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Report To: Planning and Development Committee
Date of Meeting: March 9, 2026 Report Number: PDS-025-26
Authored By: Alicia da Silva, Planner I, Community Planning
Submitted By: Darryl Lyons, Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO
By-law Number: Resolution Number:
File Number: PLN 34.5
Report Subject: Intention to Pursue Heritage Designation – Multiple Properties in
Bowmanville and Enniskillen
Recommendations:
1.That Report PDS-025-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That the Clerk issue a Notice of Intention to Designate the following properties as a
cultural heritage resource as individual designations under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act, substantially in accordance with the Statements of Significance and
Lists of Character Defining Features for each property outlined in Attachments 1-3 of
this Report;
a.3 Ontario Street, Bowmanville
b.75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville
c. 7755 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen
3.That the Clerk prepare the necessary by-laws if no objection(s) are received within
30 days after the date of publication of the Notice of Intention or Staff will report back
to Council regarding objection(s); and
4.That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-025-26 and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
PD-035-26
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report PDS-025-26
Report Overview
Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Heritage Act
continue to be an integral part of Clarington’s
Ontario Heritage Act
1. Background
Introduction
1.1 Cultural heritage is important to reflect the history, traditions, and values of a
community. It also contributes to a sense of place that fosters a community's identity
and cohesion.
1.2 Clarington’s two Official Plans, Envision Durham, the Region of Durham Official Plan
and the Clarington Official Plan contain policies that promote the protection and
conservation of significant cultural heritage resources. These policies align with the
goals of enhancing community health and safety and improving the quality of life for
residents.
1.3 Council holds the responsibility to designate a property under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act (OHA) when it concludes that the property meets the criteria outlined in
Ontario Regulation 9/06 (O. Reg 9/06), indicating cultural heritage value or interest. A
property is required to meet two or more criteria outlined in O. Reg 9/06 to be
designated.
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Report PDS-025-26
Bill 23 and the Municipal Register
1.4 The OHA was amended by the More Homes Built Faster Act (Bill 23), which came into
effect on November 28, 2022. Bill 23 amended the OHA in that a non-designated listed
property on the Municipal Register must be removed from the Register after two years if
no Notice of Intention to Designate has been issued.
1.5 Clarington has 49 properties listed under Section 27 of the OHA, on the Municipal
Register that must be evaluated and a Notice of Intention to Designate the property (if
warranted) given prior to January 1, 2027, or they will be automatically removed from
the Register. Evaluation of the listed properties is underway in accordance with the
criteria under the OHA.
1.6 In the past months, four separate Staff reports have recommended designating a total of
27 properties under Part IV of the OHA including:
a. PDS-035-25 which recommended designation of five properties,
b. PDS-067-25 which recommended designation of one property,
c. PDS-003-26 which recommended designation of 17 properties, and
d. PDS-015-26 which recommended designation of four properties.
1.7 The Clarington Heritage Committee (CHC) is actively reviewing the remaining listed
properties and will provide recommendations to Council to ensure all properties are
assessed before the legislated deadline. Council provided budget for the completion of
the evaluations in 2023.
Properties Proposed to be Designated
1.8 The CHC conducted a preliminary evaluation of the following properties which are listed
on the Municipal Register. See Figures 1-4 below.
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Report PDS-025-26
Figure 1: Map of Subject Properties
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Report PDS-025-26
1.9 Using the CHC subcommittee’s preliminary evaluation information as a foundation,
Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. (ARA) conducted their own assessments and
completed Cultural Heritage Evaluation Reports for the subject properties. Each ARA
report concluded that the property possessed significant heritage attributes, met the
designation criteria outlined in O. Reg. 9/06, and recommended that the property be
designated under Part IV of the OHA.
1.10 The Statement of Significance and List of Character-Defining Features for the subject
properties can be found in Attachments 1-3 of this report.
Figure 2: 3 Ontario Street Figure 3: 75 Wellington Street
Figure 4: 7755 Old Scugog Road
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Report PDS-025-26
2. Protecting Cultural Heritage Resources
2.1 The conservation of significant natural, cultural, and archaeological resources is a
matter of provincial interest identified in the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) 2024,
which is reinforced by the OHA.
2.2 The PPS includes policies that promote the protection of heritage properties. According
to Section 4.6, protected heritage properties can contain both built heritage resources or
cultural heritage landscapes and shall be conserved. Planning authorities are
encouraged to develop and implement proactive strategies for conserving significant
built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes. Designation provides a
mechanism to achieve the necessary protection.
3. Legislation
Ontario Heritage Act
3.1 The OHA empowers a municipality to pass a by-law to designate properties that it
considered to be of cultural heritage significance, in consultation with its Heritage
Committee. The CHC supports the designation of the subject properties.
3.2 The OHA outlines the process to designate a property. Now that the CHC has
recommended the designation to Council, the next step in the designation process
(should Council support the designation) is publishing the Notice of Intention to
Designate in the locally circulated newspaper and the municipal website. A summary
description of the heritage designation process is found in Attachment 4 of this report.
3.3 Once a property is designated by by-law under Part IV of the OHA, the property owner
is required to obtain consent for any proposed significant alterations to the building’s
heritage features that are listed in the designation by-law, or for demolition of all or part
of the structure, or its significant attributes.
Envision Durham, the Durham Region Official Plan
3.4 Envision Durham, the Durham Region Official Plan, outlines objectives for complete
communities, which includes promoting the conservation, protection and enhancement
of built and cultural heritage resources and landscapes. This section encourages
municipalities to utilize the OHA to conserve, protect and enhance the built and cultural
heritage resources of the municipality.
3.5 Envision Durham prioritizes the recognition, conservation, and enhancement of cultural
heritage such as downtowns, historical areas, scenic lookout areas, archaeological sites
or natural elements that are valued together for their interrelationship, meaning or
association with the community.
Municipality of Clarington Page 7
Report PDS-025-26
Clarington Official Plan
3.6 Promoting cultural heritage conservation is identified as a goal to foster civic pride and a
sense of place, strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life for
Clarington residents. Section 8 of the Clarington Official Plan, 2018 directs the
designation of cultural heritage resources under Part IV of the OHA, with assistance
from the CHC, in support of achieving the Municipality’s cultural heritage objectives.
4. Communications
4.1 Prior to completing the Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report for the listed properties, a
letter was sent to the property owners of the subject properties in September 2024
inviting them to a heritage information session which took place in October 2024. They
were also notified that the Municipality was starting the heritage evaluation process for
their property.
4.2 Staff communicated with the subject property owners via registered mail sharing that
Cultural Heritage Evaluation Reports had been completed on their properties and
offering to provide a copy of the reports. Property owners were invited to contact
Planning and Infrastructure Services staff to discuss the consultant’s evaluation. They
were also invited to attend the Clarington Heritage Committee meeting either virtually or
in-person when the report was being discussed.
4.3 Property owners have been notified of the CHC’s recommendations and that a Staff
Report would be presented to the Planning & Development Committee March 9, 2026,
recommending the designation of the subject properties under Part IV of the OHA. Two
of the three property owners have engaged with Staff, and none of the subject property
owners have expressed objection to designation.
5. Properties Recommended for Designation
5.1 This section provides an overview of each property recommended for designation.
3 Ontario Street, Bowmanville
5.2 3 Ontario Street, also referred to as the Orr House, is located on the east side of Ontario
Street in Bowmanville. The property consists of a two -storey, red brick Italianate
residence likely built between 1882 and 1890.
5.3 The property has design value as a representative example of a residential building
constructed in the Italianate architectural style. The property is also important in
supporting the late-19th and early-20th century residential area associated with the
historic Town of Bowmanville.
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Report PDS-025-26
5.4 The Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report indicates the property meets the designation
criteria and recommends the property be designated. The report was circulated to the
CHC and was reviewed by Staff.
5.5 The CHC passed Motion 25.60 in October 2025 to recommend to Council the
designation of the property under Part IV of the OHA. The CHC also passed Motion
25.81 in December 2025 to add additional attributes to the Statement of Significance for
the designation of the property, which includes interior attributes and recognition of
notable former residents of the home.
5.6 Staff generally does not recommend the designation of interior attributes except in rare
circumstances, recognizing the challenges these designations may create for functional
renovations, adaptive reuse, and the practical monitoring of interiors within residential
homes.
5.7 Staff concurs with the Statement of Significance and the List of Character-Defining
Features as produced by ARA and presented in Attachment 1.
75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville
5.8 75 Wellington Street is located on the south side of Wellington Street in Bowmanville.
The subject property contains a one-and-a-half storey, brick building, constructed circa
1875.
5.9 The property has design value as a representative example of a residential building
constructed in a subtype of Gothic Revival architecture style, known as Gothic/Ontario
Cottage design. The property is also important in supporting the 19th and early 20th
century residential area associated with the historic Town of Bowmanville.
5.10 The Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report indicates the property meets the designation
criteria and recommends the property be designated. The report was circulated to the
CHC and was reviewed by Staff.
5.11 The CHC passed Motion 25.57 in October of 2025 to recommend to Council the
designation of the property under Part IV of the OHA. Staff notified the property owner
of the Committee recommendation.
5.12 See Attachment 2 for the detailed Statement of Significance and List of Character-
Defining Features.
7755 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen
5.13 7755 Old Scugog Road is located on the east side of Old Scugog Road in the Hamlet of
Enniskillen. The property consists of a one-storey, wood frame shed, built in 1869.
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Report PDS-025-26
5.14 The property has historical value for its direct association with Robert McLaughlin and
the McLaughlin Carriage Works. In 1867, McLaughlin built two cutters in his driving
shed on Concession Road 7 in Tyrone, and by 1869 the business had prospered to the
extent that he established the McLaughlin Carriage Works in Enniskillen. Known locally
as “the McLaughlin shed,” the building is among the only remaining evidence of
McLaughlin’s Enniskillen Carriage Works and serves as a visual and historical landmark
in the community. A historical plaque and commemorative shed (with a carriage within)
are currently located near the original location of the driving shed on Concession Road
7.
5.15 The Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report indicates the property meets the designation
criteria and recommends the property be designated. The report was circulated to the
CHC and was reviewed by Staff.
5.16 The CHC passed Motion 26.05 in January of 2026 to recommend to Council the
designation of the property under Part IV of the OHA. Staff notified the property owner
of the Committee recommendation.
5.17 See Attachment 3 for the detailed Statement of Significance and List of Character-
Defining Features.
6. Financial Considerations
6.1 Potential future financial consideration may be to hire external heritage consultants to
provide evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in support of designation if an
appeal is made. External legal services may also be required in the event of any
appeals to the OLT.
7. Strategic Plan
7.1 The Clarington Strategic Plan 2024-27 outlines the objectives to cultivate a strong,
thriving, and connected community where everyone is welcome. Designation of the
subject properties contributes to achieving one of the priorities (Connect 4.1) that
promotes and supports local arts, culture, and heritage sectors.
8. Climate Change
8.1 Not Applicable.
9. Concurrence
9.1 Not Applicable.
Municipality of Clarington Page 10
Report PDS-025-26
10. Conclusion
10.1 The Clarington Heritage Committee and Staff are in support of the designation of the
following properties under Part IV of the OHA:
a) 3 Ontario Street, Bowmanville
b) 75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville
c) 7755 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen
Should no objections be received by the Municipal Clerk within 30 days of publishing the
Notice of Intention to Designate, the proposed by-law designating the properties will be
forwarded to Council for approval. Alternatively, if an objection(s) is received, Staff will
provide a report to Council.
10.2 Upon designation, the owners of the properties will be presented with a bronze plaque
signifying the significance of the properties to the community and the Municipality as a
whole.
10.3 It is respectfully recommended that the Recommendations be adopted as presented.
Staff Contact: Alicia da Silva, Planner I, adasilva@clarington.net, 905-623-3379 ext. 2340 and
Lisa Backus, Manager of Community Planning, lbackus@clarington.net, 905 -623-3379 ext.
2413.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 to Report PDS-025-26
Attachment 2 to Report PDS-025-26
Attachment 3 to Report PDS-025-26
Attachment 4 to Report PDS-025-26
Interested Parties:
List of Interested Parties available from Department.
ATTACHMENT 1 TO REPORT PDS-025-26
3 Ontario Street, Bowmanville
Statement of Significance and List of Character-Defining Features
Description
3 Ontario Street, also referred to as the Orr House, is located on the east side of
Ontario Street, in Bowmanville, Ontario. The property consists of a two-storey, red brick
Italianate residence likely built between 1882 and 1890.
Physical/Design Value
3 Ontario Street has design value as a representative example of a residential building
constructed in the Italianate architectural style. 3 Ontario Street was constructed in the
late 19th century, likely between 1882 and 1890. While it showcases stylistic features
which align with Queen Anne and Gothic Revival design, the overall massing and
inclusion of brackets are representative of the Italianate style. 3 Ontario Street is a two-
storey, three bay, red brick building with a hip roof. The wide overhanging eaves
showcase the ornamental cornice with rhythmically placed wood brackets which are key
characteristics of the Italianate style. The building follows a rectangular plan and has a
symmetrical composition across the façade and side elevations. The façade’s central
projecting frontispiece with central gable peak is centered by the prominent entrance
topped by a rectangular transom. The rhythmically placed rectangular window opening
showcase the flat or “jack” arch brick voussoirs. The entrance is flanked by decorative
one-storey canted bay windows which are adorned with brackets are in keeping with the
Italianate architectural style.
Contextual Value
3 Ontario Street is important in supporting the late-19th and early-20th century
residential area associated with the historic Town of Bowmanville. The lot lines and
block layout of the historic town was well established in the late-19th century are
reflected in the commercial core found along King Street and the large presence of
residences located along several side streets at this time. The development of
commercial and residential during this time played a significant role in the social and
economic development and growth of the Bowmanville. Located off or parallel to King
Street, the buildings in the historical town located along the side streets are comprised
of predominantly one to two-and-a-half storey residences, primarily brick construction
and often showcase ornate details. 3 Ontario Street exhibits, massing, style, and
decorative details consistent with character of the historic Town of Bowmanville.
Description of Heritage Attributes
2
3 Ontario Street has design value as a representative example of a residential building
constructed in the Italianate architectural style. The property contains the following
heritage attributes that reflect this value:
- Two-storey building constructed in the Italianate architectural style
- Red brick construction
- Symmetrical and balanced composition
- Hip roof with central front gable peak adorned with decorative vergeboard
- Wide eaves with decorative cornice showcasing rhythmically placed wood
brackets
- Central projecting frontispiece
- Centred entranceway opening topped by a rectangular transom
- Rectangular window openings with flat arch and brick voussoirs
- One-storey Bay windows showcasing wooden brackets
3 Ontario Street is important in supporting the late-19th and early-20th century
residential area associated with the historic Town of Bowmanville. The property contains
the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:
- Two-storey building constructed in the Italianate architectural style
- Overall form, massing, and setback
- Location on Ontario Street
ATTACHMENT 2 TO REPORT PDS-025-26
75 Wellington Street, Bowmanville
Statement of Significance and List of Character-Defining Features
Description
75 Wellington Street is located on the south side of Wellington Street in the Town of
Bowmanville. The subject property contains a one-and-a-half storey, brick building,
constructed circa 1875.
Physical/Design Value
75 Wellington Street has design value as a representative example of a residential
building constructed in a subtype of Gothic Revival architecture style, known as
Gothic/Ontario Cottage design. The one-and-a-half-storey, brick building includes a side
gable roof with overhanging eaves and a high-pitched central gable peak finished with
decorative vergeboard and finial which are key characteristic of the Gothic/Ontario
Cottage design. Similarly, the symmetrical and balanced three-bay façade exhibits
typical massing and decorative elements associated with the Gothic/Ontario Cottage.
The segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and the centered
rectangular door opening with classically inspired surrounds are additional features
representative of the Gothic/Ontario Cottage aesthetic.
Contextual Value
75 Wellington Street is important in supporting the 19th and early 20th century
residential area associated with the historic town of Bowmanville. The lot lines and block
layout of the historic town was well established in the late-19th century and reflected in
the commercial core found along King Street and the large presence of residences
located along several side streets at this time. The development of commercial and
residential area during this time played a significant role in the social and economic
development and growth of the Bowmanville. The location of the subject property along
Wellington Street supports the character of the streetscape and the local context.
Located off or parallel to King Street, the buildings in the historical town located along
the side streets are comprised of predominantly one to two-and-a-half storey
residences, primarily brick construction and often showcase ornate details. 75
Wellington Street exhibits, massing, style, and decorative details consistent with
character of the historic town of Bowmanville.
Description of Heritage Attributes
75 Wellington Street is important in supporting the 19th and early 20th century
residential area associated with the historic town of Bowmanville. The property contains
the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:
2
- One-and-a-half-storey, building constructed in a subtype of Gothic Revival
architecture style, known as Gothic/Ontario Cottage design
- Brick construction
- Side gable roof with over hanging eaves and a central gable peak adorned with
decorative vergeboard
- Symmetrical and balanced three-bay façade
- Rectangular front entrance opening with classical detailing
- Segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs
75 Wellington Street is important in supporting the 19th and early 20th century residential
area associated with the historic town of Bowmanville. The property contains the
following heritage attributes that reflect this value:
- One-and-a-half-storey, building constructed in a subtype of Gothic Revival
architecture style, known as Gothic/Ontario Cottage design
- Setback, massing and decorative details
- Location along Wellington Street
The following heritage attributes were provided by the Clarington Heritage Committee at
their meeting on October 21st, 2025:
- Moniker on the front fascia of the porch
- The property was once owned by the White Family. Members of the White Family
were stone masons who worked in the community and nearby villages, with
notable work including the construction of five stone houses along Concession
Road 7.
ATTACHMENT 3 TO REPORT PDS-025-26
7755 Old Scugog Road, Enniskillen
Statement of Significance and List of Character-Defining Features
Description
7755 Old Scugog Road, known locally as the McLaughlin Shed, is located on the east
side of Old Scugog Road in the village of Enniskillen. The property consists of a one-
storey, wood frame shed, built in 1869.
Historical Value
7755 Old Scugog Road has historical value for its direct association with Robert
McLaughlin and the McLaughlin Carriage Works. Robert McLaughlin was born in Cavan
Township in 1836, and moved to Tyrone, in Darlington Township, in 1837. After building
several carriages in the drive shed of his family farm during the 1860s, Robert
McLaughlin moved to Enniskillen in 1869, and opened the Enniskillen Carriage Works
on Old Scugog Road, across from his family residence. The family was actively involved
in Enniskillen’s daily village life and especially tied to the Presbyterian church where
Robert McLaughlin taught Sunday School. The wooden outbuilding was part of the
original carriage operations and severed McLaughlin’s business as a storage shed. By
1878, the continued success of McLaughlin’s business necessitated its move to
Oshawa. The Oshawa’s location on Lake Ontario provided access to the GTR which
was instrumental in the business’ success. McLaughlin success as a carriage builder
continued into the 20th century, and by 1907, an automotive branch of the company had
been established by Robert’s two sons, George and Sam McLaughlin. The company
was called the McLaughlin Motor Car Company and proved so successful that Robert
McLaughlin discontinued the carriage business entirely in 1915 in order to devote the
company solely to making cars. In 1918, the company became General Motors Canada.
Robert McLaughlin died in November 1921, of colon cancer, and is buried in Oshawa
The wooden storage building is the last vestige of Robert McLaughlin’s Enniskillen
Carriage Works and showcases a painted sign commemorating its former use and
connection to the McLaughlin family.
Contextual Value
Known locally as “the McLaughlin shed,” the building is among the only remaining
evidence of Robert McLaughlin’s Enniskillen Carriage Works and serves as a visual and
historical landmark in the community of Enniskillen. The shed highlights the connection
with a painted sign commemorating its former use and local connection to the
McLaughlin family.
Description of Heritage Attributes
2
7755 Old Scugog Road has historical value for its direct associated with Robert
McLaughlin and the McLaughlin Carriage Works. The property contains the following
heritage attributes that reflect this value:
- One-storey shed
- Gable roof
- Wood construction
Known locally as “the McLaughlin shed,” the building is the only remaining evidence of
Robert McLaughlin’s Enniskillen Carriage Works and serves as a visual and historical
landmark in the community of Enniskillen. The property contains the following heritage
attributes that reflect this value:
- One-storey shed
- Overall form and massing
- Location on Old Scugog Road
The following heritage attribute was provided by the Clarington Heritage Committee at
its meeting on January 20th, 2026, and is also reflected in Staff Report PSD-072-10:
- In 1867, Robert McLaughlin built two cutters in his driving shed located on
Concession Road 7 in Tyrone and by 1869 his business had prospered to the
extent that he established the McLaughlin Carriage Works in Enniskillen on
Scugog Street. The enterprise expanded rapidly and was moved to Oshawa in
1877 where it became the largest carriage works in the British Empire. A
historical plaque and commemorative shed (with a carriage within) are currently
located near the original location of the driving shed on Concession Road 7.
Designation Proposed
Council consults with the
Heritage Committee
Council
Decision:
Proceed with
Designation?
Notice of Intention to Designate:
Designation by-law passed
Notice of Designation:
•Served on property owner
•Served on the Ontario Heritage Trust
•Right to objection
•Published in accordance with the
Ontario Heritage Act
•Served on property owner
•Served on the Ontario Heritage Trust
•Served any person who objected
•Right to appeal
•Published in accordance with the
Ontario Heritage Act
NO
YES
If NO objection within 30 days
NO
IF
Property not designated
If objection
within 30 days
Council to Reconsider
Designation of Property
Notice of Withdrawal
Appeal to Ontario Land
Tribunal (OLT) within 30
days after publishing the
Notice of Designation
OLT Hearing and Decision
Designation Process by Municipal By-Law
Council
Decision:
Designate
property
YES
If NO appeal the Designation
By-Law comes into effect
Attachment 4 to PDS-025-26