The applicant, Nicor Developments Inc., on behalf of the owner, 576630 Saskatchewan Ltd., has requested to designate the Cameron & Heap Wholesale Grocery Building at 1938 Dewdney Avenue as a Municipal Heritage Property. Applications for designation as Municipal Heritage Property are considered in accordance with Section 11 of The Heritage Property Act (The Act) and the policies and procedures established by City Council March 2019.
Financial Implications
The property owner intends to submit a corresponding request for financial assistance under the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program. The financial implications of that application will be addressed in a report to the Finance and Administration Committee.
Property tax exemption may be provided to the owner(s) of taxable property for a period of up to 10 years to a maximum value equivalent to 50 per cent of eligible conservation work costs; whichever is less.
The amount of the property tax exemption, including calculation of any percentage or portion and the determination of any cost, shall be conclusively determined by the City Assessor. The Amount shall only apply to the portion of the property containing the building structure or landscape with heritage value pursuant to Section 11(1) of The Heritage Property Act.
The tax exemption does not apply to local improvement fees, business improvement fees, and the nonexempt portion of taxes (i.e. laneway improvements) and other charges to tax accounts; these must be paid during the term of the agreement in the year in which they are due. No abatement of outstanding or current taxes will be negotiated.
Environmental Implications
Conservation of the building contributes to the City’s broader objective under the OCP of promoting environmentally sustainable development by conserving the built environment and optimising the use of existing infrastructure.
Policy/Strategic Implications
The proposal to designate is consistent with the policies contained within Part A of the OCP with respect to:
Section D8: Culture
Goal 1 – Support Cultural Development and Cultural Heritage: Enhance quality of life and strengthen community identity and cohesion through supporting cultural development and cultural heritage.
10.3. Identify, evaluate, conserve and protect Cultural Heritage, Historic Places, and cultural resources, including but not limited to Public Arts.
10.5. Encourage owners to protect historic places through good stewardship and voluntarily designating their property for listing on Historic Property Register.
Heritage designation of the subject property, as well as its conservation, will enhance the building’s long-term economic viability and protect its character-defining elements. Designation will also ensure the building’s continued contribution to the historical and architectural character of Regina’s Warehouse District.
Other Implications
The Heritage Property Act defines heritage property to include “any property that is of interest for its architectural, historical, cultural, environmental, archaeological, palaeontological, aesthetic or scientific value” but leaves it to the municipality to make rules with respect to the criteria and procedures for the designation of property. The City has adopted the criteria and framework by which it conducts its own assessments.
Accessibility Implications
None with respect to this report.
Committee and Council can choose to not approve the designation.
The Administration provided information on this application to Heritage Regina, the Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan, Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District and Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
Heritage Regina and Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport indicated in writing that they are supportive of the designation. The letters are attached to this report in Appendix D-1 and D-2 respectively.
No comments were received from the Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan and Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District.
The subject property is currently listed on the City of Regina’s Heritage Inventory. City Council adopted the Heritage Inventory Policy on March 25, 2019. The policy provides a means to manage historic properties through identification and a process of evaluation and classification of each property that retains heritage significance as Grade 1 or Grade 2.
Procedures supporting the policy guide Administration in its review of applications for heritage designation and demolition permit applications. 1938 Dewdney Avenue was evaluated by Administration in June of 2020, resulting in a Grade 2 classification. This classification recognizes the Cameron & Heap Wholesale Grocery’s building’s contribution to the Warehouse District as one of the oldest remaining warehouse buildings in the area, and its prominent location along the historic Dewdney Avenue streetscape. To evaluate the property, Administration used the Statement of Significance provided by the applicant and attached as Appendix C, supplemented by additional City records, site visits, and visual inspections. Staff conducting the evaluation are responsible for management of the City’s Heritage Conservation Program and their qualifications include PhD in Planning and a Master in Planning. The completed evaluation is attached as Appendix B.
Administration recommends designation for Grade Two properties with owner consent. In this case, the owner has initiated the process through an application for designation.
City Council’s approval to designate the property is required pursuant to Section 11 of The Heritage Property Act.
The recommendations contained in this report requires City Council approval.
Respectfully Submitted, Respectfully Submitted,
{Signature}
Prepared by: {ResUserUser1: First Last, Title}