Heritage Markham Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 7

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members

• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Karen Rea, Chair
• Ron Blake
• Ken Davis
• Victor Huang
• Lake Trevelyan, Vice-Chair
• David Wilson

Regrets

• Elizabeth Wimmer
• David Butterworth
• Nathan Proctor
• Tejinder Sidhu

Staff

• Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
• Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner
• Evan Manning, Senior Heritage Planner
• Erica Alligood, Election & Committee Coordinator
• Jennifer Evans, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Councillor Reid McAlpine, Chair, convened the meeting at 7:01 PM by asking for any disclosures of interest with respect to items on the agenda.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

PART ONE - ADMINISTRATION

3.1

APPROVAL OF AGENDA (16.11)

1.  Addendum Agenda
2. New Business from Committee Members

The Committee consented to bring forward Item 6.1 following approval of the agenda as the Ward Councillor potentially needed to depart for another meeting. 

• Recommendation:

  That the July 10, 2024 Heritage Markham Committee agenda be approved.

  Carried

3.2

MINUTES OF THE JUNE 12, 2024 HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING (16.11)

See attached material.

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held on June 12, 2024 be received and adopted.

  Carried

3.3

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE

NEW MEMBERS, RE-APPOINTMENTS AND END OF TERM

File Number:
n/a

Extract:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, provided an update on the membership of the Heritage Markham Committee, advising that two existing members had been re-appointed, Ken Davis was ending his term and Paul Teifenbach had resigned and two new members were starting on August 1, 2024. Mr. Hutcheson added that two additional members would also be joining the Committee on December 1, 2024. Mr. Hutcheson thanked Ken Davis and Paul Teifenbach for their service to the Committee.

The Committee commended Ken Davis and Paul Teifenbach for their contributions and service to the Heritage Markham Committee.

• Recommendations:

  That Heritage Markham welcomes the re-appointment of Lake Trevelyan and Victor Huang to the Committee;

  That Heritage Markham acknowledges and appreciates the 8 ½ years of commitment and dedicated service provided by Ken Davis to the Heritage Markham Committee and recognizes his contribution and effort in protecting and preserving the heritage resources in Markham;

  And That Heritage Markham acknowledges and appreciates Paul Tiefenbach’s service to the committee over the last 5 years and recognizes his contribution and effort in protecting and preserving the heritage resources in Markham.

  Carried

4.

PART TWO - DEPUTATIONS

Barry Nelson made a deputation on Item 6.1 as detailed with the respective item. 

5.

PART THREE - CONSENT

5.1

MINOR HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATIONS

DELEGATED APPROVAL BY HERITAGE SECTION STAFF
250 MAIN STREET NORTH, MARKHAM VILLAGE, 25 PRINCESS STREET, MARKHAM VILLAGE, 17 MILL STREET, MARKHAM VILLAGE, 11 PAVILLION STREET, UNIONVILLE, 6 PETER STREET, MARKHAM VILLAGE (16.11)

File Numbers:
24 176689 HE
24 177884 HE
24 178393 HE
24 178504 HE
24 179528 HE

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
E. Manning, Senior Heritage Planner

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham receive the information on the Minor Heritage Permits approved by Heritage Section staff under the delegated approval process.

  Carried

5.2

BUILDING OR SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS

DELEGATED APPROVAL BY HERITAGE SECTION STAFF
60 MAIN ST. N. (MVHCD), 20 WATER ST. (MVHCD), 5990 16TH AVE. (MVHCD) 141 MAIN ST. U. (UHCD), 8 ECKARDT AVE. (UHCD), 227 MAIN ST. N. (MVHCD) (16.11)

File Numbers:
AL 24 174414
AL 20 129085
SP 24 174021
SP 24 159194
HP 24 176495
AL 24 179826

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
P. Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham receive the information on building and sign permits approved by Heritage Section staff under the delegated approval process.

  Carried

5.3

AMENDMENT TO A DESIGNATION BY-LAW TO REVISE A STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

6472 STEELES AVENUE EAST (“GEORGE AND NELLIE FREEMAN HOUSE”) (16.11)

File Numbers:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
E. Manning, Senior Heritage Planner

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham has no objection to the amendments to the Statement of Significance as contained within the designation by-law for 6472 Steeles Avenue East (By-law 2024-98).

  Carried

6.

PART FOUR - REGULAR

6.1

DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATION

10 RUGGLES AVENUE, THORNHILL (LANGSTAFF) - MUNSHAW HOUSE FIRE DAMAGE  (16.11)

File Number:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Regan Hutcheson introduced this item as related to a demolition permit application for 10 Ruggles Avenue (“Munshaw House”) which suffered fire damage on June 15, 2024. Following the fire, Mr. Hutcheson explained that the City of Markham issued an unsafe building order directing that the building be repaired or demolished within a certain timeframe. Mr. Hutcheson advised that  as a condition of development approval, the Munshaw House is to be temporarily relocated off-site before its eventual incorporation into the new development within Langstaff,  and noted that Staff have met with the developer of the site, Condor Properties, and with the structural engineer who was retained to analyze the building. Mr. Hutcheson confirmed that Staff have requested that Condor Properties undertake a second structural analysis, preferably utilizing an engineer with heritage building experience, which they appear to be agreeable to.

The Ward Councillor advised that he has spoken to the principals at Condor Properties who have agreed to conduct a peer review which is already underway and are seeking a consultant with specific heritage expertise.

Barry Nelson, deputant, representing the Thornhill Historical Society, expressed concerns with the potential demolition of the Munshaw House and supported a peer review of the structure by a firm with heritage expertise, to ensure that the possibility of repair and conservation is thoroughly explored. Mr. Nelson emphasized the importance of the Munshaw House to the Langstaff community's heritage identity and encouraged the Committee to remain committed to its protection and restoration through the prioritization of the peer review.

• Recommendations:

  THAT Heritage Markham recommends that all options be explored by the owner to conserve and repair the Munshaw House as opposed to pursuing demolition of the structure;

  AND THAT the written submissions from Valerie Burke, Tony and Angela Farr, Diane Berwick, Elena Cesaroni, and Barry Nelson on behalf of the Thornhill Historical Society be received;

  AND THAT the deputation by Barry Nelson on behalf of the Thornhill Historical Society be received. 

  Carried

7.

PART FIVE - STUDIES/PROJECTS AFFECTING HERITAGE RESOURCES - UPDATES

8.

PART SIX - NEW BUSINESS

Lake Trevelyan emphasized the importance of early planning for the 50 Year Anniversary of Heritage Markham, suggesting that the sub-committee begin meeting this September to ensure impact and awareness within the community. Councillor McAlpine agreed to schedule a kickoff meeting in September. 

Councillor Karen Rea asked when the Markham Village Heritage Conservation District Plan and Secondary Plan would be started. Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, advised that Staff would be looking to retain a consultant in the Fall for the Heritage Plan, noting that they would be using the Summer to work through the terms of reference.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

The Heritage Markham Committee adjourned at 7:29 PM.