Two older houses on Old Kennedy Road in Milliken can be torn down, Markham's development services committee agreed on Tuesday, Jan. 20, as long as the owner provides a plaque telling the story of the properties and the community around them.
The houses at 58 and 64 Old Kennedy Road, in Ward 8, are listed on the city's register of properties of cultural heritage value or interest. Listing is a step below formal designation, but it gives the city notice before a demolition and a chance to respond.
Low scores in heritage review
The owner asked to demolish both buildings ahead of possible future intensification of the land. When the request went to the Heritage Markham advisory committee on Dec. 10, staff said both properties scored four out of a possible 11 in an initial evaluation under the city's priority designation project, the lowest rating its matrix allows. After also reviewing them against the provincial criteria for designation, staff said they had no objection because the houses are not considered significant heritage resources.
A planning consultant for the owner told the heritage committee there is no development proposal yet, but that the land is seen as a valuable future high-rise site. The owner is cleaning up the property and sees demolition as part of that work.
Heritage committee members supported the demolition but wanted something of Milliken's character kept. Ideas included salvaging the red brick for a future wall, park or entrance feature, or using brick-like materials at street level in any new building. Some members said they were uncomfortable approving demolition with no active development plan, worried the site could be cleared and sold before any reminder of its past was secured.
Staff noted that to stop the demolition of a listed property, the city would have to issue a notice of intention to designate, and they did not believe the buildings met the provincial criteria. They added that, because of recent changes to the Planning Act, design advice passed along for a future development application is not binding on an applicant.
What the owner must do
Heritage committee members pointed to earlier cases, including the Munshaw House and the Old Markham Dairy House, where demolition was allowed with an interpretive plaque and financial security. The recommendation endorsed by the development services committee follows that approach. It requires:
A standard Markham Remembered plaque on the history of the two properties and their community, provided by the owner.
Consideration of salvaged material from the houses, such as brick for a wall or cairn, to mount the plaque.
Installation in a publicly visible spot on the Old Kennedy Road frontage, with content and location settled with the city's manager of heritage planning.
Financial security, in an amount set by the city, to guarantee the plaque is installed.
Ward 3 Coun. Reid McAlpine declared a conflict on the item because he knows the applicant's planner, and did not vote.
At the same meeting, the committee approved heritage easement agreements for 82 John Street and 7 Victoria Avenue so the owners can take part in the city's heritage property tax reduction program.
