Thread by @adamadonaldson

Coming up at noon, it's this month's Heritage Guelph Meeting. This is what's on the plate this month: guelphpolitico.ca/2023/06/30/mee…

Chair Epp calls the meeting to order.

No Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof.

Minutes from the June meeting approved.

First item up, 131 Ontario Street: Heritage Attributes and Designation Recommendation. This is Tytler Public School if you can't identify it by address.

Jack Mallon, Heritage Planner, says that he's been working on this with the Upper Grand District School Board since December, and hopes this can be a model for future designations with strong collaborations between owner and City.

Designation attributes cover the 1906, 1912 and 1921 exterior attributes. Mallon say this was done so as to allow UGDSB to make accessibility changes inside. Also, 1960s additions aren't heritage-y enough.

There are two delegates for this item starting with Ruchika Angrish, manager of planning for the UGDSB. She says they're pleased with the outcome of the report, and thanks City staff for the work.

There are some process questions going back and forth. Cllr Downer notes that there are no background docs attached and Mallon notes that they were brought to the committee last month. Downer notes that all material should be attached so they don't have to send people looking.

Member Shelly asks if there was a reason not to include the facade around the entrance. Mallon says there's nothing too specific to note, but any changes will still require a heritage permit. Shelly says "build form" just sounds too broad.

Shelly asks if the stone at the bottom of the building is included. Mallon says it's not, but the stone is part of the foundation, so it's likely that no one will be fiddling with that stone work.

Recommendation:

The recommendation passes unanimously.

Next, 49 Metcalfe Street: Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report aka: the Dario Pagani House. You might recognize it:

Deets:

Art Moderne architecture is rare in Ontario, and more visible in places like Florida and San Francisco. Mallon notes that this may be the *only* example of Art Moderne in Guelph, and one of the few examples in all of Ontario.

Fun fact, 49 Metcalfe was originally 79 Metcalfe. 🤷‍♂️

Mallon says the house meets five out of nine criteria, especially the landmark one, which is a rarity for a residential property, but it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Feedback from property owner? Mallon says that he's left a letter for the property owner and they're hopeful they'll hear back.

Mallon is asked about cultural attributes. He says that its notable that Pagani, an Italian immigrant, settled in the St George's n'hood & not the Ward, where most of the Italian newcomers ended up, especially in the 1930s w/ the rise of fascist Italy and anti-Italian sentiment.

Tilley says that this would be prime opportunity for some heritage grants since the outside of the building could use a facelift. Mallon points to a Hamilton Art Moderne building that was in worse condition before being restored.

Motion approved:

Lastly, 211 Silvercreek Parkway: Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report. aka: The Manor. aka: The Sleeman House.

Sleeman Brewing and Malting Company was gone by the 1950s and then resurrected by John Sleeman in 1988 to new and greater success.

Notable contribution of George Sleeman was a streetcar system that brought people from downtown Guelph to the brewery, but it was never *financially* successful.

That house on the left above was the originally Sleeman Home. He decided to build a new home in 1890 and the original home was demolished.

Victoria Nagy, Heritage Planner, notes that the veranda was one of the first things to go when the Sleeman's lost the house. It was also one of the first homes in Guelph to have all electric light.

Obviously, there's been some changes in last 70 years.

The Sleeman House meets five of the nine criteria:

Member Corman asks if the owner's been involved at all. Nagy says she has also send them a letter but has not heard back. Senior Heritage Planner Robinson has apparently had conversations with the owner previously.

Member Abou-Jaoude asks about pictures from the interior. Nagy says there was a site visit 10 years ago, but can't say if the interior attributes are still intact like a pair of oak doors.

Nagy adds that some portions of the old building are still in use. The second floor is apartments, and the original stair case is still used, but not accessible to the public.

Nagy is asked about the participation of the Sleeman family. She says that there's nothing active right now, but they would love to get them onboard and they have participated in historical research in the past. Downer says the family might have photos.

Epp asks if they can access to the interior, can the designation include interior attributes. Nagy says she's not sure. Downer again says that there might be a surprising number of features inside that have been maintained. Nagy says it will depend on convos with owner.

Recommendation approved:

Announcements:
-Ward West study: Staff are determining the timeline now.
-Next heritage designation is up at council tomorrow. Appeal period for Albion ends next week.
-Downtown HCD study is beginning, meeting biweekly. Update coming in Sept, public session late Sept

There is a placeholder meeting in August, but typically Heritage Guelph doesn't meet that month. It will depend on the timelines though.

Otherwise, that's the end of Heritage Guelph business for this month.

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