That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:
Whereas on May 16, 2022 Community Services Committee recommended Item CS-22- 48, being a Notice of Motion, to City Council:
“Whereas the City of Oshawa has placed signage recognizing the historical hamlets of Raglan and Columbus; and,
Whereas the historical hamlets in Oshawa represent a key feature of the development of our City and that legacy should not be lost; and,
Whereas the historical hamlets of Cedar Dale, Southmead and Westmount have no recognition and their legacy is in danger of being lost;
Therefore, that staff investigate and report back on the following:
-
-
- The feasibility of placing signage, similar to that provided for Raglan and Columbus, that will recognize the historical hamlets of Cedar Dale, Southmead and Westmount; and,
- Funding opportunities to support the construction and placement; and,
- Potential locations on public lands or city boulevard for such signs.”; and,
Whereas at the May 24, 2022 meeting of Council, the Notice of Motion was referred to staff to consult with the Oshawa Historical Society for further comment; and,
Whereas the Oshawa Historical Society Archivist provided a report as it relates to the proposed historical hamlets referenced in the Notice of Motion, provided as Attachment 1, but did not provide further comment related to signage; and,
Whereas generally these types of requests are initiated through community interest in recognition of historical significance; and,
Whereas since there is little known about the history of Westmount and Southmead or their boundaries; and,
Whereas Westmount and Southmead were considered neighbourhoods as opposed to a hamlet or a village it is not feasible or appropriate to provide recognition; and,
Whereas the Archivist noted that Cedar Dale was listed along with Columbus and Raglan as a principle village within the township of East Whitby with a defined boundary south of Bloor Street to Lake Ontario bounded by Park Road to the west and Wilson Road to the East, as shown in Attachment 2; and,
Whereas the Village of Columbus and the Village of Raglan are uniquely different from historical villages located within the urban boundary;
Whereas, staff reviewed the feasibility of recognizing the history of Cedar Dale as a village within the township of East Whitby and determined that accommodating road signs similar to the signs for Raglan and Columbus is not practical or feasible due to the size and space required within the right of way;
Whereas, if based on the Archivists report, there is a desire to recognize the former Village of Cedar Dale, it would be more appropriate to include “Historic Village of Cedar Dale” on the primary neighbourhood park signage within the designated area, as shown in Attachment 3;
Whereas, this would be over and above Parks Operations annual sign replacement program requiring additional Operating Budget of $14,500 plus staff resources;
Therefore be it resolved that if, based on the Archivists report, there is a desire to recognize the former Village of Cedar Dale the following be endorsed:
- That, pursuant to Item CO-23-29, the former Village of Cedar Dale should be recognized as a historically significant area; and,
- That Operations Services staff be authorized to add “Historic Village of Cedar Dale” to the primary neighbourhood park signs within the area historically known as Cedar Dale; and,
- That an additional $14,500 be added to the 2024 Parks Operating budget for sign replacement.