Pictured is a house in Millbrook known as the Samuel Richardson House. It is designated as a
building of cultural significance because it is a good example of late 19th Victorian Gothic Architecture that was common throughout Ontario. Notable features include the off-center
verandah including a decorative frieze and soffit dentil blocks and bargeboard in the roof gables that include quatrefoils. The lands were part of a Crown grant to James Deyell as part of the original Deyell Mill lands. It is estimated that the house was built in 1880.
As outlined in last month’s edition, Cavan Monaghan has a number of advisory committees which provide research, expertise and recommendations to support Council in decisions related to the committee’s area of responsibility. The term of these committees coincide with the term of Council, with a Council representative and a number of members of the public who volunteer for these roles and are appointed by Council. This month we will review the role of the Municipal Revitalization and Heritage Advisory Committee (MRHAC) affectionately known as “Mr. Hac”.
This committee was established to advise Council on matters related to municipal revitalization efforts to ensure consideration is given to the protection and promotion of the Township’s heritage resources and features. All meetings are open to the public, are livestreamed and recorded.
The Committee considers guiding documents including the Strategic Plan, the Downtown Millbrook Revitalization Strategy, Detailed Streetscape and Design Guidelines, the Ontario Heritage Act, Cultural Heritage Mapping, Heritage Designation By-laws, Zoning By-law, Official Plan, and the Community Improvement Plan, among others.
The committee provides advice regarding the implementation of specific revitalization projects such as the Downtown Millbrook Revitalization (DMR) Strategy, providing recommendations on direction for phasing and timing of revitalization and enhancement projects. It is also consulted to consider identifying local properties under the Ontario Heritage Act and maintains an inventory of the Township’s significant heritage buildings, cultural landscapes, heritage mapping tool and cemeteries.
In addition, the committee is charged with providing promoting revitalization and heritage awareness, conservation and preservation within the Township and making recommendations on applications for zoning and official plan amendments with the potential to impact local heritage resources, and reviews and advices on applications for alterations to designated properties which might affect the property’s heritage attributes. It assists heritage property owners to find viable and economical maintenance and alteration solutions that retain the property’s historical integrity. It also provides input on the Municipal Heritage Recognition Awards.
At its most recent meeting late last month, the committee was coordinating the annual inspection of several local cemeteries, updating Heritage By-Laws to identify each designated property within the township, finalizing plans for the installation of new signage at the Train Station property, exploring ways to restore the downtown mural; and conducting research with the help of a summer student to collect information to contribute Cavan Monaghan heritage information to the Peterborough County Cultural Mapping project. This project will update an existing map dated 2011 and will focus on historic buildings with a view to helping protect cultural heritage assets, identify potential properties which might be appropriate for historical designation. The Cultural map will be used to promote tourism, historical education and preservation.
For more information, visitwww.cavanmonaghan.net and search for committees.