Minutes
Development & Heritage Standing Committee
Monday, May 11, 2020

Historical Associative Value includes:

• Designed presumably by Detroit architect J. E. Kinsey

• Associated with early growth of the Town of Walkerville through its industrial and manufacturing history

• Railway turntable is an archaeological site with direct association to the railway history of Walkerville

Contextual Value :

• Excellent remnant of early industrial architecture

• A major industrial building located at the start of the original Devonshire Road, which was the “Main Street” of the town

• A prominent landmark for Walkerville and is highly visible along Riverside Drive

Kathleen Montello, Solicitor representing applicant

Kathleen Montello, Solicitor representing applicant appears via video conference before the Development and Heritage Standing Committee regarding the administrative report “Walker Power Building, 325 Devonshire Road - Request for Heritage Designation (Ward 4)” and provides remarks and background information relating to the heritage designation of 325 Devonshire Road.

Ms. Montello indicates that Mr. Ducharme telephoned the office of the Heritage Planner several times when the demolition was occurring and before the reconstruction began to determine whether the Heritage Planner might provide valuable information and insight to guide them in the types of materials that they might select for the new finish. Ms. Montello indicates that the phone calls were not returned.

Ms. Montello indicates that in the Spring of 2019, the railway turntable was uncovered. Walker Power took every diligent step to preserve this. Walker Power also agreed to a conservation easement. In the summer of 2019, there was a new condition of site plan approval discovered in a City of Windsor’s worksheet that indicated that Walker Power would not object to the heritage designation under Part IV. This was not discussed and it went unnoticed.

Ms. Montello adds that there is a conservation easement on the property and measures that have been designed to protect the archaeological significant aspects of the site. She indicates that by insisting upon a Part IV designation it might drastically impact her client’s investment.

Councillor Bortolin inquires as to why the proponent is hesitant to designate the property. Ms. Montello responds that her clients do not wish to have the restraints imposed by the Heritage Act and the regulations.

Councillor Bortolin requests clarification relating to the timelines and why this request is coming forward now. Thom Hunt, City Planner appears via video conference before the Development and Heritage Standing Committee regarding the administrative report “Walker Power Building, 325 Devonshire Road – Request for Heritage Designation (Ward 4)” and indicates in the past, there were a number of deferral requests made. He notes they have worked with the agent and the