Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner advised that this Heritage Permit Application has been submitted by the City’s Operation Department to replace the existing galvanized chain link fence that encloses the Thornhill Cemetery along John Street, Summer Lane, and Charles lane with a black chain link fence.
Written submissions from Valerie and Dave Burke, Diane Berwick, Rob Armstrong, Joan Honsberger, and Pam Birrell, SPOHT were received regarding this Heritage Permit Application.
Barry Nelson, deputant noted that the cost of replacing the chain link fence with a wrought iron fence is not justifiable at this time given the social costs society is currently facing. The City could look at replacing the fence with a wrought iron fence in the future.
Committee provided the following feedback on proposed replacement of the chain link fence at the Thornhill Cemetery:
• Consider deferring the replacement of the fence until the City has more funds to replace it with a wrought iron fence;
• Consider replacing only the John Street section of the fence with a wrought iron fence;
• Consider replacing the fence in sections so that it can be replaced overtime with a wrought iron fence;
• Support replacing the fence with a black chain link fence due the high cost of replacing it with a wrought iron fence.
In response to inquires from the Committee, Morgan Jones, Director of Operations advised that the City’s Asset Management Plan only replaces assets with like for like, and that the City only has budget to replace the fence with another chain link fence. It would cost the City substantially more to replace the fence with a wrought iron fence ($28K versus $206K). The life cycle of a chain-link fence is 35 years, and the lifecycle of a wrought iron fence is 75-80 years. The fence cannot be replaced in sections. The project could be deferred, but the City’s financial situation is not likely to change for several years. The cost of replacing the fence with a wrought iron fence is equivalent to approximately a 0.25% tax rate increase for every household in Markham.