Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: October 20, 2009

SUBJECT: Request for Support for the Preservation of the Altona Inn

Council for the Township of Uxbridge

PREPARED BY: Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning, ext 2080

RECOMMENDATION:

1) That as recommended by Heritage Markham, the Council for the Town of Markham supports the initiatives being undertaken by the Council of the Township of Uxbridge to protect and preserve the Altona Inn including its designation and its request to Transport Canada to re-direct funding into the repair and restoration of the existing buildings on the Pickering Airport Lands rather than demolishing these local heritage resources;

2) That this resolution be forwarded to the Council for the Township of Uxbridge and Transport Canada;

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

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the request from the Council of the Township of Uxbridge for letters of support regarding the preservation of the Altona Inn, to communicate Heritage Markham’s recommendation on this matter, and to recommend that Council support the request by the Council of the Township of Uxbridge.

BACKGROUND:

The Altona Inn is a significant, but threatened heritage property in Uxbridge.

The Altona Inn is located on Pickering Airport Lands in the hamlet of Altona, and is owned by Transport Canada. Transport Canada has indicated that it will be pursuing the demolition of the building similar to its actions in Pickering and Markham in previous years.

The Altona Inn was one of the first non-residential buildings to be constructed in Altona. It was originally built in 1850 and substantially modified in 1875. It had both a commercial and social purpose in the community. For 60 years it served its original function as a hotel, later becoming the community’s general store (1921-1955).

The building is currently vacant and in poor condition as are a number of heritage buildings in Transport Canada’s ownership on the Airport Lands.

Township of Uxbridge has requested letters of support for their actions to protect the Altona Inn

The Council of the Township of Uxbridge is supportive of preserving and protecting the Altona Inn. Uxbridge is initiating designation of the property under the Ontario Heritage Act and is requesting letters of support from York Region, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Markham, Pickering, area MP’s and MPP’s as well as Parks Canada for the protection and preservation of the Inn. Uxbridge is also contacting Transport Canada to lobby for the protection of the building from demolition and requesting that the allotted funding for the demolition of the Inn be re-directed for the immediate restoration of the Inn roof.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Heritage Markham supports the preservation and the protection of the Altona Inn

Heritage Markham passed a resolution recommending that Markham Council support the efforts being undertaken by Uxbridge to protect this building (see Extract from the September 9, 2009 meeting, Appendix ‘A’).

Town of Markham support for protection

In consideration of Heritage Markham’s recommendation regarding the property, and in recognition of the on-going efforts of the Township of Uxbridge to protect this heritage property, staff recommend that Council pass a resolution in support of the protection and preservation efforts being undertaken by Uxbridge and request Transport Canada to re-direct funding into the repair and restoration of existing buildings on the Pickering Airport Lands as opposed to using funds for demolition purposes. It is recommended that this resolution be forwarded to Transport Canada and the Council of the Township of Uxbridge.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable.

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not applicable.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

This staff report aligns with the corporate strategic priority of Growth Management by supporting the recognition of a significant cultural heritage property within the context of growth and development in the local area.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Heritage Markham was consulted on September 9, 2009. The municipal heritage committee’s recommendation is attached as Appendix ‘A’.

RECOMMENDED BY:

____________________________ ______________________________

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

Senior Development Manager Commissioner of Development Services.

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix “A” Heritage Markham Extract - September 9, 2009

Appendix “B” Information on the Altona Inn from a Historical Report prepared by John Sabean, April 2002, Public Works and Government Services Canada

File path: Q:\Development\Heritage\SUBJECT\Uxbridge\DSC report Altona Inn Oct 2009.DOC