11:30am | Mayor John Henry, Mayor City of Oshawa
TOPIC – Mayors comment on campaign to save the historic stone house in Oshawa:
Craftsman-style heritage stone cottage built by renowned industrialist and philanthropist George W. McLaughlin. Known as the ‘Foreman’s residence’

INFO – This spring the developer Minto applied for and the City of Oshawa issued a demolition permit for the authentic Craftsman-style heritage stone cottage built by renowned industrialist and philanthropist George W. McLaughlin. Known as the ‘Foreman’s residence’ the stone house was part of the internationally recognized Elmcroft Farm until the 438+ acre lands were acquired by E.P. Taylor in 1956 and became part of the former Windfields Farm.

Minto has submitted a proposed draft plan of subdivision for approximately 1,000 mid to high density residential units on the 160 acres it acquired here in 2010 and the City will soon be approving a rezoning of the lands from agricultural to urban.

A grassroots community group spontaneously formed and after two recent public rallies and delegations to Committee and Council to save the stone house.

The community Steering Committee members met with three of the Minto Group’s land development managers and project managers in Toronto on June 4th, and a follow up meeting was scheduled for Friday July 6th.

They are attempting to engage Minto and the City in a positive and consultative discussion to explore alternatives to demolition.

Citizens are asking the City and Minto to consider ways of improving their draft plan and specifically to consider in more detail the historical and architectural information that the grassroots activists gathered and presented. – positivediscussion.com