HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Canada Room, Markham Civic Centre

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

 

 

Members

Regrets

Judy Dawson-Ryan, Acting Chair

Joyce Nelson-Watt, Chair

Amar Banerjee

Judith Dawson, Vice-Chair

Susan Casella

Nelson Torres

Ted Chisholm

Councillor Carolina Moretti

Deirdre Kavanagh

 

James Makaruk

 

Denise Sabatini-Fuina

 

Councillor Valerie Burke

 

Councillor Joe Virgilio

 

 

 

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning

George Duncan, Senior Heritage Planner

Peter Wokral, Planner, Heritage and Conservation

Candy Davidovits, Committee Secretary

 

 

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

The Chair convened the meeting at 7:25 p.m. by asking for any declarations of interest with respect to items on the agenda.

 

 

1.         APPROVAL OF AGENDA (16.11)

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the Heritage Markham agenda and addendum agenda be approved.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

2.         ADOPTION OF MINUTES

SEVENTH HERITAGE MARKHAM MEETING

July 11, 2007 (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

           

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the Minutes of the Heritage Markham meeting held on July 11, 2007, be received and adopted.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

3.         REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
            PROPOSED NEW DWELLING AT 179 JOHN STREET (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

           

The Senior Heritage Planner gave a presentation on the proposal to construct a new dwelling at 179 John Street.

 

The following persons addressed the Heritage Markham Committee representing the property owner:

 

-           Andrew Ferancik, MCIP, RPP, Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Limited, Planning, Urban Design;

 

-           Irina Gordon, property owner; who submitted copies of photographs of the existing buildings at 179 John Street and architectural drawings for the proposed new dwelling

 

-           Victor Guitberg, M.A., IAOAA, M-ARCH Design Group Inc.; and

 

The following persons addressed the Heritage Markham Committee in opposition to the proposed new dwelling:

 

-           George Bitsakakis, 177 John Street, who expressed concern about the loss of mature trees and that the new home will block sunlight to his rear yard;

 

-           Karl Mahler, 20 Ida Street, who expressed concerns regarding the loss of trees, the size of the proposed new dwelling and the non-communication between the applicant and owners of the adjacent properties;

 

-           Evelin Ellison, representing the Ward 1 Thornhill Residents' Association, expressing the opinion that if this demolition is permitted more applications will be submitted, and circulated an aerial view of the homes in the John Street/Ida Street area together with photographs depicting trees and wildlife in the subject area;

 

-           Bill Wylie 148 John Street, expressing his opposition to the proposed new dwelling as it is not a house that fits into historic Thornhill; and

 

-           Marion Matthias, 33 Colborne Street, expressing her concern with the change in designation of this property from a class B to a class C in the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan 2007 and requesting that this proposal not be approved as it would set a very bad precedent for the area.

 

Simon Best, HomeLife/Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., addressed the Markham Heritage Committee in support of the applicant's proposal to construct a new dwelling at 179 John Street.

 

The following e-mail communications were all submitted on this matter:

 

-           (August 7, 2007) from George Bitsakadis, expressing his concerns related to the loss of mature trees, that the size of the dwelling would be out of scale with the Village of Thornhill and that the new home will negatively affect his house and his back yard environment.

 

-           (August 8, 2007) from Danny Lew, 22 Ida Street, expressing a number of concerns related to the size of proposed new dwelling, the loss of mature trees, drainage in the area and backyard and house privacy issues.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham maintain its recommendation from the July 11, 2007, meeting.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

4.         HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATIONS

HERITAGE PERMITS APPROVED BY STAFF

FILE NOS. HE 07 122264: 3990 FOURTEENTH AVENUE

HE 07 122546: 39 JOHN STREET

HE 07 122772: 1 PETER STREET (16.11)
            Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham receive this item as information.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

5.         SITE PLAN APPROVAL APPLICATION
            FILE NO. SC 07 122678
            9 EUCLID STREET

            PROPOSED ADDITION TO A HERITAGE HOUSE (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        P. Wokral, Heritage Planner

           

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham receive this item as information.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

6.         DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATION
FILE NO. 07 113524 DP
THORNHILL SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES, JULY 23, 2007 (16.11)
Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        V. Burke, Councillor

                        J. Wright, Director of Building Standards

           

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham receive this item as information.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

7.         DEMOLITION PERMIT APPLICATION
            FILE NO. 07 122889 DP
            10044 HIGHWAY 48
            DEMOLITION PERMIT FOR FOUNDATION ONLY (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        T. Cabral, Building Applications Administrator

           

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham has no objection to the demolition permit application for the foundation of the John Koch House on the understanding that this work is in preparation for the building’s upcoming relocation.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

8.         CORRESPONDENCE (16.11)

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the following Correspondence be received as information:

 

1.         Heritage Canada – Media Review – June 2007;

2.         Heritage Canada Communiqué (July 27, 2007) announcing the 2007 Prince of Wales Prize recipient;

3.         Heritage Canada Communiqué (July 27, 2007) announcing the winners of the 2007 National Awards Program;

4.         Heritage Canada: Heritage Magazine, Spring 2007 issue;

5.         Edifice Magazine Issue No. 13: Information on Restoration Workshops for September 2007;

6.         Community Heritage Ontario: Workshop Schedule for September;

7.         Letter (July 2007) from Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration regarding the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship nominations; and

8.         Toronto Architectural Conservancy: Information on Riverdale Hospital Preservation and Historical Walking Tours.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

9.         COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT VARIANCE APPLICATION
            FILE NO. A/79/07
            53 CHURCH STREET, MARKHAM VILLAGE
            MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        P. Wokral, Heritage Planner

                        K. Bavington, Secretary Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment

           

The Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this application.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham has no objection to the requested variances being granted to recognize the existing minimum front yard setback, the minimum lot frontage, the minimum lot area and the minimum side yard setback, to increase the maximum building depth, to increase the maximum lot coverage, and to increase the maximum net floor area ratio subject to the following conditions:

 

a.         the provision of a heritage restoration plan for the original dwelling to the satisfaction of Heritage Section staff as part of the Site Plan approval process; and,

 

b.         obtaining Site Plan Approval from the Town.

 

AND THAT the Architectural Review Sub-Committee notes and recommendation be received as information.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

10.       INFORMATION
PROPERTY STANDARDS ISSUES IN MARKHAM HERITAGE ESTATES (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        P. Wokral, Heritage Planner

 

The Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this matter.

 

Neil Veibrug, 22 David Gohn Circle, addressed the Heritage Markham Committee expressing concern with regard to the modern equipment and recreational items placed on lots in the Heritage Estates such as boats, trampolines, hot tubs, etc.

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham supports the mailing of letters to individual property owners of Heritage Estates to remind them of unfinished restoration work and to provide information on the quality of materials to be used and the applicable property standards by-law that applies to the subdivision;

 

AND THAT the draft letter to be sent to the owners in the Heritage Estates be submitted to the Heritage Markham Committee at its next meeting.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

11.       BUDGET

            HERITAGE MARKHAM BUDGET SUBMISSION 2008 (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

 

The Manager of Heritage Markham gave a presentation on this matter.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham endorses the proposed Heritage Markham budget for 2008 in the amount of $9,015.00;

 

AND THAT Heritage Markham recommends that the budget proposed for 2008 be forwarded to the Development Services Commission for consideration by Council.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

12.       INFORMATION

Conservation Review Board Decision

Abraham Reesor House

7265 Highway 7

Cornell Secondary Plan Area (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

 

The Senior Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this item.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham receive this item as information.

 

CARRIED.

13.       REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

Proposed Bridge Replacement

19th Avenue, East of Dickson Hill Road (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager Of Heritage Planning,

                                    Jeff Flewelling, Asset Management

 

The Senior Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this matter.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Heritage Markham recommends that should the 19th Avenue Bridge over the Little Rouge Creek Tributary, east of Dickson Hill Road, be replaced with a new bridge;

 

-           the new bridge reproduce the panelled, poured concrete design of the existing 1930 bridge;

 

-           measured drawings be done of the existing bridge for archival purposes; and

 

-           the date of construction of the new bridge be impressed into the concrete;

 

AND THAT Heritage Markham request the opportunity to review preliminary designs for the new bridge should it be decided to build a new bridge at this location.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

14.       SITE PLAN CONTROL APPLICATION

            Proposed Commercial Development

            Mr. Bal Rampersad

            Former School Section No. 6

            10137 Woodbine Avenue

            Victoria Square (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        Jeff Day, Project Planner

 

The Senior Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this application.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT a research report be prepared for the former schoolhouse at 10137 Woodbine Avenue;

 

THAT the building be referred to the Building Evaluation Sub-committee for review;

 

AND THAT this item be sent back to Heritage Markham’s September 12, 2007, meeting for a recommendation based on the findings of the Building Evaluation Sub-committee.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

15.       REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

Proposed Demolition

100 John Street

Thornhill Heritage Conservation District (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

                        Peter Wokral, Heritage Planner

 

The Heritage Planner gave a presentation on this application.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

THAT Heritage Markham refer this application to the Architectural Review Sub-Committee for further review and to prepare a recommendation to the next meeting of the Heritage Markham Committee;

 

AND THAT the property owner be invited to be present at the next meeting of the Heritage Markham Committee when this matter is considered.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

16.       NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR INFILL HOUSING AND

            RENOVATIONS TO HOMES IN HERITAGE DISTRICTS (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning

 

Ted Chisholm expressed concerns related to the construction of infill housing and renovations to homes in Heritage Districts.  Ted Chisholm suggested that neighbouring properties should be provided with information on applications that affect them so that they may comment and if there are concerns staff should arrange a meeting to be attended by all parties involved.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the Manager of Heritage Planning be requested to submit a report to the Heritage Markham Committee on the feasibility of providing notification to properties within 100 feet of any proposal submitted to Heritage Markham.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

17.       294 Main Street

Unionville Heritage Conservation District (16.11)

Extracts:           R. Hutcheson, Manager of Heritage Planning.

 

Ted Chisholm advised the Heritage Markham Committee that the heritage structure at 294 Main Street, Unionville, have been demolished and that the foundation has been poured right to the setbacks so that there is no room for parking.

 

The Senior Heritage Planner advised the Heritage Markham Committee that the design of the house and parking was based on the retention of the heritage structure as a way of maintaining the streetscape.  The owner was to enter into a heritage agreement for the use of the cottage as a garage.  At no time was Heritage Markham staff advised that the cottage was going to be demolished.  That building was supposed to be retained and the application was approved on the basis of the retention of the cottage as a garage.

 

The Manager of Heritage Planning advised the Heritage Markham Committee that the applicant has preserved two walls from the heritage structure which will be used as facing on the new garage structure.

 

HERITAGE MARKHAM RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT Town staff be requested to put in place measures that would give a strong message to the existing homeowner at 294 Main Street, and to others, that this type of demolition is not acceptable;

 

AND THAT Heritage Markham staff give consideration to laying charges under the Ontario Heritage Act in connection with the demolition of the heritage building at 294 Main Street, Unionville.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.