Report to: Development Services Committee Date of Meeting: April 8, 2008

SUBJECT: Intention to Designate under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act

The Button House

8977 Woodbine Avenue

Aspet Allaverdian

PREPARED BY: Peter Wokral ext. 7955

RECOMMENDATION:

That as recommended by Heritage Markham, the Button House – 8977 Woodbine Avenue be approved for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value or interest;

That the Clerk’s Department be authorized to publish and serve Council’s Notice of Intention to Designate as per the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act;

That if there are no objections to the designation in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be authorized to place a designation by-law before Council for adoption;

And That if there are any objections in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to refer the proposed designation to the Ontario Conservation Review Board.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Environmental

6. Accessibility 7. Engage ^21st 8. Affected Units 9. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to recommend to Council that the “Button House” (historical reference) be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

BACKGROUND:

The building is listed on the Register

The subject building is located at 8977 Woodbine Avenue. It is listed in the Markham Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.

The property is contained within a heritage study area

The subject property is contained within the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study Area.

The Button House is a good example of a modest Classic Revival style dwelling of the mid 19^th century connected with Major John Button, the village’s namesake.

The Button House is a 1 1/2 storey structure of frame construction retaining much of its original Classic Revival detailing and character. The house was likely built for Major John Button the namesake of the village as a means to entice others to purchase town lots created from Button farm. John Button (1772-1861) was a cooper from Connecticut who came to Canada in 1798. Major Button served with distinction in the defence of Upper Canada in the War of 1812 and the Rebellion of 1837.

The Statement of Significance- Reasons for Designation is attached as Appendix ‘A’.

The building has been evaluated using the Town’s heritage evaluation system

The building was evaluated by Heritage Markham and staff using the Town’s Heritage Building Evaluation System. The Button House was evaluated as a Group 1 Heritage Building. Group 1 buildings are those buildings of major significance and importance to the Town and worthy of designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The building has been assessed using the Ministry of Culture’s Designation Criteria

The Government of Ontario on January 25, 2006 passed a regulation (O.Reg. 9/16) which prescribes criteria for determining a property’s cultural heritage value or interest for the purpose of designation. Municipal councils are permitted to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or interest if the property meets the prescribed criteria.

The purpose of the regulation is to provide an objective base for the determination and evaluation of resources of cultural heritage value. The prescribed criteria help ensure the effective, comprehensive and consistent determination of value or interest by all Ontario municipalities. The criteria are essentially a test against which properties can be judged; the stronger the characteristics of the property compared to the standard, the greater the property’s cultural heritage value. The property may be designated if it meets one or more of the criteria.

The subject property has cultural heritage value or interest as it meets the following criteria:

• The property has design value or physical value because it:
• Is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type expression, material or construction method,
• The property has historical value or associative value because it:
• Has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community;
• The property has contextual value because it:
• Is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area,
• Is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings,

Heritage Markham has recommended designation

The designation process under the Ontario Heritage Act requires a municipal council to consult with its municipal heritage committee when properties are considered for designation. The historical research and heritage attributes related to this heritage resource were reviewed by Heritage Markham on December 12, 2007 and the committee has recommended that the resource be designated as a property of cultural heritage value or interest.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The preservation of the heritage resource is consistent with Town policies

The Town of Markham Official Plan and the Buttonville Secondary Plan (OPA 104), contain Cultural Heritage policies related to the protection and preservation of heritage resources and how they are to be treated within the development process of an area. These policies support the preservation of heritage resources on their original site, and the integration into new development proposals. The designation of this resource will ensure that its heritage attributes are addressed and protected.

Provincial planning policies support designation

The Ontario Government’s current Provincial Policy Statement which was issued under Section 3 of the Planning Act and came into effect March 2005 includes cultural heritage policies. These policies indicate that significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved. Designation provides a mechanism to achieve the necessary protection. The policies further indicate that development and site alteration may be permitted on adjacent lands to protected heritage property where the proposed development has been evaluated and its has been demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the resource will be conserved.

Designation will help facilitate the integration of the resource into the planning process

Heritage designation will strengthen the Town’s ability to provide for the appropriate integration of the heritage resource into development proposals. It will enhance the resource’s status during changes in ownership and offers protection from potential alterations that may affect the heritage attributes and value.

The applicant is in agreement with the recommendation to designate

The applicant is aware of and in support of the recommendation to designate the Button House under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Designation acknowledges the importance of the heritage resource

Designation signifies to both the owner and the broader community that the property contains a significant resource that is important to the community. Designation doesn’t restrict the use of the property. However, it does require the owner to seek approval for property alterations that are likely to affect the heritage attributes described in the designation by-law. Council can also prevent, rather than just delay, the demolition of a resource on a designated heritage property.

The designation of this cultural heritage resource is supported by staff.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE (Separate Attachment):

Not applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Heritage designation helps achieve a quality community by recognizing, promoting and protecting heritage resources, which strengthen the sense of community.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Acceptance of this recommendation to designate the property located at 8977 Woodbine Avenue under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act will require the Clerk’s Department to initiate the following actions:

• publish and serve on the property owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the public through newspaper advertisement, Council’s notice of intention to designate the property as per the requirements of the Act: and

• prepare the designation by-law for the property

RECOMMENDED BY:

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Owner/Agent and Location Map

Figure 2- Aerial Map

Figure 3- Building Photographs

Appendix ‘A’ – Statement of Significance/ Reasons for Designation

Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\WOODBINE\8977\Designation Report April 22 2008.doc