Minutes (Appointed) - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20250609
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, June 9, 2025
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Chair)
Cynthia Bettio
Linda Duringer
Bob McRoberts, Honourary Member
Rocco Morsillo
Chris Polsinelli
Members Absent: John Green, Aurora Historical Society Representative (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Councillor Ron Weese*
Adam Robb, Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage
Matthew Legace, Heritage Co-op Student
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
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,
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.
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June 9, 2025 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Linda Duringer
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 14, 2025
Moved by Rocco Morsillo
Seconded by Chris Polsinelli
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 14,
2025, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
6.1 Christopher Watts, The Aurora Heritage Authority; Re: Ontario Heritage
Week
Christopher Watts presented background on Ontario Heritage Week,
celebrated during the third week of February since 1985, noting the Town’s
participation in previous years, and suggested that a sub-committee be
formed to prepare for the Heritage Week initiative in February 2026.
Moved by Chris Polsinelli
Seconded by Linda Duringer
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
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June 9, 2025 3
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Policy Planning and Heritage; Re: Request to
Remove a Listed Property from the Town’s Heritage Register - 8 Kennedy
Street East
The applicant’s Heritage consultant, Ben Daub, Intermediate Heritage
Planner of LHC Heritage Planning & Archaeology Inc., presented an
overview of the Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report prepared by LHC
including the project background; property history of ownership and
alterations; results of evaluation criteria; and conclusions.
The Committee inquired about plans for the protection of mature trees in
the event of a demolition on the property and requested that the maple
and blue spruce trees be preserved. The applicant’s planner, Brad Rogers,
Principal Planner of Groundswell Urban Planners Inc., gave a response
indicating their intent to try and preserve these trees.
The Committee referred to the Report’s evaluation criteria and discussed
the significance to the community of former owner William Wells, whose
father-in-law Richard Machell was also a prominent early settler in Aurora.
The Committee further commented on the design of the proposed
townhouse development and suggested to include more of a heritage feel.
Moved by Chris Polsinelli
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding Request to Remove a Listed Property
from the Town’s Heritage Register - 8 Kennedy Street East be received;
and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Request to
Remove a Listed Property from the Town’s Heritage Register - 8
Kennedy Street East be received and referred to staff for consideration
and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
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June 9, 2025 4
8.1 Verbal Update from Heritage Co-op Student; Re: Heritage Research Project
Matthew Legace, Heritage Co-op Student, presented an overview of their
local history project regarding the residents and history of the property at
15120 Yonge Street, noting those persons of historical significance.
The Committee expressed appreciation for Matthew’s efforts.
Moved by Cynthia Bettio
Seconded by Linda Duringer
1. That the Verbal Update from Heritage Co-op Student; Re: Heritage
Research Project be received for information.
Carried
9. New Business
The Committee referenced agenda item 7.1 and inquired about the protection
and opportunity for designation of the mature trees, and staff provided a
response. The Committee further discussed the significance of William Wells
and family in Aurora and the importance of recognizing the relationships that
existed.
The Committee and staff discussed the opportunity for the Committee to
conduct its own evaluations of properties being considered for removal from the
Town’s Heritage Register, using the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria, in addition
to those provided by a consultant. The Committee discussed the possibility to
develop a protocol to determine historical significance whereby individuals and
their stories could be recognized even if a building may be altered or demolished.
The Committee inquired about the status of the Town’s Heritage Awards. Staff
gave an update noting consideration is being given to the possibility of featuring
the Heritage Awards as part of the annual Community Recognition Awards and a
report is forthcoming. The Committee was generally supportive of this approach.
The Committee discussed the potential of forming a working group to focus on
the Town’s participation and activities in celebration of the next Ontario Heritage
Week to be held on February 17-23, 2026, and staff agreed to follow up.
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June 9, 2025 5
10. Adjournment
Moved by Chris Polsinelli
Seconded by Cynthia Bettio
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Carried