BRANTFORD HERITAGE COMMITTEE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015 6:00 P.M. CHARLIE WARD ROOM, CITY HALL Cindy MacDonald in the Chair 1. ROLL CALL Present: C. MacDonald, Councillor Utley, R. Adlam, D. McCormack, Rev. C. Diegel, Brad Emsley Regrets: S. Clarke, B. Garner, L. Jansen Also Present: N. Etherington, M. MacLellan, J. Moore, V. Grohn, N. Wilmot, C. Touzel Nathan Etherington, the new Brant Museum and Galleries Association s representative on the Brantford Heritage Committee was in attendance. C. Touzel noted that the appointment will be confirmed by Council at its meeting of October 26, 2015. 2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Rev. C. Diegel declared a Conflict of Interest on Item 4.3 (Demolition Permit Application for 1 and 3 Spring Lane located within the Demolition Control Area By-law 26-91 [Financial Impact None] (CD2015-225)) as he owns property in the area. Accordingly, he refrained from all discussion and voting on this Item. 3. DELEGATIONS None
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 2 4. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 4.1 Proposed Alteration to a Designated Building under the Ontario Heritage Act 150 Brant Avenue Application Number: HA-08-15 [Financial Impact None] (CD2015-223) Presentation Candice Micucci, Planning Consultant, Antech Design and Engineering Group and Paul McCaig, Paulsan Construction Inc. appeared before the Committee to speak in support of the application. A PowerPoint presentation was made regarding the proposed building addition at the rear of 150 Brant Avenue, a copy of which will be placed in the Committee meeting file. The presentation included the following: Site Sketch Rear and front images of the existing building Architectural changes that tie in with the existing balcony The Committee was advised that the door will be moved to the new entrance, to create barrier free access. The window will remain the same and the new brick detail will be similar in colour to the existing brick. No members of the public were in attendance at the meeting to speak in support or opposition to the application. Recommendation Seconded by Rev. C. Diegel THAT the request made under Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act to alter a designated property at 150 Brant Avenue BE APPROVED in accordance with the details in Application HA-08-15 submitted on September 16, 2015. The Brantford Heritage Committee had the following comments regarding the Application: the Application will allow the new addition to be barrier free; very little of the addition will be seen from the back of the property so there will be little or no impact to the Dufferin Avenue streetscape;
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 3 a suggestion was made to explore the use of local reclaimed brick; and the Committee was pleased to learn that the Coach House will remain as a secondary use and that the doors will be restored in keeping with the existing design Item 4.1 was then voted on and carried unanimously. 4.2 Demolition Permit Application for 280/282 Stanley Street located within the Demolition Control Area By-law 26-91 [Financial Impact Cost of Demolition $25,000] (CD2015-224) Presentation Maryellen MacLellan, Director of Housing and Jeff Moore, Business Manager, Golf Operations were in attendance at the meeting to speak to the Demolition Permit Application for 280/282 Stanley Street. The Committee was advised that staff cannot locate any records regarding this property, but the understanding was that it was intended to be demolished once the groundskeeper vacated the building, which occurred two years ago. Maryellen MacLellan reviewed the Structural Report as referenced as Appendix E to Report CD2015-224, noting that the property is in poor condition and that life safety repairs only have been performed on the building in light of the intended demolition once the structure was vacated. The estimated cost to refurbish the building would be in excess of $100,000. She noted that it would not be an appropriate use for affordable housing. The Committee was further advised that Golf Operations would like to see the structure demolished and replaced with a practice area, which would address health and safety concerns given the proximity of the existing structure to the golf course and errant balls. The Committee had the following comments regarding the application: Concerns that a City-owned property can fall into this type of disrepair; and Staff should explore the retention and reuse of some of the materials from the existing building such as the brick Maryellen MacLellan, who is new to the Director of Housing position, noted that an annual inspection program for all Housing stock has since been implemented. No members of the public were in attendance at the meeting to speak in support or opposition to the application.
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 4 As the presenter for Item 4.3 had to leave to attend to an urgent matter, the Committee deferred further discussion on this Item and moved Item 4.3 forward on the agenda. 4.3 Demolition Permit Application for 1 and 3 Spring Lane located within the Demolition Control Area By-law 26-91 [Financial Impact None] (CD2015-225) Rev. C. Diegel declared a Conflict of Interest on Item 4.3 (Demolition Permit Application for 1 and 3 Spring Lane located within the Demolition Control Area By-law 26-91 [Financial Impact None] (CD2015-225)) as he owns property in the area. Accordingly, he refrained from all discussion and voting on this Item. Presentation Mary Welsh, Brantford Leaseholds Limited appeared before the Committee to speak in support of the new application and submitted the following materials at the meeting: Correspondence from Gail Lovett, Former Physical Education teacher and Principal, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCI) Site Plan Mary Welsh noted that the purpose of demolishing the two buildings would be to provide a multi-purpose teaching area for BCI. Councillor Utley asked if the applicant has received letters of support from the Grand Erie District School Board and current BCI staff confirming their interest in using this property as a multi-purpose teaching area. Mary Welsh indicated that she could get these letters as early as tomorrow. No members of the public were in attendance at the meeting to speak in support or opposition to the application. Recommendation Seconded by D. McCormack THAT the Demolition Permit Application for 1 and 3 Spring Lane, submitted by Brantford Leaseholds Limited on October 8, 2015 BE APPROVED subject to the following conditions: 1. That the Demolition Permit NOT BE ISSUED until such time as a complete Building Permit Application has been submitted to the Building Department; and
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 5 2. That future planning applications for this project BE FORWARDED to the Brantford Heritage Committee for review and comment; and 3. That written confirmation indicating its support for the project BE RECEIVED from the Grand Erie District School Board. The following additional heritage comments were made regarding the application: It has been difficult to assess the condition of the building as it has been covered up; The Brantford Heritage Committee has little information about these properties, but they are listed on the City s Heritage Inventory; and The impact of the demolition on the surrounding neighbourhood would have to be taken into consideration and can t simply be limited to the heritage values of the buildings themselves. Item 4.3 was then voted on and approved. Rev. C. Diegel s Conflict of Interest was so noted. 4.2 Demolition Permit Application for 280/282 Stanley Street located within the Demolition Control Area By-law 26-91 [Financial Impact Cost of Demolition $25,000] (CD2015-224) (Continued) The Committee went back to Item 4.2 which had been previously deferred. Recommendation Seconded by Rev. C. Diegel THAT the Demolition Permit Application for the dwelling at 280/282 Stanley Street, submitted by the City of Brantford Housing Department on October 5, 2015, BE APPROVED. Item 4.2 was then voted on and approved. 4.4 Public Art Overview City s Monuments Program (no copy) Presentation Sara Munroe, Arts and Culture Co-ordinator appeared before the Committee to speak to the role of the Public Art Sub-Committee and City staff in relation to the City of Brantford s public art program. The Public Arts Policy was also
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 6 reviewed. A copy of her memorandum to the Committee dated October 20, 2015 was distributed at the meeting and will be placed in the Committee meeting file. An annual update about completed public art treatment and restoration will be provided to the Brantford Heritage Committee on an annual basis. Rev. C. Diegel suggested that staff develop and maintain a list of public art in all public spaces across the City as it doesn t appear that anyone is responsible to make sure that they don t disappear. She noted that only Cityowned public art would be included under the Public Arts Policy. S. Munroe spoke to the public art under her purview but agreed to look into this matter further and advise. The Brantford Heritage Committee expressed an interest in seeing the total value of the public art inventory as well. C. MacDonald asked who decides what moments are to be restored next. S. Munroe noted that staff would make that determination based on a report of the conservator. A full condition assessment was undertaken in 2012. Some concerns were raised by the Committee that the public art collection is growing, yet the maintenance budget has not. B. Emsley suggested that longterm maintenance costs must be considered when considering donation requests in the future. 5. CONSENT ITEMS 5.1 Minutes Seconded by D. McCormack THAT the following Minutes BE ADOPTED: 5.1.1 Brantford Heritage Committee September 15, 2015 CARRIED 6. PROJECT AND OTHER UPDATES 6.1 Downtown Performance Grant Programme Advisory Committee (no copy) C. MacDonald noted that as there was no meeting, so no update was available.
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 7 6.2 November 5, 2015 Mission Possible Event to Celebrate Volunteers and Launch of the City s New Strategic Plan Members were reminded to RSVP for the November 5, 2015 event. 6.3 St. Jude s Anglican Church (no copy) C. MacDonald advised the Committee that she received a call about the status of St. Jude s Anglican Church which is currently up for sale. She noted that the National Historic Site designation doesn t provide protection for the building or the murals, which are the only example of that style of William Norris murals in all of Ontario. Councillor Utley provided the following Notice of Motion on this matter: WHEREAS St. Jude s Anglican Church has been de-consecrated as a place of worship and services are no longer offered; and WHEREAS St. Jude s has been put on the market for sale; and WHEREAS St. Jude s Anglican Church has murals that are of National importance that were painted by the Browne family who are well known for their art work in several churches; and WHEREAS the Brantford Heritage Committee recommends the murals be protected for future generations and their historical importance in Brantford, and requests the support of Council in this regard; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to: a) Report back to Council and the Brantford Heritage Committee on the feasibility of having the building designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act; and b) Estimate the costs which may be incurred to the City in this process 7. 2016 MEETING DATES The Committee considered potential meeting dates for 2016 and approved the following: Thursday, January 21 Thursday, February 18 Monday, March 21 Monday, April 18
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 8 Monday, May 16 No meeting in June Monday, July 11 Monday, August 22 Monday, September 19 Monday, October 17 Monday, November 14 Monday, December 5 All meetings will commence at 6:00 p.m. in the Charlie Ward Room, Brantford City Hall. 8. RESOLUTIONS 8.1 12 Ava Road Report Requested by Staff Councillor Utley Seconded by R. Adlam WHEREAS the property at 12 Ava Road is part of the larger Glenhyrst property that was bequeathed to the City of Brantford; and WHEREAS 12 Ava Road is owned by City Housing and is rented out to generate revenues for maintenance and upkeep; and WHEREAS 12 Ava Road is in need of exterior repairs in order to maintain its appearance; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff BE REQUESTED to report back to the Brantford Heritage Committee on the following: a) determine if 12 Ava Road is a heritage home; b) assess what is needed to maintain the home in good condition; and c) any legal implications of selling. A friendly amendment was made to the resolution to add a clause c) regarding legal implications of selling. The resolution, with the friendly amendment, was then voted on and approved.
Brantford Heritage Committee Page 9 9. NOTICES OF MOTION See Item 6.3 regarding St. Jude s Anglican Church 10. NEXT MEETING Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Brantford Heritage Committee will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Charlie Ward Room. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. C. MacDonald C. Touzel Chair Deputy Clerk/Manager, Legislative Services