MINUTES-Heritage Advisory Committee-20210405 1
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, April 5, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Jeff Lanthier (Chair)
Hoda Soliman (Vice Chair)
Neil Asselin
John Green
Matthew Kinsella
Bob McRoberts
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Other Attendees: Mayor Tom Mrakas (ex-officio)
Carlson Tsang, Planner
Ivy Henriksen, Manager, Customer Services
Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Council/Committee Coordinator called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Jeff Lanthier assumed Chair at 7:06 p.m.
2. Appointment of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Neil Asselin
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That Jeff Lanthier be elected as Chair for Year 2021 of the Heritage Advisory
Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
That Hoda Soliman be elected as Vice Chair for Year 2021 of the Heritage
Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Hoda Soliman
Seconded by John Green
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, be approved.
Carried
4. 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.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 2, 2020
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 2,
2020, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
Moved by Hoda Soliman
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
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That Delegation 6.2 be allowed to speak at Item 7.1 prior to the consideration of
the item.
Carried
6.1 Len Bulmer and Kathy Kantel, Residents; Re: Reconsideration of Heritage
Designation - 55 Bloomington Road West
Mr. Bulmer and Ms. Kantel spoke to the heritage designation of 55
Bloomington Road West and the historic events that occurred at the Pine
Ridge facility previously on the subject lands. They further spoke to the
heritage designation process and requested that the events be captured in
the historical background of the designation details of the property, and
responded to the Committee's questions.
Moved by Hoda Soliman
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
That the comments of the delegation be received and be referred to staff
for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
6.2 Hasan Faraji, Resident; Re: Item 7.1 - Memorandum from Planner; Re:
Heritage Permit Application HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre St
Mr. Faraji addressed the Committee in support of the application to
construct a two-storey double duplex building on the subject lands. He
noted that any concerns expressed by staff and the Committee would be
taken into consideration accordingly.
Moved by Hoda Soliman
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item 7.1.
Carried
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Heritage Permit Application HPA-2020-04 –
74 Centre Street
Staff provided a brief overview of the heritage permit application and the
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proposal to construct a two-storey double duplex building with four
parking spaces in the rear yard on the subject property. The Committee
inquired about the zoning of the subject lands and if future variances
would be required, and staff provided clarification.
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the proposed depth of the
building, the number of windows on the front elevation, and the lack of
landscape space in the rear yard. The Committee provided suggestions
including the reduction in the number of windows on the front of the
building, addition of windows to the east and west side of the building,
reduction in depth to preserve greenspace for a backyard, extension of the
front verandah across the whole front side of the property, and possible
addition of second floor balconies or upper verandahs for the units. The
Committee noted that although the proposal would add an adequate
housing option to the existing neighbourhood, revisions to the proposal
would be required to retain the heritage aspects as per the Heritage
District Plan. The Committee expressed appreciation to the applicant for
working with staff to take the suggestions into consideration.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2020-04 to permit the construction of a double duplex building at 74
Centre Street be received; and
2. That the Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage Permit
Application HPA-2020-04 to permit the construction of a double duplex
building at 74 Centre Street be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Conversion of the Petch House to a
Wedding Chapel
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum noting the additional
information provided as requested by the Committee at the previous
meeting and sought the Committee's input regarding the conversion of the
Petch House to a wedding chapel or any alternate uses. The Committee
and staff discussed about the availability of washrooms and adequate
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parking on site, costs involved to accommodate heating and cooling
systems, and the impact of the HVAC system on the heritage aspects of
the building. The Committee suggested alternate uses for the Petch
House such as a gathering facility for school groups visiting the
Arboretum, a Town information center, drop-in center for artifact viewing,
and possible meeting space for public use.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding the proposal for Conversion of the
Petch House to a Wedding Chapel be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the
proposal for Conversion of the Petch House to a Wedding Chapel be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7.3 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Update on the Comprehensive Review of
the Aurora Heritage Register
Staff provided an update on the comprehensive review of the Aurora
Heritage Register including the highlights of the Steering Committee
meetings and the next steps. The Committee expressed appreciation to
the Steering Committee members and provided feedback regarding
access to the information in the future and the process of evaluation of
properties as part of the review.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding the status of the Comprehensive
Review of the Aurora Heritage Register project be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the status
of the Comprehensive Review of the Aurora Heritage Register project
be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action
as appropriate.
Carried
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7.4 Round Table Discussion; Re: New Sidewalk on Metcalfe Street
Councillor Humfryes provided a brief overview noting that the matter
regarding a proposed sidewalk on Metcalfe Street between Victoria Street
to Wells Street serving as a pedestrian connection between Library Square
and Town Park was brought forward for Council consideration in March,
and she sought the Committee's input regarding the matter. The
Committee discussed about the potential damage to the heritage trees
along the north side of Metcalfe Street and it was noted that an arborist
report has been requested by Council.
The Committee provided feedback suggesting to consider the south side
of the Wells Street school building as an alternate location and noted that
the walkway should be considered as part of the traffic flow plan
surrounding Library Square. The Committee further suggested that if the
north side of Metcalfe Street is preferred, avoiding the construction of a
boulevard would help preserve the heritage trees and consideration of
one-way traffic flow on Metcalfe Street would open more space to
construct a walkway or sidewalk in the paved portion area of the right-of-
way.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Neil Asselin
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the New
Sidewalk on Metcalfe Street be received and referred to staff for
consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
8.1 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Alterations to a Listed Heritage Property –
26 Machell Avenue
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and background to
the alterations made to the subject property.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
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1. That the memorandum regarding Alterations to a Listed Heritage
Property at 26 Machell Avenue be received for information.
Carried
8.2 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Approval of Heritage Permit Application
HPA-2020-03 under Delegated Authority – 28 Wellington Street West
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and background of
the heritage permit application proposing the replacement of fifteen
windows and two doors on the subject property which was approved
under delegated authority. Staff noted that another minor heritage permit
application for the same property for the replacement of the window
surrounds was approved through the streamline process and circulated
for Committee's comments.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Hoda Soliman
1. That the memorandum regarding the Approval of Heritage Permit
Application HPA-2020-03 under Delegated Authority for 28 Wellington
Street West be received for information.
Carried
9. Adjournment
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by John Green
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Carried