Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the Managing Director, Planning and City Planner, with the
advice of the Heritage Planner, the following actions be taken regarding the
listed properties located at 275, 277 and 281 Thames Street:
a) the
Chief Building Official BE ADVISED that, subject to archaeological
matters being addressed, the Municipal Council does not intend to designate
the properties located at 277 and 281 Thames Street under Section 29 of the Ontario
Heritage Act; it being noted that the London Advisory Committee on
Heritage (LACH) has been consulted on this matter;
b) if
the applicant concurs with a deferral of the demolition request for the
property located at 275 Thames Street, Notice of Intent to designate the
property located at 275 Thames Street, pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario
Heritage Act, BE DEFERRED pending the possible relocation of the
main building to another site;
c) if
the relocation of the main building to a new site is not possible, the Municipal
Council BE REQUESTED to issue a Notice of Intent to designate the
property located at 275 Thames Street for the reasons identified in the
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, as appended to the staff
report dated April 23, 2013; it being noted that if the main building can be
successfully located to another site, a revised Statement of Cultural
Heritage Value or Interest to refer to its new location shall be required;
d) if
the relocation of the building at 275 Thames Street requires a zoning
amendment, the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to initiate a City initiated
zoning amendment to expedite this process;
e) the
Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to assist with the historical
interpretation of the Thames Street neighbourhood, through interpretive
signage or a commemorative monument, in a place that is easily accessible to
the public; it being noted that consultation among the Historic Sites
Committee, the London Advisory Committee on Heritage and the Fugitive Slave Chapel
Preservation Project is encouraged; and,
it being noted that
the archaeological/heritage community hopes to initiate a community driven
archaeological assessment of the site and that the Civic Administration will
advise the Municipal Council should there be a request for additional support
for such an assessment; and,
it
being further noted that the Civic Administration will report back on the
progress prior to the 60 day deferral;
f) the
Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to establish a source of financing to
support an archaeological assessment on all three properties (275, 277 and
281 Thames Street);
it being noted that the Planning and
Environment Committee reviewed and received the following communications:
·
a
communication, dated April 12, 2013, from G.
Hodder, President, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario London Region;
·
a
communication, dated March 20, 2013, from S.
Baidoobonso, Chair, London Black History Coordinating Committee;
·
a
communication, dated April 14, 2013, S.
McRae, President, London and Middlesex Historical Society;
·
a
communication, dated April 14, 2013, from M.
Mlotha, Board of Directors, African Canadian Federation of London & Area;
·
a
communication, dated April 12, 2013, from J.
Odanga Edubagwa (PhD), President, Kenyan-Canadians in London Ontario;
·
a
communication, dated March 16, 2013, from I. Seddon, 138 Chalet Crescent;
·
a
communication from R. Cory, 193 Duchess Avenue; and,
·
a
communication, dated April 14, 2013, from S. Liggett, Chair, Hidden History
of Hamilton Road Committee;
it being pointed out that at the public
participation meeting associated with this matter, the
following individuals made oral submissions in connection therewith:
·
Mark
Snowsell, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority – advising that the focus
is where it should be, on the cultural aspect of the property; indicating
that the properties are located in the floodplain and may also be in the
floodway; advising that this may cause issues and constraints and may trigger
a planning application.
·
Gary
Brown, 35A – 59 Ridout Street – advising that this is a larger context than
the City of London; asking people to imagine the outrage if someone wanted to
tear down Shakespeare’s home; advising that he first heard about the Chapel
in the early 1980’s from his grandparents who were visiting from England;
indicating that the Church welcomes needy people; advising that the owner is
proposing to remove the building to install a parking lot; noting that four
buildings are being removed at Western Fair and buildings are being removed
at Thames Park to install parking lots; recommending that the building be
designated; and advising that not dealing with the matter tonight just delays
it and the same conclusion will be reached.
·
Joe
O’Neil, Jr, 350 William Street – advising that this is part of the
Underground Railroad; advising that there is a plaque in Victoria Park delineating
the first Black School in London; advising that Garland H. White, War
Secretary for Abraham Lincoln, was the first person to suggest having
coloured troops; advising that they are pushing for historical designation of
the Chapel; advising that this matter is being watched by other Black groups
across Ontario; indicating that co-operation from the owner is paramount;
recommending that history and property rights be balanced; expressing support
for the archaeological digs; indicating that the potential for burials behind
the Chapel is low as the area was all swamps; and advising that there is a
lot of support for the preservation of the Chapel.
·
Tanya
Park, 300 South Street, President, SoHo Community Association – expressing
support for the retention of the Chapel; advising that the historical
significance of the Chapel is the equivalent to Banting House and Fanshawe
Pioneer Village; indicating that it could be a tourist attraction; indicating
that it reconnects Beth Emmanuel Church with its roots; and advising that
Beth Emmanuel Church feeds 200 people a week in a room that fits 40 people.
·
Reverend
Delta McNeish, Beth Emmanuel Church – expressing appreciation to everyone who
has attended the Planning and Environment Committee meeting; advising that
the building is extremely important to them and will benefit the community;
and advising that she would like the building moved to the Church property.
·
Oliver
Hobson, 45 Evergreen Avenue – indicating that he is a representative on the
London Advisory Committee on Heritage; advising that the building and
backyards are rich in potential for artifacts; and, requesting that the City
tread carefully as he has seen pushback when the City designates a building
against the owners’ wishes.
·
Roberta
Cory, 485 Duchess Avenue – advising that the fact that the Chapel exists and
is in London is a big deal; advising that it represents the dreams, hopes and
aspirations of so many people; noting that not everyone made it to the
Chapel; advising that she was recently in Maryland, USA, and they are very
interested in information on the Chapel; and advising that it connects both
entrances of the Railway, from Niagara to Detroit.
·
Roxanne
Lutz, 8 Argyle Street – advising that there is lots of talk about budget and
funding; and enquiring whether or not there could be funding for a project
like this.
·
James
Donnelly, President, Aboutown Transportation – see attached
communication.
·
Derek
McBurney, 4 – 466 South Street – advising that the Chapel was a wonderful
place to visit as a child; indicating that you could still talk to grandparents
and great grandparents who went through the Chapel; and advising that the
City needs to rediscover its history. (2013-P10D/R01)
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