RECOMMENDATION:
THAT “Schoolhouse No. 7” at 3010 Nineteenth Avenue be approved for designation under Part IV of
the Ontario Heritage Act, as recommended by Heritage Markham;
AND THAT the Clerk’s Department be
authorized to:
* publish and serve Council’s
Notice of Intention to Designate as per the requirements of the
Act; and
* prepare the Designation
By-law for the property.
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PURPOSE:
To recommend to Council that “Schoolhouse No.
7” (historical reference) at 3010 Nineteenth Avenue be designated under Part IV
of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value and
interest.
BACKGROUND:
The former schoolhouse for School Section No. 7
is listed on the Markham Inventory of Heritage Buildings. The old one-room schoolhouse was built in
1902, making it one of the last of its type to have been constructed in old Markham Township. It
has been rated as a Group 2 building according to the Heritage Building
Evaluation System. After being converted
to a residence and occupied as such for many years, the building is now
vacant. A detailed research report is
attached as Appendix “A.”
The owner, Catholic Cemeteries – Archdiocese of
Toronto, has advised that following the departure of the last tenants, the
interior was left in a condition that made it no longer habitable. The owner
does not intend to repair and re-tenant the building at this time, and is
seeking a long-term solution for the old school since it may be several years
before the lands are developed for cemetery purposes. There is a concern about
vandalism and security associated with the vacant structure.
Heritage Markham
reviewed this property for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act at its meeting of February 11, 2004 and passed the
following resolution:
THAT the former
schoolhouse for School Section No. 7 is a landmark building in the Heise Hill
community;
AND THAT the owner be requested to secure the building to prevent vandalism and
damage from the elements;
AND FURTHER THAT the
former schoolhouse for School Section No. 7 be recommended to Council for
designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
A representative of the owner (Mr. Ron Hendrix)
attended the February
11, 2004 meeting of Heritage Markham and expressed
concern about the vacant building and the need to find a solution for its
preservation, given the length of time before development envisioned by
Catholic Cemeteries will occur. Mr. Hendrix stated that this corner location
was specially purchased as a key entry feature for the future cemetery, and the
old schoolhouse would not be compatible with this intended use (see Heritage
Markham Extract, Appendix “B”).
It should be noted that while the
owner has not submitted a demolition application, they have made it clear that
they do not support the designation of the schoolhouse under the Ontario
Heritage Act. Their representative has stated that they do not intend to
expend funds to improve the building during its vacant state, as it is not
generating revenue.
During this period of uncertainty for the
building, it is the opinion of staff that heritage designation will give the
vacant building additional protection that it does not currently have as a
listed building. Designation will
highlight its importance as a heritage resource to be protected and
incorporated into the future development of the property.
Should Council decide to proceed with the
recommendation to designate 3010
Nineteenth Avenue
under the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk’s Department should be authorized
to:
* publish and
serve on the property owner, the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the public
through a newspaper advertisement Council’s notice of
intention to designate the property
as per the requirements of the Act;
* prepare the
designation by-law for the property.
ENGAGE 21ST
CONSIDERATIONS:
Heritage designation helps to
achieve a quality community by recognizing, promoting and protecting a heritage
resource, which strengthens the sense of community.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Acceptance of this recommendation to designate 3010 Nineteenth Avenue will require the Clerk’s Department to initiate the notice process and
prepare the designation by-law.
ATTACHMENTS:
Figure 1:
Applicant/Owner and Location Map Appendix
“A”: Research Report
Figure 2:
Air Photo Appendix
“B”: Heritage Markham
Extract
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Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Urban Design
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Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Development Services
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Figure 1:
DOCUMENT: Document1
OWNER: Catholic
Cemeteries tel. 416-733-8544
Archdiocese
of Toronto fax 416-733-9944
4950 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6K1
AGENT: Mr.
Ron Hendrix
(contact information as above)
LOCATION MAP:
