Transcript: Heritage Committee End-of-Term Achievements - Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee - April 14, 2026 | Summary 793

Heritage Committee End-of-Term Achievements - Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee - April 14, 2026

Okay. All right. Good evening everyone. Uh welcome to your uh April Heritage Advisory Committee meeting. Hello. Welcome. Uh okay. So we we have some folks in the audience which is wonderful on this beautiful day. Thanks for making it out. Uh let's get started with a land acknowledgement. Grimby is situated on treaty land. This land is steeped in the rich history of the first nations such as the Harender Rock, the Hanesi and the Anesnab including the Missagas of the Credit First Nation. There are many First Nations, Matei and Inuit people from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The regional municipality of Niagara and Grimby stand with all indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live. Thank you. Okay. Do we have any disclosures of pecuinary interest tonight? Seeing shakes of heads, so that's a that's a no. We'll move on then to um to the approval of the agenda. So, we all took a a look at the agenda today. Uh, any questions or comments? So, we are good then to u proceed with our resolution. I reser resolved that the April 14th, 2026 Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee agenda be approved. I will need a mover for this. Councelor Christi and a seconder, Councelor DeFlavio. All in favor? Okay, that's carried. Great. Thank you. And then moving on to the minutes for March 10th. We all took a look at the minutes uh from last month. Any questions or comments regarding the minutes? Any issues? I don't see anyone saying anything. So, okay, we'll move on then to uh the receipt of previous minutes. A resolution that the uh Grimby Heritage Advisory Committee minutes for March 10th, 2026 be received. I'll need a mover. We have Amy and a seconder, Councelor Christi, and all in favor. That's carried. Wonderful. Thank you. Okay. Uh All right. So, we're going to start with a verbal update. Bianca will be sharing our endofter term accomplishments, which I'm very excited to see. So, go ahead, Bianca, when you're ready. Thank you. Through the chair, Mike, do you mind sharing the screen? Okay. So, um that time is coming again where we acknowledge some of our accomplishments um as we approach the end of this term of council. Um so, typically uh these presentations are made to the standing committees and then the standing committee uh chair will give an update to council. Um so Sarah is going to be doing the presentation to uh planning committee. Um, and we wanted to bring I put together like a draft here tonight of some of the things that I'm thinking would be a good idea to include. Um, but we wanted to consult the committee um, if there's other things we wanted to feature in it. Um, and we can also like adjust the slides and stuff. Um, so um, yeah. So the first slide, this kind of touches on um, some of the pieces that we've been doing. So this is um this one has highlighted the development of the property grant. Um the awarding of 13 heritage property grants since the start of running that program. Um we also have the uh appointment of the grant selection committee. We have uh the development of our new tax relief program. I also highlighted in here that we've had 26 heritage property t uh property um tax relief rebates issued. Um we also have the development of our insurance toolkit. Um and then I also put in here the development of our heritage property owner toolkit. Um which kind of has all of these documents built right into it. And it's kind of like a a file that we share with the property owners that has all the different topics. We've talked about everything from insurance, property sale, um selling a heritage property, the rebate program, the property uh grants. That's what that toolkit encompasses. Um and then I've also featured on this slide like mapping project. Um and then just some like graphics of the um the programs and the the map. And then um this slide is to feature all the designation work that we've done. Um so I've included on the slide um mentioned that the town is undergoing this uh heritage resource review. Um I put in there that we wanted to extend a special thank you to the heritage property owners for their commitment to preserving these important buildings. Um I've included in here that we've uh protected both Main Street East and Main Street West um through this work. Um, I've noted that we've started part 4 designation uh for 63 uh buildings and we've completed the designation process on 49 of those properties. Um, and I also noted that of the 49, 47 um were implemented without appeal to the land tribunal. And then I've put in here that there's been 200 plus consultations just on designations alone. Um, and then in the background I had all of the sites that we've designated uh in this term of council. And then the next slide, this one kind of features on some of our really cool projects that we've been doing. Um, so the top left there, that's um an article that we wrote about the importance of um collaboration amongst departments and we featured the unique situation in Grimby Beach. Um, and so that went into the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals in their uh, footings uh, newsletter. I didn't put it on the slide, but I can. We also were featured in Municipal World um, where it was talking about how we're using heritage and adaptive reuse for the preservation of buildings. So, that might be something else we want to include. Um, I also have our uh event at 35 Victoria Terrace where we were all invited uh to see the interior of the building before the restoration work started. I have the rendering of 133 Main Street East which the committee was involved in um quite a bit. And then I also have uh the plans there for 35 Victoria Terrace and 25th Street on the slide. And then I've also included our new archaeological warning clause uh with the town's lighter letter letterhead. Um and then I also added in the data. So in this term of council, the committee has provided guidance on 64 different uh projects which I think is pretty cool. Um we also uh conducted over 500 consultations with property owners. Um we also have in there um that to date since March 2025 we've completed over 170 archaeological assessments. Um we have uh so those assessments are reviewing basically every development application and every building permit application that comes in. Um we also um I put in there that we were recognized through those articles. I also mentioned that we navigated through four different legislative changes that affected the heritage act. Um and I also put in there we trained uh heritage committees across the Niagara region and um I already mentioned the archaeological assessment. Um the other one I was thinking about adding was the introduction of the um Niagara Heritage Planners Network that we've kind of established and our monthly meetings that we um have put in place. That was really to kind of navigate all the inquiries we were getting from other municipalities. So I think that's an accomplishment of like the packages we've put together that um other municipalities were reaching out to us to say like we really like what you've done. Um, so that's kind of what I have uh so far, but I wanted to open up to the committee to see if they um wanted to talk about these accomplishments because it's been like it's it's really significant what we've uh accomplished. Um but also I I think everyone might have some thoughts. So that's what I have so far. Thanks Bianca. It's really exciting to see all the accomplishments in, you know, numbers uh on a few slides and I know uh it doesn't quite do to justice all of the work that that that you know you put into to this over over the past few years. So, so thank you to the heritage planning team. Uh any any comments or questions from from the committee about things to add or things to clarify? Yes, counci. Thank you through chair. I would definitely add the article for municipal world. I think um one you should be proud of it and two um talking about you know the recycling of different materials and stuff it might actually um just make other homeowners aware that this is something that you can do that it's valuable to do so it kind of opens the door to that conversation so I think that would be a great idea I also think adding the networking uh the networking thing is is a good important thing to do as well too but um fantastic job it's this is fantastic to see I know that a lot of work has been done. Uh very proud of the committee and and staff and I hope that this presentation can go on the town um social media so that the public can see everything that's done um one so they can appreciate the time and effort that staff and committee have put in but it might encourage people to want to join u committee next time as well too. Thank you. Uh any any other comments or questions? things to add. Uh so I I also do agree about adding the Niagara Heritage Planners Network. I think it shows an element of collaboration that's really exciting to see across the region. Um, when I when you you mentioned the the heritage grant program, which is really exciting and and I thought it might be a good idea to to note the total amount in that fund during this council, you know, in hopes that maybe that might expand in in future budgets. Um, and I did mention I I might I made notes as you were typing. So, I definitely think it's a good idea that we, you know, communicate the education we provided for designations across the region as well. Um, I think I would like to see I don't know, you mentioned like having to navigate the different bills that have come through and how that's impacted the the Ontario Heritage Act. So, if there's a way to like really emphasize that all that we've accomplished despite what has happened with the Heritage Act and having to navigate through that and going through all the legislation and then having to make changes. I know that was a huge stress on the committee, on the planning staff across the region, and that's why things like the heritage planners network is now here, right? Um, so I don't know if there's another way to kind of say that, but I think it's worth mentioning that, you know, all these accomplishments were despite all of these massive changes to the to the Heritage Act this year, but it's really really great to see. Um, so thank you and and I do love the idea of putting it on the website or social media or doing something with with those stats because it's it's pretty impressive for sure. Yes, Councelor DeFabio. Thank you, Chair. Uh, I don't want to belabor it, but I think that it's important that we acknowledge and thank our staff uh in this case because I I'd love to take credit for this, but we're just here voting on things like, uh, Bianca, Michael, Garrett, uh, planning staff, and the Grimby Historical Archive as well. All of those people have done a lot of work in the background and put together these incredible presentations. uh all the things that that have been done uh the members of the committee that put the map together, all everybody. So, just like a big thank you on behalf of the council members here and the council members that aren't here to everybody that was involved in all that uh because everything that has been accomplished has been as a result of people's hard work. It's not and that should be acknowledged. Thanks. And just if just if I could add to councelor DeFlavio, heritage really matters and certainly the town of Grimby right from its residents, its council and its staff prove that heritage matters and it's something that that we have to push to the province and never stop pushing to the province. That it it's something once it's gone, it's gone. And uh um I know I I lo I I lost my battle on Patton Street and uh and it was unfortunate and that house is gone and it's a parking lot now. Uh but we were able to recycle from it and that's another way to to preserve it. But um keeping the buildings intact is is a much better way in my opinion to to do it. And I just commend everyone here around this table and staff uh for the hard work that that is never ending. Right, Bianca? Thank you so much for for all of these really great words. Yes, councelor Christie, go ahead. Thank you, Chair. perhaps then a slide at the very end. Uh that thanks all our partners uh the historical society uh the museum and um perhaps uh families um because of the families that have contributed to the uh family history for some of the designations as well and giving a shout out to just uh um them and and a lot of our other partners would be great. That's a great idea. I really like that. Thank you. And I guess Veronica, go ahead. Sorry, I just thought of a couple other things, too. Um, so I have the Municipal World article. I was also thinking we are like one of the few municipalities that start all of our reports with the indigenous history. So, I think we should put that in that we've developed that. I also think um I like your points. I think we need to highlight um as another like big accomplishment is the strong relationship we've made with the Grizzby Historical Society. I know they featured that in their article as well. So, we'll put another button for that. Um, I have the network the bill changes part you had mentioned. I like the slide of just thank yous. I had that too. Um, and then you guys were talking about the um recirculation of heritage materials rather than adding up adding it ending up in the landfill. Um, so we've now introduced that as conditions. So, that's like a new thing since this term. So, we can also add that one in. Um, and even when we say that like the building's approved for demolition, we always still say like that adaptive reuse be considered even though it didn't meet the threshold or or whatever. Um, so I think that covers some of them, but if anyone thinks of anything as well post this meeting, um, we can definitely work that into the presentation. Um, oh, and the other thing I was thinking is maybe we can also feature like before this term of council, we didn't really celebrate Heritage Week where I feel like we've really started celebrating it both like with the staff but with the community as well. So, I think we can put that in there as well and the restoration of artifacts from the museum. We did a bunch of those, too. Okay, I'll put that in. Wow, it really is a never- ending list. This is awesome. Yeah, I love I love that idea. even celebrating Heritage Week, you know, working with the library to put out the book displays. Uh, so I definitely I would add the library to that list of partners as well. That's awesome. It's really great great ideas and great feedback. Everyone, thank you so much. And of course, if you think of anything after after the fact too, just send an email and uh we can add it to to the presentation for sure. But this is a really great start and thank you for putting the initial presentation together. That's awesome. Uh, okay. If there's no other comments or or questions, I'll move on to it's the resolution for this. Uh, all right. Resolved that the end of term accomplishments be received. A mover. Mayor Jordan. Can the mayor vote? Yes. No. Okay. I'm sorry. As much as I want to include you in this, I know. Thank you, Councelor Nelio. Yeah, of course. I don't need a second as well, please. That council Christian. Awesome. All in favor? That's great. Thank you. Uh, okay. Wonderful. Thank you. That great news story to start the meeting. I love it. I love it. Okay. Um, let's move on to the memorandum. Uh Bianca is going to uh share a bit about the um Ontario Archaeology Program and the ERRO comments. So uh go ahead. Uh thank you through the chair. Um so this was released on March 6th, 2026. Um and we only had 30 days to provide comments. So staff provided some comments. Um and so I'm just providing you with um the information that we sent to them. I'll just give a quick summary. Um so as noted in the uh memo uh the m the uh town of Grimby took over archaeological review on March 31st 2025 as a part of um the changes introduced um that uh effectively brought planning down to the lower tier municipality. Um and so because of that we took on archaeology. Um the archaeology uh process is implemented through the Niagara region's archaeological master plan or sorry management plan. Um and that document is enforced through um the regional official plan that became the town's official plan. So until we get our new official plan, we have two the regions and then ours. Um, as I noted in the previous uh PowerPoint, we've completed um over 135 archaeological assessments um to date since that time. And then based on that experience is how we provided our comments. Um and so some of the main changes were um limited scoped assessments um and partial clearances. Um so for the limited scope assessments uh we provided a case study because a lot of our archaeological uh potential properties are up on the escarment and I gave an an example of one that was6 hectare sorry 6 acres um but the work was under uh 90 square meters and it was an addition and so basically when someone has like a project that large it's up it's up to the um archaeologist and the ministry to create like a scoped area or to provide um limited assessment. Uh there's no process where the municipalities involved. That's entirely done through the ministry. Um, so this is to provide more guidance on that. And in our comments, we requested that that process be shared with the municipality so that when we're having these discussions with property owners and letting them know these are required, if there's an application they need to fill out or forms, we're able to give them that and also understand how this works. Um and we also asked for more opportunities for education between the ministry um archaeologists and the town um so that we can better uh support property owners. Um so we thought that that was really important for Grimby because we had so many properties up on the escarment that are mapped. Um partial clearance um was also something that we were supportive of based on the success we've had with um our cultural heritage properties. So, we haven't had any properties that have had a partial clearance for archaeology just yet. So, essentially that's where they clear certain part parts of the town uh the land and say this area is okay to do work in uh where the areas that are still being assessed they would have like buffering off and they would continue to do their assessments. So, they're standardizing what that buffer is which better protects the cultural heritage. So, we were supportive of that. Um but we just spoke to how we've seen where we have like cultural assets and the appropriate temporary protection plans in place how they can successfully uh run concurrently. Uh so we were supportive of that approach and again we requested that we um be provided with an opportunity to give that to the property owners right when they um make their applications and um that way we could support and then again other opportunities for education. Um and then there was um some um references to the um archaeologists compliance and their standards um that they be updated. And so um we deferred to them the specialists on what that should actually look like. Um but we did request again more opportunities for us to have education and learn more about um those standards and guidelines. And then um yeah, we just we said that we think that this will help balance development while ensuring invaluable cultural resources are being preserved. Um so yeah, that's pretty much um what the memo um covered, but if anyone has any specific questions, happy to answer those. Thank you. And thank you for that, Bianca. Are there any questions or comments from the committee? Okay. Um, I'm glad that you're requesting for more education and guidance on this because it seems quite I don't know the fact that this was a respons responsibility of the region only until last year and now there's all these changes and I feel like we haven't had much time with with the current process. So, I'm glad that uh I think more education guideline guidance will be good for municipalities for sure. I am curious when you when you mentioned the 135 reviews like did they merit the assessments like were there findings? Do you find that is that why like the defined project area makes more sense cuz it's so like rather than the whole property? I'm just more curious uh through the chair. So that's one of the reasons why we wanted to include the case study because we have a lot of applications that go through a minor variance and a minor variance is a planning act application. So it triggers the assessment requirements and so the AM which is the archaeological management plan from the region has extremely limited scoping. So if you're building something larger than square 32 square meters that's not like on slab on grade or below ground anything bigger than that. And so 32 square m slab on grade is permitted without an archeological assessment. Anything bigger on grade requires an assessment and anything below grade from like under 32 square meters is required. So most applications require it. Um so it's kind of I've heard it both ways that like some archaeologists are open to scoping and they don't make them do the entire like this one was6 acres and it was like a 86 square meter project. Um, so some of them are open to it, but there's not like an actual process for us to have for them to follow. Um, and then for building permits, they technically don't trigger the planning act. So, uh, for those ones, if they're in an area of potential, we provide the warning clause, so property owners are aware that something can be found and then it basically tells them what to do if they find something. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I find that the archaeology stuff is is new to me, so it's great to have a little bit of context. Thank you. Uh, okay. Any any other comments or questions on this one? Okay, we'll move on then. Um, oh, here it is. Uh, resolved that the information memorandum for ERO Comments Ontario's archaeology program be received. I'll need a mover, councelor Christani, and a seconder. have Amy. All in favor? All right, it's carried. Thank you. Okay, our uh first report for this evening, um a demolition request for 101 Main Street East and we will have Mike give that report. So, go ahead whenever you're ready. Yes. And I was just informed that the property owners are here today. Uh so if you have any questions uh you're welcome to to come up and if I guess if we have any questions too if if that's okay. Um wonderful. Thank you and thank you for being here. Okay Mike whenever whenever you're ready. Uh thank you through you chair. Pardon me. On March 6th, 2026, staff met with the property owners of 101 Main Street East to discuss potential change to the property, including the demolition of an existing garage and the construction of a new compatible structure within the same location. During this site visit, the property owners noted their support for the heritage process and provided historical information about the property. On March 18th, 2026, staff met again with the property owners to discuss the designation of the main dwelling. During this site visit, the property owners noted that they wanted interior fixtures within the dwelling to be considered as protected attributes within the designation bylaw. A full process regarding interior fixtures will be explored prior to the passing of the property's designation bylaw. The property at 101 Main Street East was previously added to the town's municipal heritage register due to its potential for architectural, associative, and contextual value, its age and placement along the historic Main Street East corridor and the presence of many original elements. In accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff conducted an exhaustive evaluation of the property under Ontario Regulation 9006 with input from the Grimby Historical Society to determine if 101 Main Street East warranted heritage designation under part four of the OA. Staff also undertook an exhaustive evaluation of the property's garage under the criteria to determine whether the garage met these prescribed criteria for designation. Following this thorough evaluation, staff have determined that while the property's historic dwelling strongly meets the prescribed criteria, the garage does not meet the legislative requirements of merit to merit designation under part four of the OA. Furthermore, its removal would not significantly impact the integrity of the property's identified cultural heritage value. Therefore, staff are supportive of the applicant's proposed removal of the garage. Heritage staff are also supportive of the applicant's proposal to replace the existing garage with the proposed compatible new design, including the integration of the existing garages barnstyle Koopa. This would preserve the architectural feature of the current garage while keeping highquality materials out of landfill. In conclusion, Heritage staff recommend the demolition request for the garage at 101 Main Street East be recommended for approval. Thank you. Uh we also have a second related report. Uh thank you through the chair. As part of Heritage Staff's evaluation of the proposed removal of the garage at 101 Main Street East, staff undertook an exhaustive evaluation of the subject property under Ontario regulation 906. This process was supported by the property owners who have actively contributed to staff's understanding of the historic dwelling throughout the evaluation process. Additionally, the property owners noted their desire to have the interior fixtures within the dwelling be considered as protected attributes within the bylaw. The property owners consented to interior fixtures being included within this report for the committee to consider their inclusion within the designation. As noted previously, a full process regarding designation of interior fixtures will be explored prior to the passing of the property's designation bylaw. Staff would also like to thank the Grimby Historical Society for their continued contributions towards the conservation of the town's cultural heritage value as well as the contributions of Wayne Mullins of Legacy Research. Uh the property itself here is an early 20th century craftsmanstyle farmhouse uh that was built on one of the original lots of plan 63, an important early subdivision within eastern Grimby. Based on the assessment of cultural heritage value or interest, staff recommend that the property at 101 Main Street East be designated under part four of the Ontario Heritage Act. Staff have concluded that the property has met six of the nine prescribed criteria of the Ontario Regulation 906. The property meets the criteria for design and physical value because 101 Main Street East is a significantly intact craftsmanstyle building with notable influences from Georgian residential architecture. The structure features a coared 18-in thick Grimby sandstone foundation as well as red red brick walls laid in an English bond pattern. The hipped roof retains its original slate shingling. The front facade of the structure is proportioned in Georgian fashion being highly symmetrical and featuring a portico with Tuscan columns and intabe mirrored in the freeze of the enclosed porch on its eastern facade. The subject dwelling also includes numerous wellpreserved interior heritage attributes dating to the ownership of John Hunter John Hunter Gibson. These include coffford ceilings and an original tiled fireplace. The subject dwelling slate roof, wide foundations, and historic woodwork also suggest that highly skilled craftseople were involved in the construction of the home. The property meets the criteria for historical value and associative value because 101 Main Street East has direct associations with Grimby's long and important history of fruit farming. The historic farmhouse was built circa 1913 on one of the original lots of BR Analysis plan number 63 for John Hunter Gibson and his wife Ethel or Van Djk who farmed the fruit farmed fruit on the property until at least the 1940s. Though uh through this the subject property has the potential to yield information regarding Grimby's historic fruit farming practices and plan number 63. John Hunter Gibson was a prominent coal and fuel merchant who was deeply involved in Grimby athletics, playing for what became the Grimby Peach Kings as early as 1899 and actively supporting both hockey and baseball in the town until his death, including as president of the Grimby Arena Limited, a stock company that successfully organized the construction of Grimby's first indoor hockey arena. A lifelong musician, he was also a member of the regimental band of the 44th Lincoln and Wellland Regiment. He passed away in the subject dwelling in 1945. Ethel or Gibson was the daughter of Delos Van Djk whose family played a prominent role in the agricultural development of Main Street East around the turn of the 20th century. The property was then deed to their nephew Robert Gibson, a dentist in World War II veteran and his wife Margaret Oolena Chase. Margaret was a veteran of the RCAF during World War II and an English teacher at Grimby High School. Using her experience in teaching, she was also involved in the Imperial Order: Daughters of the Empire's Immigration Committee, where she taught English and administered citizenship classes to recent immigrants. A lifelong volunteer with the Grimby Historical Society and a lover of history, she not only wrote and published her own research, but applied this passion to the subject dwelling, preserving numerous interior attributes during renovations. The property meets the criteria for contextual value because 101 Main Street East is important in illustrating the development and evolution of Main Street East. It is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to its surroundings, being an early representation of the residential and agricultural intensification created in the corridor by some of Grimby's earliest subdivisions. The subject dwelling served as a farmhouse to support the property's use as a farm and in the craftsman's style, a style popular in home construction around the time of the First World War. The subject property is further historically linked to the Gibson family, being one of numerous homes built for the Gibsons along or near Main Street East. The Gibson family, particularly John's brother William, were extensively involved in developing Main Street East into the early 20th century. In summary, based on the assessment of cultural heritage value or interest and or interest and significant findings, staff recommend the property at 101 Main Street East to be designated under part 4 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. I always feel the need to clap after your reports. Um, but that that was really great. Lots of information there, lots to get into. I wanted to put it out to the committee first to see if you have any questions regarding either the designation report or the the demolition request. Yes, Brian. Go ahead. Through you, chair. Um, thanks for the report. Just a couple questions on the the uh inclusion of the interior fixtures. I know that's one that's not I don't think it's come up at least in a while. It's one that we haven't talked about. So, I'm I'm curious about process for that. and then also just motivation rationale if you have any background on why they would want those to be included. Uh through you chair. Um no I I don't believe anyone here has been involved in an interior designation process before. It is something that is permitted explicitly by the Ontario Heritage Act, but it's not particularly um common. mainly it seems because it's difficult to monitor uh interior attributes within particularly private properties. Um however the reason why we decided to include it as a potential was because the property owner specifically requested or specifically mentioned interest in having it protected. Um we ourselves don't have an internal process for it yet. Um so as part of the reports we noted that before the designation uh bylaw is passed we would like to uh work to establish some kind of internal process uh by which we can equitably approach interior designation in the future. Thanks for that explanation Mike that was one of my questions too. Any f follow-up questions Brian? Okay thank you. Any other questions or comments from the committee? Yes councelor DeFio. Uh the only home that I'm familiar with with an internal uh designation is the Smith Gettis home on Main Street West, which has I think a couple of the fireplaces in one of the rooms. Uh it's not a municipally designated. It's I think it's national. It's it's provincial or national. There's a a blue plaque there. Um but that's the only one that I in all the years I've been around that I remember an internal uh designation. So that might be one that we look at as an example of how it's done and and uh the the difficulty like you said though is when it's internal the monitoring of it. So I admire the homeowner wanting to preserve that aspect of the the heritage that heritage aspect of the house. Um I don't know how we could make sure that that is preserved for without being intrusive. So, I'm interested in hearing the future of this, you know, down the line, how that comes out because it'll be a learning experience for all of us and perhaps a learning experience from a provincial perspective because it's probably not done a whole heck of a lot if two very knowledgeable people like yourselves don't know the answer right away. So, I'm looking forward to learning about it. That's all. Thanks. And I I I want to echo your comments on the the report. Uh the reports have gotten better and better and better and the the as a history guy and somebody who's written many essays in his life uh seeing the footnotes on the page the the detailed resources that are that are uh referred to um just phenomenal job that that's I I wanted to add to your your positive comments there. Thank you. Thank you for that. Um, and I also wanted to mention um, in terms of internal designations, uh, the John Brown House in St. Catherine's also has an internal designation. So, happy to chat to you about that or have our executive director Andrew chat about that with you about how that works. Um, cuz I don't know, but I do commend the the home the property owners um, interest in doing that. You know, the craftsmanship is incredible. And I saw a hand if you would like um so I think it's that microphone at the the side there just so that um yes right out the side there's like a little button it's like a on the right hand side the bottom right and if you just press it and it turns red. Um yeah that that way just our our folks on Zoom can hear as well. Thank you. All right. So, this isn't so much a question as it is a comment with regard to our motivation for requesting certain inter interior characteristics be preserved. One of the things that's been commented about uh by many people with regard to the subject home is the fact that it preserves a considerable amount of originality. Okay. Uh and this is something that you don't often see with these older homes. After a hundred years of ownership or more, uh many homeowners have been in and out of these places making renovations in such a manner as to leave a you know to to have lost a considerable amount of the originality. And in this particular home, it goes beyond simply the fireplace. It goes to the trim. It actually goes to um the uh the flooring in place uh throughout the home uh one of one or more of the bathrooms and and so on. So it was with that in mind uh getting back to the fireplace. In fact, what you saw there in the illustration isn't what we started with. actually those uh tiles that were used uh they were as we found them covered up with marble. Okay. Uh and so a considerable amount of the hearth and the hearth extension uh was uh destroyed by efforts of past homeowners to convert the wood burning fireplace to something else. Anyway, we were fortunate enough to be actually be able to remove the marble tiles that had been overlaid to discover what you saw there. So, a considerable amount of work and effort and luck uh allowed us to be able to do that. Okay. And we'd like to certainly note that and you know um other features of the home, the coffford ceilings, uh the trim work and and so on. And that was our motivation for asking that some interior features be considered for preservation because it's becoming rarer and rarer to find these homes uh with such extensive originality incorporated within to this day. So that's all I had. Thank you. Thank you. I really appre we really appreciate you coming up and and sharing your motivations and for appreciating that craftsmanship for working to restore that craftsmanship. Uh it's really it's really commendable. Uh so thank you for the work that you put into it. generally in the report it spoke about um the the walkways in front of the house and the efforts that you put in to to um I can't think of the word right now but just simple is yes so I just really appre like we all really appreciate uh the the care that you've put into preserving the the historic the historic character of the home and wanting it to be commemorated and preserved for future generations. So thank you for that work. Um and that's really great context for us to know too um about the inter the internal designation. So I think if we can do it and we have an internal process I I I it's it seems like something that can be really beneficial and to yeah have precedent also. Uh um I I had a question about about the the kapola. Am I saying that right? Koopa. The koopa on top of the um of the of the garage. So, it sounds like there's interest in um keeping it in intact and integrating it into the new garage. Uh, and there's interest in it. It isn't on the current drawings of the garage right now. Um, so my question is, um, is there like a certain way that we go about kind of making sure that happens? Do we note it in the demolition request, for example, that we want to keep it? Do we note it in the designation? just wondering the the future of the the Koopa and and how to ensure what happens to it next. Uh so through the chair, so this propertyy's on the municipal heritage register. Um so I think we'll put it we can put it in the um we can put it in the resolution um that it be integrated. um let's put to the greatest extent possible cuz we don't know exactly what we're going to uncover. Um so let's put to the greatest extent possible and then um hopefully condition and everything permits it. But yeah, you could you could note it in here. Um I also wanted to mention one other thing that um we had put in the report and it's the timeline of the designation. Um so because under the Ontario Heritage Act once you issue a notice of intention to designate all um subsequent permits are voided under the act. So to enable the garage to come down and for the new construction to start within that 120 days it takes to designate a property. Um we are recommending that the demolition be permitted first, the application for the new garage be permitted and then we'll issue the NOIDE. Um, so that enables that to take place. Um, so I just also wanted to mention that part, but I can put the Koopa in the resolution. So, one second. Uh, thank you for providing that that context with the the timing of things. That makes sense um, from my end. Um, and when it comes to the garage generally, I guess I didn't know first. It seems to me that the most historically significant part of the garage is that Koopa. And so I do see that there's an interest like I'm glad to see that there's interest from the property owners in integrating it to the new garage if possible. I don't know if any other committee members have comments or questions regarding that and if we're okay with adding it to this resolution for the demolition request. I guess Amy, go ahead. Uh thank you chair. Uh no, I'm in agreement. That was one of my concerns too because I think it's such a a strong asset to so make sure that we can get that inclusion. Uh but also just to comment just thanks for your care and consideration for preserving the the heritage attribute and your passion you know even in the the report you know taking to the extent of the brush that you you source Steve and redo the path you know to make sure it's those little things that you know really show your pride and ownership and it's important to heritage. So thank you. Any other comments or questions? Okay. Thank you. Um I also just wanted to note uh regarding the research report again, I'm just appreciating the research that went into the report itself. Um it was really interesting hearing about Margaret Gibson's story. Uh like you know this is women's history. It's women's military history which is really rare to to have these stories too. Uh so I I was just really I found myself kind of um really moved by Margaret's story. Uh, and you know, as a woman, as a World War II veteran, as a local history buff, I thought that was I it was just a really great story that that I didn't really know much about and also interesting connection with the Dutch migration story that was at the the hallway house, too. So, it was kind of a cool connection. So, I just wanted to note that. And also Daniel Marsh, you know, having that workers history and really getting a sense, too, that Marsh really seemed to be vital to the the character of of Grimby, right, and in the buildings that that he that he's built here. So, I just wanted to to mention that that the the research is really well done and I I appreciate it. Seems like there was a lot of collaboration. It seems like from the committee's perspective with the homeowners. So, so that's great to see that through this demolition request, you know, we're having these these conversations, working towards a uh a designation, but in a in a way that allows, you know, the property owners to move forward with what they want to do to the property. So, I think it's a really great example of guiding change in our community. So, I just wanted to to note that. Um Okay. Anything else? Okay, I do have a new does a new resolution that Bianca's going to explain to me. So, just one second. Okay. Okay. Sorry, we're back. Thank you everyone. Okay. So, uh as requested of Yona made an update to the resolution um um including the the Koopa with an intention to integrate to the greatest extent possible if possible. So that is what we'll we'll we'll add to the resolution and and we can vote and and see if if the committee is in agreement. Um does that sound okay before I continue? Okay. Okay. uh resolved that report HR2605 demolition request for 101 Main Street East dated April 14th, 2026 be received and that the demolition request for the garage only at 101 Main Street East be recommended for approval with the following conditions. the garage at 101 Main Street East be photo documented and copies be provided to the Grimsby Historical Society for their archives and that the viable materials be salvaged to the greatest extent possible, including timber and wood windows to prevent high value materials from entering the landfill and that based on the property's review against Ontario Regulation 906, it is recommended that the property at 101 Main Street East be designated under part four of the Ontario Heritage Act. following the demolition of the garage and C that the Koopa be integrated into the new garage to the greatest extent possible. Okay. And then I already did the reg the regulation. I go six. I do that. I think I messed this up. Did I I wrote I read it all though. Yeah. Yeah, you read it all. Tell them that's a condition of the Okay. So, should I reread that? So essentially the Koopa being integrated into the new garage to the greatest extent possible is a condition of the demolition is what this is reading I think. And then and then occur once it's demolished and then the demolition the designation would occur once this the garage is demolished. Does that sound good with everyone? I definitely did not read that correctly, but I hope we're all on the same page. Okay, I'll need a mover for this. Okay, we got Brian and a seconder. Oh, we have Amy. All in favor. That's great. And carried. Thank you everyone. And thank you again for for being here. We really appreciate uh your your support and your and your passion for for that character of your home. Uh okay, I think we're that's it for uh for 101 Main Street East. so we can move on. We have a designation bylaw 2618 um an information report that Bianca will read uh when you're ready. Thank you. Thank you through the chair. Um so uh this is a information report coming um to the committee following the council's approval of delegation bylaw 2618. Um, so based on some of the changes that came through that bylaw, I just wanted to provide the committee with a little bit more information so they understand uh so that you understand um how things will work moving forward. Um, so these delegation bylaws exist in a lot of municipalities including some um municipalities that have a lot of cultural heritage value. um and they um really work well with uh um streamlining um best practice. That's kind of the idea behind a lot of these uh changes. So it helps us to support the property owners to keep things moving um and essentially approving best practice work. Um, so little background. On March 23rd, 2026, council passed the bylaw authorizing uh the director of planning and development to make decisions on routine matters under the Ontario Heritage Act. So that includes approval of minor alteration permits with with consultation with the committee as needed. Um, administrative adjustments to the Heritage Grant and Tax Relief Program. uh entering into agreements related to designation timelines uh for um the Ontario Heritage Act. It also is to enter into agreements for heritage easements and um to enter into agreements as outlined within Ontario land tribunal decisions. Um approval of um the interpretive plaques. Um but this will be in consultation with the committee. kind of a good example is like say we have a bunch of plaque names approved and then we end up getting a good deal on like the plaque um and they can do like a bulk we could move forward with that rather than having to come back to the committee and say can we move forward with this. So that was like an example but we don't want to pick names without you or dates without you that's something we want to do together. So that was just uh further outlined in the report. Um and then approval of street names associated with development applications. Um so similar to the process now we want to continue to consult with the Gby Historical Society. We're going to continue to screen it with the region. We're just going to give that list to the applicants and then they can pick the name from the approved uh list. Um so that's going to be like a temporary measure and then we are putting in place with the transportation master plan. There's going to be a formal street naming process and um through that process we'd like to have like a large list that has all the names and we were kind of thinking we could divide the town up into areas and like have lists for different areas. Um and that we would do in consultation with the Grimby Historical Society and the committee. So um this will just be like transition. We're going to do the same process, but instead of um coming to the committee to pick the name, they'll just pick from the the name that's been screened by the region and vetted from a historical standpoint. Um uh yeah, so I just note in the report that it's intended to streamline um approvals while um ensuring there's appropriate heritage uh oversight. So, we're still making sure everything's in keeping with best practices. Um maybe I'll talk a little bit about the minor and the major now. Um so minor uh the minor and major. So this is something that a lot of municipalities have in place. So there's kind of a best practice between what's a minor and what's a major. Um so minor works would include in kind repairs, uh roofing changes, landscaping, signage, emergency works. Um maybe actually let me grab from the report the full list. So I have repairing, restoring or replacement and kind of materials affecting protected attributes in accordance with the standards and guidelines for historic places in Canada. So if we have like a column that's rotting out, they can essentially replace it with the same thing. Um we had like one property owner who was able to get a profile that was pretty close to the original. So that would be an example of like a minor alteration. Um but we can continue to let the restoration process uh move forward. um alterations to roofing materials. I think this is a really important one because we've had property owners that have gotten a good deal on roofing and sometimes there's just a certain window that they're able to uh confirm with the quotes. Um so that one's included in there. Landscaping, walkways, gazeos, patios, planters, fences, gates, walls, trelluses, arbors, and gazeos. Those are all like temporary things that won't permanently uh impact the building. uh signage and lighting, um alterations or removal of modern materials and additions, um minor revisions to previously approved heritage permits. So, as we know with heritage buildings, you don't really know what you're going to find when you open the walls. So, sometimes we need to just make slight adjustments to those permits. Um, and then I think this one's really important, temporary measures um that are reasonably necessary to deal with any emergency, which puts the security or integrity of the building or structure at risk of damage. Um, and so if um we need to put long-term measures in place that are more substantial to the built fabric, then that's when it uh could turn into a major, but at least we can put the temporary mechanisms in place. Um and then um the major permits will continue to come the usual way um that they come. So I have the flowchart on the screen just to go over this with you. Um so it'll be the same process. The property owners will have a pre-conultation with staff. We'll review the application and then deem it complete. Then we have 90 days to respond. Um and so if it's a minor heritage permit route, um then it'll be delegated to staff. Um it's likely going to be like the same process where we're still conducting an assessment through a report. It's just it's the report's going to the director. Um if for whatever reason heritage staff cannot support the application because it's against best practice. Um then we will bring it to the committee for consultation. Um and then the committee can determine if they support it or not. And then if the committee s um if the committee can't support it, then it'll go to council for decision. If um the committee can support it, then we can determine if we can handle it in house or um if we need to do further consultation. Um so either it'll be done by the director at that point or we will go to council for a decision. Um so that's only if it's something that's against best practice that we can't support. Um and then if it's a major alteration, it'll be the same process. Staff report um presented to the committee and then the committee's recommendation um for refusal or approval will go to council for final decision. So that's a a little overview of how um that process will work. I also wanted to note that I think this is um in alignment with the work that council staff heritage committee has been working towards which is making heritage property ownership a smooth process streamlined and I think a lot of property owners will appreciate that when they come in for their building permits if it's a minor change they're able to just deal with it um at the staff level. So, um that's um just some thoughts from like the general um portfolio standpoint. Um yeah, and then as I mentioned with the street name, we'll be coming back with um that once we have like a form of policy in place, that master list, we we'll revisit that with you. Um I think I I covered everything. I think the only other one I kind of breezed over was the agreements. Um, so under the Heritage Act, uh, we have 120 days to pass the bylaw. Uh, if a property is being designated by having this delegated to, um, staff, if a homeowner comes in last minute and says, "Can we extend this like two more months? I need a little bit more time to like wrap my head around it," we're able to do that. And then same with the 90-day timeline. So, if a property on the register, if a prescribed event is issued, so like a complete application, um, then we only have 90 days to respond if we're going to designate the building or not, but you can come into an agreement to extend that timeline. Um, so that's also noted in there. Um, and then the easements, the heritage easements. I think this is a really important one. Um cuz for a lot of our minor variances um if there's like a consent for example and then they have to go back in after and amend the designation we always put the easement on so that there's um an overlap and no vulnerability between the existing designation and the adjusted designation. Um so this is just enabling us to enter into those agreements. Um and that's on a part four or or part five. We only have part four properties but um those are already designated sites. Um, yeah, I think I covered everything else. Um, and yeah, it was important to us. We still consult with the historical society. Um, their history is so valuable to us for the street names. So, um, we mentioned that in here and I think I think that's everything. So, happy to answer any questions on that. Uh, thank you for explaining this, Bianca. Any questions or comments from the committee? Yeah, Brian, go ahead. through you, chair. Um, I think the process makes sense. U think it'll speed up things for some of those minor decisions. Uh, gives you all flexibility and discretion, which I think all helps the process and allows us to focus on for the the bigger ones that require more discretion. I think the flowchart's great, gives clear guidance, especially if there's someone external looking at that. Um, a question and then possibly follow up depending on the answer to the question. So uh question the the um items that uh are prescribed for minor heritage is that from a specific source like is that from a a general accepted guideline for that or was that more just consultation internally uh through the chair? So I looked at so I think I can't remember the number I think it was like 21 municipalities have the delegation bylaw in place. So, I looked at like all the other municipalities and like took a lot of the general ones that all of them had. And then a couple of the things that I added in were uh things that were like to us specifically. Like I put the one about the modern additions cuz I was thinking about Green Belt Academy when they 13 Main Streeties. They came in for that small modern shed that was like to the back property line and then they had to wait through the whole process before they could put a new shed in. So, I included that one. Um, let me look at it. The landscaping with all the like planters, fences, that one was pretty standard. Roofing materials was standard. In kind is pretty much maintenance, so it's pretty much allowed. Um, without the minor permit. Um, so it was just like slight variations, I think, in profile would be the main thing there. signage and lighting was standardized. Uh or like I'll say best practice because that's basically what everyone had. Um the slightly or the revisions to the previously approved heritage permits. I saw that on a couple and I thought that was a really good one. Uh cuz we've we've had we've been putting that actually in our conditions anyways that if it slightly varies from this that it be delegated to heritage staff and best practice. So I just added that one in. and the temporary measure. Um, that might have rate been right in the bylaw. I think that one might have, but um, I did see that on other ones as well. So, yeah, it was pretty pretty much best practice and things that I thought were like specific to us that we would benefit from through you chair. Thanks for that. uh my recommendation or suggestion for consideration would be the so the list is very u prescriptive for minors and then there's some definition in the majors what I would suggest is if if we have a prescriptive list for minors the majors is everything else cuz you kind of I mean you've done a lot of your done a lot of your research there's always that one that slips through that well is it major is it minor it's not really on either so if we have that prescriptive list For the first part and minors, I would just say let's make that the prescriptive list there. And then major is just everything else. And there's no there's no in between. There's no gray area between those ends. It's not in a list, it's a major through the chair. I think that's a good point. And then maybe even if that does come up, we can have a discussion as a committee to determine if that's something we want to put as minor. Um, but yeah, I think that that makes sense cuz I think this I just wanted a paper like record so we have a reference point of like this is what we're considering. Um, and then we'll also put that on the website so property owners can see. Um, and then we'll put that right under major. Other applications will require um or all other applications will require a major heritage permit and then we'll go from there. Uh, thank you for that question, Brian. really great suggestion uh to kind of keep things clear and in black and white. So that that's great. Uh any other comments or questions from the committee? Uh I just from myself just just wanted to kind of agree with what Brian was mentioning about how it seems streamlining is a good great idea and also just kind of also wanted to reiterate that you know our heritage staff are trained and accredited professionals, right? So, we're here to uh you know, you're you're doing the work, you're doing the research, you're following, you know, the rules. Uh so, trusting you in the process. Um and so it does make sense to kind of, you know, let you guys or order order the the bulks. But again, yeah, you you are the trained professionals. So, so we appreciate um yeah, you taking that on. Uh okay, that's it. We will move on to the resolution. uh resolved that report HR 2606 information report for delegation bylaw 2618 dated April 14th 2026 be received I'll need a mover council Christian and a seconder got Brian all in favor awesome that's carried thank you okay moving on to uh the annual report for planning and development services for 2025. Uh Bianca, go ahead whenever you're ready. Thank you through the chair. Um so this is our second annual uh planning report. Um I'm not sure why I didn't bring the other one here last year. Um but uh I wanted to bring it to the attention of the committee um to take a look at the report because heritage does have a big feature in it and it did last year. Um, also some of our exciting projects are in here. Some of our grant and and tax incentive programs were recognized um in the report and some of the accomplishments we had. Um, so I just wanted to uh kind of remind the committee that this is available uh to take a look and I'm happy to also send you guys a link to last year's. Um but yeah, this is something we look forward to continuing to bring forward every year and uh I think it gives a good look into what happens in the planning department. So um if anyone has had a chance to read it, maybe not. Um but if you have any questions, happy to answer it. Um or if uh following up from this meeting, if you have any questions, you can also send me an email. Thank you. Uh thanks Bianca. It was really awesome to see everything at a glance, right? all the numbers and the stats and the work that that you're doing and the consultations with the community and seeing everything uh you know kind of a bird's eye view of it was was really was really great. So just to clarify is this online anywhere for us to look at or do we need to uh ask for for access to it through the chair um I'm pretty sure it is on the website but I will double check. Um I also want to give a shout out to Soup from our department. She's the one that does these reports. So, um I will check in with Su to see um where she's featuring them and I'll send you guys an email. Awesome. That's great. Again, just kind of similar to the um to the accomplishments presentation, right? Like this is just a great way to to see all of the planning department does in the community. And it also helps with transparency and it helps with you know there's a rapid succession of changes to provincial planning legis legislation and policy and this kind of helps kind of frame that about what has all happened um and the work that Grimsby is doing to to address those changes. So I I think it was really helpful to see um any comments or questions from from the committee on this. Okay. Okay, I have a resolution then. Um, okay. Resolved that the report for planning and development services annual report 2025 be received. I'll need a mover. Got Amy and a seconder. Got Brian. All in favor. That's awesome. Carried. Thank you. Uh, okay. Next up is a correspondence. Um the town of Lincoln put forward a request to extend the municipal heritage register deadline. So it seems Abianca will share a little bit more about about that. Thank you for the chair. Um so we did include on the agenda the notice of motion that came from the region or the Lincoln's council um and their request to circulate it um to the municipalities. So, we thought the committee would have interest in this. Um, so, uh, to accompany this, I have like the typical receive resolution and I also have an opportunity for the committee to endorse it if they would like to. Um, so yeah, this is about the timeline that's coming up on January 1st, 2025. Sorry, not 2025, 2027. It was originally 2025. We got an extension. Um, but yes, this date has been uh something we've been prioritizing the designations of our sites. Um, and I know that we've done really great work, but there's still hundreds of properties in the town that have yet to be evaluated. So, um, of course, this extension be something that would be, um, valuable to the town and enable us to protect our important, um, properties. So, uh, staff would be supportive of the extension. Um, and we think it would be, um, something that our our portfolio could, uh, definitely benefit from. So, um, yeah, I'll pass it over to you, Sarah, to talk more about, uh, thank you so much for bringing this to the committee. Um, are there any questions or comments from the committee? Yes, councelor Christi. Thank you, Chair. Um, I'd be willing to put forward a motion to endorse it and circulate it. Uh, thank you. Yes, I am in agreement. I think it's also worth mentioning, you know, we're lucky here to have a heritage planning team. Uh but not all municipalities in Ontario are are that lucky and and some you know have very small committees to do this work to right so um you know there's so many rapid changes to planning we me we saw it in the annual report uh so I really feel for those committees that don't have heritage planning staff behind them so I'm even thinking of of that as well um I I do have a question too when it when it came to um reading Lincoln's um you know there's municipalction are are this year, will that impact the ability of committees to put forward designations as well ahead of 2027? Uh so through you the chair, because it's a legislated committee, it will continue. So most committees will stop before the election. Um, but because we're legislated and we have like time-sensitive things to deal with such as like heritage permits and things like that, um, we will have to continue. But for some, um, municipalities like there may be concerns of like how that will be impacted by elections and and things like that and priorities of running people who are running or maybe people who aren't um, going to be running again. things like that um could definitely factor into decisions being made, I'm sure. Um so I think that probably adds a different level of consideration. It's not your typical processes cuz there's other tensions I would say that may exist. Um but we are a statutory committee so we can continue to conduct business. Um so yeah. Okay. Thank you for clarifying. Um, so but it sounds like it might impact other municipalities. I'm just wondering like is it worth adding that to this letter? Like the idea of hey province municipalities are going through elections this fall. The deadline for the register is January 1st, 2027. That doesn't give us much time. Can that would could that strengthen our argument to extend the deadline? And if so, if I wonder if it would be worth adding it to the letter or something um through the chair. So, I think there's kind of two ways to look at it. Legally, can we continue to designate? Yes. That that framework exists through the legislation and it's a statutory uh committee. So, you can continue. If there's a political piece to it, then that's something the committee can consider. I'll defer to you guys on that, but um legally we can continue, right? Yeah. What what do they what does the committee think? Because I think like I'm I know we're speaking to Grimsby, so maybe I'm thinking aloud right now, but like um cuz I'm I'm not thinking of Grimby here. I'm thinking of the smaller municipalities across Ontario, but so is it is it not our place to have that stance then if we're only speaking to Grimby? I'm just I'm just sharing thoughts. Couni, you have your hand up. Thank you. Through your chair. I think it'll fall on deaf ears to be honest with you. Um it might actually take away from the argument if we keep it strictly heritage and this is what we're dealing with. And I think it might be better if we get a little bit of politics into it. It might take away from it. Um because I don't think it would carry enough weight to actually make a a big difference. If we wanted to add to it, I would suggest maybe like um because of the things that we've we've established um you know, we've been very efficient in our process and and the relationships to the homeowners and the grants and stuff like that might be something you know, but um yeah. Oh. Oh, yes. Uh Mayor Jordan, go ahead. Thanks, Sarah. through through you um through the chair. Uh yeah, I agree with councelor Costangi that endorsing it um uh probably carries more weight and keep the politics out of it because I think we've certainly proven as a municipality that that heritage is working in Grimby and the provincial government's well aware of that. um we like push it to them and con tell them that it's one of our most important attributes in the town. So it makes it it's an easy victory for them and they probably need some right now um to just to extend it. So, um, by endorsing Lincoln, I think I think that will send a message for them to hopefully extend it cuz there's no reason for them not and it's easy because they don't have to change anything. So, they have a lot of irons in the fire right now. So, so just letting something extended is is a is a win. Um, like it's a small win, but it's certainly a win. My opinion anyway. Okay, thank you. Thank you for for your your feedback. Um, yeah, I wasn't sure. So, I I really do appreciate your your feedback on that. Uh, okay. So, if sounds like I think we're just good to put forward the the resolution to have council endorse Lincoln's letter and just kind of leave it at that is what it sounds like. Oh, yes, Brian. Go ahead. through you chair. Would it would it not hold more weight if the town sent its own letter and and maybe followed a similar sort of model to what they did or so is it the suggestion we're just going to say we endorse that we back that letter? I guess the my thought is wouldn't I mean I don't think it would be that much more work to put a similar motion forward and would that not have more weight than just us simply saying we back that letter. Also a good question. I I don't I don't know anything else to say. I just That was a good question. But I guess if we were to to put a letter, then maybe that is where we could like if we had our own letter, then we could kind of state all of the the things that we've done in response to this change, which is what councelor Christie was suggesting the grant and and working with the homeowners and stuff. But I I'll um go to staff for this one. Thank you through the chair. Um, so I I think endorse Lincoln's and then if you want to do an additional uh like if council wants to send an additional um I guess it's a notice of motion. Um yeah. So cuz you have typically you say like whereas so you could say whereas the town has been efficient and provided protection to this many buildings without appeal maybe and then whereas we've established programs to support property owners like you could justify why we think the town deserves like an extension I guess through this. Um, so we could recommend that council put a notice of motion. Just trying to think of what the right wording is. Give me one second. I will message a clerk. Um, if we endorse it, it recirculates and then other municipalities might endorse it as well. So the same um thing is coming again and then um the minister will see this many municipalities feel this way. If we do a separate one it's not going to have all that backup. It won't have the same weight. I I'm I don't know for sure but that I'm I'm wondering that that's a question. Okay. So Bianca is just calling a town clerk to to get the the language. Um, yes. Uh, yes, Amy, if you like to go ahead. Thank you, chair. Um, mine's just more of a comment cuz I, as this conversation's been taking place, I've been swinging back and forth pendulum in terms of what my thoughts are. Personally, I think I'm leaning to just endorsing the letter. Um, I'm in agreement. I think it can get lost. It can get muddled and then you have mixed messaging because each um, municipality or town is going to come forward with their own reasons why. Um, I do think Lincoln's clearly sets out what their reasonings are and just by endorsing it, it kind of speaks for itself. Um, that's just my opinion. That's where I think I'm leaning more towards. Um, that being said, I think they're valid comments and I think there is merit behind both of them. But if I was to choose, I think simply just moving forward with the endorsement if it matters. Thank you. I know I suggested it, but if we say we've been doing all this stuff, they might say, "Well, you got a lot of time." Uh, yeah, that's I I was wondering that, too. If we say actually, look how great we are despite the way you make us suffer. Okay. Um, okay. Well, we'll wait till Bianca gets back, but maybe Yeah, the best the best bet forward is is endorsement. I mean, we could Yeah. I don't know. Endorse and then ask if council feels like we should write our own endorse and see how it goes. Okay. Or endorse, see how it goes, and then we have the option to then write our own letter. Um, that might also gain or further extend the traction. Okay. Um, I'm going to unmute so I don't continue babbling uh until Bianca gets back. Okay, we are going to take a break. So that yes, that that's the best way forward. Uh all right, we have uh returned from our recess. Uh we were getting um some input from town clerk about how um if we wanted to um make uh changes to to this endorsement, how we would go about that. Uh so we have we've we've kind of considered a few things uh and it sounds like how okay so we have a resolution before us um for an endor to endorse town of Lincoln's request to extend the municipal heritage register or does any does the committee want to to share any input that you might have? Uh yes, Brian, go ahead. Through you, chair. I think it makes sense to endorse the letter. I do think it'll have stronger uh influence if we do, in addition to that endorsement, write our own letter or put one a motion forward for the town council to send a letter there. Uh I think it gives us the ability to customize it a bit more and speak to the some of the specifics while agreeing with our neighboring uh municipality and theirs. Like one of the pieces that I don't I think what what Town Lincoln's put in there is really good. What I think Grimsky could add to one that was unique to ours is acknowledgment that we use heritage to protect those properties but not hinder development which is obviously very important to the the government right now. Hence why they've put this in place to speed things up. So I think to give some specific examples of where we've worked to acknowledge that we're incorporating that into the development 133 Main Street comes to mind where it was I think town staff did a great job of working with the developers to make sure that property was preserved but not hinder their ability to develop and add new homes to the area. So I mean there's probably other points that one's one that I stands out to me because I think that it's very unique. I mean, I say unique, it's it's one of the things that makes um what the town staffer is is doing um so palatable to the developers is to make sure that we're not hindering that development that we're just and you've used a lot of expressions, Bianca, before about, you know, the layers and adding that and integrating it and not holding them back, which I think should be um uh stated. Uh thank you, Brian. I think it you raised some really good points about, you know, Grimby is is doing things differently, so it makes sense for us to present a letter that reflects our work and our relationship with the community and with the change that we know is coming to to the town. Does any other committee members have any comments that they'd like to share? It doesn't look like it. Uh so, um I think um what I might suggest then is um we endorse the town of Lincoln's letter. uh and we perhaps consider writing our own letter at at a future at a future uh meeting perhaps even even May you know it might give us some time to see um you know what council says about about Lincoln's letter uh and and then how the you know wider province if if something happens or circulates with Lincoln's letter what the conversation continues and then we can we can address that with our own at at a future date. So I think that's what what I might suggest if everyone's in agreement. Um, okay. Okay. Sounds good. Thank you. That that was a really great uh um great and and thank you again, Bianca, for checking with the town clerk. You know, we want to make sure that we get these these things right and that we're um so so I appreciate that. Uh okay. Um, I have a resolution in front of me then, uh, that, uh, the Lincoln request to extend the deadline for intention to designate heritage properties correspondence be received and that the committee recommends that the Lincoln request to extend the deadline for intention to designate heritage properties be endorsed by council and circulated to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the local Member of Provincial Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Ontario Municipal Heritage Committee Association. Do I have a mover? Have Councelor Christie and a seconder? We got Amy. All in favor? That's carried. Wonderful. Thank you very much for that. Okay. Uh thank you for for uh the really great lively discussion this evening. Uh we do have a few um we have one announcement and I have a couple items under under new business. Um, so first, um, so I had a few questions that came to me recently about Nixon Hall. Um, and so I was hoping that the town might be able to shed light on on them. So I I wrote out my notes to keep me succinct, but we know that Nixon Hall is protected through heritage designation and uh that the designation itself has been updated recently thanks to the very diligent work of the historical society under Wayne Mullins. Um, and we also know that the land, um, you know, around the property has been severed. Nixon Hall has been for sale for a while. It's just been relisted. Um, and the land behind, uh, the house on Lynen Lane has been listed on Realtor for further severance and development. So, folks have just been asking me about clarification about what's been going on with the property in terms of the severance, in terms of the sales. So, I thought this would just be a great opportunity to ask um, what what the town's able to share regarding that. Thank you through the chair. Um so yes, we did update the designation and that's because Nixon Hall was a part of a um plan of subdivision uh development uh division a subdivision um was approved there by council. So that Lynen Lane, I did take a look at it. Um the sale of the property, the five lots is what was approved through the subdivision. So it doesn't look like any additional um severance is being proposed there, but we haven't received any additional severance applications there. Um so that's a part of the uh development. And I think the really important thing to mention is that we had a lot of conditions associated with that development. So there's reference to what the house closest to the Nixon Hall will look like. There's reference to the type of equipment that can be near Nixon Hall. there's reference to vibration monitoring and things like that. So, there's a lot of mechanisms in place and that subdivision agreement that goes with that application is registered on title. Both the designated property and the severed properties. So, it applies to both. And there's also securities and insurance so that when work is done, there has to be insurance on the heritage housing in the event the damage occurs that the um repairs can be done to its current condition. Um and then also there was like a portion of land like a daylighting triangle that was um given to the region. And so basically the designation was amended to take out those kind of like pieces that no longer are on the main like the um how did I mention the rem uh the rem remnant remnant lot maybe that's the best way to define it. So that the lot where the house is um the daylighting triangle was removed as a part of the designation bylaw amendment the legal description and then the five lots to the back. But the actual like legal document that ties all of the care for the heritage building while that work is happening on those lots is in the subdivision agreement and that's still registered on both parcels. Um so that's how it works and then through that process we updated the designation um with the support of the Grimby Historical Society. Um so that's all been um approved. So basically once a house is built then it'll trigger the subdivision agreement but no additional severances are being proposed right now. Like we have no applications for any. Okay. Thank you very much for explaining that. I really appreciate it. Uh does anyone have any other questions while while we're here to to chat about that? Um but I I appreciate that and and I hope that that uh I have some information now to take back. So I I really do appreciate that. Um, okay. Um, I also I just wanted to to let the the committee know, but also a question came out of this too. Um, in the March meeting I mentioned uh that the the proposed Cooper House development had a uh an open house um at the Carnegie Library on March 12th and I was able to attend. Uh they framed it as a as a planning cheret. Uh the architecture the architect was there, the developer was there, uh the planner was there. So, it was great to chat to uh to the people um about the about the developments. Um and and I noted something and this is where my question comes through. So, on the on the plan as they have it right now, um there is a a house that's currently registered on the municipal register on Ontario Street. Uh that's right now in the middle of or not Ontario Street on John Street. So, it's right now in the middle of the street. Um and so as part of the development um they're planning to lift it up and move it to uh Ontario Street. Um but my question is right now it's only registered. It's not designated and we have just been talking about how the register um expires um after January 1st, 2027. And as the province has it right now, after 2027, then it's another five years before we can do any sort of protection to that house. So, I think my question here is um you know, I I would I would love to recommend to staff if you're able to look at into the history of the property, the cultural heritage landscape of the area. We know that workers history is a really important part of Grimsby that isn't told in the same way uh that that we are able to tell in the designated houses we have on Main Street East for example or Main Street West. Uh so I I just I I I think I would just like to see um kind of that work being done before January 1st because right now there is the the deadline is 2027. I don't know if committee has any thoughts on that, but if the house is on the register, um it might be worth looking into and being brought to committee um so that uh we can make a decision before January 2027. Any comments or questions are welcome. Thank you through the chair. I just wanted to provide a little um additional information to the committee about that deadline. So even though they would fall off the register, this is just context outside of this application, but even though they fall off the register, we can still designate them. They don't have to be on the register to be designated. The issue is if a complete application comes in um for the development when that falls off, there's no mechan we're no longer allowed to designate. So that's that's where the timing is important. Um, so like say it came off the register but no application was made, we could move to designate it, but if an application is made, we can't. So, um, yeah, I I think if you uh want to like I I do have blank resolutions here. If the committee wants to consider having the uh staff look into it, um, we have no formal application at this point. Um, that meeting was not involved with the town. It's just the applicant um, reaching out to the community proactively. um it's not a statutory meeting. Um and we have no applications. So if that's something the committee wants us to prioritize, I know um we've we I think we mentioned focusing on uh vulnerable areas, our main street corridors um in Grims Beach was like our priority for designation. So, um, if that's something the committee wants to focus on, like in addition to that, um, I do have some blank resolutions for the committee to consider, but I just wanted to give additional context on how the all of that stuff will work once the register's gone. Uh, thank you providing that further context. any um I I in in my opinion this would count as a vulnerable area because there is a proposed development for the that entire side of John Street. Um and there is some heritage character there. There's a cultural heritage landscape. We're not quite sure what um you know we haven't done we the committee hasn't seen the work yet. Um so that's that's my that's my proposal. I'm not sure if the if the committee has any comments. Yes. Councelor Cristani. Thank you, chair. I think too with the um official plan uh revision in process, a lot of that area now is being considered as downtown village and the and some of the things have changed. So, it might not be a bad idea to start exploring that area so that we are prepared and we know what's what's valuable and um in heritage. Uh thank you councelor Candi for bringing up the the official plan too. Yeah, working proactively which is something that the town's been being done has which has done really good at so far. So if that's the case I think I would like to put forward um a resolution um to explore the the designation potential of of John Street. So um I can I can pause this if you wanted to take a moment to to draft that up. Okay. Thank you, Bianca, for drafting up a resolution. So, I'll read this now, and if we're okay with it, uh we we can move forward. Uh so uh resolved that the heritage committee recommends that three John Street be explored for designation and that John Street in general be explored for designation prior to the 2027 January 20 January 1st 2027 deadline for the municipal heritage register mover. Yeah. Amy, a second herer. Councelor Christie. All in favor. Okay, that's carried. Thank you. Oh, did I Oh my gosh. Why did I do that? Okay. Okay. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you very much. I really do appreciate that. Um, and I know I know it's been a longish night, but I I did want to uh just bring up briefly um also that recently uh the province put forward bill 98 uh to build building homes and improving transportation infrastructure act for 2026. So the plan that this this um bill 98 is meant to further streamline planning uh to bolster home building and development. Uh however, in doing so, they are aiming to restrict municipalities from imposing certain requirements on development and creating unique planning rules. I'm thinking of the official plan that we're just putting forward. How does this in fact impact the official plan? I imagine this is still pretty new for the town. So, I was just hoping that you might be able to shed light on whether the committee might be able to to learn a little bit more about this. I don't know how much information you have about this now. Uh but I I'm interested in how bill 98 um will impact planning and heritage uh for for the town of Grimsby. Uh thank you uh through you the chair. We're definitely still digesting it. A lot of legislation dropped. Uh we had a meeting today just basically breaking out who's commenting on what right now. Uh I think some of the ones that have the potential to impact heritage directly is the some of the rules around site plan for sure. Uh site plan is a really important tool we use right now to um manage change. Um but the good thing is designated properties um have the heritage permit. So we can use the heritage permit to guide and manage change. Um it's just typically would have that integrated into the site plan as well. Um so um yeah, still navigating what these changes are going to look like. Um but I did want to confirm that there is going to be a report brought to council before um comments are being provided uh to the region. So there'll be a floor report outlining all of this. Um and so I can um do my I'll make a note to circulate it. Um but I also um maybe I'll just include it on the next agenda for the committee. Yeah. Um yeah, still early trying to digest it all, but um there may be some things that impact us, but luckily we we still have our permits, so we can use that to to manage the change for sure. Thank you for that. I think that's really would be appreciated just to see the kind of the broader landscape that we're working within. Mayor Jordan, I see your hand is up. Yeah, I just don't know if my timing is right. Um I just saw that um Niagara this week had a had an article um about uh I think it just came out today. It's about the um about Bill 23 and the ending of the Disney the um um register register. Yes. Thanks Bianca. Um and there's over a 100 homes in Niagara on the lake that um they're worried about. Um, so, so that's an article in Niagara this week that just came out today that will give us more information. Thank you for that. That's that's definitely we'll look out for that. Some I think someone mentioned that article earlier, too. So, about Niagara on the Lake. Uh, so yes, things are happening at a rapid pace. Um, and so it's important for us to remain diligent and to uh to have these conversations. So, so thank you. Uh, okay. Uh, and then I also just wanted to to mention, uh, speaking of official plans, uh, the revised draft of the official plan is out for comment until, uh, May 6th. Uh, so definitely recommend you you, uh, taking a look at the official plan for Grimby. Um, it's shaping what Grimby looks like until 2020 or 201. Uh, so um, take a look at that and provide comment for May 6th. It will shape how we how we do heritage here and how our communities are shaped going forward. So, just wanted to mention mention that. Uh, but thank you. Thank you everyone. Uh, and just I will end with a final reminder that there is a municipal committee appreciation night tomorrow at the Peach King Center uh to celebrate all of the great work that committees have been doing across the town uh for the past uh past four years. So, that's it. Thank you. Thank you all very much and I hope you have a wonderful evening.

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