DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

George Duncan, Heritage & Conservation Planner

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2004-Jun-28

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Buttonville Heritage Conservation District

Study and Plan Update - Terms of Reference

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

THAT the Staff Report entitled “Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan Update – Terms of Reference,” dated June 28, 2004, be received;

 

AND THAT the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan Update – Terms of Reference, dated June 28, 2004 be endorsed;

 

AND THAT Town staff be authorized to proceed with consultant selection and awarding of the study, in accordance with provisions in the Purchasing By-law 143-2000, with consultant fees to an upset limit of $15,500 (exclusive of GST) to be paid from Capital Budget Account No. 80-5399-3507-005;

 

AND FURTHER THAT a Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Advisory Committee be created to assist in the Study, and be comprised of the following members:

 

- Ward Councillor (Dan Horchik)

- Regional Councillor

- 2 Members of Heritage Markham

- 2 Community representatives appointed by the local and regional Councillors

- 2 staff members from the Heritage Section

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to recommend the Terms of Reference for the update of the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan, and to seek authorization for staff to proceed with the selection of a qualified consultant to undertake the project.  The purpose of the update is to re-examine the 1988 Buttonvillle Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan in light of changes that have taken place since that time and determine if the designation of a Heritage Conservation District in this area is warranted and desirable.

 

The Terms of Reference attached to this report as Appendix “A” will be used to obtain submissions from firms with demonstrated expertise and experience in heritage conservation district policy planning, to undertake the update of the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan.

 

BACKGROUND:

Buttonville is one of Markham’s oldest hamlets

The history of Buttonville goes back to 1804, when William Willcocks, magistrate and postmaster of the Town of York (Toronto) purchased a 100 acre property on the west side of Woodbine Avenue.  Here he established a sawmill that became the nucleus of a mill village initially known as ‘Millbrook,’ but later renamed Buttonville when a local post office was established in 1851.  Buttonville contains a significant cluster of heritage buildings, 11 of which are designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

 

The Town has three Heritage Conservation Districts, each with an approved plan

The Town has three designated Heritage Conservation Districts located in the historical villages of Thornhill, Unionville and Markham Village. Each of these districts has an approved heritage district plan, adopted by Council, to help guide development activity and facilitate the preservation of heritage buildings within those areas.

 

A Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Plan was prepared in 1988

In 1986, Buttonville was designated by the Town as a Heritage Conservation District Study Area. In 1988, a consultant team working on behalf of the Town of Markham undertook a Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan for the hamlet of Buttonville.  The recommendations of this document were not implemented at that time for the reason that as the District Plan was predicated on the creation of a by-pass, when it was determined that this option was not possible, no further action was taken. However the groundwork had been laid for further study and consideration of the potential establishment of a Heritage Conservation District. Since the time of the study, more properties have been protected by individual designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and a number of buildings have been restored and in some cases converted to commercial uses.

 

The context of the Buttonville hamlet has changed

Four significant changes to the context of the Buttonville hamlet have occurred since the 1988 Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan were undertaken. These changes include:

-  the widening of Woodbine Avenue to four lanes;

-  the decision not to create a Buttonville by-pass;

-  the introduction of municipal services to the hamlet; and

-  revised official plan policies and zoning provisions, intended to permit residential

   intensification and mixed land uses.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

The viability of a Heritage Conservation District in Buttonville needs to be examined in the context of the changes that have occurred since 1988

The historic hamlet of Buttonville remains a distinctive feature of the Town of Markham in spite of the significant changes that have occurred through it and around it.  The widening of Woodbine Avenue and the intensification of development have impacted the community with increased traffic and a more urban character to its ‘Main Street’.  Notwithstanding these impacts, a strong residential component remains within the hamlet and a number of owners have invested in improvements to their buildings and properties. Most of the heritage resources and much of the village-like character of Buttonville that was present at the time of the 1988 Study and Plan remain today. It is the opinion of staff that given the history, distinctive village-like character and high concentration of built heritage resources, Buttonville in 2004 is a viable Heritage Conservation District. An updated Study and Plan is needed to confirm the viability of implementing a Heritage Conservation District Plan.

 

Development pressures are anticipated with the availability of municipal services

The preservation and upgrading of many of the heritage buildings in Buttonville has so far been successfully accomplished on a property by property basis. In the case of commercial conversions, both heritage designations and heritage easements have been secured as conditions of approval. Development pressure within the historic core of Buttonville has been limited up to the present time, but with the recent availability of municipal services, it is anticipated that applications for development will be forthcoming, which will result in the intensification of development within the hamlet itself.  This intensification could threaten the special character of Buttonville and its heritage buildings, either in the form of unsympathetic infill or the demolition and replacement of significant heritage structures.

 

Heritage District designation would enable the Town to implement design controls for infill development

The designation of a Heritage Conservation District and the adoption of a District Plan, would enable the Town to ensure that infill is appropriately designed to preserve and enhance the special character of the historic core of the community. The designation would affirm the intention of the Town to maintain the hamlet as a distinct heritage feature of Markham, and highlight the importance of preserving and enhancing the heritage resources within its boundaries. The District Plan would provide a comprehensive framework to guide development, redevelopment and alteration of properties and streetscapes located within the boundaries of the Heritage District.

 

A Heritage Conservation District Plan would provide clear direction to the public, Heritage Markham, Town staff and Council

As the prime audience for this document would be property owners and local residents, the District Plan should be clear and concise, and should use terminology that is easily understood by any reader. It should be user-friendly in its format and presentation, with illustrations and graphics utilized to explain concepts.  The policies and guidelines of the District Plan should respect heritage planning objectives, but be relevant in the “real world.”  It should provide understandable policies  for new construction, alterations and additions to heritage properties, and alterations and additions to non-heritage properties.  This will be very useful not only to property owners, but also for Heritage Markham members, Town staff and members of Council by providing clear direction to allow a review of applications in a fair and consistent manner.

 

Community support for Heritage District Designation needs to be assessed

In order to determine the level of community support for the designation of a Buttonville Heritage Conservation District, property owners and residents need to be consulted. Two key issues to be addressed through this consultation include:

 

1. Community support for a Heritage Conservation District, and

2. Issues to be addressed in a Heritage Conservation District Plan. 

 

A Terms of Reference has been prepared

A Terms of Reference for the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan is attached as Appendix ‘A’ to this report.

 

A Study Advisory Committee should be created

It is recommended that a Advisory Committee be created to advise staff and the consultants on local matters, provide a community perspective, review work undertaken by the consultant team and assist during any public participation component of the study.

 

The Advisory Committee would be comprised of Town staff, elected members of Council, members of Heritage Markham, and representatives from the local community.

 

The Study would report through the Development Services Committee and be co-ordinated by Heritage staff of the Planning and Urban Design Department.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Funds to retain the consultant to undertake the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan are included in the Development Services Commission Capital Budget Account No. 80-5399-3507-005.

 

Staff recommend the following guidelines for the study budget and schedule:

  • the project will have a maximum budget of $15,500 (exclusive of GST)
  • the project will be divided into two parts: the Study Review and the Plan;
  • the project will be completed within approximately four months of the execution of the consultant contract.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

This project aligns with the corporate goal of achieving a Quality Community through recognizing, promoting and strengthening a sense of community through the preservation of its distinctive character and heritage resources.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Staff in Development Services Commission will consult with the appropriate internal and external departments and agencies throughout the study process.

 

CONCLUSION

The attached Terms of Reference for the Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan will be sent to consulting firms with demonstrated qualifications and expertise in heritage district policy planning and advertised on the web site of the Canadian Association of Professional Heritage Consultants.  The contract will be awarded in compliance with Purchasing By-law 143-2000.  The Purchasing Department will notify the Finance and Administration Committee of the award of the contract in its monthly report on all contracts approved and awarded by Commissioners and the Chief Administrative Officer.

 

Staff has identified the Development Services Committee as an appropriate forum for obtaining Council input and feedback on the consultant study findings and recommendations at key stages of the project.

 

The Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan will provide a framework and vision for the long-term development of the historic hamlet of Buttonville and provide for the preservation and enhancement of its distinctive character and heritage resources.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix ‘A’ Terms of Reference – Buttonville Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

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