Minutes - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20210913 1
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, September 13, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Jeff Lanthier (Chair)
John Green
Matthew Kinsella
Bob McRoberts
Councillor Sandra Humfryes (arrived 7:09 p.m.)
Members Absent: Hoda Soliman (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Mayor Tom Mrakas (ex-officio)
Brashanthe Manoharan, Planner/Heritage Planning
Linda Bottos, 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 Chair called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, as amended with the
following addition, be approved:
Hassan Faraji, Applicant; Re: Item 6.1 - HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre Street; in
attendance to speak to item and answer questions
Carried as amended
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3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Matthew Kinsella declared a pecuniary interest regarding Item 6.5 -
Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Request to Remove 103
Gurnett Street from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value
or Interest, as he is the owner of the property; therefore, he did not take part in
the discussion of, or vote on, any question in respect of the matter.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2021
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by John Green
That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 7, 2021,
be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
5.1 Steve Armes, Resident; Re: Item 6.1 - Memorandum from Planner/Heritage
Planning; Re: Heritage Permit Application HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre Street
Steve Armes expressed his opposition to the redevelopment proposal for
74 Centre Street and requested that the Committee reject the proposed
inappropriate redevelopment of the property and encourage the applicant
to engage with the community for input on a suitable design and plan. He
expressed concerns regarding the lack of design and appropriate heritage
styles, lot limitations, proposed parking, and front porch. Mr. Armes
expressed further concern regarding the long-term impact of unsuitable
construction within the heritage district.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item 6.1.
Carried
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6. Matters for Consideration
The Committee consented to consider items in the following order: 6.1, 6.6, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4, and 6.5.
6.1 Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Heritage Permit
Application HPA-2020-04 - 74 Centre Street
Hassan Faraji, Applicant, provided an overview of his application revisions
and neighbourhood consultation efforts. He spoke to the concerns
regarding vegetation, parking, front porch, interior and exterior design, and
compatibility. Mr. Faraji noted the need for multi-unit affordable housing
and reaffirmed his willingness to work with the community and staff.
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and revised application.
The Committee expressed concerns regarding the timing and extent of the
applicant's community consultation, parking spaces across the front of
the house, unit parking distribution and control, front porch depth and
proximity/view to parking, potential basement units, and traffic. The
Committee expressed further concern about setting a precedent with the
first addition of a multi-unit dwelling in the heritage conservation district
(HCD) since it was established, and questioned the need for intensification
in the HCD. The Committee inquired about whether safeguards are included
in the HCD plan to restrict multi-unit dwellings, and recommended the plan
be reviewed and tightened up if needed. The Committee inquired about the
disposition of comments previously provided by members on the application,
and staff provided clarification on any comments received and next steps.
The Committee recommended that the applicant engage an experienced
heritage architect toward a good design that is compatible with the HCD
prior to arranging further consultation with the neighbourhood.
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA-
2020-04 be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application HPA-2020-04 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
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6.2 Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Heritage Permit
Application File: HPA-2021-11 - 65 Spruce Street
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application.
The Committee expressed support and had no further comments.
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application File:
HPA-2021-11 be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application File: HPA-2021-11 be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.3 Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Heritage Permit
Application File: HPA-2021-09 - 80 George Street
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application.
The Committee expressed support and had no further comments.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application File:
HPA-2021-09 be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application File: HPA-2021-09 be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.4 Memorandum from Manager Parks and Fleet; Re: Tree Removal Permit
Application - 55 Metcalfe Street
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application.
The Committee commented on the maturity of the Linden tree and its
significance to the streetscape and inquired about any replacement plans.
Staff indicated that clarification would be sought from Parks staff. The
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Committee suggested that the Linden tree be replaced with a mature tree
of a different species.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the memorandum regarding Tree Removal Permit Application –
55 Metcalfe Street be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the Tree
Removal Application - 55 Metcalfe Street be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.5 Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Request to Remove 103
Gurnett Street from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage
Value or Interest
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application.
The Committee commented on the poor condition of the dwelling and the
low score assigned to the property by the Evaluation Working Group, and
expressed support for staff's recommendation to remove the property
from the Register.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by John Green
1. That the memorandum regarding the removal of 103 Gurnett Street
from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the
removal of 103 Gurnett Street from the Aurora Register of Properties
of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.6 Memorandum from Planner/Heritage Planning; Re: Heritage Permit
Application File: HPA-2021-08 - 124 Wellington Street East
Chris Pretotto, Architect, of cspace architecture, provided background and
details about the proposed replacement windows, doors, and signage.
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Stacy DiPasquale, Melanie Harold, and Matt Powell, of Powell Contracting,
were also present to answer any questions.
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application.
The Committee inquired about the construction details of the windows
and the applicant provided clarification.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by John Green
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application File:
HPA-2021-08 be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application File: HPA-2021-08 be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Carried