Minutes - Heritage Advisory Committee - 20210607 1
Town of Aurora
Heritage Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, June 7, 2021
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Jeff Lanthier (Chair)
Neil Asselin
John Green
Councillor Sandra Humfryes
Matthew Kinsella
Bob McRoberts
Members Absent: Hoda Soliman (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Phillip Rose, Manager, Library Square
Shawna White, Curator, Aurora Museum & Archives
Carlson Tsang, Planner
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 7:05 p.m.
The Committee consented to extend the hour past 9 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
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That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
3. 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.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 5, 2021
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Councillor Humfryes
That the Heritage Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 5, 2021,
be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
5.1 Frank Pignataro, Member of Town Park Area Residents Ratepayers
Association (TPARRA); Re: Item 6.4 - Memorandum from Planner; Re:
Request to Remove 26, 32 and 34-38 Berczy Street from the Aurora Register
of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Frank Pignataro presented background on the T. Sisman Shoe Company
and its former two original buildings at 34-38 Berczy Street, noting the rich
historical heritage of the company and its buildings, having significance to
both Aurora and Canada. He spoke to the preservation of Aurora's history
and requested the Committee's support in preventing the removal of these
two buildings from the Aurora Heritage Register until an independent
heritage study to determine historical contributions has been completed.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to Item 6.4.
Carried
6. Matters for Consideration
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The Committee consented to consider items in the following order: 6.4, 6.5, 6.6,
6.2, 6.3, 6.1, and 7.1.
6.1 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Canadian Achievements Mural: Celebrating
Diversity and Inclusion
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and potential
locations for the Canadian Achievements Mural: Celebrating Diversity and
Inclusion. The Committee expressed its preferences for the mural
location, inquired about mural content, and suggested that Jacqueline
Stuart, former curator of the Aurora Historical Society, would be a helpful
resource. Staff provided clarification regarding public consultation and
final design, including a local and national scope, and invited the
Committee to provide further input to staff via email.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Canadian Achievements Mural:
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Canadian Achievements Mural: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
6.2 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-
2021-04, 20 Spruce Street
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application
proposing to construct a garage addition on the south side of the existing
dwelling, noting that the owner has modified the side yard setback to 0.6
metres.
The Committee commented on and inquired about several aspects
including tree removal, compatibility, streetscape, and potential review of
the Heritage Conservation District Plan in relation to the Official Plan
Review, and staff provided clarification.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
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1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application File:
HPA-2021-04, 20 Spruce Street, be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding HPA-
2021-04 be received and referred to staff for consideration and further
action as appropriate.
Carried
6.3 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-
2021-02, 63 Catherine Avenue
John Smale, owner and applicant, presented an overview of the proposal
to remove an existing rear addition and replace it with a new one-storey
addition in the same location of the dwelling.
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum and application. The
Committee had no issues with the proposal.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Permit Application File:
HPA-2021-02, 63 Catherine Avenue, be received; and
2. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application File: HPA-2021-02 be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
6.4 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Request to Remove 26, 32 and 34-38
Berczy Street from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage
Value or Interest
Neil Phillips, Project Manager, ERA Architects Inc., presented background
on the development application and an overview of the former T. Sisman
Shoe Company factory and building complex, present conditions, and
modifications made over the years. He recommended that the heritage of
these buildings would be best honoured through a contemporary
interpretation strategy, a combination of thorough documentation and
commemoration of the site, and a financial contribution to the Heritage
Reserve. Ryan Guetter, Executive Vice President, Weston Consulting, was
also present to answer questions.
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The Committee expressed concerns about the heritage evaluation process
and several references in the staff report. The Committee provided
historical background on the T. Sisman Shoe Company, noting that much
of the historical value was missing from the report.
The Committee inquired about the March 2020 heritage evaluation
working group assessment of 34 Berczy Street and expressed disappoint-
ment that the building had not yet been designated as it was deemed
worthy of designation despite the previous modifications. Staff provided
clarification on the delay and active planning application in progress.
The Committee suggested that, rather than be demolished, the building at
34 Berczy Street be rehabilitated and integrated into the proposed new
development, in addition to robust documentation and commemoration.
The Committee inquired about the heritage assessment criteria and staff
provided clarification on the new classification system yet to be finalized,
noting that the O. Reg. 9/06 criteria would be applied in the meantime.
Moved by Bob McRoberts
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Request to Remove 26, 32 and 34-38
Berczy 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 26, 32 and 34-38 Berczy Street from the Aurora Register of
Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest be received and
referred to Council and staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
6.5 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Request to Remove 103 Mosley Street
from the Aurora Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Mike Bennett, Planner, WND Associates Ltd., provided a brief overview of
the proposed development on the property and expressed support for the
staff report findings and recommendations.
Neil Phillips, Project Manager, ERA Architects Inc., provided background
on the auxiliary building to the main factory of the T. Sisman Shoe
Company, noting its past heavy alterations, present poor condition and
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diminished historical integrity, and expressed further support for the staff
report recommendations and conditions.
The Committee inquired about the evaluation process and staff provided
clarification on the heritage consultant’s evaluation. The Committee
expressed concern regarding the process and suggested that the current
evaluation scoresheet be applied in the absence of a new system in place.
The Committee stated they were not prepared to provide feedback without
an evaluation by the Town.
Moved by John Green
Seconded by Matthew Kinsella
1. That the memorandum regarding Request to Remove 103 Mosley
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 Mosley 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 Round Table Discussion; Re: Heritage Permit Application File: HPA-2021-07,
28 Wellington Street West
Staff presented an overview of the application for urgent replacement of
the retaining walls along the frontage of 28 Wellington Street West, which
was recently designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The Committee inquired about various aspects and suggested that safety
railings would be required and the existing limestone should be
incorporated into the new retaining wall. Staff provided clarification
regarding cost allocation, original construction and replacement materials,
design standards and safety, and agreed to provide further information to
the Committee prior to the final recommendation to Council.
Moved by Neil Asselin
Seconded by Bob McRoberts
1. That the Heritage Advisory Committee comments regarding Heritage
Permit Application File: HPA-2021-07, 28 Wellington Street West be
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received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
7.1 Memorandum from Planner; Re: Heritage Conditions – Shining Hill
Subdivision (Phase 2)
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum and background on the
draft plan of subdivision heritage conditions and recommendation
regarding two dwellings and barn at 370 and 488 St. John’s Sideroad.
The Committee inquired about various aspects and staff provided
clarification regarding designating properties not already listed on the
Aurora Register, the subject properties and number of buildings, the
demolition permit process and penalties, tree removal, and cultural
heritage landscape qualifications. It was noted that a demolition permit
was issued for one of the three buildings despite a June 2020 Council
motion that they be evaluated by the Heritage Advisory Committee. Staff
agreed to confirm and provide further information to the Committee.
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by John Green
1. That the memorandum regarding Heritage Conditions - Shining Hill
Subdivision (Phase 2) be received for information.
Carried
8. Adjournment
Moved by Matthew Kinsella
Seconded by Neil Asselin
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
Carried