Minutes - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20240610
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, June 10, 2024
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Bob McRoberts, Honourary Member (Vice Chair)
Cynthia Bettio
David Heard
John Green, Aurora Historical Society Representative
Rocco Morsillo
Members Absent: Kevin Hughes
Other Attendees: Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Council/Committee Coordinator called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Vice Chair Bob McRoberts assumed the chair at 7:03 p.m.
1.1 Appointment of Committee Vice Chair
Moved by Cynthia Bettio
Seconded by Rocco Morsillo
1. That Bob McRoberts be elected as Vice Chair of the Heritage Advisory
Committee for the remainder of the two-year term (2023-2024).
Carried
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 10, 2024 2
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Cynthia Bettio
Seconded by John Green
That the revised 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 April 8, 2024
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Cynthia Bettio
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 8,
2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
6.1 Christopher Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: Doors Open Event
Item 6.1 was considered following consideration of item 7.1.
Christopher Watts provided a presentation in support of reinstating
Aurora's participation in the annual Doors Open Ontario program, noting
the last in-person Doors Open Aurora event was held in 2019, and made
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Monday, June 10, 2024 3
recommendations including to re-establish a sub-committee working
group, collaborate with other departments, improve marketing, and
measure successes toward building meaningful experiences.
The Committee expressed support for the initiative and promotion of
heritage tourism in Aurora, provided background, and discussed options.
Staff advised that a report would be submitted for Council consideration
in the fall for approval of a Doors Open Aurora event in 2025.
Moved by David Heard
Seconded by John Green
1. That the comments of the delegation be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the
delegation and presentation be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2024-03 - 23 Mark Street
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and proposal to add a
rear garden suite to the property, noting there is no proposed work to be
done to the primary heritage structure and no tree removal.
The Committee expressed no opposition to the proposal and discussed
various aspects with staff including: access and purpose of the garden
suite; exterior material; setting a precedent in the heritage conservation
district (HCD); neighbourhood consultation; Bill 23, The More Homes Built
Faster Act, intensification, and enforcement of zoning by-laws in the HCD;
lot coverage; fire services access; registration; and infrastructure capacity.
Moved by Rocco Morsillo
Seconded by John Green
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2024-03 - 23 Mark Street be received; and
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Monday, June 10, 2024 4
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2024-03 - 23 Mark Street be received and
referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage; Re:
Establishment of a Heritage Grant Program
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and development status
of the Heritage Grant Program.
The Committee expressed support for the program and discussed various
options with staff including: prioritization of building façade restoration/
improvements; calculation method of eligible grant amounts; prioritization
of different property classes; categorization of types of restoration; long-
term planning and annual budgets; opportunities to reach out to local
businesses/suppliers to provide discounts to designated heritage property
owners; determination of eligibility and heritage conservation agreement;
outreach to owners to consider designation; potential to include historic
buildings damaged by graffiti to ease the owner burden; potential
emergency fund for non-heritage permit types of work; and suggestion to
start the program with limited eligibility criteria and allow more in the
following years.
Moved by David Heard
Seconded by Cynthia Bettio
1. That the memorandum regarding Establishment of a Heritage Grant
Program be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding
Establishment of a Heritage Grant Program be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
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Monday, June 10, 2024 5
9. New Business
The Committee and staff discussed options to hold a Committee-run event in
2024, such as a walking tour, in the absence of participation in Doors Open
Ontario. Concerns were expressed regarding other external groups potentially
offering, possibly duplicating, Committee heritage events and programming.
Staff noted the benefit of the Doors Open Ontario structure and the formal
registration of Doors Open Aurora and its events including the walking tour.
The Committee requested to meet with staff and review potential heritage
properties to be included on a list for the interactive mapping and research pilot
project in partnership with local schools. Staff agreed to provide information as
required.
The Committee referred to the June 4, 2024 staff report and delegation by former
mayor Geoffrey Dawe regarding the future of the Hillary House and suggested
that public consultations and discussions should include the historical
information and challenges of both the Hillary House and the Aurora Museum.
Staff noted the Heritage Advisory Committee will be included in the consultation
process.
The Committee commented on the slow progress of the Aurora Pet Cemetery
restoration and suggested that increased attention and funding should be
applied to facilitate its progress. The Committee recommended that a portion of
the Heritage Fund could be directed to both the Pet Cemetery, a designated
heritage site, and the Hillary House, a national historic site, to address their
safety and security.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Cynthia Bettio
Seconded by John Green
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Carried