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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-19**Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 - 1 - If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility. Co-ordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131 Minutes of the Clarington Heritage Committee held as a hybrid meeting in person at 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville and via Microsoft Teams on September 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM. Members Present: Councillor Elhajjeh (until 8:30 pm), Peter Vogel, Steve Conway, Victor Suppan, Ron Sproule, Noel Gamble, Laura Thiel-Convery (Museum), Colin Maitland, Joseph Dalrymple, Steven Lawson. Myno Van Dyke (NVDHS), Ron Hooper Regrets: Sher Leetooze (NVDHS), Heather Graham, Jason Moore (ACO) Staff Present: Sarah Allin, Lisa Backus Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Marilyn Morawetz, Jury Lands Foundation 1 Declaration of Interest Joseph Dalrymple, as a member of the Jury Lands Foundation, stated a conflict of interest at this meeting. 2 Land Acknowledgement Statement P. Vogel read aloud Clarington’s Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3 Adoption of Agenda 23.30 By consensus That the Agenda of the Clarington Heritage Committee meeting on September 19, 2023, be adopted. “Carried” 4 Adoption of Meeting minutes 23.31 Moved by J. Dalrymple, Seconded by R. Sproule That the meeting minutes of the Clarington Heritage Committee meeting on June 20, 2023, be adopted. “Carried” J. Dalrymple left the meeting room due to a conflict of interest. Attachment 5 to PDS-052-23 **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 - 2 - 5 Delegations/Presentations: 5.1 Marilyn Morawetz, Jury Lands Foundation Ms. Morawetz, on behalf of the Jury Lands Foundation, spoke to the Committee regarding the proposed demolition of the Triple Dormitory Building on the Camp 30 property, summarized as follows: The position of the Jury Lands Foundation that the Triple Dormitory Building should remain a significant element of the heritage site on which it sits. Camp 30 is federally designated as a National Historic. The Triple Dormitory building is an important part of the history and historical landscape of Camp 30 that attracts tourists’ interest. The heritage value has been acknowledged and evaluated through the developer’s Heritage Impact Assessment report and the Peer Review report prepared by heritage professionals. The removal of the Triple Dormitory would have a negative impact on the designated heritage site. This site, and this building in particular, are of national and international significance, and to demolish it due to the desire of the owners to better their unit numbers would be most unfortunate. The Heritage Impact assessment for the property owner stated that the Triple Dormitory Building limits opportunities to be modified for reuse as residential housing. However, the report did not state it could not be done. Repurposing the triple dormitory and integrating it into new development should be explored. There are many examples all over the world of historic structures that have been repurposed successfully. The Municipality states that it considers cultural heritage resources to be of value to the community and values them in land use planning. It is also supported by the Provincial Policy Statement. The Official Plan policies for the Camp 30 area have been adopted by Council. The DTAH consultant study has been adopted by Council in the principle, the design guidelines being enforced for new development. It is concerning that there may be a bias for demolition despite repeatedly stating through these reports that there will be a negative impact on the heritage story of the site if the triple dormitory is demolished. This site offers Clarington the unique opportunity to benefit from protecting the national and international heritage site. We have the opportunity to maintain the integrity of the site and the six remaining buildings, including the triple dormitory. In denying the demolition of the triple dormitory, we would have a chance to rebuild this once beautiful site, with the opportunity to bring new life into these designated heritage structures, we can honour all the significant history that has occurred here. A Letter from Todd Tremeer, Jury Lands Foundation Board Member, was also circulated to the Committee. Committee members asked questions, and acknowledged the buildings on the subject property are not in good condition. The safety issue of the buildings was **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 - 3 - raised. Structural Assessment had been done a few years ago. It needs to be reassessed due to the natural process and vandalism activities. Ms. Morawetz indicated that the Jury Lands Foundation is retaining professionals to look into a broader approach to preserve the buildings on the property. The building is still valuable. Councillor Elhajjeh asked about the ownership of the property and property maintenance. The property, including the Triple Dormitory building is under the private ownership of the applicant. The Cafeteria building is under municipal ownership. The delegate noted the developer initially worked with the Jury Lands Foundation to protect the buildings for several years. Then the developer changed how they look after the property, and the situation declined for at least the last ten years. The CHC thanked M. Morawetz for the delegation. 6 Business Arising 7 Project Reports V. Suppan updated projects, site visits and evaluations he was working on, including the Zoo property, Bridge, Vanstone mill and others. Some reports will be submitted in the coming Committee Meetings. 8 Correspondence and Council Referrals: P. Vogel read the letter from Todd Tremeer, Jury Lands Foundation Board Member. (attached to minutes) 9 New Business: 9.1 Heritage Permit Application to demolish the Triple Dormitory Building (Camp 30) S. Allin gave the brief to the Committee about the Heritage Permit Application to demolish the Triple Dormitory Building (Camp 30). The existing six buildings, including the Triple Dormitory Building, were designated under s.29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The designation By-law (2018-001) lists the significant attributes. The Triple Dormitory is identified as a contributor to the cultural heritage value of the Camp 30 site. The heritage permit application is required under the Ontario Heritage Act, where the demolition of a designated building is proposed. The subject Heritage Permit application proposing to demolish the Triple Dormitory building was submitted in June 2023. The Municipality issued a notice of complete application on August 4, 2023, in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act, triggering the prescribed 90-day period for Council’s decision. A memo of the property history, status and process under the Act was circulated to the Committee on September 18, 2023 (attached). **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 - 4 - Committee members commented that the site possesses architectural, historical and contextual heritage significance, and the attributes still exist even condition of the buildings has deteriorated. S. Conway questioned how to define the financial hardship associated with the failure to maintain and preserve heritage properties. Members discussed not accepting the demolition application based on the heritage characteristics of the property of being well established and examined over the last three decades, and the fact that the property continues to meet the necessary the criteria for designation in accordance with the applicable legislation. This is a designated national heritage site with heritage value. 23.32 Moved by V. Suppan, seconded by S. Conway That the Committee recommends to Council: The Heritage Permit Application (File Number HPA2023-009), proposing the demolition of the Triple Dormitory building at the property known as Camp 30, not be supported based on the evaluation of the cultural heritage value or interest of the property as established in Designation By-law 2018 – 001 passed in accordance with Section 29 of the Act and the criteria for designation listed under Ontario Regulation 9/06. “Carried” Committee members emphasized that the Committee and the heritage conservation rely on property owners to take pride in their heritage properties and maintain the property. Demolition should not be the solution for neglecting properties and allowing properties to deteriorate. J. Dalrymple rejoined the meeting. 10 Reports from the Committees: - Bowmanville, Orono and Newcastle CIP: No update - ACO – Clarington Branch ACO is having their annual general meeting tonight. - NVDHS Two Summer students were hired for the digitization project this summer and processed about 8,000 pieces of information. The NVDHS was also involved in the 100th anniversary of the Community Hall. Hundreds of people came in on that particular day, July 29th, and they had building tours and lots of displays. All the events were really successful. - Museum **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2023 - 5 - Normal operations are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and looking forward to a busy fall with spirit walks and Remembrance Day events coming up. - Heritage Conservation District A member of the Heritage Committee is required to sit on the board of the Heritage Conservation District. The matter will be discussed in the next meeting. Discussion on issuing letters on behalf of the Committee to acknowledge property owners’ commitment to maintaining the heritage properties. - Wilmot Creek Heritage Park - no update 11 Standing items: - 81 Scugog St Committee members updated that the property has been sold. - Fletcher Tree – no update Adjournment: 8:50 p.m. Next Meeting: October 19, 2023, 7:00 p.m.