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MEMO To: Community Improvement Plan Evaluation Committee From: Mary Remmig, Planning Coordinator Date: July 22nd, 2020 Re: 20 Beckwith Street North (Hotel Rideau) – Program 1 Application ________________________________________________________________________

In June 2020, staff received an application under Program 1 for the production of steel, powder coated railings for the handicap ramp proposed at the rear entrance and the balconies on the northern façade of Hotel Rideau. The Hotel Rideau is a municipally designated Heritage property and is currently under redevelopment. The application consists of the production and installation of steel railings for the second and third storey balconies that have been constructed on the northern façade and can be seen from the west side of the Beckwith Street block as well as the handicap accessible ramp proposed at the rear of the building which can be seen from William Street.

In 2018, Town Council approved a Site Plan Control application to enable and administer the redevelopment of the Hotel Rideau. The site plan approval followed Zoning and Official Plan amendments that accommodated some ground floor residential development as well as increased residential density at the location. The proposal included the redevelopment and restoration of the building, including the conservation of the exterior façade, an addition to the western and northern façade and the reinstatement of the portico to the eastern façade. As the property was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in September 1986 (By-law No. 5114-1986), the Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) was involved in the review of the proposal and provided a recommendation to Council regarding the restoration. Based on this feedback, Council passed resolution #2017-11-269 under Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act to permit the alterations, subject to certain conditions, including final review and approval by MHC for external finishes for proposed additions.

This was implemented Section 6(m) of the Site Plan Agreement:

m) The owner hereto agrees to undertake all works on the heritage designated building located at 20 Beckwith Street North in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Place in Canada, including that preservation shall be the primary treatment, followed by rehabilitation and restoration on an as needed basis:

i. The final selection of façade materials for the proposed additions on the western and northern facades; the design and specifications for the portico on the eastern façade and the materials for the window will be subject to additional review, including consultation with the Municipal Heritage Committee and a final decision in writing consenting to the alteration of the designated structure by Council in accordance with Section 33(4) of the Ontario Heritage Act;

In January 2020, Parkview Homes applied for an amendment to the existing Site Plan agreement which resulted in further review by the MHC. The modifications to the originally approved site plan included the removal of the proposed pergola from the roof as well as

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alterations to the northern façade to accommodate balconies. As part of their overall review of the façade materials in May 2020, the MHC decided to support the exterior façade materials and omitted the balcony railing material from their approval at that time.

The concept elevations provided to the MHC during their review of the façade materials included steel railings on the new north facing balconies. Although Parkview was proposing wood railings on the balconies, the steel railings became a favourite of the MHC as they felt the steel was more heritage sympathetic. Given that the cost of the steel railings would be much higher than the proposed wood railings, it was then suggested that the proponent consider an application for Program 1 funding under the Community Improvement Plan in hopes to displace some of the cost associated with installing steel railings instead.

To create a more uniform design, the proponent has also applied for funding to assist in purchasing matching railings for the handicap ramp proposed at the rear entrance seen from William Street. Staff are not in receipt of an elevation concept displaying the proposed ramp with the steel railing; however, it is recommended that this rendering be submitted by the proponent to demonstrate the vision of the overall design as well as confirm the ramp can be seen from the street.

With the application, the property owner has only provided one quote for the proposed work – attached, page 3 and notes that due to the Covid-19 pandemic only one fabrication company was willing to attend the site to quote the proposed steel railings. Accepting one quote for the proposed work is inconsistent with the Town’s Procurement Policy. Staff are recommending that at least one additional quote be obtained by the proponent prior to further review of the application. Receipt of a second quote will closer conform with the Procurement Policy.

The single quote supplied demonstrates an owner investment of $24,100 before applicable taxes. Provided the additional quote(s) comes in at the same price point, the application may be eligible for an amount of up to $10,000 pending the formal Committee evaluation and Council approval.

Staff acknowledge that the initial screening of the application has revealed its incompleteness. However, the Committee is being asked if the application appears to be consistent with the terms and intent of Program 1 given the following items of consideration:

1. The northern façade containing the balconies is not facing a street. 2. The northern façade is obstructed by a structure between the Hotel Rideau and the

Dollar Store that prevent a full view of the façade from Beckwith Street North. 3. The railings proposed on the northern façade are only seen briefly from Beckwith

Street North and Maple Ave while travelling with the third floor more visible than the second floor.

Discussion and direction on the issues referenced above will be helpful in framing a recommendation to the proponent on how to proceed with the application. Respectfully Submitted: ___________________ Mary Remmig Planning Coordinator

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Production and Installation Quote – Iron Inc. Builder & Designer

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Northern Façade (East Angle) Concept with Proposed Steel Railings

Northern Façade (West Angle) Concept with Proposed Steel Railings