Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District Plan March 21, 2017 Public Information Meeting
Agenda • Background Information • Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood Boundaries • Review Sections within HCD Plan • Next Steps • Olde Whitby Neighbourhood Association (OWNA) Member Statement • Question and Answer Session
Background • A Heritage Conservation District can be described as a collection of buildings, streets and open spaces that are of special historical and/or architectural importance to the community. • Downtown Whitby was identified as an area of importance and it was recommended that a Heritage Conservation District Study be undertaken. • In 2012, the Town hired GBCA Architects in association with Paul Dilse, Heritage Planning Consultant and The Landplan Collaborative Limited to begin studying the area.
Background • All of Downtown Whitby was studied (over 3,000 properties) to identify potential Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs). • Three HCDs were identified: • Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood (Blue) • Perry’s Plan Neighbourhood (Green) • Four Corners Commercial District (Yellow)
Background • The Ontario Heritage Act sets out the requirements to establish a Heritage Conservation District (HCD): • Phase I – HCD Study • Involves background research, property inventory and recommends study area boundaries. • HCD Study completed in January 2013. It was recommended to proceed with Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood as there was community support for this area. • Werden’s Plan Property owners were surveyed and they indicated their support to proceed with HCD Plan. • Council authorized staff to proceed to Phase II in September 2014 for Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood.
Background • Phase II – HCD Plan • Involves the development of policies and guidelines specific to the neighbourhood. • In April 2015, members of the Olde Whitby Neighbourhood Association (OWNA) – a group representing households in the neighbourhood - and LACAC Heritage Whitby began meeting with Town Staff and the study team to develop content for the HCD Plan. • This presentation will provide an overview of the final draft for Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District Plan as developed by the community.
HCD Plan’s Purpose • The HCD Plan is a commitment between the Town of Whitby and property owners in Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood to preserve the neighbourhood’s small -town historic character. • The Plan serves as a guide to managing physical change to the neighbourhood over the long term. It applies to both Town’s public works projects and certain private property changes defined in the plan as requiring heritage review.
HCD Plan • Volume 1 – HCD Plan • Section 1 – Introduction, Background, Boundaries, Definitions • Section 2 – History of area, Reasons why the area is Important • Section 3 – Plan’s Goal and Objectives • Section 4 – Policies for Land Use, Buildings, Public Realm and Private Open Space • Section 5 – Guidelines providing advice to property owners and the Town that will help them reach the intent of the plan’s policies. • Section 6 – Implementation Strategy including the heritage review process. • Volume 2 – Description of the Heritage Attributes of Individual Properties
Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood HCD Boundaries 250 Properties Total
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Retains many features from Whitby’s historic period as a stable small town dating from 1850s to 1950.
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Almost all buildings are single-detached houses generally 1, 1 ½ or 2 storeys tall on ample landscaped property.
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Displays a variety of architectural styles. 19 th Century Early 20 th Century Late 20 th Century Mid 20 th Century
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Contains landmarks of local and provincial importance. St. Andrew’s Church of Methodist Tabernacle King Street School Scotland (St. Arsenije Sremac (St. Mark’s United Church) (R.A. Sennett School) Serbian Orthodox Church) 201 Centre St. S. 300 King St. 508 Byron St. S. Ontario County Courthouse Whitby Central Library Ontario County Registry Office (Centennial Building) 405 Dundas St. W. 416 Centre St. S. 416 Centre St. S.
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Views of landmarks throughout the district are important.
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Public open space in the district is important and includes: Rotary Centennial Park Celebration Square – Whitby Public Library Unopened Road Allowance Gilbert Street West Right-of-Way
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Large shade trees are prominent throughout the area.
Reasons why the Neighbourhood is Important • Many streets show a rural cross section as opposed to an urban section with curb and gutter. Rural Cross Section Urban Cross Section
Property Classification • Historic Property (51%) • Properties from when Whitby was a stable small town, before its expansion in the mid-20 th Century • Complementary Property • Exemplary (3%) - Good examples of architectural styles built in the mid-20 th Century and later or have special historical association • Usual (22%) - Properties from mid-20 th Century or later that complement the neighbourhood’s historic character • Uncharacteristic Property (24%) • Properties neither “historic” nor “complementary”
Plan’s Goal and Objectives • The Plan’s Goal is to preserve the neighbourhood’s small -town historic character. • The Plan’s Objectives are provided for: • Land Use • Buildings • Public Realm and Private Open Space • The Goal and Objectives are further defined by the policies and guidelines.
Plan’s Policies and Guidelines • The Plan’s policies provide a course of action for the district. • Policies are provided for: • Land Use • Buildings • Public Realm and Private Open Space • The Plan’s policies are generally aimed at maintaining the low - density residential character/appearance of the area while preserving historic buildings and spaces that are important to the community. • The guidelines provide property owners and the Town with information that can help them implement the policies.
Land Use • Intensification – the neighbourhood is exempt from the intensification strategy for Downtown Whitby. • Low-Density Residential Character – Official Plan policies and the zoning by-law will be updated to acknowledge the neighbourhood’s low -density residential character. • Recognition of Existing Uses – Legally non-conforming land uses established and operating at the time when the HCD Plan takes effect will continue to be permitted.
Land Use • Restriction on Commercial Use – the conversion of buildings to commercial uses inclusive of a professional, business office or personal service use will be permitted in the following two areas: Colborne St W to Dunlop St W King St to Byron St Brock Street South from Ontario St to Rotary Centennial Park
Buildings - Historic • Preservation of Landmarks • Any new uses proposed to landmark buildings will not compromise the heritage attributes of the building or its grounds. • Existing house forms on historic property will be retained in situ. • Property owners will avoid making unnecessary contemporary alterations to building facades visible from the street.
Buildings - Complementary • Existing houses on complementary property (exemplary) – seven properties in total – will be retained. • Preference for retention of buildings on complementary property (usual). If property owner proposes replacement – the new building should demonstrate greater harmony with neighbourhood. • Modest improvements to facades visible from the street may be appropriate and should not diminish the building’s character.
Buildings - Uncharacteristic • Existing buildings on uncharacteristic property may be demolished and replaced with new buildings that meet the plan’s policies and guidelines for new construction. • Alternatively, alterations that more closely align with the district’s architectural character will be considered.
New Construction (for all property classes) • New construction will take the form of: • An addition to an existing building. • A new single detached dwelling. House built 1920s with 1957 addition to the rear New house built 2012 - 2013
Additions Preferred height of additions will be at or below the eaves of the existing building. Preferred location for additional floor space to an existing building will be at the back of the building. Additions will be smaller than the existing ground floor area of the building when the HCD Plan takes effect. An addition to one side of the building if On corner lots, setback from the front façade may be additions will be sited acceptable when rear additions are not to lessen the impact on possible. either façade.
Accessory Buildings • Accessory Buildings may include sheds, a detached garage, child’s playhouse, or greenhouse. • All accessory buildings on a lot may total a maximum of 60 m 2 (650 sq ft) and meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law. • Preferred location – rear (back) of the lot.
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