MINUTES - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20150713
TOWN OF AURORA
HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Monday, July 13, 2015
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Jeff Thom (Chair), Councillor Wendy Gaertner
(Vice Chair), Barry Bridgeford, Kathy Constable, Carol
Gravelle, Bob McRoberts (Honorary Member), and Martin
Paivio
Member(s) Absent: John McIntyre (Honorary Member), and Stan Rycombel
Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning
and Development Services, Jeff Healey, Planner, and
Samantha Kong, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Martin Paivio
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services, with the
following addition, be approved:
Delegation (b) Steve and Sandra Sinclair, property owners
Re: Item 2 – HAC15-005 – Request to remove a Property from the Aurora
Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 98 Mosley
Street
CARRIED
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 2 of 8
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2015
Moved by Kathy Constable
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
THAT the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 13, 2015, be
received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
(a) Greg Raspin, representing owner of 12 Ransom Street
Re: Item 1 – Report No. HAC15-002 – Request to Remove a Property
from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest, 12 Ransom Street
Mr. Raspin presented a brief overview of the request and provided information
and history regarding the subject property.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Kathy Constable
THAT the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item 1.
CARRIED
(b) Steve and Sandra Sinclair, property owners
Re: Item 2 – Report No. HAC15-005 – Request to Remove a Property
from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest, 98 Mosley Street
Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair provided information and history regarding their
property, and stated that the house required replacement of the roof,
foundation, and electrical, heating, and plumbing systems. Mr. Sinclair
indicated that they would like to build a basement as a part of their
reconstruction.
Moved by Martin Paivio
Seconded by Carol Gravelle
THAT the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item 2.
CARRIED
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 3 of 8
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. HAC15-002 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 12 Ransom
Street
Staff presented a brief overview of the request and provided information and
history regarding the subject property. Staff advised that the Ontario Heritage
Act provides criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest and
noted that the owner wishes to remove the property from the Register as a
non-designated “listed” property. Staff explained that the owner proposes a
two-storey building with a two-door garage.
The Committee expressed support of the request and inquired about the
proposed lot coverage and height restrictions. Staff stated that the proposed
lot coverage is 35% and the height restriction is 10 metres in accordance with
the Zoning By-law. Staff further noted that the structure would be set back to
be less imposing.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Martin Paivio
THAT Report No. HAC15-002 be received; and
THAT the Heritage Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
THAT the property located at 12 Ransom Street be removed from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
subsequent to demolition.
CARRIED
2. HAC15-005 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 98 Mosley
Street
The Committee inquired about the additional height as a result of the
proposed raised basement. Staff indicated that the proposed dwelling meets
the maximum height of ten metres. The Committee also inquired whether staff
considered the evaluations of the reports created from 1981 within their
current process of evaluations, and inquired about the Canadian Inventory of
Historic Buildings. Staff stated that the report from 1981 is kept as a historic
record and is not used in the current process of evaluation as the criteria has
changed. Staff further noted that they would follow up with John McIntyre or
Jacqueline Stuart regarding the Canadian Inventory of Historic Buildings.
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 4 of 8
Moved by Carol Gravelle
Seconded by Martin Paivio
THAT Report No. HAC15-005 be received; and
THAT the Heritage Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
THAT the property located at 98 Mosley Street be removed from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest; and
THAT the proposed elevations are subject to approval of Planning Staff
to ensure the proposed new dwelling will maintain the heritage character
of the area.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
3. HAC15-003 – Distinction between Designated and Listed Properties
within the Town of Aurora
Staff reviewed the distinction between designated and listed properties and
explained that designated properties fall under two parts; “Part IV” or “Part V”.
Part IV indicates that the structure is specifically designated for its unique
architectural design or was in possession of a recognized resident. Part V
applies to a neighbourhood that possesses a unique character identity that
should be preserved.
The Committee inquired if the Town maintains information about heritage
properties in hard copy form and if reports and resources about each property
are still available online. Staff stated that the Aurora Register of Properties of
Cultural Heritage Value or Interest lists designated properties on the Town’s
website. Staff further noted that complete detailed files are no longer available
on the website, however interested persons may view these files at the
Planning and Development department.
The Committee inquired whether every house within a declared Heritage
District is automatically designated or listed under the Aurora Register. Staff
indicated that only specific properties that meet the criteria are designated or
listed.
Main motion
Moved by Martin Paivio
Seconded by Carol Gravelle
THAT Report No. HAC15-003 be received for information.
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 5 of 8
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
THAT the following clause be added to the main motion:
“THAT the Heritage Advisory Committee recommend to staff:
THAT it be noted on the Town’s website that detailed information
regarding properties listed on the Aurora Register of Properties of
Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, is available in hard copy and
may be accessed at the Planning and Development Services
department.”
Main motion as amended
Moved by Martin Paivio
Seconded by Carol Gravelle
THAT Report No. HAC15-003 be received; and
THAT the Heritage Advisory Committee recommend to staff:
THAT it be noted on the Town’s website that detailed information
regarding properties listed on the Aurora Register of Properties of
Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, is available in hard copy and
may be accessed at the Planning and Development Services
department.
CARRIED
4. Memorandum from Planner
Re: 81 Catherine Avenue, Heritage Review
Staff provided a brief history of the property and stated that the permit
application to allow the property to be demolished was approved by the
Heritage Advisory Committee in 2013, and the proposal for a new design of
the property was approved by staff in 2014, as the Committee was not
populated at this time due to Elections. Staff further noted that this two-storey
building occupies a two door garage that is recessed from the main façade,
and complies with the Heritage Conservation District Plan guidelines.
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 6 of 8
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the approved design as many
of the houses on Catherine Avenue have a single detached garage. The
Committee suggested that during Election years, consideration should be
given to having members carried over between terms to ensure comments
are provided regarding the suitability of proposed designs within a heritage
neighbourhood.
Moved by Kathy Constable
Seconded by Martin Paivio
THAT the memorandum regarding 81 Catherine Avenue, Heritage Review be
received for information.
CARRIED
5. Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015
Re: Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2015
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Kathy Constable
THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015, regarding the
Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 13, 2015, be received
for information.
CARRIED
6. HAC15-006 – Heritage Permits Approved Under Delegated Authority
Staff presented an overview of two heritage permits for 65 Wellington Street
East and 77 Centre Street, which were approved under delegated authority.
The property located at 65 Wellington Street East submitted an application to
remove an access point and mud room to allow a new access point and deck
at the rear of building. The property at 77 Centre Street submitted an
application to allow the removal of a small wooden addition and construction
of a rear addition with vinyl siding that would continue to the wrap around
porch.
The Committee inquired if a tenant was moving into the property located at 65
Wellington Street East, and expressed concerns about compliance with the
fire code. Staff stated that the owner of 65 Wellington Street East currently
runs a business on the first storey of the building and resides in the second
storey. Staff indicated that a building permit has not been issued and that
concerns regarding compliance to the fire code would be raised at that time.
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 7 of 8
The Committee inquired if there was a delay in the process of issuing building
permits to property owners as a result of a cancelled Committee meeting.
Staff indicated that minor changes that did not alter the front façade of the
property would typically be approved by staff under delegated authority, and if
the matter was significant it would be postponed until the next available
Committee meeting.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
THAT Report No. HAC15-006 be received for information.
CARRIED
7. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee inquired about the Town’s interest in promoting heritage through
online resources such as the University of Waterloo’s Heritage Resource Centre
specifically on their “Building Stories” website, which is an interactive inventory and
mobile application that identifies important community heritage assets. The
Committee further suggested that the Town identify plaque properties of high
significance and obtain owner participation in order to add them to the website
inventory. Staff stated that they would report back regarding the promotion of
Aurora heritage properties on external online resources, and indicated that there is
a plaque program in place.
The Committee inquired about meetings in the summer months. Staff indicated
that the Committee does not meet in the summer months, unless there is a
significant time sensitive matter.
Staff extended a reminder regarding Doors Open which would be held on August
15, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that there would be a Doors Open meeting
on July 29, 2015, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Holland Room at Town Hall for
interested volunteers and those involved with the 16 sites. Staff further noted that
the Auroran newspaper has been provided with five articles leading up to Doors
Open to promote the event.
The Chair extended a reminder to members regarding the procedures and
protocols of the Committee following delegations.
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 13, 2015 Page 8 of 8
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Kathy Constable
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
OTHERWISE ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.