The following was before Halifax Regional Council:
- Heritage Advisory Committee report dated October 8, 2024 with attached staff report dated September 20, 2024
- Staff presentation dated December 10, 2024
- Applicant presentation dated December 10, 2024
- Correspondence from Allen Robertson
Carter Beaupre-McPhee, Planner III gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.
The hearing opened at 6:36 p.m.
Mayor Fillmore invited the applicant to come forward and address Halifax Regional Council.
Michael Nee, a representative of Holy Cross Cemetery Trust gave a presentation and responded to questions from Halifax Regional Council. Nee spoke to the history of the subject property as a cemetery and the proposed adaptive reuse of the heritage assets. Edward Versteeg, Landscape Architect spoke to the proposed design of a new garden columbarium. Versteeg confirmed that the proposed design would have an entry providing universal access from South Street. Versteeg responded to questions regarding tree coverage, foliage, and fence design.
Mayor Fillmore reviewed the rules of procedure for public hearings and called for anyone wishing to speak on the matter.
William Breckenridge, Halifax spoke against the proposed demolition and in favour of alternative uses of the old keeper's home structure. Breckenridge spoke to the previous efforts of neighbours to establishing the Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District and the potential loss of heritage assets if the demolition were to proceed. Breckenridge expressed the view that the structure was salvageable. Responding to questions from Councillors regarding Breckenridge's qualifications to express their view that the structure was salvageable, Breckenridge spoke to their experience maintaining their own heritage home. Breckenridge confirmed in response to questions from Councillors that they had personally not been inside the structure.
Andrea Arbic, Dartmouth spoke against the proposed demolition and in favour of alternative uses of the old keeper's home structure. Arbic spoke to architectural features of the structure. Arbic expressed concerns with the perceived reliability of structural engineer's report. Arbic expressed a view that the property owner had neglected their responsibilities to maintain the building. Arbic expressed their opinion that in such cases the Heritage Property Act did not permit demolition of a heritage structure.
Allen Robertson, Halifax spoke against the proposed demolition. Robertson expressed concerns with the perceived reliability of engineer's report and in favour of an independent assessment. Robertson spoke to defining characteristics and expressed that these should be interpreted broadly to capture the entire building envelope. Robertson spoke to statutory considerations.
Larry Haiven, Halifax spoke against the proposed demolition. Haiven spoke to previous efforts of neighbours in establishing the Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District and the potential loss of heritage assets if the demolition were to proceed. Haiven expressed the view that the property owner had neglected their responsibilities to maintain a heritage structure.
David O'Caroll, a representative of the Archdiocese of Halifax/Yarmouth spoke to the history of the structure and damage. O'Caroll spoke to their experience as a structural engineer and their assessment of the current condition of the heritage building.
Mayor Fillmore invited the applicant to respond to questions raised by the public.
Nee responded to questions raised by the public. Nee stated that the old keeper's home had undergone several additions and modifications and that the building did not share architectural features with other houses which are part of the South Street streetscape. Nee expressed that the adaptive reuse would honour the use of the historic site as a cemetery.
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the hearing be closed.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED.
The hearing closed at 7:14 p.m.
Beaupre-McPhee responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. Beaupre-McPhee provided clarifications regarding the demolition application process and statutorily permitted uses of the property. Beaupre-McPhee provided information regarding staff's evaluation of defining features in the application. Beaupre-McPhee spoke to staff's assessment of the structure and the building official's confidence in their assessment of the structure. They spoke to limitations in the Heritage Property Act to require property owners to undertake remediation of heritage assets.
MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
1. Approve the application by the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth under the Heritage Property Act to demolish the registered heritage property at 1259 South Park Street, Halifax, subject to the following conditions:
a. The stone masonry wall on the northern boundary of the subject property must be retained in-situ;
b. The original 1846 stone foundations of the Cemetery Keeper’s House (1259 South Park Street) must be retained in-situ and daylighted (made visible to the public);
c. Interpretive signage explaining the heritage significance of the foundations must be installed by the applicant near the foundations;
d. Any columbaria or other structures to be erected on the property must be built within and/or around the foundations without removing or unduly obscuring the foundations; and
e. The applicant must comply with Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District By-law requirements for a Certificate of Appropriateness for any new buildings or structures, including columbaria; and,
2. Direct the Heritage Officer to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness in accordance with the Schmidtville Heritage Conservation District Plan and By-law for the demolition of the contributing heritage resource.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Cleary, Morse, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Hinch
Not present: Councillor Purdy