Heritage Permit Review Subcommittee Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Heritage Permit Review Subcommittee considered several heritage permit applications on May 19, 2026, including facade repairs at 19 Mill Street South in Flamborough, restoration work at heritage properties in Hamilton, Dundas and Flamborough, and a revised application for McMaster University's Alumni Hall. Members also discussed the condition of a long-vacant building in the Mill Street Heritage Conservation District and received an update on a review of the heritage permit process that could allow some routine applications to be delegated to staff.

Topics Discussed

• 19 MILL STREET SOUTH REPAIRS (HP 202616): The subcommittee reviewed a permit for facade repairs required under a property standards order at 19 Mill Street South in the Mill Street Heritage Conservation District. The work includes stucco repairs, infill of holes, fascia repair or replacement, and repairs to cracking at the base of the building. During discussion, community member Devon Thompson reported broken glass in a gable window, which staff said would be flagged to the property standards officer. Staff said final details of the facade repairs and masonry specifications must be submitted before work begins, and any masonry restoration must conform to city guidelines.

• VACANT HERITAGE BUILDING CONDITIONS IN MILL STREET DISTRICT: Members discussed another long-vacant building in the district and whether anything could be done about its appearance and condition. Committee member Andy questioned whether the owner, Atri Transportation School Busing, had plans for the property. He also questioned whether a boarded-up building could remain that way for years in a heritage district, noting "it hasn't had anything in it for over a decade." Alyssa Golden, Cultural Heritage Program Lead, said staff had no planning applications or redevelopment proposals on file for the site. Staff added that boarded windows painted black are permitted under the property standards bylaw for vacant designated heritage buildings and that such properties are monitored through the vacant building registry.

• MASONRY AND RESTORATION APPLICATIONS APPROVED: The subcommittee approved several restoration permits. For HP 202614, staff described work including masonry repairs and restoration details. Chair Steve called for a motion "to recommend approval of heritage permit uh 202614 subject to these staff recommended conditions." The subcommittee also approved HP 2026-013 for restoration work at 7 John Street East in Flamborough, and HP 202226013 for restoration at the Gart Shore Building, 64 Hatt Street, Dundas. For the Dundas property, staff described the work as including the "restoration of 24 fixed wood windows including reglazing using linseed oil glazing compounds retaining original glass where possible."

• MCMASTER ALUMNI HALL WORK (HP 202615): The subcommittee approved a revised scope of work for 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, at McMaster University's Alumni Hall. The approved work includes refinishing parquet floors, painting plaster, refinishing interior wood elements, replacing a wood handrail system, and limited exterior work including a second-storey window assembly replacement and masonry repairs. Applicant Ed Shook clarified that coffered ceiling work mentioned in the written description was not part of the current application.

• HERITAGE PERMIT PROCESS REVIEW: Staff updated the subcommittee on a broader review of the heritage permit process. Alyssa Golden said staff would consult next month on "a list of some types of applications that potentially could be delegated directly to staff without the subcommittee having to review." Staff said the goal is to bring forward recommended changes before the next term of council and the next term of the subcommittee "so we're sort of starting fresh at that point."

Motions

• HP 202616 - 19 Mill Street South, Flamborough: Approved unanimously, with conditions requiring final details of facade repairs and specifications before work commences and requiring masonry restoration to conform to city guidelines.
• HP 202614 - 120 St. Clair Avenue, Hamilton: Approved unanimously, with a completion deadline of May 31, 2028 and conditions requiring compliance with masonry restoration guidelines and submission of final details before work begins.
• HP 202615 - 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton (McMaster University, Alumni Hall): Approved unanimously, with conditions requiring submission of the proposed stain, final railing design details, and masonry specifications before commencement.
• HP 202226013 - Gart Shore Building, 64 Hatt Street, Dundas: Approved. The notes provided do not include the recorded vote.
• HP 2026-013 - 7 John Street East, Flamborough: Approved unanimously, with conditions requiring masonry work to conform to city guidelines and final details and specifications to be submitted before alterations begin.
• HP 2026127 - John Street East, Flamborough: Approved with no opposition, with conditions including an August 31, 2029 completion deadline, submission of final window, siding, and roofing details, and required demolition and building permits.

Attendees

The full list of councillors or committee members present was not provided in the notes.

Individuals identified in the meeting notes include: - Alyssa Golden, Cultural Heritage Program Lead - Devon Thompson, community member - Andy, committee member - Elizabeth Nami, applicant - Ed Shook, applicant - Steve, chair