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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 28, 2020 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee October 28, 2020 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting Attendees: J. Dempsey J. Irwin W. Jamadar E. John R. Smiles C. Sopher E. Martelluzzi, Planner II Heritage R. Perera, Committee Coordinator Guests: Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer Mike Jones, Supervisor, Taxation B. George, Local History & Genealogy, Pickering Public Library Absent: S. Croteau D. Felin A. Khan Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introductions E. Martelluzzi welcomed everyone to the electronic meeting. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by W. Jamadar Seconded by R. Smiles E. Martelluzzi reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. Carried 4. Approval of Minutes -June 24, 2020 Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by E. John Seconded by J. Dempsey That the minutes of the June 24, 2020 meeting of the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. Business Arising From Minutes There were no items of business arising from the minutes. 6. New Business 6.1 Heritage Property Tax Relief Draft By-law E. Martelluzzi referred to a Memorandum circulated to the Pickering Heritage Advisory Committee dated October 23, 2020, regarding a Draft Heritage Property Tax Relief By-law, and noted that since she had circulated the Memorandum to the Committee, there had been a number of minor administrative changes to the Draft By-law. E. Martelluzzi provided a brief overview of the changes to the Draft Heritage Property Tax Relief By-law. E. Martelluzzi noted that at the September 28, 2020 Council meeting, staff were directed to report to Council with a Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program, based on the Notice of Motion presented at the July 27, 2020 Council meeting. She added that the Heritage property tax relief is a financial tool for municipalities to help owners of eligible heritage properties continue to maintain and restore their properties. She noted that section 365.2 of the Municipal Act, provides municipalities the option of establishing a program to provide property tax relief (between 10 to 40 percent) to owners of heritage properties and that Municipalities must first pass a by-law to adopt the program. She advised that staff had consulted with the City’s Finance and Legal departments to draft a by-law. Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) She noted that the program would provide an incentive to owners to make regular investments in the ongoing maintenance and conservation of their properties. She advised that the number of eligible properties based on the criteria is approximately 50 properties, both within the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District and outside of the District, and added that this number excludes properties that are currently owned by the provincial or federal governments. She noted that the eligible properties also excludes properties within the District that are on the list as not having historical or architectural significance, as noted in the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Guide. E. Martelluzzi provided an overview of the minimum criteria for an eligible property as set out in the Municipal Act. She further advised that the Municipal Act allows municipalities to provide between 10 and 40 percent of tax relief, noting that the Notice of Motion presented at the July 27, 2020 Council Meeting requested a heritage property tax relief program of 20 percent. She added that the rebate would be applied to the City of Pickering portion of municipal taxes, with the Province of Ontario providing the education portion. She advised that a Heritage property owner may apply to the program at any time, but no later than the last date in February for the year following the year for which the rebate is being requested. She added that once staff receive the application form, they would work with the City’s legal staff and the owner to complete and register a Heritage Easement Agreement on the City, and consult the Finance Department to enroll the property in the program. She added that Staff would also require a site visit to the exterior and/or the interior of the property to ensure the property is intact and is being maintained as per the heritage easement agreement. Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) She advised that a section would be added to the Heritage Pickering site describing the program and application process, and a publicly available list of the participating property owners would also be on the website. She added that eligible property owners will receive notification and information regarding the program through a mailed letter. She advised that it is recommended that Heritage Pickering endorse the Heritage property tax rebate program and by-law, adding that Heritage Pickering’s recommendations would be included in a Recommendation Report to Executive Committee and subsequent Council meeting. S. Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, noted that in order to receive the grant, applicants would need to have their taxes in good standing with the City, noting that the City would strive to be fair to the tax payer while preserving heritage properties. A question and answer period ensued between Committee Members and Staff regarding:  the maximum tax refund that would be granted should all 50 properties receive the grant;  how the rebate would appear on a tax return statement;  how individuals who receive the funding would be held accountable for the proper use of the funds;  how a new owner of a home included in the program would be affected and whether the new owner could opt out of the program;  opting out of the program after a number of years; and,  how heritage properties, specifically properties within the Whitevale District, would be evaluated should they have had recent renovations to heritage attributes. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by R. Smiles Seconded by W. Jamadar That Heritage Pickering recommends that Council approve the draft Heritage property tax relief by-law. Carried 6.2 Summary of proposed Regulations under the new Ontario Heritage Act E.Martelluzzi noted that she does not have any materials for Committee to review at the moment, and that she would provide an update to the Committee once the regulations come into effect. 7. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 8. Other Business E. Martelluzzi noted that the City approved a heritage permit for a side deck and a back extension for 472 Churchwin Street. She added that the City is currently reviewing an application for 560 Park Crescent for a number of changes. She further added that the City had issued a minor heritage permit for an addition to the side yard for a property located in Byron Street. C. Sopher noted that construction to replace the Whitevale Heritage Structure in Whitevale Park had begun. He further added that the Whitevale district had become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic with a large volume of visitors coming to visit Whitevale. E. Martelluzzi to provide a summary at the next meeting. 9. Next Meeting November 25, 2020 Adjournment Page 6 of 6 Meeting Adjourned: 8:01 pm Copy: City Clerk