By-law - Heritage Designation 71 Connaught Avenue (The Johnson House) - 20240924 - 6636-24
The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6636-24
Being a By-law to designate a property to be of cultural heritage value or
interest (71 Connaught Avenue l'The Johnson House").
Whereas under subsection 29(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.0. 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 25, 2024, the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
(the "Town") approved the recommendations contained in Report No. PDS24-060 to
designate the property municipally known as 71 Connaught Avenue, as described on the
attached Schedule "A" (the IlProperty") 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served on the Town, or a person who has served a notice of objection has withdrawn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 'lAj', 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 IIB".
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 24th day of September, 2024.
s, Mayor
AM
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
By-law Number 6636-24 Page 2 of 3
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
71 Connaught Avenue, and being composed of LT 89 PL120 AURORA; PT LT 90-92 PL
120 AS IN AU71 5C);Aurora, being all of PIN 03649-0042 (LT), including the primary
building thereon.
By-law Number 6636-24 Page 3 of 3
Schedule 'dB"
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
71 Connaught Avenue 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 representative example of a 2 storey Arts and Crafts dwelling. The
building itself includes features indicative of its period of construction in the second
wave of development of the Southeast Old Aurora neighbourhood area. Features
include a front verandah including brick pillars with a pedimented roofline and a front
dormer.
Historical and Associative Value:
The building was constructed circa 1923 and is associated with the second wave of
development of the Southeast Old Aurora neighbourhood. Further, the property is the
former home of Ada and Norman Johnson, who were very prominent citizens within the
community. Ada Johnson called Aurora home for over a century and was an active
member of the community through the Aurora United Church, Canadian Red Cross, the
Cancer Society and through Aurora High School's IlNight School". Her many and long-
standing contributions to Aurora were recognized by the naming of a park in her honour,
the Ada Johnson Park. Norm Johnson served in both World Wars and was a well-
respected local teacher and principal. During his teaching career, Norm coached a
multitude of sports teams and won numerous championships. The Norm Johnson Hall
of Education in the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame is named after him. Norm Johnson was
also a local member of the Masonic Lodge and rose to the level of district Deputy Grand
Master.
Contextual Value:
The dwelling offers a link to the Town's early growth and development, specifically the
second wave of development of the Southeast Old Aurora neighbourhood. The property
supports the historic character of the area and is visually linked to its surroundings.
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
* General 2-storey massing
* Front verandah with pedimented roofline and brick pillars
* Front dormer