The Royal George Theatre redevelopment cleared its final heritage hurdle at town hall Tuesday, despite opposition from three councillors.
Niagara-on-the-Lake council voted 6-3 to grant the heritage permit for 85 Queen St., part of a wider redevelopment that has already received official plan, zoning and site plan approvals.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and Couns. Tim Balasiuk, Wendy Cheropita, Maria Mavridis, Adriana Vizzari and Erwin Wiens supported the permit.
Couns. Gary Burroughs, Andrew Niven and Sandra O’Connor opposed it.
The permit requires the project to be carried out “substantially in accordance with” the submitted application and supporting documents.
Staff said the earlier official plan, zoning and site plan approvals dealt with the building’s size, architecture, landscaping, streetscape and fit within the Queen-Picton heritage conservation district.
Town staff described the heritage permit as the final heritage approval required before construction.
The existing buildings will be demolished, an impact staff described as unavoidable. Plans to address that impact include archival photographs, heritage interpretation, commemoration and the salvage and reuse of significant architectural materials where possible.
Staff said those measures would soften the heritage loss while allowing the property to continue its long-standing use as a theatre.
The new building will use a contemporary design intended to respect the scale, rhythm and character of Queen Street without copying historic architecture.
The town’s municipal heritage committee endorsed the permit July 8 after hearing from Shaw representatives Tim Jennings and Meika McCunn.
Council’s decision remains subject to a 30-day appeal period. If nobody appeals, the approval becomes final.
