Heritage Oakville Unanimously Recommends Designating Three Properties

Heritage Oakville unanimously recommended issuing notices of intention to designate three properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act: 14 Timberlane, 176 Chisholm Street and 3275 Rebecca Street. The recommendation will go to Oakville Town Council on September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Formal designation by-laws could follow in late November or early December.

Staff member Kristen said, "The three properties we're bringing forward today are 14 Timberlane or the William and Lucy Spears House, 176 Chisholm Street or the Blackwood House, and the Hixon Morton Stone silo that's at 3275 Rebecca Street. So staff have completed a cultural heritage evaluation report for each property which are attached in the appendices and have worked with the property owners on these designations and the recommendation today is to designate them under part four of the Ontario Heritage Act." Staff evaluated the properties under Ontario Regulation 9/06 and worked with the owners on the proposed designations.

Topics Discussed

• Three properties recommended for heritage designation: The properties are the William and Lucy Spears House at 14 Timberlane, the Blackwood House at 176 Chisholm Street and the Hixon-Morton Stone Silo at 3275 Rebecca Street.

• 3275 Rebecca Street stone silo: Staff identified the silo as Oakville's only remaining stone silo. Built with local river shale, lake stone and field stone, it reflects the area's agricultural history from the 1830s to the 1950s. The adjacent farmhouse was excluded from the proposed designation because it had been altered significantly over time.

• Archaeological and Indigenous history: Staff noted the Rebecca Street property's archaeological potential and its connections to historical Indigenous encampments and fishing locations used by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation along Bronte Creek.

• Property alterations and restoration: Renovations at 14 Timberlane include a south-side addition and a rebuilt front porch. During the work, the owners determined that horizontal wood siding—not stucco—had been the original exterior cladding and restored the siding. At 176 Chisholm Street, the rear addition is not expected to alter the exterior of the original house.

• Silo maintenance concerns: The committee discussed repairs to the silo that used modern cement rather than traditional lime mortar. Members questioned how the cement could affect the structure over time. Staff said the mortar would need to be monitored and that future restoration should use appropriate materials.

Motions

• Notice of Intention to Designate Three Properties Under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act — Passed unanimously. The motion recommended notices of intention to designate:
  • 14 Timberlane — The William and Lucy Spears House
  • 176 Chisholm Street — The Blackwood House
  • 3275 Rebecca Street — The Hixon-Morton Stone Silo

Councillor Jonathan McNeice moved the motion. The recommendation will be considered by Town Council on September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees

The provided meeting information lists the following councillors:

• Peter Longo
• Nav Nanda
• Jonathan McNeice
• Cathy Duddeck
• Marc Grant
• Janet Haslett-Theall
• Natalia Lishchyna
• Jeff Knoll
• Allan Elgar
• Dave Gittings
• Sean O'Meara
• Ray Chisholm
• Rob Burton