RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the “Lewis J. Burkholder House” at 6881
Highway 7 be approved for designation under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act,
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AND
THAT the Clerk’s Department be authorized to:
- publish and
serve Council’s Notice of Intention to Designate as per the requirements of the Act;
and
- prepare the Designation By-law for the property.
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PURPOSE:
To recommend to Council that the “Lewis J. Burkholder House”
(historical reference) at 6881 Highway 7 be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act.
BACKGROUND:
The
building is listed on the Inventory of Heritage Buildings
The subject property contains a heritage
building that is listed on the Markham Inventory of Heritage Buildings and is
identified in the Cornell Secondary Plan (Appendix 3 – Heritage Buildings) as a
building of heritage significance. The Burkholder House has been evaluated as a
Group 2 Heritage Building. The Designation Report for this property is attached
as Appendix “A.”
The
Burkholder House was home to a prominent Mennonite historian
The Burkholder House was built in 1904 as the
residence of Lewis J. Burkholder, a local Mennonite minister and author of a
history of the Mennonites in Ontario, published in 1935. The two storey frame house is a well-preserved
early 20th century vernacular dwelling illustrating the transition
from the decorative architectural expressions of the late Victorian Period into
the simpler styles of the early 20th century.
Heritage
Markham evaluated this building as part of the Cornell Secondary
Plan process
In 1992, the Lewis J. Burkholder House was
evaluated as a Group 2 heritage building as part of the Cornell Secondary Plan
process. Buildings of this status are typically recommended for preservation
and designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The property
has recently been sold for future development
The Burkholder family continued to own the
property at 6881 Highway 7 until early 2005, when it was sold for development.
While the property was for sale, Heritage Section staff responded to a number
of inquiries regarding the heritage status of the house. It was made clear to
any prospective purchasers/agents that although the property had not been
formally designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, it was a candidate
for designation. Prospective purchasers/agents were also advised by staff that
the building would be recommended for preservation and integration into any
future development proposals in accordance with the Cultural Heritage policies
of the Cornell Secondary Plan.
The
proposed update to the Cornell Centre Secondary Plan will change the land use
for this property
The subject property is currently designated as
Community Amenity Area Corridor under the Cornell Centre Secondary Plan, which
allows for a mix of office and residential use. The proposed update to the
Cornell Centre Secondary Plan would re-designate these lands and adjacent
properties for Residential – Medium Density uses. At present, no development
concepts have been received for 6881 Highway 7. However, when any proposals are
brought forward for review by the Heritage Section, the applicants will be
advised that the heritage house is to be integrated into the development plans.
The
building is currently vacant
The property and house are currently unoccupied.
Property maintenance issues resulted in a citizen complaint and subsequent
action by Heritage Section staff to file a complaint to the Town’s By-law
Enforcement section. The buildings (house and outbuildings) have been reported
to be open and the grounds overgrown. This raises concern that the heritage
resources on the property are not being cared for and are therefore at risk of
damage or loss. Under the new Ontario Heritage Act, it is now possible
for municipalities to enact a special property standards by-law to prescribe
minimum acceptable standards of upkeep for designated heritage properties. This
option will be under consideration by the Town in the fall, but at this time,
existing by-laws dealing with property maintenance will have to be used to compel
the owner to secure the buildings and keep them in an acceptable state of
repair.
Heritage
Markham recommends designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
At its meeting of August 10, 2005, Heritage Markham recommended that the Lewis J. Burkholder House be
designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. (See Heritage Markham Extract, attached as
Appendix “B.”) The property owners have been advised of this recommendation and
that this staff report has been prepared for the September 6th, 2005 Development Services meeting. To date, the owners have simply inquired
about what the effect of the heritage designation will be.
DISCUSSION:
The preservation and designation of the Lewis J. Burkholder House is
consistent with the policies of the Cornell Secondary Plan
The Secondary Plan for the Cornell Secondary
Plan Area contains Cultural Heritage policies (See Appendix ‘C’). Briefly,
these policies provide for the retention and conservation of significant
heritage buildings and their integration into development proposals. Appendix 3
of the Secondary Plan lists 22 heritage buildings, including the Lewis J.
Burkholder House at 6881 Highway 7. Significant heritage buildings are
typically given recognition and protection through designation under the Ontario
Heritage Act. The preservation and designation of this building is
consistent with the policies of the Cornell Secondary Plan.
Designation of this property will strengthen the Town’s ability to
protect the building
In its current state, the Lewis J.
Burkholder House is vulnerable and in need of immediate protection. The action
of the By-law Enforcement Department will hopefully result in securing the
property in the interim, but for long-term protection heritage designation is
recommended as an appropriate action to preserve this significant heritage
resource. Heritage designation will enhance the building’s heritage status
during the development application process when it occurs.
Should Council decide to proceed with the
recommendation to designate 6881 Highway 7 under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act, the Clerk’s Department should be authorized to:
- publish and serve on the property owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust
and the public through a 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.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
There are no financial implications to be
considered in this report.
ENGAGE 21ST
CONSIDERATIONS:
Heritage designation helps to
achieve a quality community by recognizing, promoting and protecting a heritage
resource, which strengthens the sense of community.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Acceptance of this recommendation to designate
6881 Highway 7 will require the Clerk’s Department to initiate the notice
process and prepare the designation by-law.
ATTACHMENTS:
Figure 1: Applicant/Agent
and Location Map
Figure 2: Air
Photo
Appendix “A”: Designation
Report
Appendix “B”: Heritage
Markham Extract August 10, 2005
Appendix “C” Cultural
Heritage Policies, Cornell Secondary Plan
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Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Urban Design
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Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Development Services
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FIGURE 1:
DOCUMENT: Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\HWY7\6881\dscsept20.dot
OWNER: 778374 Ontario Limited tel.
905-770-7002
25 Brodie Drive, Unit 2 fax 905-770-9798
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B
3K7
Att’n Charles Attardo, Contract
Project Manager
Primont Homes
LOCATION MAP:
