Report to: Development Services Committee Date of Meeting: October 17, 2006

SUBJECT: Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan 2006

Project Status

PREPARED BY: Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning, ext. 2080

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan 2006, Project Status”, dated October 17, 2006, be received as information.

AND THAT a notice be sent to property owners in the District advising of the extended public consultation period.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial 5. Environmental

6. Accessibility 7.Engage^21st 8. Affected Units 9. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To provide Council with an update as to the status of the Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan 2006 and advise that due to the need for further consultation, the revised plan will be brought back to Council in January 2007.

BACKGROUND:

Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan study has been undertaken

The purpose of this study was to undertake a comprehensive review of the Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan, which was adopted by Council in 1986 to guide alterations and development within the Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District. The vision for the review was to encourage the participation of local residents and other stakeholders to create a new, up-to-date plan which is fully illustrated, clear and concise in its message and recognizes the needs of its users, local citizens, property owners and Town staff.

Council directed staff to hold an additional public information meeting.

On June 20, 2006, Council held a Statutory Public Meeting to consider the revised Thornhill Village Heritage Conservation District Plan 2006. Council asked staff to hold a further public information meeting in early September and to bring the new Plan back for Council consideration in late September. 2006. Council also encouraged residents to contact staff over the summer regarding any concerns to allow time to review and address issues, rather than waiting to the public information meeting to express their views. Staff received three email responses.

The public information meeting was held on September 11, 2006 at the Thornhill Community Centre. Approximately 25 individuals were in attendance. The major issues of discussion included:

Potential height of future Yonge Street commercial development in the heritage district in excess of 3 storeys; the issue of bonusing up to 5 storeys.
Classification of Buildings into A, B and C classes including individuals who were upset that their building was now classified as Class A.
Need for further consultation with property owners who are now a different classification
Process for reclassification of buildings in the future (i.e. from a Class B to Class A).

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Further consultation is recommended

Based upon the comments and feedback received at the public information meeting, staff is of the opinion further review of the building classifications is warranted and that further consultation with affected property owners would be appropriate and useful. Staff will also consult with Heritage Markham on the classification approach. Due to the desire to undertake this additional work, it is recommended that the revised heritage district plan be brought back for Council consideration and approval in January 2007.

It is also recommended that a notice be sent to property owners advising of the delay in bringing the revised plan back to Council in order to permit additional review and consultation related to the building classification approach.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE (Separate Attachment):

Not applicable

ATTACHMENTS:

None

Q:\Development\Heritage\SUBJECT\thornhill\District Plan Review 2004\Discussion Paper and Reports\October 17 2006 DSC report to.doc