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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-16**Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 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 Meeting was held as a hybrid meeting in person at 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, and via Microsoft Teams on September 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Members Present: Peter Vogel, Steve Conway, Laura Thiel-Convery (Museum), Ron Sproule, Heather Graham, Councillor Sami Elhajjeh, Joseph Dalrymple, Sitara Welch, Victor Suppan, Noel Gamble, Ron Hooper, Jason Moore (ACO) Regrets: Brian Jose (NVDHS), Olivia Mar Staff Present: Sarah Allin, Lisa Backus, Darryl Lyons, Alicia da Silva - Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Sarah Gearing, Rick McEachern – Maple Grove United Church Melissa Whitefield – Maple Grove United Church Vincent Santamaura – 98 Concession Street East Janeen Rowsell, Chris Wilson – Permanent Lights at Newcastle Community Hall 1 Declaration of Interest None. 2 Land Acknowledgement Statement P. Vogel read aloud Clarington’s Land Acknowledgement Statement . 3 Adoption of Agenda 25.48 By consensus. That the Agenda be adopted. “Carried” 4 Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting 25.49 Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by J. Dalrymple That the minutes of the June 17, 2025, Clarington Heritage Committee meeting be adopted, with revisions to Motion 25.39 to clarify the proposed amendment to the alteration be minor in nature, and to Motion 25.42 to specify a letter of appreciation be sent on behalf of the Committee. “Carried” **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 2 - 5 Delegations/Presentations: 5.1 Maple Grove United Church, Rick McEachern, Sarah Gearing: R. McEachern presented information on the history of Maple Grove United Church. It was constructed in 1872 as a joint Bible Christian and Methodist Church and became part of the United Church of Canada in 1925. The building ceased operations on August 28, 2025, after 153 years of service. The property is currently listed as a Secondary resource on Clarington’s Cultural Heritage Resources List (CHRL). Concerns were raised by R. McEachern regarding the building’s future, including the removal of approximately 100 historic pews the day after the property changed ownership. These pews were originally sourced from the Old Royal Theatre in Bowmanville and may contain cast iron components manufactured locally. S. Gearing presented information on the church being identified as a community hub, having hosted Sunday school, youth groups, Canadian Club meetings, Scouts Canada, Women’s Institute events, and harvest suppers. The architectural features of the church were described by S. Gearing, including its Gothic Revival design, rectangular nave, pointed arch windows, original woodwork, stained glass windows, and a name stone inscribed “ME Church 1872.” R. McEachern mentioned that First Nations encampments may have historically been present near the property, and S. Gearing has reached out to local First Nations for confirmation. A historical letter written by Edna Laird in 1999 was submitted to the Committee, providing additional context on the Church’s role in the community and its cultural significance. 5.2 Maple Grove United Church, Melissa Whitefield: M. Whitefield presented her own evaluation of the Maple Grove United Church property against the criteria outlined in Ontario Regulation 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act. M. Whitefield provided an explanation of how the property satisfies criteria required for designation, in the areas of design/physical value, historical/associative value, and contextual value, and noted that the property is a representative example of rural Gothic Revival architecture that is associated with the growth of Methodism in rural Ontario, and acts as a landmark within the rural landscape. M. Whitefield concluded by urging the Committee to recommend full heritage designation. 5.3 98 Concession Street East, Heritage Impact Assessment and Conservation Management Plan, Vincent Santamaura, Principal Architect : V. Santamaura described the property at 98 Concession Street East as a late 1920s Prairie-style residence known as the Superintendent’s House. The building features symmetrical massing, one-storey wings, and a central block. Interior elements include **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 3 - original wood trim, radiators, and a fireplace. The house is currently listed on the Municipal Register under Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act. V. Santamaura presented a proposal to relocate the dwelling forward on the site to enhance its visibility and preserve its standalone character. The proposed development concept includes subdividing the house into two semi-detached units, removing later 20th-century additions, and constructing new additions at the rear. The front façade and architectural integrity of the original structure would be retained. The proposed development includes a total of 18 residential units, with the heritage dwelling fronti ng the street and townhouse blocks behind. The internal garage, located in the basement, was acknowledged as a unique heritage feature. However, it was stated that it would likely not be conserved due to site constraints. V. Santamaura indicated that new garages would be constructed at the rear of the property to maintain the concept of integrated parking. It was discussed that property owner supports designation but prefers that it occur following development approval. The purpose of the delegation was to receive any high-level feedback from the CHC on the concept ahead of the submission of the development applications. 5.4 Permanent lights for Newcastle Community Hall: Janeen Rowsell, NCH Board Chair and Chris Wilson, Vibe Illuminations: A proposal was presented by J. Roswell to install permanent exterior lighting on the Newcastle Community Hall, a municipally owned building with heritage designation. The purpose of the lighting system is to enhance visibility, improve security, and support seasonal and community celebrations. The proposed system consists of programmable LED lighting strips affixed to the building’s façade, including around windows and along rooflines. C. Wilson of Vibe Illuminations presented that the lighting system would be minimally invasive, with options for adhesive or mortar -mounted tracks. The system is marketed as permanent but fully removable without damage to the building. Colour -matching and discreet placement were proposed to ensur e visual compatibility with the building’s heritage character during daylight hours. 6 Business Arising 6.1 GGC Meeting regarding Camp 30: Staff provided an update on the status of the Cafeteria Building at Camp 30, noting that Council had deferred the June report to October to allow time for further input from the Heritage Committee and the Jury Lands Foundation. The committee was informed that new engineering assessments revealed further structural deterioration, including roof collapse and bowing walls. A second perimeter fence was installed due to safety concerns, and staff confirmed that no one, including municipal staff, is permitted to enter the building. **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 4 - Committee members expressed disappointment that the engineering consultants had not invited the Heritage Committee or Jury Lands Foundation to participate in the site visit. A site visit was suggested but deemed unsafe. Staff recommended reviewing the September engineering report, which includes updated photos and findings. It was clarified that updated cost estimates for stabilization and demolition would be presented to the Planning and Development Committee on October 20 th, 2025. The Committee acknowledged the worsening condition of the building. Members reaffirmed that their role is to assess heritage value, not financial viability , and emphasized the importance of maintaining their original motion, which supports restoration and opposes demolition. The Committee agreed that its previous motion from June should stand and that no new motion was necessary at this time. Committee minutes from the meeting will be forwarded to Council for consideration ahead of the October 20 PDC meeting. 7 Project Reports 7.1 Subcommittee reports - Municipal Inventory/Register: Committee members inquired about the appropriate timing for submitting additional evaluations from the Evaluation Subcommittee. Staff confirmed there is no objection to the Subcommittee presenting these evaluations while emphasizing the importance of completing the current list of properties under review. A selection of properties from the Subcommittee will be introduced at upcoming CHC meetings 7.2 Public Outreach/Education – No updates. 8 Correspondence and Council Referrals: 8.1 National Trust Conference 2025 (Halifax) 25.50 Moved by V. Suppan, seconded by S. Elhajjeh. That the Clarington Heritage Committee sponsor up to two members to attend the National Trust Conference in Halifax, with Staff to confirm funding availability. 9 New Business: 9.1 Maple Grove United Church The Committee confirmed with Staff that neither the previous nor the current owners of the property submitted a request for consideration of full designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. It was noted that the property is currently zoned for use as a place of worship . Staff also confirmed that the property is listed as a Secondary Resource on Clarington’s Cultural Heritage Resource List, and that no planning applications for a change of use or demolition have been submitted to date. **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 5 - Committee members reflected on the closure of historic churches across Canada and the ongoing challenges of maintaining such buildings in the absence of active congregations. Committee members noted an understanding that the church pews were voluntarily offered by the current property owners. Several of these pews have already been accepted by the Clarington Museum. The Committee emphasized the importance of clear communication with the local Muslim community, stressing that heritage protection efforts should not be interpreted as a restriction on the religious use or ownership of the building. Staff confirmed that they have been in communication with the Board Chair of the incoming congregation and have outlined the next steps in the evaluation process. Staff also reiterated that the Committee and Staff are following the same process for this property as they do for all properties listed on the Clarington’s Cultural Heritage Resource List. 25.51 Moved by V. Suppan, seconded by J. Dalrymple That the Committee receive the information and thank the delegates and Maple Grove Community members for providing information. “Carried” 9.2 98 Concession Street East, Heritage Impact Assessment and Conservation Management Plan Committee members raised concerns regarding the interior subdivision of the dwelling, the potential loss of interior features, and the relocation of the structure. Concerns were also raised about a loss of the street front and the cultural landscape in relation to Camp 30 nearby. The Prairie-style design was noted as rare in Bowmanville, and the garage was identified as a significant heritage attribute. The Committee emphasized the importance of identifying and protecting heritage features prior to development. Staff provided context that property owners were supportive of conserving the property to the extent that they can through the development process but were not supportive of moving forward with designation prior to redevelopment. Staff have worked with the applicant to evolve the concept to ensure the heritage dwelling would continue to stand A member raised the recommendation for a formal designation by-law as there is more onus on the owner to protect the identified heritage attributes. 25.52 Moved by V. Suppan, seconded by S. Elhajjeh. That the Committee recommends the property be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act prior to the approval of any development applications. “Carried” 9.3 Permanent lights for Newcastle Community Hall **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 6 - The Committee discussed potential impacts on the building’s wood windows and architectural features. Concerns were raised about water damage if lighting tracks were installed directly on wooden sills. It was recommended that installation avoid direct contact with wood and that alternative mounting locations be considered. The Committee also discussed the cultural heritage landscape of the four corners in Newcastle and the potential visual imbalance if only one building is illuminated . The lighting system was acknowledged as a potential improvement over temporary seasonal lighting, which requires annual installation and removal . 25.53 Moved by V. Suppan, seconded by J. Moore. That the Committee support the installation of the lighting system as a minor alteration to the property, subject to the following: - Lighting strips be small and discreet. - Installation avoids compromising wood windows or other heritage features. - Lighting be used primarily for security and seasonal purposes. - The system be consistent with the building’s landmark status and heritage character. “Carried” 9.4 PC2025-0026 2656 Concession Road 4 Heritage Impact Assessment The Committee reviewed the proposed fire station and training centre development application at 2656 Concession Road 4, which includes a designated heritage farmhouse. The Committee expressed concerns with the proximity of the facility to the heritage house, noting that the designated heritage farmhouse was being visually and physically overwhelmed. Members suggested severing the house from the development parcel to preserve its contextual value. Members disagreed with the HIA’s conclusion that the property lacks landmark status, pointing out that the house is the only residential structure at the four corners intersection and is thus clearly recognizable. Members disagreed with the HIA’s assessment of craftsmanship, citing overlooked features such as basement stonework and maple leaf motifs on the entrance. The absence of an adaptive reuse plan was also raised. Members emphasized that without a reuse strategy, the building risks vacancy and deterioration. Staff confirmed that options are still being explored and acknowledged the potential for municipal or training-related uses. The Committee questioned the scale of parking, noting it contributes to overdevelopment and further encroachment on the cultural heritage setting. **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 7 - Overall, the Committee felt the proposal was disrespectful of the heritage property’s value and context. Comments will be forwarded to the project team for consideration in the next iteration of the site plan and HIA. 9.5 Property evaluation for consideration: 75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville Committee members expressed concern that the previously shared Cultural Heritage Assessment report failed to recognize key historical and architectural features as reasons for designation. The report identified two criteria: architectural features and contextual value, which members felt were insufficient to justify designation. Members emphasized the historical importance of the White brothers, prominent stonemasons who built several notable stone homes in Bowmanville. One of the White brothers lived at 75 Wellington Street, which adds historical and associative value not captured in the report. Concerns were raised about the use of the fire insurance plans (1911–1921) in the report’s research. A Committee member recommended referencing earlier plans (1888 – 1904) to better determine the building’s construction date. Staff acknowledged the need to integrate Committee-sourced historical context into the designation process and proposed developing a method to attach supplemental Committee findings to the official designation documentation. The Committee requested this item be discussed further at the next meeting. 10 Other Committee Updates: 10.1 ACO: None. 10.2 NVDHS: None. 10.3 Museum: A. da Silva provided updates on behalf of L. Thiel-Convery: Join CLMA in partnership with NVDHS on October 25 th for a walking tour of historic downtown Newcastle, starting at the library branch and ending at Newcastle Community Hall. Tickets are $10. The Clarington Heritage Committee is invited to participate in the Heritage Fair at CLMA Bowmanville Branch on November 1st. Staff are to follow up with the Committee with more information on the above invitations. 10.4 Heritage Conservation District: None 10.5 Wilmot Creek Heritage Park: None 10.6 Jury Lands Foundation: None. 11 Standing items: 11.1 81 Scugog Street: No updates 11.2 Fletcher Tree: No updates 11.3 Parkland around Belmont House: No updates. **Subject to Advisory Committee Approval** Clarington Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 - 8 - 11.4 71,73,75 King Street West: No updates Adjournment: 10:22 PM Next Meeting: October 21, 2025, 7:00 PM