Heritage Markham Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 2

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members

• Councillor Karen Rea, Chair
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Steve Lusk, Vice-Chair
• David Butterworth
• Richard Huang
• Victor Huang
• Kugan Subramaniam
• Vanda Vicars
• David Wilson

Regrets

• Ron Blake
• Tejinder Sidhu
• Lake Trevelyan

Staff

• Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning
• Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner
• Evan Manning, Senior Heritage Planner
• Iyana Mundo, Assistant to Council/Committee
• Rajeeth Arulanantham, Election & Committee Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Councillor Karen Rea, Chair, convened the meeting at 7:03 PM by asking for any
disclosures of interest with respect to items on the agenda.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

The Chair, Councillor Rea, declared a conflict in relation to item 6.2 and noted that she is
on the Board of Directors for a not-for-profit organization (360°kids) who will be the
future tenant of 5933 14th Avenue.

3.

PART ONE - ADMINISTRATION

3.1

APPROVAL OF AGENDA (16.11)

1.  Addendum Agenda
2. New Business from Committee Members

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, added a new business item to the agenda on the Planning and Urban Design 2025 Workplan - Heritage.

• That the February 5, 2025 Heritage Markham Committee agenda be approved.

  Carried

3.2

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 8, 2025 HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING (16.11)

See attached material.

• That the minutes of the Heritage Markham Committee meeting held on January 8, 2025 be received and adopted.

  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
182 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE (16.11)

File Number:
24 199146 HE

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

The Committee made a comment concerning the retroactive approval of the commercial patio fence at 182 Main Street. The Committee suggested that the future review of this application type consider whether the installation of a fence is the best solution within a Heritage District. The Committee noted that a fence is no longer required for approval of a liquor license application and that the delineation of the area is sufficient.

• Recommendation:

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

  Carried

5.2

BUILDING AND SIGN PERMIT APPLICATIONS

DELEGATED APPROVAL BY HERITAGE SECTION STAFF 

98 MAIN ST. N. (MVHCD); 43 MAIN ST. N. (MVHCD); 82 MARKHAM VETERANS ST.; 1 ALEXANDER DONALDSON ST.; 7265 HWY. 7 E.; 3 VICTORIA LANE (UHCD); 3 MAYHEW LANE (MVHCD); 123 MAIN ST. U. (UHCD); 5560 14TH AVE.; 4340 HWY. 7 E. (UHCD) (16.11)

File Numbers:
AL 24 198233
AL 24 199603
HP 24 197708 001
HP 24 197707 001
DP 24 200354
HP 24 182279
HP 25 108715
HP 24 176623
PP 24 167873
SP 24 187783

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

• Recommendation:

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

  Carried

5.3

DEMOLITION PERMIT - UPDATE

11172 WARDEN AVENUE
CLAYTON SCHOOLHOUSE

File Number:
DP 23 110974 & HE 24 199654

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

• Recommendation:

  That the update on the demolition request regarding the former Clayton Schoolhouse be received as information.

  Carried

6.

PART FOUR - REGULAR

6.1

DEMOLITION PERMIT

11 VICTORIA STREET, VICTORIA SQUARE
PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF A HERITAGE ACCESSORY BUILDING/GARAGE (16.11)

File Numbers:
DP 24 192707

Extracts:
P. Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner

Peter Wokral, Senior Heritage Planner, introduced this item as a demolition permit for an accessory building located at 11 Victoria Street. Mr. Wokral noted that the property is listed on Markham’s Register of Properties of Cultural Value or Interest but is not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. Wokral also advised that this accessory building is historically associated with the nearby heritage house at 9 Victoria Street. Mr. Wokral noted that it is the position of Staff that the building does not possess significant heritage value and the owner of the property at 11 Victoria Street wishes to build a new detached house on this lot. Mr. Wokral advised that the siting of the accessory building at the front of the property would complicate the construction of a new dwelling and recommended that the Heritage Committee have no objection to its demolition.

The Committee sought clarification on when the property owner obtained ownership of the property and agreed that the accessory building is not significant from a heritage perspective.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham does not object to the proposed demolition of the accessory building at 11 Victoria Street in Victoria Square.

  Carried

6.2

OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT, AND SITE PLAN CONTROL APPLICATIONS

5933 14TH AVENUE "GEORGE R. COWIE HOUSE" (16.11)

File Numbers:
23 148479 PLAN & 24 198982 SPC

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

As previously noted, the Chair, Councillor Rea, declared a conflict regarding this item. She did not participate in the discussion or vote on the matter.

Steve Lusk, Vice Chair assumed the role of the Chair for this item.

Evan Manning, Senior Heritage Planner, introduced the item as Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-Law Amendment, and Site Plan Control applications for 5933 14th Avenue and presented the Committee with the proposed site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed buildings. Mr. Manning noted that the heritage building is located on the far eastern side of the development site and that no alterations are proposed at this time. Mr. Manning advised that the building is proposed to be reused by the non-profit organization 360°kids and that as a condition of approval, Staff are requiring submission of a Mothballing & Maintenance Plan prepared by a qualified heritage consultant to ensure that the heritage building is secured/stabilized until such time as it is ready to be tenanted by 360°kids. Heritage Staff have no have no objection from a heritage perspective to the proposed adjacent development given that there is no physical impact on the heritage building.

There were no comments from Committee on this item.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Heritage Markham has no objection from a heritage perspective to the Official Plan, and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for the four properties and Site Plan Control applications for the properties excluding Building C and the George Cowie House which will be reviewed under separate Heritage Permit and Site Plan Control applications.

  Carried

7.

PART FIVE - STUDIES/PROJECTS AFFECTING HERITAGE RESOURCES - UPDATES

7.1

SPECIAL EVENTS

50^TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE FROM SUB-COMMITTEE (16.11)

File Number: 
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Vanda Vicars, Co-Chair of the Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary Sub-Committee, provided the following brief update from their Sub-Committee meetings held last month:

• Holding one primary event and utilizing the Heritage Markham information display were discussed including how to leverage the display by having it installed at a variety of locations.
• The Sub-Committee members will be meeting on-site at the Markham Civic Centre to assess what can be done with the display.
• A community get-together is also being considered to showcase Heritage Markham's conservation efforts over the past 50 years.
• Communications/newsletters discussing the achievements of Heritage Markham are being considered to showcase the accomplishments of the Committee.
• A separate sub-committee also met this week to discuss the idea of using QR Codes as a form of digital enhancement in the communication/marketing of some of the heritage properties within the city.
• The design of the Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary logo was also discussed.

David Butterworth provided the Committee with the tentative logo design for the Heritage Markham 50^th Anniversary. Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, explained the significance of the Heritage Markham emblem as it is considered a good luck symbol and found on some buildings in Markham. 

The Committee consented to approve the Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary logo as presented for its immediate use.

The Chair, Councillor Karen Rea, provided further updates on the planning of the 50^th Anniversary event:

• The information display is proposed to be placed at the Markham Museum during International Museum Day.
• Other venues to place the information display may include community events such as the Taste of Asia, Unionville Festival, and Applefest.
• Ideas for the November 13th event included a bus tour for Councillors, Awards of Excellence in Main Museum building, guest speakers, and a play/presentation by Markham Little Theatre.

• Recommendation: 

  That Heritage Markham receive the update on proposed plans for the Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary including the Notes from January 7 and 29, 2025; 

  And That Heritage Markham supports the logo design for the Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary 

  Carried

7.2

SPECIAL EVENTS

HERITAGE DAY/WEEK 2025 (16.11)

File Number: 
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, provided an update about the upcoming Heritage Day/Week celebration taking place from February 16 to 22, 2025. The Heritage information display will be placed in the Civic Centre Great Hall on Heritage Day (February 17) and will remain for the remainder of Heritage Week. The Prince of Wales flag will also be raised on the flagpole outside of the Markham Civic Centre. Further, the week of Feb 16 (2025) has been proclaimed as Heritage Week by Markham City Council.

The Committee inquired if Heritage Week will be promoted on the City's social media platforms by the Corporate Communications Department. Mr. Hutcheson advised that at this time none have been proposed but suggested he can follow up with the relevant staff.

• Recommendation:

  That Heritage Markham receive as information the update on Heritage Week 2025.

  Carried

8.

PART SIX - NEW BUSINESS

8.1

PLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN DEPARTMENT 2025 WORKPLAN - HERTIAGE (16.11)

File Number: 
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, discussed the Planning and Urban Design Department 2025 Workplan as it related to Heritage Planning. Mr. Hutcheson provided an overview on the work being undertaken by Staff that is in addition to the normal day to-day duties. Mr. Hutcheson outlined the following large-scale projects that Heritage Section Staff are undertaking for 2025:

Markham Village Heritage Conservation District - District Plan Update - Staff are working to finalize the Terms of Reference with the Purchasing Department and will be using a hybrid model with a small component of consulting work and Heritage Section Staff undertaking a larger component of the work along with some of the policy writing.

• Heritage Register: Priority Designation Program and New Inventory Project
• Special Events including Doors Open Markham, Heritage Markham 50th Anniversary, Heritage Week Display, and the Awards of Excellence
• Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan Update regarding heights
• Heritage Financial Assistance Program: Staff will be bringing forward a report to Council for the continuation of the Designated Property Grant Program from 2026 and onward.
• Heritage Structure Preservation Policy: Staff were directed to investigate and develop a strategy regarding steps that the City can take concerning the preservation of heritage structures where Property Owners are not undertaking proper maintenance. This may include passing on the related costs to the property owners.
• Changes to the Heritage Register: The ITS Department is proposing changes to the format of the register to include map-based searching. 

The Committee had the following comments:

• Whether the Sub-committee on QR codes would be able to coordinate with the ITS Department in order to leverage the technology for educational purposes (such as introducing QR codes). Mr. Hutcheson responded that he can take it back when meeting with Staff overseeing this project and will provide an update at the next Committee meeting.
• Questioned if the research reports could be linked to the properties on the online register. Staff will investigate and advise Committee.

• THAT the update on the Heritage Section Staff 2025 Work Plan be received as information.

  Carried

8.2

END OF TERM – DAVID WILSON (16.11)

File Number:
n/a

Extracts:
R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

David Wilson advised the Committee that this would be his last meeting as a Heritage Markham Committee Member and thanked the Committee for their work. Mr. Wilson noted that he had learned a lot and gained a new appreciation for heritage conservation and encouraged the Committee to continue to do the important work they are doing.

The Chair, Councillor Rea, thanked Mr. Wilson on behalf of the Committee for his service and for the valuable knowledge he provided as a Committee Member.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

The Heritage Markham Committee adjourned at 7:42 PM.