ACO Port Hope asked heritage-related questions to Port Hope’s Municipal Electoral Candidates. Responses are posted with permission and are presented in alphabetical order.
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Part 1
The Municipality of Port Hope is a well-respected heritage town with over 200 designated properties and two existing Heritage Conservation Districts. Moreover, the rural landscapes embracing Lakeshore Rood to the west and the Ganaraska River to the north are remarkable cultural heritage sites that reflect the interaction of a natural environment featuring lake or river views, rich farmland and environmentally important ravines, marshes and forested lands with historically significant farmsteads, barns and landmarks such as the Hole in the Wall.
Q1: What strategies would you suggest to further ensure that Port Hope’s remarkable heritage structures and landscapes are protected, conserved and restored in the face of ongoing growth and development?
Glenn Deeth: I believe that history is important and should not just be learned by reading a book and looking at old photos. It is important to maintain and preserve what we can. Sometimes it is not feasible, but we should be using the tools and policies that are available and not pushing them aside to allow modern development in the wrong spaces. Climate change needs to be taken seriously and the protection of our natural heritage is very important. I would advocate for our Planning staff to utilize the by-laws, official plan and policies to push for protection, not to push for development in the wrong spaces.
Jamie Ferguson: I think that there is an opportunity to endorse both responsible, managed growth and mindful development. Through policy the municipal council can guide development to respect the natural and heritage environments already in existence.
Darrell Toms: Keep designating appropriate properties and areas of significance.
We often hear the phrase “demolition by neglect.” It refers to the practice of permitting a property to fall into such a state of disrepair that restoration becomes untenable and demolition of the buildings on the site the only option. It is a strategy often used by developers to allow them to justify the demolition of a heritage building. Despite the adoption of a stronger Property Standards by-law, the Old Hospital at 65 Ward Street is still showing clear signs of demolition by neglect.
Q2: What further steps could the Municipality take to protect vacant heritage buildings such as the Old Hospital from demolition by neglect?
Glenn Deeth: Demolition by neglect is a difficult issue for a Municipal government to directly impact. I understand that no one wants to see a historic site move into a state of disrepair. However, government must balance the desire to preserve what once was, with overstepping into a dictatorship style of governance. Although I do believe that a property owner should be responsible and keep their property in satisfactory condition, it is difficult if the owner is in financial hardship. If the state of the site, the location, and potential future uses are limited, how can government force an owner to spend money they may not have to repair or upgrade the property?
Jamie Ferguson: The Municipality has a responsibility through both council and staff to work in a productive manner with developers to ensure that those interested in developing these sites are supported to come to conclusions which respect the heritage and bring new growth to the community.
Darrell Toms: Mandatory regular inspections of vacant designated buildings to prevent this from happening.
The Centre Pier is a huge block of precious waterfront land – bigger than downtown Port Hope. It could be the focus of Port Hope’s future downtown growth, accommodating parklands, private and public development and a unique urban waterfront experience. Yet, little direction seems to have been given to PHAI as to the Pier’s possible future.
Q3A: What is your vision for the Central Pier? What uses or activities do you visualize there?
Q3B: Should the Municipality give stronger guidance to PHAI in order to ensure that Port Hope’s vision for the Pier is realized?
Glenn Deeth: 3a) The Port Hope centre pier is an important area that requires cleanup and beautification. My vision would be that this area is cleaned of former and current industrial and low level radioactive waste. That the current industry is moved to a more appropriate location so this area can be used for recreation. I would envision a small harbour, parkland, a beach and waterfront trails. Restaurants and tourist attractions should also be included.
3b) I believe Port Hope should be advocating for the cleanup of the centre pier area and the waterfront.
Jamie Ferguson: 3a) I would like to see the Centre Pier as a community gathering space including parkland and trails while also leaving space for retail. It would be a great opportunity for retail gallery space as well as a facility for a new/returning yacht club.
3b) At this time, to my understanding, the role of PHAI is to rehabilitate existing areas. I am unclear as to what the current agreement is between PHAI and the Municipality in terms of the buildings that were removed from the Pier.
Darrell Toms: 3a) I envision a community space, outdoor activities and a functional harbour.
3b) Yes, I believe so.
Part 2
Please type either “Agree” or “Disagree” after each of the following 5 statements. A comment of up to 25 words may also be added in the space provided.
1: Preserving trees in Port Hope continues to be a challenge. Yet, our natural heritage, our parks, ravines and urban tree canopy, are major components of our heritage image as a community. Port Hope deserves a much stronger tree protection by-law.
Glenn Deeth: Agree. Trees should be protected where possible. Trees should be a forethought from the onset of design for roads, parks and green spaces.
Jamie Ferguson: Disagree – with qualification. Environmental stewardship should not have to be written in policy but be the responsibility of all citizens.
Darrell Toms: Agree.
2: While the single family home remains the gold standard for many people, new development within the urban core should be higher density, more accessible, more affordable, as long as it conforms to heritage standards.
Glenn Deeth: Agree. Affordable homes are needed. I think more effort is required to ensure density can be accomplished with a balance of space including outdoor amenities.
Jamie Ferguson: Agree. Higher density housing within urban areas is the gold standard in Municipal planning.
Darrell Toms: Agree.
3: Council has approved the creation of tiny homes and other additional residential units to increase urban density and gain housing stock. Such units should be in keeping with their existing neighbourhoods, particularly in our Designated Heritage Districts.
Glenn Deeth: Agree. While tiny homes and ARU’s can be beneficial, they could be obtrusive and negative to established residential areas. Strict oversight and standards need to be upheld.
Jamie Ferguson: Disagree. The municipality of Port Hope shows great community diversity and this can be also be reflected in new builds.
Darrell Toms: Agree.
4: The new nuclear generating station may bring massive changes to our western waterfront area. Council should proactively work to protect the natural and cultural heritage of Wesleyville Village and Lakeshore Road.
Glenn Deeth: Agree. I believe that Provincial and Federal decisions will dictate this process. Port Hope must advocate for protection as much as possible.
Jamie Ferguson: Agree – with qualification. Wesleyville Heritage area should be preserved as the heritage area it is, however, change to the lakeshore corridor reflecting community safety and development will be necessary.
Darrell Toms: Absolutely agree.
5: There is a strong movement to deregulate the planning approvals process, to permit builders to build more, faster. But Port Hope is a unique heritage community. While we should try to make the approvals process faster and simpler, we should not sacrifice our commitment to heritage protection and good planning in order to improve builders’ expediency.
Glenn Deeth: Agree. More homes faster does not support positive community growth. Port Hope must strongly advocate for development that enhances and improves the town and its communities and hamlets.
Jamie Ferguson: Agree.
Darrell Toms: Agree strongly.
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