Updates

A letter sent by The Niagara Foundation to members of Town Council about Two Sisters Resorts letter of June 25 to Council advising of its intent to demolish a number of structures at 200 John Street and 588 Charlotte Street. 

In an audacious and astonishing move, Marotta group representative Maurizio Rogato gave written notice to Town Council on June 25 of intention to demolish the residential buildings on both 200 John and 588 Charlotte Streets, along with sheds and a pool on 588 Charlotte and an “accessory structure” on 200 John.

NOTL Council voted Monday night in Committee of the Whole to proceed with the recommendations of both the Town Municipal Heritage Committee and Town staff to immediately  issue notices of intention to designate all four Rand Estate properties (144, 176 and 200 John St and 588 Charlotte Street) under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

In a Globe & Mail investigative article published May 31, 2018, the reporters document the political pressures and involvement of Maurizio Rogato of Solmar Development in a proposed development in Caledon.

SORE’s lawyers responded May 11 to the April 30 letter from Benny Marotta’s lawyer. The SORE letter questions Marotta representative’s Maurizio Rogato’s sincerity in telling Council that the Marotta group is open and transparent given the ongoing refusal of Marotta’s lawyer to provide any information to SORE.

The next Council meeting is Monday May 14. Email or call the Lord Mayor and/or Town Councillors and encourage them to adopt the MHC recommendations on designation and hiring of a heritage planner at Monday’s Council meeting.

Of the many issues facing the Town’s Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC), the Marotta group’s proposed development (and future subdivision) on the Rand Estate has generated some of the liveliest discussion.  At this past week’s meeting (Tuesday, May 8th), the MHC showed frustration with the developer, as well as with Town planning staff, over Marotta’s delay in applying for heritage designation. 

The Niagara Historical Society & Museum bus trip on June 19 to Guelph will provide an opportunity to view the landscape architecture plans for Randwood designed by the renowned Dunington-Grubb firm.

The Niagara Historical Society & Museum talk on Randwood: A second session for the talk will be Monday, June 11th at 7 pm.

ERA Architects made this presentation to NOTL Council on April 16 to request on behalf of SORE that the Town proceed as soon as possible with the “9/06” evaluation and designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act of the Rand Estate at 144-176 John Street. 

SORE is very pleased to report that after an inexplicable 30-day delay, Council unanimously approved the recommendations passed by the Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) at its February 13 meeting.  Minor amendments were made to the recommendations as well as four new items, at the request of Councillor Disero, who continues to demonstrate her leadership on this critical file.

The exchange of 3 letters between SORE’s lawyer and the attorney for the Marotta Group regarding information being sought.

A summary of the live-streamed March 30 SORE meeting with Benny Marotta has been provided to the Town. A letter from SORE’s counsel to the Marotta/Solmar counsel requests the promised information/reports. SORE urges Council and staff to have the appropriate resources and processes in place to review the Marotta proposal.

This is the video of the livestream of SORE’s meeting at 10:30 am Friday, March 30, with Benny Marotta about the Proposed Rand Estate Development.

In an exchange of letters Tuesday afternoon, a meeting has been arranged for March 30th between Benny Marotta and SORE.  Details on the live stream will follow.