BYLAW - Heritage Designation ~ 15260 Yonge REPEALED by 5269~10 - 20081110 - 5053~08.RThe Blacksmith's Tree
15260 Yonge Street
"\o\Nnof -iv. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF AURORA . ~'"o ' ,.. '>'
By-law Number 5053-0B.R
BEING A BY-LAW to designate a
certain property as being of
Historical and/or Architectural
Value or Interest "The
Blacksmith's Tree", 15260 Yonge
Street.
WHEREAS pursuant to Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, RS. 0. 1990, Chaptero.18,
the Council of a municipality is authorized to enact By-laws to designate a real property,
including all buildings and structures thereon, to be of cultural heritage value or interest; ·
AND WHEREAS the municipal council of the Corporation of the Town of Aurora has
cause to be served on the owners of the lands and premises at:
15260 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
and up on the Ontario Heritage Foundation, notice of intention to designate the
Blacksmith's Tree, and a statement of the reasons for the proposed designation, and
further, has caused said notice of intention to be published in the Era Banner, being a
newspaper of general circulation in the municipality;
AND WHEREAS no notice of objection to the proposed designation has been served on
the municipality;
AND WHEREAS the reasons for designation are set out in Schedule "B" attached
hereto and form part of this By-law;
NOW THEREFORE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE
TOWN OF AURORA ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. THAT the following real property, more particularly described in Schedule "A"
attached hereto and forming part of this By-law is hereby designated as being of
cultural heritage value or interest:
The Blacksmith's Tree
15260 Yonge Street
Town of Aurora
The Regional Municipality of York
2. THAT the Town solicitor is hereby authorized to cause a copy of this By-law to be
registered against the property described in Schedule "A" attached hereto at the
Land Registry Office.
READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME THIS 10TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008.
READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 10TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008.
PHnL~ B.
SCHEDULE "A" TO
BY-LAW 5053-0B.R
By-law Number 5053-0S.R
Page 2 of 5
In the Town of Aurora in the Regional Municipality of York, property description as
follows:
Plan 246, pt. lot. 15, 16, 21
Lots 17, 18, 19
Plan 36, Lot 7, part lot 6
15260 Yonge Street
The Blacksmith's Tree
SCHEDULE "8" TO
BY-LAW 5053-0B.R
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
By-law Number 5053-08.R
Page 3 of 5
The Blacksmith's Tree has excellent cultural heritage value. The Tree is an excellent
specimen of a Burr Oak Tree that has stood along Yonge Street since the early 20th
Century. It is a reminder of the historic early industries that took place in the vicinity
with its historical association with a Blacksmith Shop.
Historical/Associative Value
The Burr Oak Tree is approximately 80 old, and is thought to have grown up next to a
blacksmith's shop in the early years of Aurora's growth as a town. It has a strong
historical association with the growth of Aurora from a small industrial village to a
bustling and developed town of the 21st century.
While not considered the most ancient of tree specimens, the Burr Oak Tree has been a
silent witness to a period of immense growth in Aurora, with a ringside view from its
location at Yonge and Wellington Streets, one of the busiest intersections in the rapidly
developing town. In its approximately 80 year history, the Burr Oak has been valued
and protected by its community, even as a large supermarket and parking lot developed
around it.
Scientific/Natural Value
The burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a species of oak tree native to North American,
which typically grows in the open, away from the forest canopy. It is amoung the
hardiest of oak trees: tolerant of urban conditions, fire-resistant, and relatively drought-
resistant due to its long taproots.
The burr oak is one of the fastest growing oak trees, with growth rates of 60 to 100 em
when young. It is also one of the largest of oaks, with trunk diameters of up to 3m, and
height from 30 to 37m. These trees commonly live to be 200-300 years old, and under
ideal conditions may become significantly older.
The Burr Oak Tree currently has a trunk diameter of _m and approximate height of
_m. While relatively healthy, the recent summer drought has taken a toll on the tree,
and some deadwood has appeared in the crown. Please note the attached
maintenance recommendations to ensure the Burr Oak Tree's continued healthy
existence.
Contextual Value
The Burr Oak Tree has been a strong visual contributor to the Yonge Street streetscape
for its approximate 80 year existence. Now ensconced in a grassy peninsula in the
former Price Chopper parking lot between Yonge and Machell Streets at the corner of
Wellington Street, the Burr Oak Tree has provided a shady, green space oasis for many
pedestrians and drivers in recent years.
Description of Heritage Attributes
The Description of Heritage Attributes includes the following heritage attributes and
applies to all elevations and the roof including all facades, entrances, windows,
chimneys, and trim, together with construction materials of wood, brick, stone, plaster
parging, metal and glazing, their related building techniques and landscape features:
Attribute to be Conserved:
• The Blacksmith's Tree at 15260 Yonge Street
,--·-,,,
Exterior Elements of the Attribute to be Conserved:
• The height of the tree
• The diameter of the tree trunk
• The crown of the tree
By-law Number 5053-08.R
Page 4 of 5
• The location of the Burr Oak Tree and its continuing relationship to the
surrounding streetscapes ofYonge Street, Wellington Street, and Machell Street.
Explanatory Note
Re: Heritage Designation By-law No. 5053-0S.R
By-law Number 5053-0S.R
Page 5 of 5
By-law Number 5053-0S.R the following purpose and effect:
To designate the property at 15260 Yonge Street as a property of cultural heritage value
or interest pursuant to the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O,. 1990, Chapter
0.18, Part IV, Section 29.
TOWN OF AURORA
THIS IS SCHEDULE "A"
;:rYE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK TO BY-LAW NO. 5053-0S.R
PASSEDTHIS \O DAY
OF tJD~~M'?-; 2008.
LOCATION: Lots 20, 22, 23 & 24 Plan 246
Part Lots 1, 2, 3, 65R12427;
S/T & TW as in 8587378 BO~CLERJ<
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Town of Aurora, Regional Municipality of York
15260 Yonge Street ~J~ (The Blacksmith's Tree)
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SCHEDULE "A" TO BY-LAW NO. 5053-0S.R