Report to: Development Services Committee                                  Report Date: June 16, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program for Heritage Districts 2009

PREPARED BY:               Peter Wokral ext. 7955

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)      THAT the staff report entitled “Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program for Heritage Districts 2009” be received;

 

2)      THAT the applications for the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program be approved provided that the applicants comply with the eligibility requirements of the program;

 

3)      THAT the requested grant of $2,388.75 to install a new ground sign in front of 71 Markham Main St. N. conforming to the provisions for Special Sign Districts contained in the Sign By-law be approved subject to the applicant obtaining the necessary approvals and entering into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

 

4)      THAT the requested grant of $3,953.00 to replace the existing palladian window at 7 Washington St. be approved subject to the design being revised to replicate the original outline and details of the original window as seen in an archival photograph, and the applicant obtaining the necessary approvals and entering into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

 

5)      THAT the maximum grant for non-heritage buildings of $10,000.00 be approved to fund storefront improvements to 170 Main St. Unionville subject to the applicant obtaining the necessary approvals and entering into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

 

6)      THAT the maximum grant for non-heritage buildings of $10,000.00 be approved to fund storefront improvements to 4496 Highway 7, Unionville subject to the applicant removing illegal window signage, painting the stucco cladding in an approved heritage colour, removing the existing fluorescent light fixtures from the top edge of the roof to install more appropriate gooseneck lighting, installing awnings on the storefront windows, obtaining the necessary approvals, and entering into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

 

7)      THAT Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to enter into Façade Easement Agreements with the owners of 170 Main St. and 4496 Highway 7 Unionville and any other documents required to give effect thereto, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor;

 

 

8)      THAT Council agrees to waive the eligibility criteria pertaining to the timing of the initiation of the following projects: the sign for 71 Main St. N. and 170 Main St. Unionville;

 

9)      THAT the grants be funded through the Development Services Planning Capital Project 6633 (Heritage Façade Improvement/Replacement Program).

 

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

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

 

5. Others (HR, Strategic, Affected Units)                                   6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to recommend the approval of grant assistance for commercial façade improvements for properties within heritage districts.

 

BACKGROUND:

Council approved the Commercial Façade Improvement Program for commercial properties located in the Town’s three Heritage Conservation Districts on June 8, 2004.

 

The purpose of the program

The purpose of the façade improvement program is to assist in the exterior improvement of privately owned buildings in commercial use located within the Town of Markham’s heritage districts.  The financial assistance is available to encourage the restoration and improvement of commercial building facades in the heritage districts/ main street areas.  Both heritage and non-heritage buildings in commercial use are encouraged to apply.

 

Eligibility requirements for grant assistance

Commercial properties located in the Town’s heritage districts are eligible for the façade grant program.  Owners and tenants of commercial property can apply for assistance.  The subject property must not be in default of any municipal taxes, local improvements or any other monies payable to the Town (fees or penalties).  Also, the property must not be the subject of a by-law contravention, work order or outstanding municipal requirements, and the proposed work cannot commence prior to application approval.

 

Types of improvements that are eligible for assistance

Eligible facade improvements on heritage properties may include:

  • Repair or restoration of original features (cornices, parapets, eaves, other architectural features).
  • Repair, restoration or replacement of windows and doors.
  • Cleaning and repair of masonry.
  • Removal of non-original siding or facing
  • Installation of new signage in accordance with the Town’s Sign By-law for Special Sign Districts

 

Eligible façade improvements on non-heritage properties may include:

  • Renovation of existing commercial storefronts in accordance with standard principles of traditional storefront design (fascia board for signage above storefront, appropriate display windows, removal of incompatible alterations, etc.).
  • Improvements to the principal facades of incompatible buildings being sympathetic and compatible with the historic character of the area and the policies of the heritage conservation district plan.
  • Re-cladding in more traditional materials complementary to the district character.

 

Amount of grant assistance

The maximum façade grant is $10,000 for non-heritage properties and $15,000 for heritage properties.  The assistance is in the form of a 50/50 matching grant that is paid upon completion of approved work.  An applicant can receive one grant per calendar year. 

 

As a condition of any grant of $5,000 or more, the property owner is required to enter into a façade easement agreement, in perpetuity, with the municipality. A draft By-law to authorize the execution of Façade Easement agreements is attached as Schedule ‘A’.

 

Applicants who secure grant approval are also required to enter into a Grant Agreement/ Letter of Understanding with the municipality.  This Agreement establishes a formal arrangement between the applicant and the Town, and outlines the amount of the grant, the work to be done and the project completion date.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Four Applications were received in May 2009 in response to latest advertisement of the program

The review of grant applications is undertaken by Heritage Section Staff and Heritage Markham.  In total, four applications were received by the May 1, 2009 deadline and these have been reviewed.  (See Appendix A,B,C, D for summary of each requested grant). The following criteria were considered when reviewing the applications for assistance:

  • The project must comply with the policies and guidelines of the area’s heritage district plan;
  • Preference is given to applications proposing work on heritage properties;
  • On heritage properties, conservation and restoration of original architectural features will occur to the extent possible;
  • Projects must obtain municipal approval to qualify;
  • The assistance should not reward poor property stewardship;
  • Substantive improvements rather than short-term cosmetic patch-ups should be given priority.

 

All four grant applications are recommended for approval

Based on the above criteria, the façade grant applications for 71 Markham Main St. N., 7 Washington St., 170 Main St. Unionville and 4496 Highway 7, Unionville are all recommended for approval provided that a review by Town departments determines that there are no outstanding issues related to the properties.

 

 

Two of the applications should be approved with some conditions

Based on the above criteria the application to replace the existing palladian window at 7 Washington St. should only be approved if the replacement window is designed to have the same contours, pane divisions, and architectural details of the original window as seen in an archival photo of the building when it was still a Presbyterian Church.

 

The application for 4496 Highway 7 Unionville should only be approved if the applicant agrees to:

  • Remove the illegal window signs;
  • Remove the existing fluorescent lights that run across the top of the façade and replace them with more appropriate heritage lighting such as goose neck fixtures focused on the signage;
  • Repaint the stucco cladding of the building in a more appropriate heritage colour other than white; and
  • Introduce historic canvas awnings to provide a more traditional storefront appearance;

 

Two of the applicants plan to commence work prior to receiving approval from Council

The owners of 71 Markham Main St. N. and 170 Main St. Unionville have indicated that they must commence work on their projects before their grant is considered by Council. Under the eligibility requirement of the program, work is not to begin prior to Council’s approval.  Both applicants claim that their improvements must begin immediately in order for their businesses to function properly.  The application for 71 Markham Main St. is for a sign and does not impact the actual building, while the planned work for 170 Main St. Unionville has already been approved by Heritage Section Staff and Heritage Markham through a building permit application. 

 

The intent of the eligibility requirement to have applicants wait to commence work until the application is approved by Council is to make sure that applicants are not applying for funding for projects that have already been completed in the past.  It is the opinion of Heritage Section Staff and Heritage Markham that both projects do not fall into this category and can be supported, despite commencing work prior to Council’s consideration.

 

Two of the properties will require Heritage Easement Agreements

To be eligible for funding through the grant program, applicants requesting a grant in excess of $5000.00 must be subject to a Façade Easement Agreement with the Town.  The requested grants for 179 Main St. Unionville, and 4496 Highway 7 Unionville are for the $10,000.00 maximum allowed for non-heritage buildings and Council authorization is required for the Mayor and Clerk to enter into Façade Easement Agreements with the property owners.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

The total cost of the requested façade grants is $26,341.75.  Currently, Project 6633 (Heritage Façade Improvement/Replacement Program) has $53,357.00 available, which is sufficient to fund these grant requests. 

 

The balance remaining in Project 6633 of $27,015.25 will be used for future Heritage Façade/Sign Replacement Program requirements.

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

“Not applicable”

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Assisting with the costs of restoring downtown commercial heritage properties promotes private investment, increases property values, and property tax revenue while strengthening a sense of community and civic pride.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The applications were forwarded to Heritage Markham for review on May 13, 2009. Heritage Markham has no objection to the four grant applications subject to the noted conditions. (See Appendix E). The Finance Department has reviewed this report.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

                                     

 

 

 

 

Biju Karumanchery, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Senior Development Manager

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix ‘A, B, C, D’ Summary of Applications and Photographs

Appendix ‘E’                            May 13, 2009 Heritage Markham Recommendation

Schedule ‘A’                            Draft By-law authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to enter into 

                                                Façade Easement agreements with property owners