Laurie Brett, Chairperson, Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, provided Council with an update on the January 14, 2021 Heritage Committee meeting where the committee met to discuss the declaration of surplus and proposed sale of 195 Bagot Street. in particular Ms. Brett provided Council with the following recommendations to Council that the Committee passed (subject to or pending adoption) at the January 14, 2021 meeting:
(EMHC 21-01-05) That Council promptly revise Bylaw #855 related to the Sale of Surplus Lands to provide special recognition, protections and safeguards for publicly owned property of cultural heritage significance; and that said revised bylaw ensure robust stakeholder involvement by including enhanced public notice requirements with extended periods of public consultation; that all public notices announcing the potential or actual sale of public lands containing cultural heritage assets identify the affected property by legal description as well as familiar and commonly used names, with specific mention of their heritage designation status; and that Schedule A to Bylaw #855 be updated to include a separate list of cultural assets of historical significance.
(EMHC 21-01-06) That Council defer the sale of 195 Bagot Street until other parties have had an opportunity to bring forward suggestions on possible uses for the property and preservation plans related thereto, including a group provisionally referred to as the Friends of Colchester Schoolhouse.
(EMHC 21-01-07) That Council initiate the designation process to ensure future protection of 195 Bagot St., known as Colchester Schoolhouse, and the preservation of its heritage attributes.
Discussion ensued amongst Council. Councilor Bondy moved and and Councilor Bjorkman seconded a motion that Council move with the first recommendation noted by the Heritage Committee (EMHC 21-01-05). Councilor Bondy then withdrew this motion indicating a preference to hear first from all delegations this evening.