MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 1 of 6 DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 MEETING NO

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1 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 1 of 6 DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 MEETING NO TIME: PLACE: CHAIR: PRESENT: Ms. K. Costa Ms. G. Cyr Ms. B. McKinnon Ms. D. Pallen Ms. H. Strobl Mr. A. Yozipovic ABSENT: Mr. A. Cotter, Chair 5:10 P.M. MCNAUGHTON ROOM 500 DONALD STREET EAST CITY HALL Ms. K. Costa, Vice-Chair OFFICIALS: Mr. M. Szybalski, Corporate Records Manager Archivist Mr. G. Stover, Committee Coordinator RESOURCE PERSONS: Ms. P. Cain, Heritage Researcher Mr. R. Eady, Planner II Development Services Ms. K. Butter, Cultural Services Coordinator Ms. A. Dawkins, Supervisor Planning & Policy Development GUESTS: Mr. A. Habib The Vice-Chair welcomed those in attendance. 1.0 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST None. 2.0 AGENDA APPROVAL Ms. D. Pallen With respect to the January 22, 2015 Heritage Advisory Committee meeting, we recommend that the agenda as printed, including any additional information and new business, be confirmed.

2 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 of CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES Ms. G. Cyr THAT the Minutes of the Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting No held on November 27, 2014 be confirmed. 4.0 FORMER F.W.C.I BUILDING Mr. A. Habib provided an overview of his plans for the Former F.W.C.I. property. Still wants to preserve and renew the building. Wants to rezone the northern portions of the property in order to sever off six lots for single detached dwelling development. As a condition for rezoning and severance, he needs HAC support and approval. Ms. A. Dawkins, Supervisor Planning & Policy Development explained to the Committee the process for rezoning and the various scenarios which could result from Mr. Habib s plan if it should come to pass such as the possible impact on the neighbourhood and the former school in regards to views and parking. If approved, zoning by-laws can be made to define regulations for the properties such as the location of the houses on the individual lots. However few restrictions can be made on the single unit dwellings themselves as opposed to apartments, which are subject to site plan control. Rezoning has been applied for but not yet severance of the lot. Discussion was held relative to the Designation by-law and/or possible amendments that are needed. Neighbourhood parking and sensitivity of new houses to the F.W.C.I. building were also discussed. This item will appear on the next agenda for further discussion and review. 5.0 PROPERTY RELATED MATTER At 5:25 p.m. it was the consensus of the committee to resolve into a closed session meeting to discuss the business at hand. Ms. G. Cyr Ms. D. Pallen

3 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 of 6 THAT we resolve into a closed session to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board. At 6:05 p.m. the open session Committee meeting reconvened. 6.0 HERITAGE PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES & REBATES / GRANT PROGRAMS Mr. A. Habib inquired about the status of the heritage property tax relief program. Current programs that are offered in Ontario offer relief on building permit fees and relief on property taxes of up to 40%. A formula / method should be developed by the City to make sure that the savings granted to property owners are used for repairs/upkeep of the buildings. Mr. R. Eady, Planner II, provided information relative to the on-going efforts of the Planning Division to develop a heritage tax relief / grant program that will provide financial assistance to heritage property owners. Both the Ontario Heritage Act and the Municipal Act provide avenues to create cost-saving programs that are being developed by the Planning Division. A full report outlining a recommended program to City Council will first be brought to the Heritage Advisory Committee in March or April CHAIR & VICE-CHAIR NOMINATIONS FOR 2015 This item was deferred to the February Committee meeting. 9.0 REVIEW OF COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE Copies of the Heritage Advisory Committee: Terms of Reference were distributed for the Committee s review. Discussion was held relative to the Governance and quorum section of the Terms of Reference ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING Copies of the May I Help You? Understanding Accessible Customer Service handbooks were distributed for Committee members completion.

4 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 of POTENTIAL CYCLING TOUR OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS Ms. P. Cain, Heritage Researcher advised the Committee that she was contacted by Ms. C. Cox, Program Coordinator EcoSuperior Environmental Programs with information regarding the Safe Cycling Thunder Bay program. This cycling education program, run through EcoSuperior and the City is offering community Discovery Rides that explore Thunder Bay by bike. Ms. C. Cox is inquiring whether the Heritage Advisory Committee would be interested in collaborating in summer 2015 by offering participants a cycling tour of some of Thunder Bay s heritage buildings. Certified instructors would be provided and the programs could be marketed within both groups. It was consensus of Committee to invite Ms. C. Cox to an upcoming Committee meeting to further discuss the program BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES Home and Garden Show Mr. R. Eady advised the Committee that 3 tables have been reserved by the Planning Division at the 2015 Home and Garden Show, 1 of which will be available for use by the Heritage Advisory Committee. Discussion was held relative to volunteering and Committee information material that can be displayed at the event. Ms. P. Cain to draft a schedule of available times for volunteers and to circulate the list Heritage Training Mr. M. Szybalski, Corporate Records Manager Archivist provided an update from Mr. B. Duclos, Heritage Outreach Consultant with respect to possible heritage training for Committee members. The possible heritage training can include presentations discussing cultural heritage value, establishing and sustaining an effective municipal heritage committee and property evaluation. Discussion was held relative to inviting Council members and members of other communities to the possible training session.

5 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 of 6 Further information will be provided at a future Committee meeting Arts and Heritage Awards Ms. K. Butter, Cultural Services Coordinator provided an update relative to the above noted. The event is scheduled for February 19, 2015 and tickets cost $20 each. Discussion was held relative to sponsoring the awards event as done in previous years. Ms. H. Strobl THAT the Committee contributes $1200 to sponsor the Heritage Award for the 2015 Arts and Heritage Awards event NEW BUSINESS 14.1 CHO News Copies of the Winter 2014/2015 edition of the CHO News were circulated for the Committee s information Lyceum Theatre Renovations provided an update from Administration relative to the above noted. Work on the building is progressing as cleanup has been undertaken inside the building and temporary roof repairs have been made with permanent repairs starting soon Fort William City Hall LEGO Display Mr. M. Szybalski advised the Committee that a LEGO model of the Fort William City Hall is currently being displayed in the City Hall lobby Site Packages Ms. P. Cain provide site package for the Caledonia Building for the Committee s information. Property owners will be invited to a future Committee meeting.

6 MEETING: HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 6 of NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. in the McNaughton Room ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.