Report to: Development Services Committee                                               November 4, 2008

 

SUBJECT:                          Amendment to a Designation By-law Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act

                                            Gapper-Duncan House

                                            6 Wismer Place

                                            Ron and Julie Christian

 

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

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That as recommended by Heritage Markham and requested by the property owner, designation By-law 234-98 for the GapperDuncan House – 6 Wismer Place be amended to include the historic fireplace mantel in the Reasons for Designation;

 

That the Clerk’s Department be authorized to serve Council’s Notice of Intention to Amend the Designation By-law as per the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act;

 

That if there are no objections to the amendment in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be authorized to place an amended 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 By-law 234 – 98, designating the “Gapper-Duncan House” under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, be amended to include a significant interior feature.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Gapper-Duncan House was designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1998

The Gapper-Duncan House, built in 1828, is located at 6 Wismer Place in Markham Heritage Estates.  The property was designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act  in 1998.  The house is one of the oldest buildings in the Town of Markham, and is an outstanding example of the Georgian architectural tradition, with Regency features. A copy of the Reasons for Designation is attached as Appendix ‘A.’

 

The owners wish to include a significant interior feature in the Reasons for Designation

The owners of 6 Wismer Place wish to include a significant fireplace mantel in the list of protected architectural attributes. This mantel originally ornamented a fireplace in the parlour of the Gapper-Duncan House, but is now located in the family room. It is made of two types of figured maple: bird’s eye maple and tiger maple.  It is a rare example of an early 19th century fireplace mantel made from native hardwoods. No interior features are currently included in the Reasons for Designation.  No other interior features are proposed for inclusion in the Reasons for Designation.

 

Heritage Markham supports the amendment to the designation by-law

Heritage Markham supports the owner’s request to amend the designation By-law to include the maple fireplace mantle ( See Heritage Markham Extract, Appendix ‘B’).  Staff agree that this feature is significant and worthy of inclusion in the Reasons for Designation.

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The process to amend a designation by-law is prescribed in the Ontario Heritage Act

In order to amend a designation by-law, Council must approve the change based on a recommendation of the Municipal Heritage Committee, and serve notice on the property owner. This process is outlined in Section 30.1(2) to (10) of the Ontario Heritage Act.  The Act does not require the public notice required for designation of a property, when the amendment is minor in nature, as in this case.

 

This amendment will protect a significant feature of the Gapper-Duncan House

The present owners, who relocated the Gapper-Duncan House to Markham Heritage Estates and restored it with great care, wish to protect this significant fireplace mantel in perpetuity.  Inclusion of the mantle in the Reasons for Designation will require present and future property owners to seek Council approval for permission to alter this protected feature.  Alterations could mean physical changes to the mantel, moving its location within the house, or removing it from the property altogether.

 

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

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Heritage Designation aligns with the Strategic Priority of Growth Management by recognizing, promoting and protecting cultural heritage resources, which strengthen the sense of community.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Acceptance of this recommendation to amend the designation by-law for the property located at 6 Wismer Place under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act will require the Clerk’s Department to initiate the following actions:

 

 

 

 

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:  Building Photograph

Figure 3:  Fireplace Mantle Photograph

 

Appendix ‘A’ – Current Reasons for Designation

Appendix ‘B’ – Heritage Markham Extract

 

File Path: Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\WISMER\06\DSCNov408.doc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 1:

 

Owner:

 

Ron and Julie Christian                          Telephone: 905-471-5404

6 Wismer Place                                                Fax:            905-471-2798

Markham ON

L6E 1A7

 

Location Map: