of the unique circumstances regarding this property at their February 14, 2007 meeting and they had no objection to the property being made eligible for the 2007 Commercial Façade Improvement Program prior to the May 1, 2007 deadline. (See Extract, Appendix “A”)

 

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Providing financial assistance for the restoration of significant heritage structures within the Town’s Heritage Conservation Districts helps to build a Quality Community by preserving and protecting the Town’s heritage resources, and helps to spur investment and economic development in the Town’s historical commercial sectors.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Any application for the Commercial Façade Improvement Program will be reviewed by the Legal and Financial Services Department.

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

 

 

 

______________________________                  ________________________________

Val Shuttleworth, MCIP, RPP                                Jim Baird, MCIP, RPP

Director of Planning & Urban Design                      Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Historic Photographs of Gallanough Store

Figure 3: Contemporary Photograph of 7705-7707 Yonge St. and damaged storefront

Appendix A: Extract from February 14, 2007 Heritage Markham Meeting

 

Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\YONGE\7707\Facade Grant Report March 20 2007.doc