Report to: Development Services Committee                                  Report Date: June 19, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Approval

                                            Dr. Craig S. Anderson

                                            128 Markham Main Street North

                                            Markham Village Heritage Conservation District

 

PREPARED BY:               Peter Wokral, Heritage Planner ext. 7955

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council has no objection to the owner of 128 Markham Main Street North receiving the maximum grant available from the Markham Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program, provided that the applicant meets all other applicable requirements;

 

And that the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement between the property owner of 128 Markham Main Street North, and the Town;

 

And that the three capital planning budgets related to Heritage Districts, Façade Improvement/ Sign replacement program (80-5350-3511-005 / 80-6150-6633-005 / 80-6150-7050-005) be consolidated into 80-6150-6633-005;

 

That the grant be funded through the consolidated Heritage Districts, Façade Improvement / Sign replacement program Capital Account (080-6150-6633-005) (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 provided for since 2001, (See p.2)and is included in the Development Services Commission’s capital budget currently under three different capital projects (80-5350-3511-005 / 80-6150-6633-005 / 80-6150-7050-005).  For better management of accounts, Staff proposes that the 3 accounts be consolidated into one (80-6150-6633-005) and that the 128 Markham Main Street North grant be funded from the newly consolidated account as detailed in the table below.

 

                       

 

 

 

 

Heritage Façade Improvement/ Replacement Program Budget Details

 

Additional funding for the programs will be assessed on an annual basis through the budget process.  The maximum grant 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 provide a grant from the Commercial Façade Improvement Program to the owner of 128 Markham Main Street North.

 

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.

 

 

 

The building is a significant heritage resource worthy of a Façade Improvement Grant

The building at 128 Markham Main Street North is the end unit of a continuous commercial block of late 19th century brick buildings located on the south west corner of Markham Main Street North and Wilson Street.  Being the corner unit, it has the greatest visual exposure of the block of commercial buildings that help to define the scale and space of Markham Main St. N.  Currently the building has a one storey front addition that is unsympathetic to the heritage character of the rest of the building in terms of its scale, materials and proportion.

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

 

The applicant wishes to improve the appearance of the existing front addition with a traditional renovation

The applicant wishes to improve the appearance of the existing addition by removing the exterior stone facing, and replace it with a traditional, and architecturally compatible wooden and glass storefront with a recessed entrance and signage.  The owner also plans to raise the height of the existing front addition’s roof, and change it to a hipped roof with a shallower pitch (See Figure 3).

 

Heritage Markham supports the proposed improvements

Heritage Markham reviewed the proposed improvements to the façade of 128 Markham Main St. North at their May 9, 2007 meeting and had no objection to the property owner entering into a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement with the Town and being made eligible for the 2007 Commercial Façade Improvement Program.  (See Appendix “A”)

 

The project is eligible for a grant

As the building is a significant heritage resource that contributes to the scale and character of Markham’s heritage commercial district, it is recommended that Council help support the efforts of the applicant to improve his façade and reinforce and enhance the character of the building and the surrounding Heritage Conservation District by way of a maximum grant of $15,000.00 available through the Markham Commercial Façade Improvement Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 

 

______________________________                  ________________________________

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

Director of Planning & Urban Design                      Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Contemporary Photograph of 128 Markham Main St. N.

Figure 3: Proposed improvements to façade of 128 Markham Main St. N.

Figure 4: Perspective sketch of proposed façade improvements to 128 Markham Main St. N.

Appendix A: Extract from May 9, 2007 Heritage Markham Meeting

 

 

 

Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\MAINSTN\128\Facade Grant Report June 19 2007.doc