Report das-2008-0020
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF GEORGINA
REPORT NO. DAS-2008-0020
FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
May 5, 2008
SUBJECT: PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF 163 HIGH STREET, SUTTON
UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT.
_________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
1. THAT REPORT DAS-2008-0020 BE RECEIVED FOR INFORMATION.
2. THAT THE CLERK'S DIVISION BE DIRECTED TO PROCEED WITH THE
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DESIGNATE 163 HIGH STREET UNDER PART IV OF
THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE DEMOLITION OR
ALTERATION OF THE BUILDING AT THIS TIME.
3. THAT THE BUILDING DIVISION BE ADVISED OF COUNCIL'S INTENTION
TO DESIGNATE 163 HIGH STREET UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO
HERITAGE ACT AND BE DIRECTED NOT TO ISSUE THE DEMOLITION PERMIT.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property has significant historical and cultural
value and has been a flagged property on the Georgina Heritage's
Cultural Heritage Inventory Listing since its establishment in
the late 1980's. On April 14, 2008, the Secretary for the
Georgina Heritage Committee received correspondence from the
Building Division advising of the application for a demolition
permit to remove the building and confirming the 60 day notice
requirement prior to the issuance of the demolition permit. A
copy of the correspondence was included in the Committee of the
Whole Agenda for the meeting held April 21, 2008.
The Georgina Heritage Committee at their meeting held on April
17, 2008 reviewed the correspondence from the Building Division
and passed the following motion:
THAT COUNCIL BE REQUESTED TO DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE TOWARDS THE
DESIGNATION OF 163 HIGH STREET IMMEDIATELY AND THAT AN INTERIM
CONTROL BY-LAW BE PASSED TO BE APPLIED TO THIS PROPERTY.
Further review of the Ontario Heritage Act revealed that an
interim control by-law is only used for Heritage Districts and
that issuance of a Notice of Intention to Designate on a single
property will impose the same effect as an interim control by-
law.
In accordance with Council's direction, notice was sent to the
property owner by registered mail advising that Staff would be
providing a Report at the Committee of the Whole meeting on May
5th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., recommending designation. The owner was
further advised to contact the Clerk's Department prior to the
Agenda deadline should he wish to speak to the matter. A copy of
the correspondence sent is attached as Schedule "1".
CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST:
This building served as the Station for the Metropolitan Radial
Railway which ran from Toronto, along Metro Road to Jackson's
Point and along Dalton Road to High Street from
1909 into the 1930's. The Radial Railway and this Station was
instrumental in bringing tourists from Toronto to enjoy the
beauty of Lake Simcoe and supplies into the community of Sutton
during this time. There were originally two loading platforms
one for passengers on the Dalton Road side of the building and
the platform for freight supplies was located where the existing
parking lot is on the east side of the building. This building
is the only Station from the Radial Railway left in existence in
all of Ontario and could be considered of Provincial and Regional
significance as well as local significance in terms of its
cultural heritage value and significance.
This building during its use as the Sutton Terminal for the
Metropolitan Radial Railway was significant in the establishment
of Sutton and Jackson's Point as tourist centers with, at peak
times, as many as ten (10) trips per day to this Terminal. Land
along the Lake Simcoe shoreline was bought by Toronto residents
who used the Radial line for the transport of construction
materials to build their summer cottages. The Radial line also
increased the value of farmland in the area, and provided the
farmers access to weekly markets in Newmarket. The Radial line
was known for jolting life into the northern part of York County.
The significance of the Radial Line has been recognized by the
Town of Aurora with the designation of a bridge abutment which
was part of one of the Radial Railway bridges that crossed over
Yonge Street. All that was left of the bridge abutment at the
time of designation was some sections of concrete.
In addition to the cultural heritage value of the building
itself, this site is considered to be the corner stone of the
Georgina Heritage Committee's proposed Heritage District to
protect the existing cultural heritage value of High Street.
This building would be the west entry feature of the proposed
High Street District.
This is a landmark within our community with several railway
architecture features, and the building has been to date
generally preserved in its original state. Attached as Schedule
"2", is a copy of the Heritage Report - Metropolitan Radial
Railway Station - 163 High
Street, Sutton, prepared by Su Murdoch Historical Consulting,
which concludes that the property holds sufficient cultural
heritage value or interest to be protected under the Heritage
Act. Su Murdoch, Historical Consultant recommends that the
Georgina Heritage Committee conduct an interior inspection of the
Station building, however, the Georgina Heritage Committee would
recommend proceeding with the designation of the exterior of the
building only and have no interest in placing designation
restrictions on the interior of the building.
CONCLUSION:
In the event that Council directs Clerk's Department Staff to
issue the Notice of Intention to Designate, a Notice of Intention
would be published in the Georgina Advocate on May 15th, 2008,
and the owner of the property would be served with the Notice of
Intention by registered mail. There is a 30 day appeal period
within which an objection to the proposed designation that sets
out the reasons for the objection could be served on the Clerk.
If a notice of objection is served, then the matter would be
dealt with by the Conservation Review Board. The Conservation
Review Board would hold a public hearing to determine the merits
of the proposed designation. The Conservation Review Board would
provide a Report setting out its recommendations within 30 days
after the conclusion of the hearing. Council would have the
final decision as to whether to pass a by-law to designate the
property or withdraw the notice of intention to designate the
property.
If there is no objection received within the 30 day period, staff
will bring the designation by-law forward at the next Council
meeting.
Prepared and Submitted by: Reviewed by:
____________________________ __________________________________
Lisa Lyons, Committee Secretary Kathleen Foster, Deputy Clerk
Recommended by: Approved by:
_____________________________ ___________________________________
Roland Chenier, Town Clerk Stan Armstrong, CAO
Director of Administrative
Services/Treasurer