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Home My WebLink AboutApril 23, 2025Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda April 23, 2025 - 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting For information related to accessibility requirements please contact: Council & Committee Coordinator 905.420.4611 clerks@pickering.ca Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream. Page 1.Review and Approval of Agenda 2.Disclosure of Interest 3.Approval of Minutes 3.1 January 22, 2025 1 4.Delegations 5.New Business 5.1 Draft 2024 Year-End Report and 2025 Workplan 6.Other Business 7.Next Meeting 8.Adjournment 6 Page 1 of 5 Minutes/Meeting Summary Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee January 22, 2025 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: N. Brewster S. Croteau C. Doody-HamiltonL. JeffreyR. SmilesM. Somerville, Senior Planner, Heritage (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Council & Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: R. AndersonA. BhadraS. Monaghan J. White Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by S. Croteau Seconded by C. Doody-Hamilton That the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda of January 22, 2025 be approved. Carried 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by R. Smiles Seconded by S. Croteau That the November 27, 2024 Meeting Minutes be approved. Carried 4. Delegations There were no delegations - 1 - Page 2 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 5. New Business 5.1 Memorandum from Matthew Somerville, Senior Planner, Heritage Re: Notice of Intent to Demolish 575 Highway 7 –The Vardon House M. Somerville provided a background on 575 Highway 7 (The Vardon House) and indicated that the owner hadsubmitted a Notice of Intent to Demolish to the City,accompanied by an updated Heritage ImpactAssessment as well as a draft Commemoration Plan. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding: •which Committee Members were involved in theoriginal discussion regarding The Vardon House; •identifying the structure as a Gothic-Revival farmhouse, of which the lacey gingerbread trimshould be identified as a key character definingelement of the house and celebrated through thecommemoration; •concerns regarding the amount of time to implementa commemoration into the nearby Green RiverCemetery due to the anticipated Highway 7 roadwidening work over the next decade; •concerns regarding the proximity to the FederalPickering Airport lands; •whether commemoration could be incorporated onthe anticipated patio of the Learning Centre; •whether a large commemoration piece could beconsidered that is visible to those driving on Highway7 and Highway 407; •concerns regarding the anticipated Learning Centrepatio not being accessible to the general public; •the importance of considering appropriate scale whendetermining the commemoration; •the commemoration piece located at SmartCentresMarkham (Copper Creek Drive, Markham, ON) •historical full size metal statues located in Ottawa, ON of notable figures; •the commemoration piece of steel horses located atRioCan Windfields in Oshawa (Windfield Farms Roadand Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON) •whether salvaging of material will be considered; •the importance of having a place for salvaged itemsto be stored or used; - 2 - Page 3 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) •clarification that the interior and exterior of thebuilding had been photographed; •whether more artistic photography of the VardonHouse could be captured; •whether the City of Pickering archives have any material that represent the Vardon House; •whether there was opportunity to incorporatecommemoration (e.g. photograph, painting) into theLearning Centre at FGF; •salvage and documentation of materials beingoutlined in Option 3 of the updated Heritage ImpactAssessment; and, •that identification and documentation of “character” items be considered. Moved by N. Brewster Seconded by C. Doody-Hamilton 1.That the Pickering Heritage Advisory Committeeadvise Council that the property located at 575Highway 7 does not merit cultural heritage designationunder Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act; 2.That 575 Highway 7 be removed from the PickeringHeritage Register; and, 3.That Council directs staff to continue working with the applicant to finalize a Commemoration Plan. This shallinclude identifying character items for salvage anddocumentation of those items, and report back to thePickering Heritage Advisory Committee. Carried 5.2 Verbal Update from Matthew Somerville, Senior Planner, Heritage Re: Number of Municipally Managed Cemeteries in Pickering Matthew Somerville informed the Committee that the City looked after eight (8) cemeteries. Discussion ensued amongst Committee Members regarding: •whether the Committee could be provided a map orinformation of where the cemeteries are located; M. Somerville tocontact J. Sabbeanregarding potentially photographing and/orpainting the VardonHouse. M. Somerville tofollow up with City Clerk for additionalinformation includingthe cemeteries thatPickering recognizesand whether a map or list could beprovided. - 3 - Page 4 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) •challenges regarding municipal addressing ofsome cemetery sites; •challenges regarding cemeteries on privateproperty; •cemeteries being of heritage value and how they provide historical information; •clarification regarding active and inactivecemeteries, and those under the City’s care; •the designation of cemeteries with distinct heritage features in Richmond Hill in the Village core; •interest in what cemeteries the City recognizes,both active and inactive; •a cemetery located by the former Pine RidgeNurseries on Brock Road; •the Care and Maintenance Funds used to manage cemetery properties being limited to fuel for lawn mowing; •a rural cemetery in Oshawa that congregatedheadstones into a corner feature; •the Post cemetery and work on the site plan toincorporate an appropriate public art piece; •Christie’s Methodist Cemetery located in the Bridlewood Mall parking lot (Warden Avenue and Finch Avenue, Toronto, ON); •whether a grave located on private property in thearea of Kingston Road and Altona Road is a native burial site or that of the family of Joseph Black; •clarification that when native burial sites arediscovered, it is not often disclosed to preventdisruption of the site; and, •the general curiosity regarding cemeteries inPickering. 6. Other Business 6.1 Committee Member Identification S. Croteau inquired whether the City would be issuing Committee Members official identification for use at anypotential site visits during the term. 6.2 Transition to Microsoft Teams A. MacGillivray informed the Committee that the City ismigrating to the Microsoft Teams platform for electronic participation in public meetings. M. Somerville tofollow up and report back to theCommittee regardingthis matter. - 4 - Page 5 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 7. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee is scheduled for February 26, 2025. 8. Adjournment Moved by C. Doody-Hamilton Seconded by N. Brewster That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 pm - 5 - Memo To: Mayor Ashe and April 24, 2025 Members of Council From: Matt Somerville Senior Planner, Heritage Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Directors Chief Planner Subject: Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee -2024 Year-End Report and 2025 Workplan The Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee (Heritage Pickering) is pleased to present its 2024 accomplishments and 2025 Workplan. The Committee held seven meetings in 2024 and completed the following tasks: 2024 Accomplishments Proposed Designations under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and demolition requests •Reviewed the G.M. Forsyth House at 5113 Old Brock Road (Lot 71 on the Claremont Development Corporation’s (Geranium Homes) draft plan. The Committee recommended designation of the Forsyth House and supported a park design that commemorates the site’s agricultural history. •Endorsed designation of 895 Wonder Drive (formerly 815 Highway 7) as a well-preserved example of a mid-19th-century rural homestead, reflecting the area’s agricultural roots and architectural typologies. •Supported designation of 1027–1031 Dunbarton Road, despite the owner’s objection, citing the building’s rarity and its importance in illustrating early residential development along Kingston Road (Highway 2). On June 24, 2024, Council did not support the designation of this property. •Held a special meeting to consider the proposed demolition of 301 Kingston Road, a Georgian-style residence with cultural and architectural significance. After hearing from staff and the owner’s heritage and structural consultants, the Committee recommended that Council refuse the demolition request and proceed with designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. - 6 - April 24, 2025 Page 2 of 4 HPAC 2024 Year End Report and 2025 Workplan •Held a second special meeting to revisit the heritage value of 301 Kingston Road. After reviewing conflicting assessments, the Committee reaffirmed its support for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act based on the structure’s historic typology and local significance. Heritage Review and Updates •Reviewed the proposed relocation of the Percy House (815 Highway 7), part of the Caplink Development. The Committee provided input on the final site location and landscape design. A condition was recommended that any future adjacent development be evaluated through a Heritage Impact Assessment to protect the long-term integrity of the site’s heritage character. •Received an update from staff on the Heritage Tax Relief Program, including the finalization of the application process and internal workflow. •Reviewed the Cultural Heritage Report, prepared by WSP Canada Inc. as part of the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan. This report identified up to 30 potential heritage properties in the study area. This work will continue in 2025 as secondary plans are further developed. •Approved the commemorative plaque text for the Nesbit-Newman House at 560 Park Crescent. The plaque was installed in October 2024. •Endorsed the naming of the John E. Anderson Exhibit Gallery at the new Pickering Heritage & Community Centre, in recognition of the former mayor’s longstanding service and civic legacy. Brougham Hall •Heard delegations from the public regarding concerns about the future of Brougham Hall, a historically significant community centre and recognized federal heritage property. •Adopted a formal motion recommending to Council that the City engage with stakeholders to explore preservation and reuse options for the Brougham Hall. Staff provided background on the site’s lease with Transport Canada, previous facility assessments, and the Hall’s civic importance. Education and Training •Participated in a "Heritage 101" training session delivered by staff. The session covered recent changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, key designation and conservation principles, and the Committee’s advisory role in the planning and heritage processes. - 7 - April 24, 2025 Page 3 of 4 HPAC 2024 Year End Report and 2025 Workplan 2025 Work Plan Heritage Permits and Property Reviews In 2025, the Committee will continue to review and provide recommendations on heritage permit applications for individually designated properties and those within the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District. Staff will provide guidance on the interpretation of Heritage Conservation District guidelines and the application of the Ontario Heritage Act in site plan approvals and redevelopment proposals. Designations and Heritage Register Updates The Committee will prioritize several Part IV designations under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2025, including: • 5113 Old Brock Road • 450 Finch Avenue (Dixon Farmhouse) • 1294 Kingston Road • 4953 Brock Road • 1848 7th Concession Road (The Thistle Ha Farm) The Committee will also help identify additional heritage properties such as rural buildings, places of worship and former schoolhouses. Ongoing commemorative efforts will continue at site like the community park within the Claremont Developments draft plan, and the Caplink Interpretation plan. Policy and Program Development In 2025, the Committee will support the development of several key heritage policies and programs including: • Creating a webpage for the Residential Heritage Tax Relief Program so that property owners can easily apply for a 20 percent reduction on their municipal property taxes. • Prepare terms of reference and completing background research to support a future review of the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Guidelines and Boundary Map. • Providing input for the proposed Whitevale Stormwater Management Plan, especially as it relates to the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Guidelines. • Offering ongoing input to the development of the new Pickering Official Plan and the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, as it relates to built heritage and cultural landscapes. - 8 - April 24, 2025 Page 4 of 4 HPAC 2024 Year End Report and 2025 Workplan Public Commemoration and Community Engagement The Committee will continue to promote public awareness and understanding of Pickering’s heritage through interpretive plaques, storytelling, and commemorative initiatives. In 2025, this includes: • Providing feedback as requested to help support the creation of a new Pickering Cultural Strategic Plan. • Supporting the implementation of the John E. Anderson Exhibit Gallery at the new Pickering Heritage & Community Centre. • Advocating for the development of a public-facing heritage map and improved digital access to the City’s Heritage Register. Submitted on behalf of the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee: Current Membership: R. Anderson A. Bhadra N. Brewster S. Croteau C. Doody-Hamilton L. Jeffrey R. Smiles S. Monaghan J. White MS:nr /CityDevDept/A3300/Workplans/2025/2025 Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee Work Plan - 4.17.25.docx - 9 -