HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Canada Room, Markham Civic Centre

Wednesday July 8, 2009

Members	Regrets
Councillor Valerie Burke Susan Casella Councillor Joe Virgilio	Denise Sabatini-Fuina James Makaruk
Ted Chisholm Judith Dawson
Deirdre Kavanagh Richard Morales Councillor Carolina Moretti Sylvia Morris
Barry Nelson, Chair Ronald Waine

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

George Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner

Peter Wokral, Heritage Planner

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

Barry Nelson, Chair, convened the meeting at 7:20 PM by asking for any declarations of interest with respect to items on the agenda. Mrs. Susan Casella disclosed an interest with respect to Item #19 as her daughter and son-in-law own the property, and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such matter.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (16.11)

A) Addendum Agenda

B) New Business from Committee Members

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That the Heritage Markham agenda be approved.

CARRIED

2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
SIXTH HERITAGE MARKHAM MEETING
JUNE 10, 2009 (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That the Minutes of the Heritage Markham meeting held on June 10, 2009 be received and adopted.

CARRIED

3. COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
VARIANCE APPLICATION
FILE NUMBER: A/64/09
7 HERITAGE CORNER'S LANE
MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION (16.11)

Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
G. Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner
R. Cefaratti, Secretary-Treasuer, Committee of Adjustment

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham has no objection to Minor Variance application A/64/09 for

7 Heritage Corner's Lane.

CARRIED

4. INFORMATION
60 ROUGE STREET, MARKHAM
DEMOLITION PERMIT
SITE PLAN APPLICATION AND OMB HEARING (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive as information.

CARRIED

5. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATIONS
FILE NUMBERS: HE 09 117569, HE 09 117263, HE 09 118441
22 DAVID GOHN CIRCLE
99 THOROUGHBRED WAY
22 JOHN STREET
HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY STAFF (16.11)

Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

The Committee suggested that Heritage staff monitor the work being completed at 22 John Street. Staff advised that they will be inspecting the work periodically and that if any members of the community see anything amiss to contact the Heritage staff.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive the memorandum concerning the Heritage Permit Applications for 22 David Gohn Circle, 99 Thoroughbred Way, and 22 John Street, approved by staff on behalf of Heritage Markham, as information.

CARRIED

6. BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS
FILE NUMBERS: 09 112581 AL, 09 116711 AL
206 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE
210 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY STAFF (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive the memorandum concerning the Building Permit Applications for 206 Main Street and 210 Main Street, Unionville, approved by staff on behalf of Heritage Markham, as information.

CARRIED

7. MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION
FILE NUMBER: A/68/09
100 JOHN STREET
THORNHILL HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (16.11)
Extract: P. Wokral, Heritage Planner

R. Ceffarrati, Committee of Adjustment
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham has no objection to the requested variance to permit a minimum exterior side yard setback of 2.20m whereas the By-law permits a minimum exterior side yard setback of 4.47m for the proposed new house at 100 John Street provided that windows are added to the east wall to soften the visual mass of the proposed exterior brick wall.

CARRIED

8. INFORMATION
179 JOHN STREET, THORNHILL
HOUSE FIRE (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive the staff memorandum concerning the house fire at

179 John Street, Thornhill, as information.

CARRIED

9. SPECIAL EVENTS
DOORS OPEN MARKHAM PLANNING COMMITTEE NOTES
JUNE 10, 17 AND 24, 2009 (16.11)

Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive as information.

CARRIED

10. CORRESPONDENCE (16.11)

Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham receive as information.

CARRIED

11. REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
26 ALBERT STREET
PROPOSED RE-LOCATION AND RE-CONSTRUCTION
OF EXISTING DWELLING
AS AN ATTACHED GARAGE (16.11)
Extract: P. Wokral, Heritage Planner
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

The Heritage Planner introduced the above item.

Mr. Russ Gregory, Gregory Design Group, addressed the Committee to provide details regarding the proposal to re-locate the existing residential building further back on the lot and reconstruct it as a garage in conjunction with a proposed new single detached home.

Some Committee members stated that they are not in support of the proposal to convert the existing heritage house into a garage and believe that the house is restorable.

Mr. John Wannop, 7 Houghton Blvd., addressed the Committee advising he was the previous owner of 26 Albert Street. He believes the existing heritage house is not restorable and should be demolished.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham supports the retention of the dwelling as part of a larger new house with the heritage component remaining prominent on the corner location.

CARRIED

12. DESIGNATION
101 TOWN CENTRE BOULEVARD
DESIGNATION OF MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

The Committee suggested that the surrounding lands of the Markham Civic Centre be included in a research report on the potential designation of the property.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham request staff to prepare a research report on the Markham Civic Centre including the surrounding open space areas and bring it back to a future meeting of Heritage Markham for consideration.

CARRIED

13. AWARDS
ONTARIO HERITAGE TRUST AWARDS:
REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

The Manager of Heritage Planning advised that this item was deferred from the last meeting and suggested that a decision be made tonight for the reason that the deadline for nomination forms is Friday July 17, 2009.

The Committee suggested that Donna Wigmore be nominated for Built Heritage and that Susan Casella be nominated for Lifetime Achievement.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That the following individuals be nominated for the Ontario Heritage Trust Heritage Community Recognition Program and the Young Heritage Leaders Program:

Built Heritage – Donna Wigmore

Lifetime Achievement – Susan Casella

CARRIED

14. REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE, SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 7
BRIDGE AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS (16.11)
Extract: R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
E. Wimmer, Senior Planner, Urban Design
N. Azmy, Senior Capital Works Engineer

The Manager of Heritage Planning summarized the details of the staff memorandum. He presented the Committee with stone samples for the bridge. He advised that the closest colour for the street lamp post would be the Black Eclipse because there is not a blue/grey option.

There was brief discussion regarding the proposed natural limestone and whether it can sustain the winter climate.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham supports the use of natural limestone cladding identified as the larger sample of grey limestone, for the Main Street Unionville bridge parapet walls/railings, laid in a random pattern;

And that Heritage Markham recommends that the new concrete street light poles on Main Street, Unionville, south of Highway 7 be Black Eclipse in colour with no acrylic finish which should be complementary to those located north of Highway 7 and that the lantern fixtures be a complementary grey colour.

CARRIED

15. SITE PLAN APPROVAL APPLICATION
FILE NUMBER: SC 09 117404
1 HERITAGE CORNER'S LANE, MARKHAM HERITAGE ESTATES
PROPOSED DETACHED GARAGE (16.11)
Extract: P. Wokral, Heritage Planner
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That Heritage Markham has no objection to proposed design for a detached garage at

1 Heritage Corner's Lane provided that the horizontal wooden band is deleted from between the first and secondary storey;

That the applicant enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the Town containing usual provisions regarding windows, materials, colours, etc.;

And that final approval of the Site Plan Agreement for the proposed detached garage at

1 Heritage Corner's Lane be delegated to Heritage Section Staff.

CARRIED

16. REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
5 MAIN STREET

PROPOSED GAS STATION CANOPY ALTERATION (16.11)

Extract: P. Wokral, Heritage Planner
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

The Manager of Heritage Planning summarized the details outlined in the staff memo.

Mr. B. Butterfield, Country Sign, addressed the Committee regarding the proposed gas station canopy alterations at 5 Main Street. He advised that this canopy has been hit multiply times by trucks and that they would like to raise it now that the gas station is under construction to avoid future safety issues.

The Committee explained the option of whether the entire station could be improved by a new building/ canopy. The reps indicated that such a venture was not economically viable at the time.

The Committee stated concerns with the proposal and suggested that proper signage be installed to direct larger trucks to use the outside lanes only to avoid hitting the canopy.

Mr. Graham Freed, Petro Canada, advised the Committee that if they do not obtain approval to raise the canopy, then proper signage and a drop bar would be installed.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

That the proposed increase to the height of the Petro Canada canopy at 5 Main Street North not be supported at this prominent gateway location as the alteration would not enhance or re-enforce the character of the Markham Village Heritage Conservation District.

CARRIED

17. TREE REMOVAL

MARLENE SLOPACK, ARCHITECT

206 MAIN STREET

UNIONVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

__________________D. Prendergast, Tree Preservation Technologist

The Heritage Planner summarized the details outlined in the memo.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT Heritage Markham does not support the removal of the mature sugar maple tree on the south side of the driveway at 206 Main Street, Unionville, and recommends that the applicant re-evaluate the planned driveway and landscape improvements to incorporate the tree according to appropriate advice from the arborist.

CARRIED

18. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION (file number pending)

STONE WALL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AND TREE REMOVAL

JOHN TOMSO

49 JOHN STREET

THORNHILL HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

G. Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner

The Heritage Planner summarized the recent events related alterations without approval at 49 John Street for the Committee.

Mrs. Katalin Tomso, 49 John Street, addressed the Committee advising that she was not aware that a permit was required for the work completed on her driveway and construction of the stone wall. She also advised that they have already purchased a free-standing lamp post and also lights for each pillar of the wall.

The Committee also suggested eliminating the proposed coach lights from the wall piers.

The Committee explored the option of simplifying the free standing lamp post to a fixture with only one light. Mrs. Tomso indicated that this was possible.

The Committee inquired on the number of trees removed from the property. Mrs. Tomso advised that 3 large coniferous trees were removed but the birch tree has not been removed, and that they are proposing to plant one blue spruce, shrubs and a Japanese Maple in front of the stone wall.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT Heritage Markham accepts the lighting, “after the fact” Heritage Permit application for tree removal, driveway pavement and stone wall at 49 John Street, on the condition that the acceptance of the wall does not set a precedent for future, similar applications, as stone walls are not considered appropriate for the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District;

THAT low shrubs and/or perennials be planted in front of the wall to soften the effect;

THAT the proposed coach lights for the wall piers be eliminated;

AND THAT for the lamp post, a single lamp only is considered appropriate.

CARRIED

19. CONSENT APPLICATION B/20/09

SAM AND PAMELA NAFFAA

12 BUTTONVILLE CRESCENT

BUTTONVILLE HERITAGE
CONSERVATION DISTRICT STUDY AREA (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning;

_________R. Cefarratti, Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment

The Manager of Heritage Planning reviewed the application with the Committee.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT Heritage Markham has no objection to the proposed severance application for 12 Buttonville Crescent West subject to the execution of a Heritage Easement Agreement with the Town for the existing dwelling.

CARRIED

20. INFORMATION

Heritage Conservation Districts, East Gwillimbury Demolition, Heritage Canada’s Top 10 Endangered Places

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

The Manager of Heritage Planning indicated the positive information pertaining to heritage conservation districts would be summarized for a future heritage district newsletter.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT Heritage Markham receive this material as information.

CARRIED

21. REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

PROPOSED ATTACHED GARAGE

27 JOHN STREET

THORNHILL HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT the Architectural Review Sub-Committee arrange a site visit and meeting to determine the age and condition of the existing garage at 27 John St. and the appropriateness of the proposed alterations (enlargement of the garage and addition of a carport to the front of the garage) with the authority to approve on behalf of Heritage Markham.

CARRIED

22. REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

PROPOSED NEW HOUSE AND DETACHED GARAGE

THE GREGORY DESIGN GROUP

17 VICTORIA AVENUE

UNIONVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

There was brief discussion regarding the square footage of the proposed new house and whether it is too large for the area. Some of the Committee suggested that neighbours should be consulted prior to any decisions being made on such a proposal.

Mr. Russ Gregory, Gregory Design Group, addressed the Committee advising that the proposed footprint of the house is approximately 2,300 sf and an additional 750 sf for the garage. He also advised that the owner has presented their proposal to some of the neighbours and has not received any negative feedback. Mr. Gregory is requesting that this application continue to move forward. A revised front elevation (1 ½ storey version) was distributed.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT the design for the proposed house at 17 Victoria Avenue be revised to reflect the predominant historic architectural style of the street (a 1 ½ storey vernacular frame cottage) and be referred to the Architectural Review Sub-Committee.

CARRIED

23. THE DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY AND ASSOCIATED LANDS

RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

Councillor Valerie Burke suggested that a motion be passed asking the Town of Markham Council to formerly request the Federal Government to designate the David Dunlap Observatory and associated lands as a National Historic Site.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

The Heritage Markham Committee recommends that the Town of Markham Council officially request the Federal Government to consider designating the David Dunlap lands as a National Historic Site.

CARRIED

24. HERITAGE CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 2009 (16.11)

Extracts: R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

Ms. Deirdre Kavanagh advised the Committee that she will obtain the cost for the Heritage Conference taking place in September 2009 in Toronto and that if there are sufficient funds in the budget she will be requesting funding to attend.

The issue of Committee Members attending the Heritage Canada Foundation Annual Conference to be held in September in Toronto will be placed on the August agenda.

The Heritage Markham Committee meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.