Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage July 2014 Volume 41, No. 3 Heritage News Now Successful Rezoning Protects 2013 Glebe Heritage Heritage Character along Restoration Award Colonel By Drive By Michael Lynch

Over the past four years, Colonel Municipal Board enacted By Drive residents have experienced Zoning By-law 2013-215 on what has become commonplace February 27, 2014. For properties across – the demolition of along Colonel By Drive between traditional homes for new, out of and , scale infill which has no regard to this Bylaw lowers heights to nine impact on neighbours or streetscape. meters, establishes backyard setback As a result of the actions of provisions on deep lots, and quite Photo: Bill Price Bill Photo: residents and the Old Ottawa South notably, sets in place a Heritage The Glebe Community Association Community Association, the Overlay. Heritage Committee recently presented its 2013 Glebe Heritage Restoration Award to Doug and Cheryl Casey for their outstanding heritage restoration of 20 Clemow Avenue. This home was designed by Werner E. Noffke in 1913 and was owned and lived in by him and his family from 1914 to 1923. Making the presentation in front of 20 Clemow next to the Casey’s own home at 18 Clemow was Johanna Persohn, Chairperson of the GCA Heritage Committee with several other members in attendance. The substantial care taken in the restoration of one of Ottawa’s most important heritage homes ensures that it will continue to make a major contribution to the heritage streetscapes of Clemow Estate East Heritage Conservation District, the Glebe and Ottawa for another 100 years. This historic heritage home is now being enjoyed by its new owners. Photos: Kathy KrywickiPhotos: See page 3 for more News Now. 3 Leonard: restoration and new construction. 1 Successful Rezoning Protects cont’d. so because of its part in the visual landscape adjacent to the World Heritage Site. The Heritage Overlay is an additional the overnight demolition of a home at Hopefully, out of scale developments layer of regulations placed “over” the corner of Grosvenor and Colonel such as those at 9 Rosedale and Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit a base zone that is designed to By. Although the house was on the 3 Leonard will be a thing of the organization dedicated to the encourage the retention of existing Heritage Reference List prepared past. It is noteworthy that at time preservation of Ottawa’s built heritage. buildings of cultural heritage value. by the former City of Ottawa of writing, the City awaits the If a home is demolished, it can identifying properties that warranted decision of the Ontario Municipal Linda Hoad only be replaced with a building of a heritage assessment, the listing was Editor Board to enact an Infill Bylaw which same or less mass than the original never properly transferred to the will provide protection for the Jan Soetermans home. Further, it must retain new amalgamated City of Ottawa. streetscape character in Ottawa’s older Graphic Designer the same general character. The Soon thereafter, attention shifted neighbourhoods. Katari Imaging Heritage Overlay also regulates the to 9 Rosedale, a beautiful English Printing placement of additions relative to the cottage style house, threatened Infill home at left out of scale with traditional homes. Michael Lynch is a long-time resident Heritage Ottawa existing building. It stipulates that with demolition to make way for a of Old Ottawa South and former 2 Daly Avenue all additions be located in the rear pair of out of scale condos. A hard of community meetings, a team so, three proposed developments were President of the Old Ottawa South Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6E2 yard of the existing building; that fought battle to attain heritage status of residents approached the Chair grandfathered for one year including Community Association. Tel: 613-230-8841 they not exceed the height of the ended at a hearing of the Ottawa of the City’s Planning Committee 9 Rosedale, a traditional home since Fax: 613-564-4428 existing building and that they be Built Heritage Advisory Committee who agreed that the intensification demolished much to the dismay of Email: [email protected] narrower than the existing building. (OBHAC). The home failed to policy had led to undesired impacts neighbours. Another was 3 Leonard Web: www.heritageottawa.org Residents have spent the past few achieve heritage designation despite on established communities, not – while a good job was done on News Now Cont’d. Leslie Maitland years seeking the means to protect a valiant and concerted effort by just in Old Ottawa South but across restoring the turreted home, the price President the heritage character and value of neighbours. Nevertheless, OBHAC the City. He argued that protection was the construction of an out of Heritage Ottawa loses David B. Flemming their streetscape. The Bylaw is a major did acknowledge that homes along of the streetscape would be best scale and character infill development. another long-time Past-President milestone in that effort. this stretch of Colonel By Drive accomplished through rezoning since The Colonel By Drive rezoning supporter David Jeanes warranted heritage consideration a heritage conservation district would The City’s focus on intensification has By-law was subsequently appealed Vice-President Operations collectively, all the more so because of take a long time to accomplish, and Dr. Richard Heringer, long-time member often resulted in ultramodern condos even then was certainly not assured. to the Ontario Municipal Board of Heritage Ottawa died May 18 2014 at Katherine Charbonneau their proximity to a UNESCO World with million dollar plus price tags, by an architect/developer. Through age 92. The Heringer fund, created with Vice-President Programs Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal. The City offered the services of a hardly in the price range for most planning consultant to work with intensive negotiations among a donation to honour the death of his Willam R. Price wife Marian in December 2011 financed families seeking a home in core City Armed with a petition signed by a residents to identify options. This residents and the solicitors for the Secretary City and the appellant, the appeal the publication of Werner Ernst Noffke: neighbourhoods. In Ottawa South majority of residents along Colonel work would also serve to inform Ottawa’s Architect. The Heringers were (vacant) the initial call to action came with By Drive, and following a number City Planning staff working on the was dropped conditional on two founding members of and generous Treasurer development of the Infill By-law. allowances for development. At 914 donors to Heritage Ottawa. (vacant) Colonel By Drive, a home mercilessly Legal Consultant Over the course of about six months, squeezed by a neighbouring infill Successful Finale to Kevin McCann a core group of residents met with built several years back received Webmaster the planning consultant to establish approval to add height above the the Lecture Series Directors: objectives, review current zoning, new height restriction. And at 946 Our members-only event at the Jay Baltz, Richard Belliveau, and identify options for action. Colonel By Drive, allowance was Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Laurie Brady, Linda Dicaire, For one, zoning allowed heights of provided for an infill development, Club combined informative speakers and a social event in a fascinating Ken Elder, Ian Ferguson, eleven meters, which far exceeded the albeit no higher than the new height and little-known venue. Janet Uren Louise Fox, Linda Hoad, average height of existing homes at restriction would allow. Hopefully, entertained us with a history of the Danielle Jones, Robert Martin, about eight meters. The consultant’s the eventual home will be of a design Club, its founders and early members, Heather McArthur, Katherine recommendations were presented to that complements the streetscape and as well as a history of how tennis Spencer-Ross, Laurie Smith, Colonel By residents who voted in considers its impact on immediate became a popular sport. Kris Benes, Carolyn Quinn. the architect responsible for guiding favor of the proposed rezoning and neighbours. the conservation and restoration of the heritage overlay. With the benefit building, showed us how he intended Heritage Ottawa acknowledges the Colonel By residents are pleased with financial support of the City of of the planning study, Planning to ‘tread lightly’ on the existing Ottawa and the Ontario Ministry Committee and then City Council the success of gaining protection building while accommodating the of Culture passed a motion to adopt Zoning for the heritage value and character Club’s changing needs. Colonel By Drive: existing streetscape. By-law 2013-215 in July 2013. Even of their streetscape, all the more 2 3 from this era (124 Cowley) was built trees) of cultural heritage value or The Champlain Oaks as Community History in 1904 by the Thicke family between interest. Given the rapid loss of the Loss can sometimes be turned into recognition and celebration of what we have. two massive Bur Oaks (only one of City’s large, mature trees it is clearly which remains). As the community time to modernize the municipal By Daniel Buckles developed, many other trees were approach to Natural Heritage and to intentionally left in place to grace the bring policies and programs affecting In 2011 a threat emerged to one streetscape and shade the backyards of Natural Heritage in line with best of the biggest and oldest Bur Oaks new homes. The Bur Oak on display practices already in place in cities (Quercus macrocarpa) near the also contains a few links of chain across the country. An informed and Ottawa River in Champlain Park fenced embedded in the wood around proactive approach to identifying 1945, a sign that the tree probably (Westboro). Its destruction in the Detail of the cross-section showing links and protecting the most important marked the border between Nepean wake of an infill development that from a chain fence embedded around examples of Natural (Tree) Heritage (Northwestern Avenue) and Ottawa was later canceled prompted residents 1945. is now urgent. to see the remaining trees in a new (Tunney’s Pasture). properties of cultural heritage value Daniel Buckles is a resident of light and launch a community Today, the Champlain Oaks are a under Part IV, Section 34.5 and Champlain Park and animator for initiative to celebrate and protect Photos: Daniel Buckles Daniel Photos: surviving old-growth forest fragment Section 29 of the The Champlain Oaks Project them. Noticing nature in turn Ontario Heritage interspersed with residential . There are a number of cases in (www.champlainoaks.com). inspired a year-long exploration of the Detail of the timeline display created by the Champlain Oaks Project on displayin Act development. They are a genetic Ontario of designation under the act history of human settlement in this the Champlain Park fieldhouse. References resource adapted to the climate of the for individual trees, hedgerows and neighborhood and living links to our National Capital and with important groves and as of 2014, the City of Beresford-Kroeger, Diana (2010) natural heritage. “Deschênes” means “some oaks” in Before de Troyes, Samuel de Champlain design value for urban environments The Global Forest. New York : Viking. French. Bur Oaks were important is thought to have lost an astrolabe Toronto accepts the Trees Ontario due to their tolerance of pollution Both aboriginal and French local place to the First Nations of this region while portaging around rapids on the recognition of a heritage tree as and periods of drought as well as Elliott, Bruce S. (1991) The City Beyond: names refer to oaks. “Miciming,” the because the nuts are edible and can Ottawa River near Cobden, Ontario. equivalent to designation under the their contributions to controlling A History of Nepean, Birthplace of name of an Algonquin camp that be collected in great numbers. They The recovery of the astrolabe in 1867 Ontario Heritage Act. Canada’s Capital 1792-1990. storm water runoff. The oaks are once stood across and up river from were eaten as a vegetable and also near Green Lake involved the family City of Nepean, Nepean, Ontario also prominent landmarks in the Section 27 (1.2) of the Act also gives Champlain Park is the Algonquin ground into a flour and stored as a of Captain Daniel Keyworth Cowley, community and a defining feature municipalities the ability to list word for “where the oaks grow” and “hunger food”(Beresford-Kroeger, an early landowner after whom streets Lossky, Andrew (1994) Louis XIV and the of three connected neighborhoods: non-designated properties (including 2010). To the early in today’s Champlain Park are named. French Monarchy. New Brunswick, NJ. Champlain Park, Island Park and French explorers, These and other fragments of Westboro Beach. Saplings from the and pre-industrial history are brought together in an acorns of the old-growth trees planted Europe in general, historical timeline of the natural over the last few years by children oaks were highly and human history of Champlain from the local school demonstrate valued for their use in Park on display in the community as well the will of local residents to shipbuilding (Lossky, field house. It includes information recognize, celebrate and protect these 1994). Maps and on the allocation of the land to the ancient trees as a tangible expression journals of the period clergy following a survey in 1792 of Ottawa’s natural and cultural heritage. reference the location and the long period of fallow until of oaks, which were William Hamilton established a The story of the loss of the mature, considered the farm in 1852. At that time, the healthy Bur Oak on Northwestern property of the King Bur Oak felled in 2011 was already Avenue was documented in an of France. In 1686 a sapling. An outside installation exhibit at the Bytown Museum called the French Captain features a cross-section of this tree “Six Moments in the History of an Pierre Chevalier de and markers on the annual growth Urban Forest”, created by Joanna Troyes took note of rings show significant events in the Dean and Will Knight of Carleton “the oak forest” he neighborhood in subsequent years. University. The story also brought portaged through on the Ontario Urban Forest Council’s the north side of the One of these was the subdivision of Heritage Tree workshop to Ottawa Cross-section of the 160 year old Bur Oak once located on Ottawa River between the land at the turn of the century by in 2012 with a view to stimulating the boundary between Tunney’s Pasture and Northwestern Chaudière Falls and the Captain’s son, R.H. Cowley to a broader discussion concerning the Avenue. Markers on the annual growth rings indicate Deschênes Rapids. create a cottage development (Elliot, City’s natural heritage and legislative The “party tree” on Patricia Avenue is the venue for an annual street gathering of events in the community history. 1991). The only remaining cottage options. Trees can be designated as neighbors. 4 5 From the President Annual General Meeting 2014 By Leslie Maitland By Grace Hyam

the 2012 Award of Excellence from our service to our members and to By-laws the City of Ottawa’s Architectural the citizens of Ottawa. We are in Conservation Award. This project the process of transitioning to a new David Jeanes then introduced two helped move forward the designation membership database and we are motions to approve Heritage Ottawa of Briarcliffe as the first heritage re-vamping our website, both Articles of Continuance and new conservation district in Canada to of which should make us more by-laws. These were necessary so that recognize modernist architecture. responsive to members’ needs. We Heritage Ottawa could continue as Heather G. McArthur is a graduate are looking for a fresh appearance and a not-for-profit corporation under of the Universities of Ottawa and greater functionality. the new Canada Not-for-Profit Carleton in Communications Corporations Act. Both motions Also on the “Getting Organised” and Architecture. She has served were approved. front, our tiny office in Arts Court as a volunteer on several boards, is going to have to move for the including the Local Architectural Pleasure redevelopment of the site. As you Conservation Advisory Committee. know, the new Ottawa Art Gallery After the business meeting, the Heather is currently an intern is slated to go into the empty lot guest speaker, Dr. Mark Kristmanson, architect with Watson MacEwan Welcome beside Arts Court, along with a condo Chief Operating Officer of the Teramura Architects. Both Danielle tower, and plans are accelerating National Capital Commission, to summer! and Heather bring experience and to get that going. Included in that Coutts Sally Photo: presented a lecture on “The Heritage commitment to our board and we Annual General Meeting project are some overdue updates to Character of Canada’s Capital Region: welcome them warmly! Heritage Ottawa Presidents since 1991 at the AGM the Arts Court Building itself, the A View from the NCC.” He talked Left to right: Jennifer Rosebrugh (1995-1997), Louisa Coates (1991-1995), Last month Heritage Ottawa former Carleton County Courthouse. about the history of the NCC and David B. Flemming (2002-2011), Carolyn Quinn (1997-2002), held its Annual General Meeting, It’s great to see that this wonderful the public buildings for which it Heritage Ottawa is facing Leslie Maitland (since 2011). and we were pleased to have Dr. heritage building continues to be is responsible, and expressed hope Mark Kristmanson, the new Chief a few challenges as we grow for continuing co-operation with vibrant and useful! The Studio at Arts Court was the mentioned our very successful Executive Officer of the National Heritage Ottawa. Dr. Kristmanson and expand our service to setting for the 2014 Annual General walking tours, lecture series, and Capital Commission, give the answered several questions from the our members and to 2017 Meeting of Heritage Ottawa, on publications program, and the keynote address. Dr. Kristmanson audience noting that some changes the citizens of Ottawa. Wednesday evening, May 28. plans to re-vamp our website. She offered a vision of the NCC going It’s never too soon to plan for a party! in direction may be coming. Linda Sixty-one members and seven also thanked the Board members, forward, focussing on excellence in In 2017, Canada turns one hundred Dicaire thanked the speaker and guests were in attendance. volunteers, and sponsors for their urban design, with an emphasis on and fifty – and the entire nation hard work and support. presented him with several of our heritage conservation. He is looking Lecture Series will be here to celebrate. Naturally, History publications. forward to collaborative efforts Heritage Ottawa is going to be doing Acting treasurer David Jeanes then with Heritage Ottawa, and we shall Our board members responsible our bit to show off our great city to David Jeanes informed us that Arts presented the financial report, and Following the adjournment of certainly pursue his invitation. for the 2014-2015 lecture series, our fellow Canadians, and visitors Court is located in the heritage- explained several details. the formal meeting, the evening Katherine Spencer Ross, Linda from abroad. Got some ideas as to designated Carleton County Court continued with informal Welcome New Dicaire, and Louise Fox, are moving what we might do? Send us your ideas House. Built in 1870, after the Elections conversation and excellent at [email protected], or leave original wooden building had refreshments. We extend sincere Board Members forward on putting together next Next, David Flemming presented year’s program; you can expect to us a message at 613-230-8841. been destroyed by fire, the present thanks to all involved in organizing Also at the AGM our board of building was designed by architect the suggested slate of Board members this very successful and enjoyable receive the brochure for the series for the coming year. Many of the directors was elected. We are pleased in early September. One highlight Have a wonderful summer and enjoy and engineer Robert Surtees and is AGM. to welcome Danielle Jones and our walking tours. See you at the an excellent example of Italianate previous Board members have so far will be Andrew Waldron’s agreed to serve again, and two new Heather McArthur as new board presentation on Ottawa Modern: lecture series in the fall! architecture. members. Danielle is a graduate of members, Danielle Jones and Modern is the hot topic now! Business Heather McArthur, have joined. Grace Hyam is a retired archivist who the Ontario College of Art & Design worked for many years at the National and has had a richly varied career in Following acceptance of the minutes Both have extensive volunteer Getting Organised heritage experience. The suggested Archives of Canada / Library and design. She and her husband James Leslie Maitland of the 2013 AGM, Leslie Maitland Archives Canada. Laish restored their modernist home Heritage Ottawa is facing a few President, Heritage Ottawa / gave the president’s report. She slate of Board members was accepted. in Briarcliffe, for which they received challenges as we grow and expand Patrimoine Ottawa

6 7 Celebrating Our Heritage Homes - The Glebe Plaquing Trial By Jessica Insley

If you attended the 2014 Great Glebe appetite for neighbourhood built Garage Sale this year on Saturday heritage and related social history. May 24th, it is very possible that you Heritage Ottawa hopes that this saw Heritage Ottawa’s most recent event can be become an annual pilot project in action. Temporary occurrence, and expand to include plaques were set up in front of not only other streets in the Glebe, homes on Glebe Avenue and Linden but other neighborhoods as well, and Terrace. Each ‘plaque’ contained a that this interest in heritage homes brief description of the house’s social will translate into a greater desire history and notable architectural by owners and the public to ensure Sample of a plaque. features, and was constructed from that such homes be protected and a typed, half-page adhesive label celebrated. Avenue and Linden Terrace compiled applied to a piece of foam board, and by the GCA Heritage Committee stapled to a 3 foot long wooden stake. Jessica Insley is a Glebe Heritage Keeper in support of a recently created The goal of the day was to assess the and a Heritage Ottawa Research and several proposed new Heritage community reaction for such heritage Volunteer. Conservation Districts in the Glebe. home celebrations and to pique the curiosity of passing treasure hunters. By revealing the rich social history For more information on Calgary’s beneath the architecture of historic Century Homes Project, visit Organized by Heritage Ottawa homes, connections are created http://www.centuryhomes.org/ Secretary/Board Member Bill Price, between citizens across centuries For assistance and advice in setting up a with assistance from Heritage Keeper and a collective heritage is formed. temporary plaquing trial in your heritage and HO research volunteer Jessica The Glebe Plaquing Project has neighbourhood, contact Bill Price at Insley, the event was inspired by demonstrated that there is a definite ([email protected]). Calgary’s Century Homes Project. Each summer during Historic Calgary Week, over 750 homeowners participate, creating signs to tell the story of their homes, which are then displayed on their lawns. Inspired by the Century Homes Project slogan Price Bill Photos: of “Old Homes - Great Stories”, the Glebe Plaquing Trial was very much modeled on a similar enthusiasm for celebrating Ottawa’s rich architectural and social history.

The Glebe Plaquing Project was undoubtedly a success. Countless passersby stopped to share their enthusiasm for the plaques with Heritage Ottawa organizers, and many individuals expressed interest in learning the social history of their own home. Key elements that contributed to the event’s success were the huge volume of foot traffic during the Garage Sale, and the pre-existing research on the homes on Glebe View of 37 Glebe Avenue with its plaque

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