Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: May 18, 2010

SUBJECT: Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program for Heritage Districts 2010

PREPARED BY: Peter Wokral ext 7955

RECOMMENDATION:

1) THAT the staff report entitled “Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program for Heritage Districts 2010” 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 48 Main St. N. receive $11,340.00 of grant assistance to repair and paint the existing historic wood siding provided that outstanding issues with the Town pertaining to the unauthorized removal of the decorative glass sidelights around the front entrance and the unauthorized expansion of the front yard patio be resolved, and that the applicant obtains the necessary approval, and enters into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

4) THAT 170 Main St. Unionville receive $1,450.00 of grant assistance to repair the exterior brick veneer of the tower provided that they obtain the necessary approvals and enter into a Grant Agreement with the Town;

5) THAT the grants be funded through the Heritage Façade Improvement/Replacement Program.

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 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. Both properties are already subject to Heritage Conservation Easement agreements.

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:

Two Applications were received in April 2010 in response to latest advertisement of the program

The review of grant applications is undertaken by Heritage Section Staff and Heritage Markham. In total, two applications were received by the April 1, 2010 deadline and these have been reviewed. (See Appendix A& B for a 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.

The grant application for 48 Main St. N. is recommended for approval with conditions

The application to repair and re-paint the existing historic siding of 48 Main St. N. is recommended for approval provided that the applicant resolves outstanding issues with the Town regarding the unauthorized removal of the decorative glass sidelights of the front entrance and the unauthorized expansion of the front yard patio. The applicant is currently working with the Town to resolve the commercial patio issues. Recommendation for approval is also conditional on a review by Town departments determining that there are no other outstanding issues related to the property as well as the owner entering into a Grant Agreement/Letter of Understanding with the Town.

A grant of $1,450.00 is recommended for 170 Main St. Unionville which is less than what the applicant requested

The property owner originally requested grant assistance totaling $8,950.00. Based on a review of the application by Heritage Section Staff and Heritage Markham, only the exterior work relating to the repair of the brick veneer on the tower was eligible for funding through the grant program. Therefore, only $1,450.00 (1/2 of quoted cost) of the $8,950.00 requested by the owner is recommended for approval, provided that a review by Town departments determines that there are no outstanding issues related to the property as well as the owner entering into a Grant Agreement/Letter of Understanding with the Town.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

The total cost of the requested façade grants is $12,790.00. These particular requests will be funded through the Heritage Façade Improvement/Sign Replacement Project 6633 (2005) in the amount of $6,888.75 and Project 8025 (2008 top up) in the amount of $5,901.25.

The balance remaining in the account will be set aside for future Commercial Façade Grant and Sign Replacement grants.

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 April 14, 2010. Heritage Markham has no objection to the approval of the grant applications subject to the noted conditions. 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’ Summary of Applications and Photographs

Q:\Development\Heritage\SUBJECT\Grant Program Facades\2010 Applications\MAY 2010 DSC Report.doc