Built Heritage Committee Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Built Heritage Committee on June 9, 2026 considered heritage funding, designation reports, heritage conservation district matters, and a demolition-related designation request. The committee approved a feasibility study for the McDonald Garden Park Heritage Conservation District, carried the designation of 60 Fairmont Avenue, deferred the Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District item to July 14 to allow new notice to property owners, supported designation of five James Strutt-designed properties, approved a heritage permit for 275 Hillcrest Road, adopted the Bank Street Heritage Conservation District plan, and carried a motion to bring forward designation of 575 Island Park Crescent to Council on June 10 after a demolition permit application was filed.

Topics Discussed

1. Heritage funding programs and eligibility

Staff said the heritage improvement program is expanding beyond Centretown to additional urban neighbourhoods. In response to Councillor Ariel Troster, staff said money already allocated to Centretown would stay there: "We would exhaust the existing budget that we have for Centertown and then presuming that there are future budget allocations to the program, it would apply to the expanded area."

Staff also said Category 3 buildings are now eligible for grants alongside Category 1 and 2 properties, with applications to be assessed using a rubric tied to cultural heritage attributes. Work to non-contributing elements would not qualify.

2. 275 Hillcrest Road heritage permit

The committee approved a heritage permit application for 275 Hillcrest Road in the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District. The proposal includes demolition of the existing house and construction of a new two-storey dwelling, with the driveway relocated to Montagu Place, a three-car integral garage, and revised landscaping.

Staff said the existing building had limited cultural heritage value and that the replacement building met district guidelines. No further public comments were reported after notice and consultation.

3. Heritage designations: James Strutt properties and 60 Fairmont Avenue

The committee supported designation of five properties designed by Ottawa architect James Strutt under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Staff tied the work to the January 1, 2027 Bill 23 deadline, saying listed properties not designated by then will be removed from the heritage register: "all properties listed on the register will be removed, on January 1st, 2027, unless they are designated before that time."

Staff said the five recommended properties "were identified as significant examples that illustrate the range, evolution, and lasting impact of Strut's contributions to modernist architecture in Ottawa." Councillor Theresa Kavanagh called the package "a thematic application" that protects "the work of a wonderful and a great architect," adding that Strutt "spent his career thinking about how buildings should serve people, how they should respond to the land, create community, and endure."

Discussion included Trinity United Church at 1099 Maitland Avenue, where church representatives asked for more time. Councillor Clarke Kelly said the city had generally been able to work with applicants facing financial constraints: "we've never been in a situation where… due to financial restrictions… we haven't been able to find a solution with them." Councillor Laine Johnson said designation "actually increases the ability of the owner to benefit from financial incentives that the city is making available."

The committee also carried designation of 60 Fairmont Avenue, a 1931 apartment building.

4. Heritage conservation districts: Golden Triangle, Bank Street and McDonald Garden Park

The committee deferred the Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District designation and plan adoption item to the July 14, 2026 meeting. Councillor Jeff Leiper moved the deferral "to allow time for a new public notice to be provided to property owners within the proposed HCD."

The committee also adopted the Bank Street Heritage Conservation District plan. Staff said "the new plan is intended to set clear expectations for the heritage permit process and provide more certainty for owners and applicants."

The McDonald Garden Park Heritage Conservation District feasibility study was carried without objection.

5. 575 Island Park Crescent designation brought forward urgently

The committee carried a motion to bring forward designation of 575 Island Park Crescent to Council on June 10 after a demolition permit application was filed for the property, which is used as the Ethiopian ambassador's residence.

Staff said the property meets four of nine criteria for designation and recommended a notice of intention to designate under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Heritage staff told the committee, "Unfortunately, I think at this point we've reached a bit of an impasse," and said designation was being recommended "to recognize its cultural heritage value and prevent its demolition."

The owner's representative argued the house had deteriorated badly, saying it "has not received the level of maintenance and investment necessary to preserve its integrity over the past 30 years" and is "structurally unsound." But Councillor Jeff Leiper said independent expert evidence indicated "some of this building can be retained and adapted and reused," and Councillor Clarke Kelly said the Ontario Heritage Act's direction that the city "shall immediately consider" designation when a heritage property is threatened "was written for exactly this type of situation."

Staff said that if Council issues the notice of intention to designate, there will be a 30-day objection period.

Motions

• McDonald Garden Park Heritage Conservation District feasibility study — Carried without objection
• Designation of 60 Fairmont Avenue under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act — Carried; rises to Council on June 24, 2026
• Designation package for five James Strutt properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act — Carried at committee; rises to Council on June 24, 2026
• Golden Triangle Heritage Conservation District designation and plan adoption — Deferred to the Built Heritage Committee meeting on July 14, 2026
• Adoption of the Bank Street Heritage Conservation District Plan — Carried
• Heritage permit application for 275 Hillcrest Road — Carried
• Notice of intention to designate 575 Island Park Crescent under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act / motion to rise to Council on June 10, 2026 — Carried

Attendees

The notes provided identify the following councillors as present or speaking: - Councillor Ariel Troster - Councillor Jeff Leiper - Councillor Laine Johnson - Councillor Clarke Kelly - Councillor Theresa Kavanagh - Councillor Riley Brockington

The full attendance list was not included in the provided material.