Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Time:	7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.
Location:	Virtual

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1.

Members Present:

Howard Bohan (Chair), Michele Camacho, Sille Nygaard Mikkelsen, David Barker, Don Thorpe, Barry Duffey, Angela Richardson, Len Collins, Jenna Dobson, Trisha Murray, John Ouksouzoglou (alternate), Dan Allan (alternate) and Robert Korporaal (alternate)

2.

Regrets:

Marwa Refaat, Alan Harrington and Rick Wilson

3.

Others Present:

Councillor Rory Nisan, Danika Guppy (Heritage Planner) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

4.

Declarations of Interest:

None

5.

Approval of Minutes:

5.1

Approve minutes from meeting held September 16, 2020

On motion, the minutes from the September 16, 2020 meeting were approved as presented.

6.

Delegation(s):

None

7.

Regular Items:

7.1

Heritage Planner update

a.

Proposed new regulations under the Ontario Heritage Act (Bill 108)

• Danika provided an overview of the proposed new regulations under the Ontario Heritage Act (Bill 108) that amend 13 different statutes that impact land use planning processes. The commenting deadline is November 5, 2020. The proposed new regulations are available on the Environmental Registry of Ontario website. 
• Howard asked the members to review the proposed regulations and send comments to either he or Jo-Anne by next Wednesday (Oct 21) and he will provide comments to staff on behalf of the committee.  Motion - Authorize the Chair to provide comments to staff on behalf of the committee regarding the proposed new regulations under the Ontario Heritage Act (Bill 108).  CARRIED

b.

LaSalle Park plaque removal

• Danika advised that staff received a complaint from a member of the public regarding the lack of inclusive language on a plaque in LaSalle Park celebrating the 1669 landing of Sieur de LaSalle, and refers to him as "The First White Man to Set Foot On These Shores". This plaque was erected in 1923 by the Wentworth Historical Society, when the park was operated by the City of Hamilton.
• Danika stated that staff reviewed the situation and do not object to the plaque's removal, not only because of the complaint but because it is located in an inaccessible low-traffic area of the park. 
• Danika noted that she is sharing this information with the committee and that action will be taken following formal contact with the City of Hamilton.
• Members expressed concern with the removal stating that the plaque does not lack inclusive language and although it wouldn't be written that way today, the fact that things were said differently a hundred years ago is in fact part of our heritage and should be preserved. Suggestions were made to move the plaque to a more accessible location or attach a sign to the plaque indicating that different language would be used today.  
• Some members agreed that this is beyond the scope of the committee and asked that City staff seek the opinion of the Inclusivity Advisory Committee before acting and ensure the plaque, whatever its future, was not destroyed. Other members supported the removal of the plaque, applying an inclusivity lens. Motion - Request staff to seek the opinion of the Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee and ensure the plaque is preserved and safely stored.  CARRIED

c.

Follow up for development application for 2107 Old Lakeshore Road and 2119 Lakeshore Road

• Danika provided a brief overview of the development application for 2107 Old Lakeshore Road and 2119 Lakeshore Road which was discussed at the September committee meeting and asked members for comments.
• Michele expressed concern that the Heritage Impact Assessment was prepared by the developer's consultant and noted that, in her opinion, this is a conflict of interest. Danika responded that the Heritage Impact Assessment was completed by qualified heritage consultants in accordance with the terms of reference established through the development pre-consultation meeting. Heritage Burlington was encouraged to include these concerns in their comments on the application for consideration by staff, council and the applicant. Motion - Authorize the Chair to provide comments to staff on behalf of the committee regarding the development application for 2107 Old Lakeshore Road and 2119 Lakeshore Road.  CARRIED

d.

Inventory properties over 100 years old

• Danika advised that the vast majority of "B" and "C" properties listed on the Inventory already meet the criteria of being 100 years of ages and noted that in the downtown, approximately 125 "B" properties in the downtown are over 100 years old. Danika showed a map of the downtown that identified areas where development applications had been received and noted that properties in this area had the potential of being at risk.
• Howard provided a brief history, for the benefit of new members, of how and why many properties were removed from the Register between 2010 and 2013. Howard suggested that committee members take a walk past some of the "B" properties in the downtown to determine whether or not they have potential for being put on the Register. Motion - Form a subcommittee to identify properties in the downtown that could be placed on the Register. CARRIED (Don, Len, Dan, Barry, Angela and Robert volunteered to be a part of this subcommittee)

7.2

Heritage Month

• Don advised that the Subcommittee discussed and agreed with Heritage Week moving to August, beginning on Joseph Brant Day (August 2/21) and followed by a week of events/activities. Don indicated that the Museums is happy to have the participation of Heritage Burlington. Motion - Heritage Burlington supports moving 2021 heritage celebrations to August, beginning on August 2, 2021 (Joseph Brant Day). CARRIED   Action - Jo-Anne to attend beginning of next Subcommittee meeting on October 28 to answer questions from members.

8.

Other Business:

• Barry asked for an update on the commemorative plaque at 2477 Queensway Drive discussed at last month's meeting. Danika responded that the comments, as amended, were forwarded to the applicant.
• David asked about the costs when homeowners want to have their property designated and the potential for the City to cover some or all of the expense. Howard suggested this topic be put on next month's agenda.

9.

Adjournment:  8:50 p.m.

Next meeting date: Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 7 p.m. via Zoom