Heritage Markham Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 11

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members

• Councillor Reid McAlpine, Chair
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Elizabeth Wimmer, Vice-Chair
• Kugan Subramaniam
• Vanda Vicars
• Ron Blake
• David Butterworth
• David Wilson

Regrets

• Victor Huang
• Nathan Proctor
• Tejinder Sidhu
• Lake Trevelyan

Staff

• Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
• Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner
• Evan Manning, Senior Heritage Planner
• Rajeeth Arulanantham, 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

• Recommendation:

  That the November 13, 2024 Heritage Markham Committee agenda be approved.

  Carried

3.2

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 9, 2024 HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING (16.11)

See attached material.

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held October 9, 2024 be received and adopted.

  Carried

3.3

END OF TERM FOR SELECT COMMITTEE MEMBERS (16.11)

File Numbers:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning, advised that Elizabeth Wimmer and Nathan Proctor will be completing their terms as of November 30, 2024. Mr. Hutcheson added that two additional members would be joining the Committee on December 1, 2024. Mr. Hutcheson thanked Elizabeth Wimmer and Nathan Proctor on behalf of staff for their commitment and service to the preservation of cultural heritage resources in Markham.

Councillor Reid McAlpine, Chair, personally acknowledged the contributions of the departing members and thanked them for their service on the Heritage Markham Committee.

• Recommendation:

  That Heritage Markham acknowledges and appreciates the 3 ½ years of commitment and service provided by Elizabeth Wimmer and Nathan Proctor to the Heritage Markham Committee and recognizes their contribution and effort in protecting and preserving the heritage resources in Markham.

  Carried

4.

PART TWO - DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5.

PART THREE - CONSENT

5.1

MINOR HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATIONS 

DELEGATED APPROVAL BY HERITAGE SECTION STAFF
97 JOHN STREET, THORNHILL, 1 KALVINSTER DRIVE, PART IV, 5 EUCLID STEET, UNIONVILLE, 257 CARLTON ROAD, UNIONVILLE, 216 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE, 197 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE, 146 JOHN STREET, THORNHILL, 10855 KENNEDY ROAD, PART IV, 15 CHURCH LANE, THORNHILL, 237 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE  (16.11)

File Numbers:
24 194086 HE, 24 191685 HE, 24 194389 HE, 24 190695 HE, 24 187233 HE, 24 194898 HE, 24 195058 HE, 24 190856 HE, 24 196085 HE, 24 196089 HE, 24 195735 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 /SIGN PERMITS APPLICATION

DELEGATED APPROVALS OF BUILDING/SIGN PERMITS
11 CHURCH ST., 36 WASHINGTON ST., 2 ALEXANDER HUNTER PL., 15 UNION ST., 60 MAIN ST. N. (16.11)

File Numbers:
AL 24 193138, HP 21 145177, HP18 256476, HP 24 193383, SP 24 193163

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

• Recommendation:

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

  Carried

5.3

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION

DELEGATED APPROVALS, PARKING REDUCTION VARIANCE
158 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE (16.11)

File Numbers:
A/123/24

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

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham receive the information on Committee of Adjustment applications reviewed by Heritage Section staff on behalf of Heritage Markham under the delegated approval process.

  Carried

5.4

ONTARIO HONOURS AND AWARDS SECRETARIAT

ONTARIO VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS & JUNE CALLWOOD AWARD (16.11)

File Numbers:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

• Recommendation:

  That Heritage Markham receive the memo on provincial awards for volunteers as information.

  Carried

6.

PART FOUR - REGULAR

6.1

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT VARIANCE APPLICATION

PROPOSED VARIANCES IN SUPPORT OF A DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDING AND ADDITION TO THE EXISTING HOUSE
2 WISMER PLACE, MARKHAM HERITAGE ESTATES (16.11)

File Numbers:
MNV 24 194837, A/122/24

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

Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner, introduced this item regarding variances required in support of a proposed two-storey detached accessory building/garage and a one-storey addition to the existing heritage dwelling submitted by the owner of 2 Wismer Place in Markham Heritage Estates. Mr. Wokral advised that there are three variances required to approve the proposed alterations and that there are no concerns from a heritage perspective. Staff recommended that the Committee support the requested variances as there are no anticipated negative impacts on either the existing heritage house or the character of the surrounding Heritage Estates, and further recommended that the review of the Major Heritage Permit be delegated to staff.

Russ Gregory, the Consultant, was in attendance to answer any questions from the Committee.

The Committee provided the following feedback:

• Expressed no concerns with the proposal and noted that the proposed accessory building is tucked away at the rear of the property and not attached to the main building
• Requested that the accessory building’s exterior reflect a barn-like aesthetic and that Heritage staff ensure this through the review and approval of the Major Heritage Permit application.
• Noted the similarity in height and massing of the proposed accessory building to the existing main building.
• Noted that the proposed accessory building (garage) has a residential look due to it being two-storey with a doorway facing the south side and recommended changing the look to be more suitable to the heritage character of the surrounding area. 

Mr. Gregory clarified that the proposed accessory building has a lower ridge height but due to the elevation of the lot, the accessory building will be higher than the main dwelling. Mr. Gregory also noted that the doorway would not be highly visible due to the adjacent trees but confirmed that he will continue to work with Heritage staff to ensure that the proposed accessory building has an appearance more like that of a traditional out-building.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham has no objection to the requested variances from a heritage perspective and delegates final review of the variance application and the future Major Heritage Permit application to Heritage Section staff subject to the plans being generally consistent with those submitted in support of the variance application.

  AND THAT the applicant work with Heritage staff to ensure that the proposed accessory building more closely resembles a traditional out-building.

  Carried

7.

PART FIVE - STUDIES/PROJECTS AFFECTING HERITAGE RESOURCES - UPDATES

7.1

PRIORITY DESIGNATION PROJECT – THIRD UPDATE (16.11)

File Numbers:
n/a

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

Evan Manning, Senior Heritage Planner, provided an update on the progress of priority heritage designations and outlined the steps undertaken to designating a property. Mr. Manning advised that 151 research reports have been prepared, 121 Statement of Significance completed, and 70 properties have so far been designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. Manning noted that five designation by-laws have been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). One of the appeals has been settled while the remainder are anticipated to progress to a contested hearing. It was noted that if a Notice of Intention to Designate is approved, but Council does not ultimately approve a designation by-law, the property must be removed from the Heritage Register. 

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning, advised that this item is a quarterly update on the status of the Priority Designation Program which is examining 158 properties for potential designation. Mr. Hutcheson noted that staff will consult with Heritage Markham in the new year on specific properties for which designation may not be warranted. 

The Chair provided background on the discussion of the Designation of Priority Properties item at the November 12, 2024 Development Services Committee meeting with respect to when the notice period starts. Mr. Manning clarified to Heritage Markham Committee that the 120-day period starts when Council passes its Notice of Intention to Designate and the actual notice is placed on the City website.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham receive as information the third progress update on the Priority Designation Project.

  Carried

7.2

DECEMBER MEETING AND END OF YEAR RECEPTION (16.11)

File Numbers:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
Councillor Karen Rea

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham’s December meeting be held in-person at the Civic Centre and staff is requested to make the necessary arrangements.        

  AND THAT arrangements for a year end reception for the Heritage Markham Committee be undertaken by Councillor Karen Rea and be held before the regular meeting.

  Carried

8.

PART SIX - NEW BUSINESS

Regan Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning, advised the Committee of an article written by Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner, that speaks to the preservation and integration of a Markham heritage resource in a new plan of subdivision. Mr. Hutcheson further advised that he will share the article with all Members of Committee.

The Committee also thanked David Wilson for his contributions on the Heritage Markham Committee as his term with the Committee expires on November 30^th and hoped that he is willing to extend his term.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

• The Heritage Markham Committee adjourned at 7:40 PM.

  Carried