Hamilton LACAC (Municipal Heritage Committee) Meeting
March 24, 2005 Report

The Chair opened the meeting at 12:05 pm.

Both Councilors on LACAC (McHattie and Pearson) were present.

Declarations of Interest - none.

Meeting Minutes, February 24, 2005 - approved without discussion or amendment.

Business Arising from the Minutes:

Process for establishing subcommittees to Hamilton LACAC
Members can be drawn from Hamilton LACAC and the community-at-large. The Subcommittee must be chaired by a member of LACAC.

The Joint Plaquing Sub-Committee (members from the Hamilton Historical Board and LACAC) still legally requires one additional LACAC member. No additional LACAC volunteer forthcoming.

Inventory and Research Sub-Committee
LACAC still requires additional members. No additional LACAC volunteers forthcoming.

City of Hamilton Web Site
Concerns were raised over the content and "impact" of the Hamilton LACAC portion of the site.

Presentations
Anna Bradford, Manager of Culture, outlined plaquing policy and procedures. The JPC was established in 1984 with an annual budget of $5000 to provide historic and heritage plaques in the CIty. The JPC typically creates 2 plaques annually for designated properties plus one commemorative historical plaque

Applications for Heritage Permits - none.

Request for Heritage Designation - from the property owner at 309 Main Street East ("Magill" House) does not meet the criteria for designation because the building has been "architecturally compromised" and "lacks historical value and interest".

Subcommittee Reports

Joint Plaquing Subcommittee Meeting Minutes , dated March 1, 2005 requesting an additional member from LACAC.

Heritage Permit Review Subcommittee - verbal report

Education Subcommittee - no report

Inventory and Research Subcommittee - verbal report

Policy Subcommittee
This new subcommittee will meet quarterly to advise on the heritage dimension of selected policy and municipal governance policies, and to advise on potential new policy initiatives which will advance and encourage the heritage conservation program of the city.

Updates on Endangered Buildings (D = designated; ND = not designated; L = listed on the MHC (LACAC) list; NL = no status; NHS = National Historic Site)

Victoria Hall , King Street East (NHS, D) - according to Councilor Bratina in the hands of a new developer

Book House , Book Road East, Ancaster (ND) - in the hands of a "sympathetic" developer.

Treble Hall , John Street North (L, ND) - no report

Red Hill Creek Valley (L, ND)
No LACAC member has volunteered to monitor this City-owned natural heritage site. Discussion ranged around the surviving built and archeological heritage on the site. There was some debate as to whether the site should be "monitored" or whether an action advocacy committee might be formed. A letter to be sent to Chris Murray informing him that the Valley is still on the MHC list of endangered sites (L).

Lister Block , James Street North (D)
Development of the property is pending. Designation protects primarily the James and King William facades and the interior arcade. A letter to be sent to the Mayor indicating that LACAC legally must be involved in any proposed designs affecting these elements.

Auchmar , 88 Fennell Avenue (D) - the film company will vacate the premises in July 2005.

Hamilton City Hall (ND)
The Planning Committee of City Council rejected the LACAC recommendation to designate the building. (This sends a clear message to property owners in the private sector re. possible implications of designation.) The interior artwork of City Hall is currently under restoration by the Culture Department.

Smart-Turner Building , Barton Street East (ND, L) - discussion is underway at Hamilton Health Sciences to adaptively reuse this building as a hospice.

Carnegie Gallery , Dundas (D) - no report.

St. Marks , Hunter Street West (D)
Staff has advised that the Engineer's report should be completed by the end of March. Upon receipt of the report, staff will evaluate the report and investigate the feasibility of the proposed re-adaptive use concepts. Once all the information is compiled, same will be made available to LACAC. St. Marks is owned by the City.

Tweedside Church (L) - no report

Former CIBC Building , 281 Herkimer Street (L)
This City-owned building is in the process of designation. Councilor McHattie is leading a review of the previous plans for a Library (too expensive and too little space) with a view to finding a suitable design (and possible community fund-raising).

Tivoli , 108 James Street North
The fate of this site is still in limbo (City has no money to take it over / private sector has no interest? / Arts community has no money). Meanwhile April 27 and possible demolition approaches. A special meeting of LACAC will be called in the next two weeks re. this issue.

Other Business for Discussion

LACAC Visioning Exercise - this event was canceled due to lack of quorum.

Ontario's Volunteer Recognition Programs for 2005 - to be dealt with at a special meeting within the next two weeks

15 Information Items (moved enbloc without discussion)

Adjournment - 2:05 pm