MINUTES - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20190305
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Neil Asselin, John Green, Matthew Kinsella, Jeff Lanthier,
Hoda Soliman, Councillor Sandra Humfryes, Mayor Tom
Mrakas (ex-officio)
Members Absent: Bob McRoberts
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner, Councillor Rachel Gilliland,
Councillor Michael Thompson, Robin McDougall, Director of
Community Services, Adam Robb, Planner, and Linda
Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
Appointment of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
It was agreed that Councillor Humfryes act as Chair for the meeting, and that the Chair
and Vice Chair of the Committee would be discussed and appointed at the next meeting
on April 1, 2019.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Introductions were made around the table.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Jeff Lanthier
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Page 2 of 7
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
None
4. Delegations
(a) Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Re: Advisory Committee Member Education and Training
Mr. de Rond presented an overview of the roles and responsibilities of an
advisory committee, committee members, the chair, and staff. He noted the
importance of an advisory committee as a tool for civic engagement and
highlighted various aspects of procedure, including the Town’s Procedure By-
law and the new Code of Conduct for Local Boards.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by John Green
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
(b) Adam Robb, Planner
Re: Heritage Advisory Committee Update
Mr. Robb presented an update including the Committee’s role in preserving
the Town’s heritage resources, matters under the Ontario Heritage Act, 1990,
other research and advisory duties, and ongoing heritage projects in Town.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Neil Asselin
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Page 3 of 7
5. Matters for Consideration
1. HAC19-001 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 97
Wellington Street East
Staff introduced the consultant, Mr. Chris Pretotto of Cspace Architecture, who
presented a brief overview of the intent of the delisting request including the
demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new, two-storey office
building, designed sympathetically to the adjacent properties.
The Committee consented on a two-thirds vote to allow a member of the public to speak
to the item.
Mr. David Heard provided some historical background connected to previous
owners of the property and requested that the Committee consider ways to
incorporate elements of the existing structure, including the stained glass
transom, into the proposed new building.
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the Cultural Heritage
Assessment attached to the staff report and suggested that the Town perform
its own assessment. The Committee further suggested that there might be an
opportunity to incorporate the existing building into the proposed design. Staff
noted that the recommendation includes salvaging the stained glass window
and woodwork from the main interior staircase.
Motion to refer
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That Report No. HAC19-001 – Request to Remove a Property from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 97
Wellington Street East, be referred back to staff for further assessment of
the property by the Heritage Evaluation Working Group and a report back
to the Committee at the April 1, 2019 meeting.
Motion to refer
Carried
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Page 4 of 7
2. HAC19-002 – Heritage Permit Application, 70-72 Centre Street East, File:
NE-HCD-HPA-19-02
Staff provided a brief overview of the report and background, noting that the
architectural features would be retained and the proposal is in keeping with the
Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation District Plan.
The Committee inquired about various aspects of the proposed restoration and
materials, and expressed general support for the staff recommendations.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Jeff Lanthier
1. That Report No. HAC19-002 be received; and
2. That the comments from the Heritage Advisory Committee regarding the
following recommendations be incorporated into a report to General
Committee:
(a) That Heritage Permit Application NE-HCD-HPA-19-02 be approved to
permit the restoration of the subject property and removal of the frame
garage as shown on the submitted plans; and
(b) That the property owner photodocument any original construction
revealed during the proposed restoration of the property; and
(c) That the property owner continue to seek guidance from Town staff
and the Heritage Conservation District Plan on the final selection of
detail elements visible from the street.
Carried
3. HAC19-003 – Request to Remove a Property from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 1625-1675
St. John’s Sideroad
Staff provided a brief overview of the report and background, noting that a
Heritage Evaluation Working Group scoresheet had not been completed and
the heritage impact assessment determined that the property does not meet
the criteria for designation.
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Page 5 of 7
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects of the property
including any options to designate the wood lot as a cultural landscape,
salvage the fieldstones and barn foundation, and pay homage to its pastoral
and equestrian history through the future design of buildings, fencing and
landscaping on the property.
Motion to refer
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by Neil Asselin
1. That Report No. HAC19-003 – Request to Remove a Property from the
Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, 1625-
1675 St. John’s Sideroad, be referred back to staff for further assessment
of the property by the Heritage Evaluation Working Group and a report
back to the Committee at the April 1, 2019 meeting.
Motion to refer
Carried
4. HAC19-004 – Heritage Permit Application, 22 Church Street, File: HPA-
19-03
The Committee consented to consider Item 4 prior to consideration of Item 1.
Staff introduced members of the project team for the Library Square and
Church Street School House Addition project, including: David Leinster of The
Planning Partnership; Roland Colthoff and Thomas Nemeskeri of RAW Design
Inc.; and Philip Evans of ERA Architects Inc., who provided an overview of the
proposed Church Street School addition as part of the Library Square
redevelopment, and answered questions.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by John Green
That the consultants’ presentation be received for information.
Carried
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The Committee inquired about various aspects of the proposed addition and
expressed concerns and suggestions regarding the roofline height and style,
external patina and massing of the building veil, building depth and stability,
water table, visual impact of all four sides, shadowing, and design of addition
more sympathetic to the existing building. The consultants acknowledged the
comments of the Committee and noted they will be taken into consideration.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That Report No. HAC19-004 be received; and
2. That the comments from the Heritage Advisory Committee regarding the
following recommendations be incorporated into a report to General
Committee:
(a) That Heritage Permit Application HPA-19-03 be approved to permit the
addition to the subject property as shown on the submitted plans; and
(b) That the property owner photodocument any original construction
revealed during the proposed addition to the property; and
(c) That Planning staff continue to liaise with the Ontario Heritage Trust
and ensure the addition remains sympathetic of the heritage resource
through all phases of the development.
Carried
6. Informational Items
None
7. New Business
Staff advised that the process of establishing a Design Review Panel (DRP) is
underway, noting that DRP meetings will also be held bi-monthly, alternating with
the Heritage Advisory Committee meetings.
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Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Page 7 of 7
8. Adjournment
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Neil Asselin
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Carried