BYLAW - Heritage Designation 73 Kennedy St W (Willowdene Stephenson House) - 20230523 - 6517-23The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6517-23
Being a By-law to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or
interest (73 Kennedy Street West l'Willowdene - The Stephenson House").
Whereas under subsection 29(1 ) of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.18, as
amended, the council of a municipality may, by by-law, designate a property within the
municipality to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
And whereas on June 28, 2022, the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
(the "Townl') approved the recommendations contained in Report No. PDS22-042, to
designate the property municipally known as 73 Kennedy Street West, as described on
the attached Schedule "A" (the l'Property") to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
And whereas the Town Clerk caused notice of the intention to designate the Property to
be served on the owner of the Property and the Ontario Heritage Trust and published in
a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality;
And whereas there were no objections to the proposed designation of the Property
served on the Town, or a person who has served a notice of objection has withdrawn
the objection;
And whereas the Council of the Town deems it necessary and expedient to enact a by-
law to designate the Property to be of cultural heritage value or interest;
Now therefore the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora hereby enacts
as follows:
1.The Property, as described on the attached Schedule "A", be and is hereby
designated to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
2.A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the Property and
a description of the heritage attributes of the Property are set out on the attached
Schedule "B".
3.The Town Clerk shall serve a copy of this by-law on the owner of the Property and
the Ontario Heritage Trust and publish notice of this by-law in a newspaper
having general circulation in the municipality.
4.A copy of this by-law shall be registered against the Property in the appropriate
land registry office.
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 23rd day of May, 2023.
/To'm Mrakas, Mayor
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
By-law Number 6517-23 Page 2 of 4
Schedule “A”
Description of Property
All and singular those certain parcels or tracts of land and premises situate, lying and
being in the Town of Aurora, in the Regional Municipality of York, municipally known as
73 Kennedy Street West, and being composed of PT LT 37 PL 246 Aurora PT 2,
65R3623, T/W R299690 and R340938, being all of PIN 03659-0094 (LT), including the
primary building thereon.
By-law Number 6517-23 Page 3 of 4
Schedule “B”
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
73 Kennedy Street West is of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest based on its design and
physical value, historical and associative value, and contextual value.
Design and Physical Value:
The property is a unique representative example of a building constructed in the
Edwardian architectural style with Queen Anne influences. The dwelling itself includes
features indicative of its period of construction and high craftmanship and detail,
including the hipped roof with deep overhanging eaves, attic dormers, uniquely shaped
angular bay window at the second storey, parlour style windows, and the covered
verandah which is curved along the front and east elevations supported by wood
columns. The property itself also features a generous front yard setback and open
space setting characterized by mature trees and landscaping. The building is a highly
rare and well-preserved example of the unique architectural style.
Historical and Associative Value:
The property was farmed in the 19th century by John W. Stephson, an early farmer and
inhabitant of Aurora. At the time the property consisted of 27 acres, and it was later
subdivided to the current size. The property is known locally as Willowdene, and with its
generous front yard and open space area it is highly unique for the area. Further, the
property was also instrumental in its subdivision which led to the growth and
development of the community area west of Yonge Street. The property likely featured
an original dwelling, constructed in the mid 19th century, with the current dwelling
constructed on the property likely sometime in the late 19th century. The property has
direct association with the theme of the Town’s transition from a largely agricultural
based society and economy to a burgeoning commercial and residential village and
Town. The property was also awarded with a heritage display plaque that was granted
by the Aurora Historical Committee in 1994.
Contextual Value:
The property defines, maintains and supports the historic character of the Aurora core
area in close proximity to Yonge Street. The building and land area provides a
significant link to the early growth and development of the Town, specifically in relation
to growth that occurred in and around early routes like Yonge Street. The building and
its highly unique scale and architectural style help tell the story of the evolution of the
community. Due to the unique front yard setback, scale of the building and relative size
of the property and mature trees, it can be considered a landmark that is significant in
defining the character of the area.
Description of Heritage Attributes
The following provides a description of heritage attributes for the property which
contribute to the reasons for which the property is of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.
Important to the preservation of the property are the original key attributes of the
building that express its value, which include:
Exterior Elements
• Overall 2.5 storey scale and massing of wood frame construction
By-law Number 6517-23 Page 4 of 4
• Hipped roof with deep overhanging eaves
• Attic dormers
• Horizontal cladding
• Red brick chimney at the west elevation
• All window openings including those within the attic dormers and the large
parlour style window at the first storey of the front elevation
• Uniquely shaped angular bay window at the second storey
• Covered verandah supported by wood columns
• Generous front yard setback and setting with mature trees and landscaping