HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 10-19City �F
DICKERING
Report to
Planning & Development Committee
Report Number: PLN 10-19
Date: May 6, 2019
From: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
Subject: Heritage Permit Application HP 02/19
Request for removal of cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road
(Thistle Ha')
Recommendation:
1. That the Heritage Permit Application HP 02/19 to remove a cattle barn located at
1870 Seventh Concession be approved.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to obtain Council's consent to remove a cattle
barn located at 1870 Seventh Concession Road. The owner of the property has submitted a
heritage permit application seeking permission to dismantle the cattle barn, which has been
purchased to be reassembled in Clarington, Ontario.
The subject property is individually designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage
Act by By-law 2140/86 and is known as "Thistle Ha". The property is actively farmed and includes
a stone farmhouse, a cattle barn and other outbuildings. The farm has historic associations with
John Miller, a Scottish farmer who was an importer and breeder of pedigree livestock in Canada.
The cattle barn has a granite fieldstone foundation and timber frame, and has leaned outward
towards the south wall since the 1960s. The owner was quoted over $100,000.00 to repair the
barn and there is no available funding from Provincial or Federal Governments to contribute to the
repair costs. The owner has not been successful in leasing or reusing the barn, until recently
selling the cattle barn to a buyer willing to move the barn to a farm in Clarington.
Under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act, an owner of a designated property is required to
obtain Council's permission to demolish or remove a building or structure. After consulting with its
municipal heritage committee, Council may consent to the application, consent with conditions or
refuse the application.
Heritage Pickering has recommended approval of the heritage permit application to remove the
cattle barn with conditions. Further, the owner has received approval from the Ontario Heritage
Trust to remove the cattle barn from the property. Staff consulted Parks Canada which
communicated that no permissions are required from the Federal Government with respect to
work or interventions at national historic sites.
After consultation with the City's heritage consultant, staff find that the removal of the cattle barn
will not negatively affect the heritage attributes of the subject property, and that the property would
still maintain its cultural heritage value with the retention of the stone farmhouse and the farm.
Staff recommends that the heritage permit to remove the cattle barn at 1870 Seventh Concession
Road be approved.
Report PLN 10-19 May 6, 2019
Subject: Request to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road Page 2
Financial Implications: The recommendations of this report do not present any financial
implications.
1. Background
The subject property is located on the north side of Seventh Concession Road and
east of Brock Road, municipally known as 1860 Seventh Concession Road (see Air
Photo Map, Attachment #1). The property is approximately 80 hectares in size and is
currently occupied by a stone farmhouse (c. 1855-1875), a cattle barn (c. 1919) and other
outbuildings (see Site Area, Attachment #2).
1.1 Heritage Permit Application
In February 2019, a Heritage Permit application was submitted for 1860 Seventh
Concession Road to remove the cattle barn from the property and reassemble it on a
separate farm property in Durham Region (see Request for Removal, Attachment #3).
The cattle barn was constructed on a granite fieldstone foundation in 1919 to replace the
previous barn, built in 1914 that was destroyed by fire in 1918. The building is timber frame
and much of the wood used to construct the barn was salvaged from other outbuildings of
that time. The exterior was clad in wood tongue -and -groove board, and the existing red
sheet metal cladding is a more recent addition. The lower level of the barn once housed
cattle and the upper level is a hay loft with a grain bin. The silo on the north side of the barn
is constructed of stacked precast concrete pieces.
Jim Miller, the owner and applicant, has sold the cattle barn and is requesting approval to
dismantle the barn and move it to its new location in Clarington, Ontario. The owner has
indicated that the cattle barn is in poor condition and it is economically unviable to repair
and reuse the cattle barn. Since the 1960s, the south stone wall of the cattle barn has
leaned outward. Repairs were made in the past. However, in recent years the building has
exhibited more active movement. The owner was quoted $100,000.00 by a local barn
restoration specialist to repair the barn, which would involve extensive work as detailed in
his application. Numerous attempts to lease the cattle barn have been unsuccessful.
The owner has stated that funding support for maintenance of heritage infrastructure is
non-existent. The Federal Government does not fund privately owned heritage properties.
The Ontario Heritage Trust (the Trust), which holds a heritage conservation easement on
the property, has previously funded repairs to the stone farmhouse on the property. The
Trust is currently not able to fund owners of easement properties in the province. When
balancing funding priorities, the owner has indicated that the stone farmhouse is the higher
priority for restoration and repair work.
After attempts to lease, repair and offer the barn to prospective buyers in the past
(including the City of Pickering), the owner now has a buyer willing to disassemble the barn
and reassemble it on a farm in Clarington, Ontario.
Report PLN 10-19 May 6, 2019
Subject: Request to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road Page 3
1.2 The Ontario Heritage Act
Section 34(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act states that no owner of property designated
under Part IV, Section 29 shall demolish or remove a building or structure on the property
unless the owner applies to the Council of the municipality in which the property is situated
and receives consent in writing to the demolition or removal. Within 90 days after the notice
of receipt is served on the applicant, the Council, after consultation with its municipal
heritage committee, may consent to the application, consent to the application subject to
such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Council, or refuse the application. If
the Council fails to notify the owner of its decision within the 90 day time period, Council
shall be deemed to have consented to the application.
If Council refuses the application, or if Council consents to the application with terms and
conditions, then the owner of the property may appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal
within 30 days of the owner receiving notice of Council's decision.
1.3 Thistle Ha' Farm is a designated property
The subject property is individually designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario
Heritage Act by By-law 2140/86, and is known as "Thistle Ha"' (see Designation By-law,
Attachment #4). The by-law states the Reasons for Designation as being the architectural
interest of the stone farmhouse, and the historical significance of the site in relation to its
occupants and the important role they played in the development of the community and the
nation. The by-law does not state the cattle barn or other outbuildings as reasons for
designation.
Thistle Ha' Farm is known for its historic associations with John Miller; a pioneer, importer
and breeder of pedigree livestock in Canada. Miller's example played an important role in
improving stock breeding throughout North and South America in the 19th Century. The
Miller family still owns the property, which continues to be farmed by a neighbouring crop
farmer. John Ashenhurst of Goodwood built the original cattle barn (destroyed by fire in
1918), the current cattle barn and the sheep barn.
1.4 Ontario Heritage Trust Heritage Conservation Easement
Thistle Ha' is also protected by a heritage conservation easement agreement held by the
Ontario Heritage Trust. The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism,
Culture and Sport. A heritage conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement
between the heritage property owner and the Trust. It establishes mutually accepted
conditions that will ensure the preservation of a heritage property in perpetuity. The
heritage easement was registered in 1977 as Instrument No. D55073. Under the easement,
the owner must obtain the written approval of the Trust prior to removing any structures
from the lands.
The owner of Thistle Ha' previously received matching grants from the Ontario Heritage
Trust for restoration work on the stone farmhouse, but since 2006 the Trust is no longer
able to fund privately owned properties.
Report PLN 10-19 May 6, 2019
Subject: Request to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road Page 4
1.5 Thistle Ha's property is identified as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada
Thistle Ha' is also designated a National Historic Site under the National Program
of Commemoration by Parks Canada. The designation took place in 1973 and is honorary in
nature. The Parks Canada recognition makes reference to the farm as a whole and
includes both the stone farmhouse and the cattle barn as character -defining elements.
Staff have spoken to Parks Canada and they have indicated that no permissions are
required from the Federal Government with respect to work or interventions at national
historic sites as these matters are the responsibility of the provinces and territories under
their respective heritage legislation. If the integrity of a national historic site is lost, then
there is the possibility that the site will be removed from the list of designated sites.
2. Analysis
2.1 Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee supports the removal of the cattle barn
On March 27, 2019, the request for removal was presented to Heritage Pickering Advisory
Committee (Heritage Pickering). The Committee expressed interest in exploring opportunities
for commemoration of the cattle barn, whether through documentation or a plaque at the
new site. Staff agreed to seek opportunities to work with the current and new owner or
possibly the Municipality of Clarington to commemorate the cattle barn. Heritage Pickering
recommended that the request be approved subject to the following conditions:
1. That a copy of the signed sale agreement for the cattle barn is submitted to the City
Development Department, which identifies the new location of the cattle barn; and
2. That the City investigate opportunities for commemoration of the barn.
2.2 Ontario Heritage Trust supports the removal of the cattle barn
The owner had asked permission from the Trust in 2018 to remove the cattle barn. The
Trust is in support of removal due to funding required to repair the barn. The Trust
recognized that the owner has committed funds to restore the farmhouse and would prefer
to see funds directed towards the house. The Trust stipulated conditions of the approval,
which included submission of the copy of the signed sale agreement of the cattle barn
identifying the new location of the barn, and the request for the Trust staff to document the
barn prior to removal and relocation (see Ontario Heritage Trust Letter, Attachment #5).
2.3 Removal of the cattle barn will not negatively affect the heritage attributes of
Thistle Ha'
Staff visited the subject property on March 21, 2019 with the City's heritage consultant of
Branch Architecture, to assist in review of the heritage permit application (see Site Photos,
Attachment #6). The consultant recommends that the proposal to dismantle and rebuild the
cattle barn is acceptable, especially as it is planned for reconstruction at an alternate farm
(see Heritage Consultant Review Letter, Attachment #7).
Report PLN 10-19 May 6, 2019
Subject: Request to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road Page 5
The consultant noted the evolution and modernization of today's farming practices, which
has been evident on the subject property where outbuildings that were no longer needed
were dismantled and reused in the repair or construction of a new required structure either
on site or at a neighbouring farm. The consultant further noted that removal of the cattle
barn will not impact maintaining the site's cultural heritage value, however, its removal will
impact on the vista looking east from the house over the rolling farmed fields. Lastly, the
consultant noted that while the cattle barn is a representative example of this type of barn
in Pickering, the exception is the masonry treatment to the granite fieldstone foundation
(the house and street -facing foundation walls of the cattle barn were constructed to match
the stone farmhouse).
In review of Designation By-law 2140/86, it states the Reasons for Designation as being
the architectural interest of the stone farmhouse, and the historical significance of the site in
relation to its occupants and the important role they played in the development of the
community and the nation. The barn and outbuildings contribute to the cultural heritage
value of the site and indeed the cattle barn itself is a symbol of the contributions of the
Miller family to the cattle industry in Canada. The cattle barn and outbuildings were not
included in the Reasons for Designation in the municipal heritage by-law.
The Ontario Heritage Act does not include structural integrity or price of restoration as
a reason for Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest (Ontario
Regulation 9/06). Further, it is typically best practice to leave a structure in place to repair
and reuse. This particular Heritage Permit application brings into question, however, the
ability of this current or future owner to upkeep and repair both the stone farmhouse
(currently inhabited) and the large cattle barn, which is unused and vacant, and with limited
potential for reuse. The current situation to remove the barn from the site and from
Pickering is not the preferred option, however the owner has presented a unique
opportunity to have it rebuilt and maintained on another property within Durham Region.
2.4 Staff recommend that the request to remove the cattle barn located at 1860 Seventh
Concession Road is approved
The removal of the cattle barn will not negatively affect the heritage attributes of the subject
property and that the property would still maintain its cultural heritage value with the
retention of the stone farmhouse and the farm.
Staff, in consultation with the heritage consultant, will examine opportunities to
commemorate and document the site as recommended by Heritage Pickering.
It is recommended that the request to remove the cattle barn located at 1860 Seventh
Concession Road (Thistle Ha') be approved.
Report PLN 10-19 May 6, 2019
Subject: Request to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road Page 6
Attachments
1. Air Photo Map
2. Site Area
3. Request for Removal
4. Designation By-law 2140/86
5. Ontario Heritage Trust Letter
6. Site Photos, March 21, 2019
7. Heritage Consultant Review Letter
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
/1/7.//1
Elizabeth Martelluzzi
C�-
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Planner If, Heritage Chief Planner
Nil- h Surti, MCIP, RPP
Manager, Development Review &
Urban Design
EM:NS:Id
/1a4
Kyle Bentley, P. Eng.
Director, City Development & CBO
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
,iptdcg, Zola
ATTACHMENT # 1 TO
REPORT # PLN lo -19
044File:
Air Photo Map
HP 02/19
PICKERING
City Development
Department
Applicant: Jim Miller
Property Description:Pt Lot 16-18 and Pt of Road Allowance between Lots
16 & 17, Con 7 (1860 Seventh Concession Rd)
Date: Mar. 22, 2019
OThe Corporation of the City of P,cke day Produced (in part) under ken. from O Oueens Printer. Ontario Mnhtry of Natural Resources.
,VI rights reserved® Her Majesty the Queen n Right of Canada, Department of Natural Resources. Al rights reserved.;
°Tetanal Enterprises Inc and is suppliersafl rights reserved :0 Municipal Property Assessment Corporation end Is suppkets aO rlghte reserved.;
SCALE. 1:10,000
THIS IS NOT APLAPI OF SURVEY. I
ATTACHMENT # a TO
REPORT # PLN tO-tq
Seventh Concession Road
Cr.
Site Area •
File: HP 02/19 ,
01
PICKERING
City Development
Department
Applicant: Jim Miller
Property Description:Pt Lot 16-18 and Pt of Road Allowance between Lots
16 & 17, Con 7 (1860 Seventh Concession Rd)
Date: Mar. 22, 2019
0 The Corporation of the Cdy of illceerfrog- K duced IM par.* under license from:0 Queens Printer, Ontario Moistly of ?Morel Resources.
An rights reserved. 6 Her Ma,esty the Queen In Right of Canada, Department of Natural Reser/sees. Al rights re sewed.;
0 Tetanal Enterprises loo. ant 10 eupplM re al rights reserved.; 0 Murddpal Property&sesame nl Corporation and Is sap piers el rights reserved;
SCALE. I:I.I r00�
THI515NOT ARLAN OF SURVEY. I
Established 1839
ATTACHMENT # 3 _TO
REPORT # PLN ie iq
THISTLE HA'
A NATIONAL HISTORIC FARM
National Historic Site since 1973 Ontario Heritage Property since 1977
March 4, 2019
Heritage Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON
L1V 6K7
The cattle barn at Thistle Ha' farm has been sold, conditional upon heritage approvals to remove the
barn from the site. The following timeline summarizes the background and reasons why we are seeking
heritage approval to relocate this barn to a farm near Bowmanville, ON.
Prior to 2000 Timeline
1973: Thistle Ha' farm commemorated as a National Historic Site of Canada (Designation File No.
1973-D June) in the historic economic development food supply — farm category for the Millers'
"important role in improving stock breeding throughout North and South America in the 19th
century." Although the architecture of the farmhouse and other farm infrastructure were considered
relatively common and not particularly noteworthy, they contribute to the heritage value of an intact
pioneer working farm. Currently, Thistle Ha' is the only privately -owned working farm designated as
a National Historic Site in Canada.
1977: Thistle Ha' farm protected by an easement agreement with the Ontario Heritage Foundation
(Instrument No. D55073). Heritage preservation focus is the farmyard and its buildings, including
farmhouse and outbuildings.
1985: Farmhouse largely destroyed by fire. With technical assistance of the Ontario Heritage
Foundation and help from the local community, house was rebuilt with some rooms unfinished.
Installation of interior millwork in these rooms to match original is ongoing.
1986: Thistle Ha' farm, owned by Hugh Miller, was designated for its architectural and historic interest
by Town of Pickering (Bylaws 2140/86, 2140/86(2)). Included are all buildings and structures on the
farm, and farmhouse features such as the ballroom, arched stone lintels and specific elements in the
woodshed.
Recent Major Infrastructure Repair Timeline
2005 — 2007: With dollar -for -dollar matching financial assistance from the Ontario Heritage Trust, the
farm house Western red cedar shingle roof was completely replaced, and two chimneys rebuilt. Our
cost was approximately $55k.
2010: Meeting with Thomas Wicks of Ontario Heritage Trust and renowned heritage architect Philip
Goldsmith to review priority of farm infrastructure repairs, costs and funding support.
1860 SEVENTH CONCESSION ROAD
R.R. 5, CLAREMONT, ONTARIO L1Y 1A2
'ATTACHMENT #
REPORT #` PLN
TO
— 2 — MARCH 22, 2019
Mr Wicks said that Ontario Heritage Trust project funding was no longer reliable; they would
let us know if funds were available on a yearly basis. Mr Goldsmith argued that the farmhouse
projects were the priority, since its purpose will never change, whereas to meet business needs,
farm building utility might change. I raised my concern that given the repair priorities, our
finances were unlikely to permit repair to the cattle barn, and unless there was funding support,
it might have to be torn down.
2013 — current: Toronto stone mason Leigh Bamford is in the midst of a multi-year project
to repair the tuck pointing on the house stone walls entirely at our cost estimated at $100k.
Concurrently, to minimize our costs, we are replacing rotted windowsills; repairing, re -puttying
and repainting all windows, exterior doors and trim ourselves.
2016: Discussed future of the cattle barn (built by John Ashenhurst of Goodwood in 1919)
during meeting with Kiki Aravopoulos of the Ontario Heritage Trust. Since she could not
promise repair funding, I said I would explore other options, including barn removal.
2016: I asked Claremont barn contractor Lorne Britton to inspect the barn and estimate repair
costs. Saying the barn was becoming unsafe to use, he recommended jacking the barn,
removing the stone foundation, then resetting the barn on new reinforced concrete footings
and wall, at an estimated cost of $100k.
2016: Cattle barn unsuccessfully offered to City of Pickering (Vince Plouffe, Katrine Pyke) for
$1 if the City would move it to the Pickering Museum Village in Greenwood, ON as part of
their early 20th century heritage collection, to be used as a storage building for Museum
artifacts.
REMOVAL TERMS. Without disturbing the surrounding working farm soil, all
infrastructure at the barn site was to be removed by the City to a depth of 2 feet below
final grade, and the site graded to be compatible with the surrounding farm yard
contours. We would then remediate the site by seeding it with grass/trees to match
the appearance of the surrounding natural farmyard landscape.
2016: To salvage barn materials for reuse in heritage restoration projects, preliminary inquiries
made with demolition companies for salvage of timbers; none willing to remediate the site to
a natural state. Paul Goldsmith (Heritage Restoration Inc.) was not interested in salvaging the
stone foundation.
2016: Matt Setzkorn (Ontario Farmland Trust) inspected the cattle barn and couldn't identify
a source for repair funding
Cattle Barn Removal Proposal
2017: I was approached by Toronto stonemason and restoration builder Gus Butterfield. He
had a client who proposed buying the Thistle Ha' cattle barn, intending to reassemble it to
preserve its heritage character, including the granite stone foundation wall, on a farm near
Bowmanville, ON, starting in the 2018 building season. The buyer verbally agreed to pay for
removal and site remediation, as outlined above. The intended proposal will not proceed until
ATTACHMENT _ - TO
REPORT T # PUJ I0 -1c
-3 - MARCH 22, 2019
all heritage approvals are obtained for removal of the cattle barn and removal obligations
included in a written, signed sales contract.
2018: Kiki Aravopoulos of Ontario Heritage Trust approved removal of cattle barn.
Conditions include a written sales contract and municipal heritage approval. Completed barn
documentation for their records.
2019: Notified Parks Canada of intended proposal to remove barn. Permission to alter or
remove infrastructure from a National Historic Site is not needed. When completed, the
National Historic Sites and Monuments Board either amends the infrastructure description,
or reassesses the impact of the removal to the heritage contribution of the site.
Current Situation
• Future masonry repairs to three chimneys, stone gate posts and minor repointing of sheep
barn stone foundation estimated at $50k, entirely at our cost.
• Retired, land leased to local farm family, barns no longer provide income. No-one willing to
lease barns for livestock; farmers want to live on the same site as their animals, and no-one
willing to insure farm outbuildings.
• Recent city dwellers interested in buying Thistle Ha' prefer to eliminate all heritage
protections and the working farm. Sale to a young farmer would be at a substantial discount
below farmland market prices due to the additional costs of maintaining heritage
infras tructure.
Sincerely,
W. J. Miller
tel (905) 649-5940
email millerwj(c�,gmail.com
ATTACHMENT # 11
REr'OR i 1! SLN ' 1._
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PICKERING.
BY-LAW NUMBER 2140/86
Being.a by-law to designate property owned
by Hugh Miller as being of architectural •
and historical value or interest
WHEREAS pursuant to paragraph (a) of section 29.6 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O.
1980, c. 337 .the council.of.a municipality is authorized to ehact by-laws to'designate
real property, including all buildings and structures thereon, to'be of architectural.
and historic value or interest; and
WHEREAS the Council.of the Corporation of the Town of Pickeri►ig'has•caused to be serv-
ed on the owner of the lands and premises known as Thistle Ha' andupon the Ontario
Heritage Foundation, notice of intention to so designate the aforesaid real property
and has caused such notice of intention to be published in the same. newspaper having
general circulation in the municipality once for each of three consecutive weeks; and
WHEREAS no notice'of objection to the proposed designation has been served on the
clerk -of the municipality;
NOW THEREFORE.the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Pickering HEREBY.ENACFS as
follows:
1.
There is designated as being of architectural and historical value or interest
the real property. owned by Hugh Miller, more particularly described in Schedule
"A" attahced hereto.
2. The municipal solicitor is hereby authorized to cause a copy of this by-law to be
registered against the property described in 'Schedule."B" hereto in the proper
land registry office.
.
The Clerk is hereby authorized to cause a copy of this by-law to be served on•the
owner of the aforesaid property and on the Ontario Heritage Foundation and to
cause notice of the passing of this by-law to be published in the same newspaper
having general circulation in the municipality once for each of three consecutive
weeks.
BY-LAW READ a first, second and third time and finally PASSED this 3rd day of
February, 1986.
(.
Clerk
ATTACHMENT # TO
REPORT # _
IN THE MATTER OF
THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACP
R.S.O. 1980, CHAPTER.337
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
THE LANDS AND PREMISES
KNOWN MUNICIPALLY AS
LOTS 16, 17 AND 18,'CONCESSION 7
IN THE TOWN OF PICKERING
IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
AND.
IN THE MATTER OF
TOWN OF PICKERING
BY-LAW NUMBER 2140/86
REASON FOR DESIGNATION
Construction on the house on Lots 16, 17 and 18 in Concession 7 known as
Thistle Ha' commenced in 1855 to replace a log house that was inadequate to
accommodate the large family of John Oilier, the original settler of the
property.
The many stone.piles in the fields provided the building material.
Limestone was set aside to be burned to make building lime for mortar. The
stone masons were Pearson Brothers of Ashburn.
The building continued over a period of years.as new supplies of stone were
gouged from the .fields and dragged by stone boat to the building site. The
east wing was completed in 1875 and contained a large ballroom, a brick oven
capable of baking 22 loaves of bread at a time and a masonry ash pit.
Although damaged by fire in 1984, Thistle Ha' stands'as one of the finest
examples of the stonemason's art with its arched lintels locked with a
central key stone'and walls two feet -thick.
In addition to.being of architectural interest, Thistle Ha' and -its
occupants. have played.an important roll in the development of the community
and indeed the nation. 'In 1849, John Miller brought Shorthorn cattle to his
property fran'Kentucky.' These cattle formed the nucleus of the Thistle Ha'
herd that continues to this day and is -now the oldest in the world.
Later in the 1860's, John Miller realized the beef producing potential of
the American mnid.wedt and the less desirable.agricultural areas of Canada
and he set about the task of adapting his cattle to a beefier and easier
feeding type suitable for the North American beef industry.
A major breakthrough for the Thistle Ha' herd was the importation of the
Shorthorn bull Vice Consul from'Amos Cruickshank of Aberdeenshire, a Quaker
with an immense genius for'improving livestock. Later came the outstanding
cows Cherry Bloom and Rose of Strathallan. The latter became a by -word of
proliferacy and easy husbandry.
ATTACHMENT # S TO
REPORT # PLN
EL1HERITA�
�� TRUST
An agency of the Government of Ontario
SENT BY MAIL AND EMAIL
May 16, 2018
Mr. Jim Miller
1860 Concession 7
Claremont, Ontario
L1Y 1A2
Re: Thistle Thistle Ha' —1860 Concession 7, Pickering
Ontario Heritage Trust — Conservation Easement Agreement
Approval for Barn Removal
Dear Mr. Miller:
10 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3
Telephone ; 416-325-5000
Fax : 416-325-5071
www.heri tagetru st.o n. ca
On February 23, 2018 the Ontario Heritage Trust (Trust) received an alteration request
from you to remove the cattle barn at Thistle Ha'. As you are aware the property known
as Thistle Ha' is protected by a heritage conservation easement agreement (HCEA)
held by the Trust and registered on September 14, 1977 as Instrument No. D55073.
Under Section 1.10 the owner must obtain the written approval of the Trust prior to
removing any structures from the lands subject to the terms of the HCEA.
The current proposal involves removing the cattle barn located on the property and
relocating it to a farm in Clarington. The cattle barn suffers from structural issues and
while repairs were attempted in the past they have not been successful in stabilizing the
barn. Repair estimates far outweigh available funds for such a project and what financial
resources are available will continue to go towards the maintenance and repair of the
main dwelling house.
In support of the current application the Trust received the following items in addition to
the alteration request form:
• Rationale for removal of cattle barn from Thistle Ha' (received February 23,
2018);
• Description of previous conservation projects at Thistle Ha' along with associated
costs as well as description and associated costs of future projects (received
February 23, 2018);
• Financial resources available to undertake work at Thistle Ha' (received February
23, 2018);
• List of options for conserving the cattle barn (received February 23, 2018); and
• Estimated costs to repair/stabilize the cattle barn (received April 30, 2018).
Page 1 of 2
ATTACHMENT # 5_ TO
REPORT # Pi -t4 to—► q
Trust staff have reviewed the documentation associated with this request. The Trust's
preference would be to leave the cattle barn in situ and have it stabilized. However, the
financial resources needed to maintain and repair the identified heritage attributes on
site (Le. the main dwelling) and the financial resources required to stabilize the cattle
barn exceed the resources available to you as the property owner. The Trust recognizes
the financial investments you have made to date and will continue to make to conserve
Thistle Ha', its heritage attributes and agricultural lands. We also recognize the lack of
heritage funding available to private property owners. Given the financial implications
and your obligations under the terms of the HCEA to maintain the heritage attributes the
Trust understands your request and will allow you to relocate the cattle barn to another
farm. The Trust therefore approves the work subject to the following conditions:
• A copy of the signed sale agreement for the cattle barn is submitted to the Trust
which identifies the new location of the cattle barn.
• The cattle barn is documented prior to its removal and relocation. Trust staff will
undertake this work and ask that you provide us with sufficient notice in order to
thoroughly document the barn in its current location.
• An alteration completion form is submitted to the Trust once the work has been
completed.
Because your property is also designated by the Municipality of Pickering under Part IV
of the Ontario Heritage Act (Bylaw No. 2140/86), I advise you to contact the Municipality
in order to secure any local approvals that may be necessary under the terms of the
designation. The Trust's approval is separate and distinct from any municipal approval
you may require.
Should you have any questions regarding this approval or the scope of work changes
please contact me by telephone at 416-314-1751 or by email at
kiki.a ravopoulos@heritagetrust.on.ca .
Si cerely yours,
Kiki Aravopo los
Easements Program Coordinator
Page 2 of 2
ATTACHMENT # b TO
REPORT # 4L' N \0 --(Ci
Site Visit Photos — March 21, 2019
Cattle Barn, looking South East from farmhouse (south wall not in view)
Stone farmhouse, looking west from cattle barn
ATTACHMENT # TO
REPORT # PLN lo'ig
Above: Southwest corner and wall of the cattle barn, bowing outward
Lower level of cattle barn — beams leaning outward toward the south wall.
ATTACHMENT ##.__
REPORT # P
March 22, 2019
Elizabeth Martelluzzi, Planner II Heritage
City Development Department
City of Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7
T: 905A20.4660 ext.2169
E: emartelluzzi@pickering.ca
TO
10 --iq
2335 County Road 10, RR3 B R A`N C H
Picton, Ontario, KOK 2T0
613-438-5355
info@branch-architecture.com
vww.branch•architecture.com A P C I -I 11 L C 1 UPL
RE: 1860 Seventh Concession Road ("Thistle Ha")
Heritage Permit Review Letter
Dear Elizabeth,
The purpose of this letter is to comment on the Heritage Permit submission to relocate the cattle
barn at Thistle Ha. The review finds that the proposal to dismantle and rebuild the barn at another
Ontario farm is acceptable.
The findings of this letter are based on: review of the heritage permit application and supporting
submission material (background history, information from the Ontario Heritage Trust including
measured drawings); review of heritage protections (municipal, provincial and federal); a site
review undertaken with City Staff and the Owner on March 21, 2019; and photos provided by staff.
This heritage permit application has been reviewed in relation to the Parks Canada Standards and
Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Properties in Canada, the Eight Guiding Principles
in the Conservation of Built Heritage Properties as well as other accepted heritage guidelines
and charters. It is not intended to preclude other required approvals related to the application.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The property at 1860 Seventh Concession Road is designated under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act under by-law 2140/86 Being a by-law to designate property owned by Hugh Miller
as being of architectural and historical value or interest. The Reason for Designation speaks to
the historic associations with John Miller - original settler and breeder - and the architectural
value of the house.
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The property is also protected under an easement with the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT). The OHT
has provided a letter allowing for the relocation of the barn. As part of the OHT's site investiga-
tion architectural drawings and photo documentation of the existing cattle barn were completed.
Finally, the property has national historic site status. As per the Statement of Significance (update
in 2008), the property has cultural heritage value related to its historic associations with John
Miller and the property's "identity as a farm originating in the 19th century." The description
notes the agricultural fields, stone house and large wooden barn, and other vernacular outbuild-
ings. The cattle barn description read:
... its rectangular massing under a gambrel roof, local fieldstone foundation, wood -frame
construction with board sheathing, metal roofing, functional plan for livestock shelter
including door and window openings on ground level and surviving evidence of silo;
At the site visit the owner provided access to review the barn (both interior and exterior) and
provided an oral history of the structure.
According to the owner, the cattle barn was constructed in 1919 after the previous barn was
destroyed by fire. A new barn was constructed on a granite fieldstone foundation. The street
and house facing elevations were more finely constructed in a squared rubblestone pattern with
quoined corners and white tuck pointed mortar joints (similar to the house). In contrast the rear
walls (partially banked to provide direct access to,the loft) were smaller stones laid in a random
pattern and finished with flush mortar joints. Set within the stone foundation are wood windows
and doors; the greatest number are found on the south -facing elevation.
The building is timber frame. Much of the wood used to construct the barn was salvaged from
other outbuildings of that time. This is seen in the timbers with existing (unused) beam pockets,
notably in the shorter lengths. The longer timbers and wood elements, such as the tall posts
and roof rafters, were new as evident by the milled finish of these elements (in contrast to the
hand hewned finish of salvaged pieces). The exterior was clad in wood tongue -and -groove board
which the owners painted red. The existing red sheet metal cladding is a more recent addition.
The roof is also sheet. metal.
The lower level of the barn once housed cattle. The wood stalls / pens remain as well as an open
coral area. The upper level is a hay loft with a grain bin. To the north is a silo constructed of
stacked precast concrete pieces.
The barn generally follows the construction methods and layout of an "English" heavy timber
barn (as described in Building with Wood, by John I. Rempel). Of note, the loft has an expansive
central bay, typical of a hay barn, that is likely over 40 feet in height.
The owner recalls that the barn first exhibited signs of movement in the 1960s. At that time, a
concrete buttress and base was provided at the south wall as well as a metal tie at the cracked
south-west corner. Later, wood boards were fastened to the existing cladding to reduce the risk
of racking. In more recent years, the building has exhibited active movement - the south wall of
the stone foundation has tipped out significantly, the interior posts on the lower level are leaning
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to the south, and a number of purlin braces have come loose. The owner has been advised by
a contractor that to repair the barn in situ would require: securing the timber structure together
with metal ties; dismantling the south stone wall and building a new wall on a concrete founda-
tion and footing; as well as general repairs to the shifted wood structure (as needed).
With respect to the house, the owner has dutifully conserved this building and is currently under-
taking a multi-year repointing program.
HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION
The Heritage Permit application for 1860 Seventh Concession Road provides for the dismantling
of the existing cattle barn and relocating it to another farm property.
COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
While the preferred approach to conserving heritage properties is to maintain all contributing
built elements in situ, this application brings forward a conversation about continuing to allow for
a rural cultural heritage landscape to evolve in order to maintain their long-term agricultural use.
With the modernization of farming practice, family farms of today are also evolving to stay viable.
This may require changing their focus to serve additional, new or specialized markets. This is in
keeping with traditional practice, as seen on site, where outbuildings that were no longer needed
due to a, change in livestock were dismantled and reused in the repair or construction of a new
required structure either on site or at a neighbouring farm. The removal of this structure will not
impact maintaining the site's cultural heritage value as farm, however, it should be noted that
its removal will impact on the vista looking east from the house over the rolling farmed fields.
Further, the structure is, in general, a representative example of this type of barn in Pickering.
The exception is the masonry treatment on the street and house -facing elevations with quoins
and tuck -pointing to match the house.
Given the above, the proposal to dismantle and rebuild the cattle barn is acceptable, especially
as it is planned for reconstruction at an alternate farm.
In keeping with heritage practice, the owner and the OHT have provided photos and measured
architectural drawings of the cattle barn for record purposes.
Please let me know if there are questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Reid OAA, CAHP, LEED
Principal, Branch Architecture
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APPENDIX: Select site photos
1. South west corner, showing metal tie and bowing at south stone foundation wall.
2. Bowing at south wall (left) and 1960s concrete buttress (right).
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3. Lower level, evidence of interior movement at stalls (left) and through wall cracking at south-west corner.
4. Upper level, bracing boards added at exterior walls (left) and partial view of loft with mix of salvaged and 'new'
timbers.
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CIS o�
DICKERING
Memo
To: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
From: Elizabeth Martelluzzi
Planner II, Heritage
Subject: Request for Administrative Change to Council Minutes
- HP 02/19, 1860 Seventh Concession Road
File: A-3300-072
September 27, 2019
On May 27, 2019, City Council approved Heritage Permit HP 02/19, to permit that the cattle barn
located at 1860 Seventh Concession Road be removed. The minutes of the meeting incorrectly
refer to 1870 Seventh Concession Road as the subject property.
The planning report dated May 6, 2019 (PLN 10-19) in error also refers to
1870 Seventh Concession Road, however the location of the property is correctly identified in
an attachment to the report and it is the intent of the report that the subject lands are located at
1860 Seventh Concession Road. Further, the original Heritage Permit application states the
correct address at 1860 Seventh Concession Road.
I would like to request that an administrative change be made to the Council Minutes of May 27, 2019
to reflect accuracy in the formal record. Item 8.3 should read: "That the Heritage Permit
Application HP 02/19 to remove a cattle barn at 1860 Seventh Concession Road be approved".
A copy of this letter should be included within the updated minutes and with the file.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me at
extension 2169 should you have any questions.
EM:nwb
J:\Documents\Administration\A-3300\A-3300-072\Application to Remove \Memo to the Clerk.docx
Cts oi
DICKERING
Note to File
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Date: September 30, 2019
Subject: Error in May 27, 2019 Council Minutes
- HP 02/19 — Incorrect Address Noted in Report Recommendation and Council
Resolution
File: A-1400
Further to the attached Memo received from Elizabeth Martelluzzi, dated September 27, 2019,
requesting an administrative change to the May 27th Council minutes, after reviewing the staff
report, it is clear that the property should have been stated in all instances as 1860 Seventh
Concession.
1870 Seventh Concession is not a valid address and the report and supporting documentation,
including the map, all clearly refer to 1860 Seventh Concession. Therefore, a copy of these 2
memos has been filed with both the paper and electronic files for the staff report and the meeting
file and the Council minutes have been changed to reflect the accurate address of 1860 Seventh
Concession to ensure that the record is accurately captured.
SC/sc
Attachment Memo, dated September 27, 2019 from Elizabeth Martelluzzi, Planner II, Heritage