Coming up at noon, this month's Heritage Guelph meeting. This is the preview: guelphpolitico.ca/2023/03/03/mee…
Chair Epp has called the meeting to order.
First item, Nomination of Heritage Guelph Member to Serve on Naming Committee. This committee is exactly what you think it is, a group used by the City w/ staff/community members who determine new names for City assets and then submitted to council for approval.
Cameron Tilley nominated and approved as the Naming Committee rep.
Next, Designation Priorities and Draft 2023 Workplan This was deferred from the February 13 meeting and has been altered in the last month.
Two items were removed from the list due to a member's conflict of interest, and another was taken off. The ones taken off the list are the yellow highlighted ones under the Top 11. Greens are new suggested picks by staff. 
A list of questions for the committee to consider:
Background research will be done on all the picks on the list, but staff needs the committee's guidance for somewhere to begin.
Once member asks if they should be looking at Catholic Hill, on whole, as a risk with the spires taken down from the Basilica. Does it make sense to put St. Agnes on the list and leave off the other buildings.
Victoria Nagy, Heritage Planner, says that the's less risk to the other buildings because they're all in use. The spires were removed because they were a safety hazard. Jack Mallon, Heritage Planner, notes that there was a tree growing out of one of the spires.
Mallon also adds that a safety hazard would negate the designation, they had to come down. He also said that the Church didn't have the money to repair them (?).
Stephen Robinson, Senior Heritage Planner, says that staff are looking to help the Diocese to get to the point that the spires can be restored, and that they're also working with them for options on preserving and re-sig St. Agnes. Discussions are ongoing.
Member asks if a heritage designation affect discussions? Robinson says it would actually be helpful in determining the exact heritage attributes. Cllr Downer adds that it will force a conversation, even though there still needs to be an HCD up there.
Downer asks about 67 Queen, that's the Hassenfratz house yes? It is. Downer asks that the house is pretty protected at the moment, does it make sense to chase HD? Mallon says having home owner support makes process smooth. No trip to the OLT.
Member asks if it would make sense to open the doors to owners of listed properties to get their HD? Robinson says they have been looking at that idea, but there are 1,700 total properties on the list. A big task in any event b/c people may have detailed questions.
Member Abou-Jaoude asks if there any outside motivations for property owners to get their HD, loans for example. Robinson says there presently isn't a financial incentive available, but there was a recommendation for just such a thing in the Cultural Heritage Action Plan (CHAP).
Robinson says financial incentives is a good discussion, but the one they want to have today is to prioritise this list, where to begin, what's the most in danger... Some of these properties will still exist in 5 years. (He's an optimist.)
Epps asks which of the ones outside the top 8 are the most at risk? Nagy says they can only comment on the ones in the public record. Clair-Maltby properties part of a separate process at OLT right now about 2ndary plan.
49 Metcalfe is a good example about need because you can literally see the deterioration. 108 Queen meanwhile, b/c the owners are doing the upkeep, is probably better protected. Mallon adds Gordon St properties may be vulnerable b/c of intensification demands.
Epps ties to refocus on the list, anything on the list that doesn't focus on settler perspective? One member asks for a background sheet on the properties on the list to better understand the risks.
What about downtown properties? Nagy says again that the request for tenure for the downtown HCD hasn't gone out yet, might come in around April. Many of the properties committee is concerned about be covered as part of that HCD.
Will the HCD fit in the timeline? Nagy says the HCD for downtown should go quickly because of how much information there is now about many of the individual buildings. Can get it done by 2025. Parts 1 and 2? Yes.
Mallon adds that they can come back to committee with more details about the list. Epps suggests a motion to make 49 Metcalfe a priority. Downer says should would support that though she can't technically vote.
Nagy suggests moving with the 8 on the list, plus the addition of 49 Metcalfe. Staff can start the backgrounds. Downer says they should look at saving the row houses that are 15-23 Fountain Street too, as Mallon notes that would fall outside downtown HCD.
Motion to approve the original top 8 plus Metcalfe and Fountain addresses approved.
Next item, Staff Report: Intention to Designate 65 Delhi Street. Robinson will present.
This is the old isolation hospital at 65 Delhi that will soon become the new Wellington County temporary supportive housing project, one of the original four priority designations announced by heritage staff in December.
The isolation hospital was one of the last buildings designed by W.T. Tanner, who mostly did residential buildings in town. Robinson notes how little of the external front of the building has changed in 100 years.
Tanner also designed his own house, which still stands on Oxford Street.
The building ticks off all three criteria for heritage designation. Here's why and the list of attributes:
This report will be presented at council's April 18 meeting. If council supports that means the Notice to Designate will be issued.
Tilley asks if the curved windows should be on the list of heritage attributes since Robinson highlighted them in the presentation. Robinson admits it seems like an oversight and will adjust.
Abou-Jaoude asks if the County is in support of the designation, and Robinson says they are. He does not that there will be some changes to the interior elements, but things like the staircase will be preserved.
There was a presentation at the January social services committee by the architect designing the supportive housing project. That was covered in the Politico recap: guelphpolitico.ca/2023/01/11/rec…
Recommendation from staff:
Motion is approved. That brings us to the last item: Staff Report: Intention to Designate 49 Norfolk Street.
AKA: The Albion!
AKA: The Albion!
Editor's note: Literally the first time I've heard the Albion referred to as "The Bino".
Fun fact: In 1843, there was one bar in Guelph for every 78 people. 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
You thought downtown night life was bad now... (each dot is a bar).
Attributes:
Nagy wasn't able to get inside the building for the heritage assessment, so she had to make notes based on "past patronage." She doesn't believe there's anything original let inside due to extensive renovations over the years/centuries.
The sign's been there since 1945, btw.
Nagy says the hope is to bring this forward to council in June for the Notice of Intent to Designate.
Nagy is asked if she's been able to get in touch with the owner and she says that she's been unable to reach him. Hopes that the public process might shake something loose.
Downer feels compelled to add that the number of hotels in Guelph was due to the fact we were a junction for farmers bringing produce and live-stock to market, and later the original Royal Winter Fair.
Downer also notes that there's no picture of Mary P. Thompson who owned the hotel for 50 years since 1922 and was the longest ongoing owner. Wanted to make a point of that in the wake of #InternationalWomensDay last week.
Nagy is asked if she's hopeful about getting inside. She says she is hopeful, understands that there's some construction going on inside, but wanted to bring it forward because there's heritage value in the exterior alone.
Can you add interior notes after it's designated? Yes, it can be amended after approval.
Epps asks if there's a report for this or is the recommendation just based on the presentation. Mallon apologizes because it was attached to the first agenda but not the amended agenda. Nagy says a deferral is fine because it will still give time to get to council in June.
Motion to defer this motion passes unanimously.
Staff announcements? Robinson responds to report about the wood bridge in the OR Lands: guelphtoday.com/local-news/his…
It was hard to make out what Robinson said, but it sounded like they're talking to the Province and will be bringing an update to Heritage. Downer says the Hiking Trail Club is working on their own appeal, so maybe reach out to them too.
Why are they looking at this right now? Robinson says they've been discussing the idea of risk, and it may be that the structural integrity is being discussed. Bridges have to go through structural engineering analysis every two years. Infrastructure Ontario trying to learn more.
It's mentioned that this could be placed on the agenda for the next HG meeting for a full discussion.
Mallon says that they're starting to receive requests for demos of places from the Couling list like 21 Dublin (corner of Essex). Previously, this would have been brought to committee for consideration, but they can't anymore post-Bill 23. Mallon calls it "frustrating."
Downer notes that these are going to be matters for Committee of Adjustment.
Nagy has confirmed that the RFP for the Downtown HCD has been posted. Also, on April 26 there will be a public talk about the findings of the Baker archaeological investigation, so stay tuned for that notice.
That's a wrap for this Heritage Guelph meet...
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