By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
With pending provincial legislation, designating a property as having heritage significance is no longer a simple matter – but there is no mistaking Cobourg council’s wish to extend heritage protections to 390 King St. E.
When the former estate that for decades housed the youth correctional facility known as Brookside Youth Centre was purchased, heritage specialist Rob Mikel appeared before council (six months ago) to urge its designation. At council’s May meeting, council learned of changes that can be expected in heritage preservation with upcoming legislation – as of Jan. 1, 2027, currently listed properties will be delisted and not considered for heritage status for another five years.
“Heritage assets on the property continue to degrade with no maintenance and poor site maintenance by the manager,” Dilys Forsyth from the ACO Cobourg-East Northumberland Branch said, urging council to accept Option 2 in the staff report – instead of designating, to state the intention to designate the property, and to work with the developer in an amicable partnership that includes discussions with the ACO Cobourg-East Northumberland branch.
Councillor Miriam Mutton made the motion that council state its intention to designate under the Ontario Heritage Act in recognition of its cultural and heritage significance, that notice of this intention be published and served on the owner and – if there are no objections – direct staff to bring a designation bylaw to council at a future time (and to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution).
Asked what the staff workload this might entail, Director of Planning Cristal Laanstra said that depended on the co-operation of the developer who now owns it. While it is hoped that the amicable partnership referred to will ensue, in the event he wishes to take the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal to appeal it, that workload would be significant.
Councillors stated their reason for supporting the protection of the building that for decades was used as a youth correctional facility.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty was hopeful, having rewatched the Mikel’s presentation to council. She said she had reason to believe that “the developer was very aware of what they had purchased, and indicated they were committed to the history and significance of the heritage and physical features of the building.”
As a member of the town’s heritage committee for seven years, she added, “I see the standard we hold individual taxpayers and property owners to, and I think a developer should be held to the same accord.
“You become part of the legacy builders and story tellers in the community. I applaud the developer and look forward to what they can contribute to Cobourg.”
As a retired fire fighter, Councillor Brian Darling recalled his days of inspecting Brookside and admiring what a beautiful building it was.
As the last to state his support, Randy Barber said he felt a bit like Elizabeth Taylor’s eighth husband – “I knew what to do, but I wasn’t sure how to make it interesting.”
Barber had long been interested in this heritage building, and had had the opportunity to tour it prior to its closing.
“I certainly am in agreement it has to be saved in one form or another, and whatever we can possibly do to ensure that happens as part of the overall development.”
Mayor Cleveland pointed out that the province, when it owned the building, never designated it.
“The present Ontario government has appointed one of the most pro-development OLTs in the history of Ontario,” he said, adding that receiving notice of the town’s intention to designate may very well sour its relations with the developer.
“The reality is, we are children of the province. This decision will ultimately be referred to the very government that chose not to designate it.”
Beatty and Darling expressed their faith in people power, Beatty’s voice rising to proclaim, “Brookside will be saved, and I do not appreciate the presumptive comments of painting a picture of doom and gloom.”
Council voted shortly thereafter to pass Mutton’s motion.
