Based on historical photo documentation of the property in earlier decades, there was originally no balcony on the second floor of the property. However, at the time of designation of the property in 2012, there was already a thin metal balcony in place which was not code compliant.

RECOMMENDATION I

On September 11, 2019, staff observed that the front sculpted parapet wall of this designated heritage property had been heightened, and had altered the proportions of the building, as well as the depths/profiles of the front “porch”. Since the changes were a substantial change to the heritage attributes, as described in the designation bylaw, and is a deviation as well from the drawings submitted as part of the Heritage Alteration Permit request, staff requested to defer the item to deal with the changes.

The completed alterations resulted in dramatic changes to the appearance of the building through change in form and will result in an inauthentic look for the building. The new work alters the heritage value of the property by substantially altering its heritage attribute, notably, the sculpted parapet in the front elevation with the stucco coping along the parapet edge. The parapet has been visibly raised, the articulation of the stucco coping has been simplified, the shape of sculpting has been flattened rather than angled, and surface planes/depths of stucco parapet wall has also been altered. These changes deviates from the minimal intervention approach that is referenced in Heritage Standards. The new parapet with coping has not been replicated to match the original form or detailing of the original. It has affected the form and integrity of the historic building.

The proposal in Appendix A of the as-built alterations would include aluminum railings (the same type as Recommendation III) that have yet to be installed. This option is not the preferred option according to Heritage Standards.

RECOMMENDATION II & III

Through earlier discussions in July and August 2019, the owner expressed a desire to have a balcony redone as part of the new work. Staff attempted to direct the owners