Report to: Development Services Committee                                  Report Date: May 29, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATION 07 113524 DP

                                            Carmen Naccarato

                                            94 John Street

                                            Thornhill Heritage Conservation District

 

PREPARED BY:               George Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner, Ext. 2296

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council refuse Demolition Permit Application 07 113524 DP for 94 John Street in the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District on the basis of the cultural heritage value or interest of this prime example of an early 20th century bungalow and the small barn in the in the rear yard;

 

That the property owner be notified of Council’s decision to refuse the demolition permit application;

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

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 recommend to Council that the demolition permit application for 94 John Street, a c.1929 brick bungalow and frame barn, be refused on the basis of the cultural heritage value or interest of these buildings on the subject property.

 

BACKGROUND:

A demolition permit has been received for 94 John Street within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District

A demolition permit application has been received for 94 John Street, a property within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District.  The demolition application is for the detached brick house on the property.  There is also a small frame barn or stable and a frame garage.  Although the barn and garage are not specifically noted for demolition on the application, it may be the owner’s intention to remove all standing structures from the property to create a vacant lot for future development.  Heritage Section staff sent the applicant a notice of receipt of the demolition permit application on April 19, 2007.

 

The building is of cultural heritage value or interest

The house at 94 John Street was built c. 1929 and is a prime example of an early 20th century bungalow from Thornhill’s early 20th century phase of development.  The house is well preserved and exhibits many typical design characteristics of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  The barn in the rear yard may pre-date the house, and is one of only a few remaining historical outbuildings in old Thornhill.

 

The building classification is under review

The house was not identified as a significant building in the 1986 Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan.  In the revised plan, currently under review, it was proposed to receive an “A” classification due to its age and classic bungalow style.  Under a revised classification system being considered to address some local concerns, the house is proposed to have a “B” classification as a building of emerging heritage value (see statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, Appendix ‘A’).

 

The proposed policy for B Class buildings within the new Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan states:

 

Generally, the demolition of Class B buildings is not supported, particularly if the building is supportive of the overall heritage character of the District.

 

The house is considered to be such an excellent example of its style that it is used to illustrate the style category in the updated District Plan (see Appendix ‘B’).  Several years ago, there was a fire that damaged the interior of the house.  The building was subsequently repaired, and the overall exterior character remained intact.

 

The property owner plans to build a new house at an undetermined future date

The property owner has decided to submit a demolition permit for the house.  At this time, no redevelopment proposal has been presented to Town staff, and no application for Site Plan Approval has been made for a replacement building.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Heritage Markham and staff recommend refusal of the demolition permit application

Heritage Markham reviewed the demolition permit application at its May 9, 2007 meeting.  The applicant was invited to attend the meeting to provide comments to the committee.  The applicant does not agree that the bungalow is a heritage building, and plans to build a new house on the property at a future, undetermined date.  No site plan application or conceptual drawings have been submitted at this time. Heritage Markham accepted the staff recommendation that the demolition permit application be refused on the basis of the cultural heritage value or interest of the building, and recommended that the owner add a compatible addition to enlarge the existing house to meet his needs.

 

The property is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act

Although 94 John Street is not specifically listed as a significant property within the 1986 Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan (in force until Council approves the revised Plan), the property is protected from alteration or demolition through the district designation.  The house and barn have been determined to have cultural heritage value or interest by Town staff and Heritage Markham under the criteria of the Ontario Heritage Act.

 

 

Council has permanent demolition control under the new Ontario Heritage Act

The Ontario Heritage Act was revised in 2005 to provide municipal councils with  the power of permanent demolition control for any building within a designated Heritage Conservation District.

 

Staff recommend that Council refuse the demolition permit application

Staff recommend that Council refuse the demolition permit application based on the cultural heritage value or interest of 94 John Street.  The loss of a building of cultural heritage value or interest within the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District would be detrimental to the maintenance of the character of the district.  The policies of both the 1986 District Plan and revised District Plan strongly discourage the demolition of heritage buildings.  Town Staff and Heritage Markham have indicated to the applicant their willingness to discuss alternative development options for the property that will preserve the heritage resources on the site.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The preservation of buildings of cultural heritage value or interest helps achieve a quality community by maintaining features that define the special character of the Town’s heritage conservation districts.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Building Department has been advised of Heritage Markham’s recommendation that the demolition permit application be refused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY

 

 

_______________________________               _________________________________

Valerie Shuttleworth , MCIP, RPP                      Jim Baird, MCIP, RPP

Director of Planning & Urban Design                  Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1:                     Applicant/Location Map

Appendix ‘A’:            Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

Appendix ‘B’:             Extract from Revised Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 1:

 

 

OWNER/APPLICANT:                    Carman Naccarato

                                                            67 Tanjoe Crescent

                                                            North York, ON

                                                            M2M 1P6

 

                                                            Telephone:

                                                            (416) 225-5463

 

FILE PATH: Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\JOHN\094\DSCMay2907.doc

 

LOCATION MAP: