RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the “Helmke-Whiteoak-Brander House” at 31
Helen 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.
PURPOSE:
To recommend to Council that the
“Helmke-Whiteoak-Brander House” (historical reference) at 31 Helen Avenue be
designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural
heritage value and interest.
BACKGROUND:
The Heritage Building
The Helmke-Whiteoak-Brander House is listed on
the Markham Inventory of Heritage Buildings. It is a well-preserved example of a
vernacular Italianate style farmhouse that dates from c.1875, with a two storey
wing that appears to be an earlier phase of the building’s development. The east wing may date from c.1836 or
earlier, making it one of the earliest buildings in Markham still
standing on its original site.
Historically, the building is significant for its connection to the
Helmke family, connected with the Berczy group of early Markham Township
settlers. A detailed research report is attached as Appendix ‘A.’
Heritage
Markham’s Recommendations
At its meeting of February 12, 2003, Heritage Markham heard a deputation by the owner’s former agent, Mr.
Bob Martindale, and subsequently passed the following recommendations with
respect to the heritage house and property (See Appendix “B” for complete
extract):
HERITAGE MARKHAM
RECOMMENDS:
THAT the entire house at 31 Helen Avenue
appears to be a very significant heritage building worthy of preservation;
AND THAT the building should be preserved on
site or within the current parcel and restored as conditions of approval of any
development of the site;
AND THAT an archaeological assessment should be
carried out on the subject lands prior to any disturbance of soil on the site;
AND THAT the building is recommended for
designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and as a condition
of approval of any development in the lands, the owner should enter into a
heritage conservation easement agreement with the Town:
AND FURTHER THAT any development proposal for
the subject lands should be circulated to Heritage Markham for input with
respect to the preservation and restoration of the heritage dwelling on the
lands.
Preliminary
Report to Development Services, April
22, 2003
In a Preliminary Report to Development Services
Commission dated April 22, 2003, dealing with the proposed
expansion of Greenbelt Volkswagen, Heritage Markham’s recommendation that the
building be designated was cited in the “Background” section.
Heritage Markham’s
recommendation that the building should be retained and the applicant’s
intention to convert it to office uses were noted. Also included in the staff report were
Heritage Markham’s recommendations for an archaeological assessment to be
undertaken on the property, and for the applicant to enter into a heritage
conservation easement agreement as part of any future development application.
Applicant Submitting a New Site Plan
Heritage Section staff have been
advised by the area planners that the applicant is currently preparing a new
site plan for the expansion of the Greenbelt Volkswagen dealership. Planning
staff has been advised that due to anticipated renovation costs and site
constraints, the heritage building is no longer planned to be retained on site
and used as office space, as previously proposed. The applicant has also verbally advised that
they will be seeking a demolition permit in due course.
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
Appropriateness of the Recommendation to Designate and Applicable
Policies Regarding Significant Heritage Buildings
The Helmke/Whiteoak/Brander House is rated as a
Group (1) Heritage Building according to the Town of Markham’s Heritage Building Evaluation System. According to the evaluation
guidelines adopted by Council in 1991, Group 1 buildings are those buildings of
major significance and importance to the Town and worthy of designation under
the Ontario Heritage Act.
The general policies and procedures associated
with the Evaluation System’s group classifications provide the following
guidelines when dealing with a Group 1 building:
* The
designation of the building pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act will be
pursued.
* Every
attempt must be made to preserve the building on its original site.
* Any development application affecting such a building must incorporate the
identified
building.
* Appropriate alternative uses for the building will be encouraged when necessary to
ensure
its preservation.
* A Letter of Credit will typically be required to ensure the protection
and preservation of
the building.
Based on the above policies,
supported by the Heritage Conservation Policies of the Official Plan, the
subject property is an appropriate candidate for designation under the Ontario
Heritage Act.
Designation should proceed while
further discussions are undertaken with the owner
Staff recommend that, given the significance of this building, Town
Staff and Heritage Markham open new discussions with the applicant to determine
a solution that satisfies the Town of Markham’s Heritage Conservation objectives and the owner’s
objectives for the property.
Heritage Markham has indicated its support for the concept of moving
the heritage building to a different part of the subject property to facilitate
development. Another relocation option that has been suggested is for the house
to be moved, at the applicant’s cost, to another site in the vicinity of Helen Avenue, in order to maintain some of its relationship to the
original farm property and to keep the building within a similar community
context.
Given the likelihood of the
submission of a demolition permit application it is recommended that the designation of the property under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act proceed. This
will provide interim protection for this significant building pending further
discussions with the owner.
Should Council decide to proceed
with the recommendation to designate the Helmke/Whiteoak/Brander House under
Part IV of 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; and
* prepare the designation by-law for the property at 31 Helen Avenue.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
There are no financial implications to the Town
resulting from this report.
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 31 Helen Avenue
will require the Clerk’s Department to initiate the notice process and prepare
the designation by-law.
ATTACHMENTS:
Figure 1:
Applicant/Agent and Location Map
Figure 2:
Air Photo
Appendix ‘A’:
Research Report
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: Q:\Development\Heritage\PROPERTY\HELEN\staffreport.doc
OWNER: Greenbelt
Volkswagen tel. 905-477-2421
Gerd
Reisenecker fax
905-477-7530
7997 Kennedy Road
Markham. Ontario
L3R
2E2
AGENT: Mike
Everard tel.
905-944-9709
Augusta
National Inc. fax 905-944-9710
34 Melchior Crescent
Markham, Ontario
L3R
9A4
LOCATION MAP:
