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Notice of Intent to Repeal and Replace Heritage Designation for 323 King Street West, The Field House

Cobourg, ON (August 25, 2025) The Town of Cobourg would like to advise residents of the intent to repeal and replace the Heritage Designation By-law on 323 King Street West.

323 King Street West, known as the Field House, was originally designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1986. However, the existing Designation By-law for the property predates the establishment of criteria and standards for designation by-laws, lacking essential elements such as a Statement of Significance and a list of heritage attributes. As a result, the existing By-law is inadequate to properly identify what makes the property significant.

Through collaboration with the property owner, the Town of Cobourg is taking further steps to protect the cultural significance of this property for generations to come.

Notice of Intent to Repeal Designation By-law Under S.32 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O 1990, c.O.18
The Development Division at the directive of The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Cobourg hereby gives Notice to repeal Designation By-law No. 111-86, which designates the Property at 323 King Street West as being of cultural heritage value or under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The repealed By-law will be replaced with an updated By-law that is outlined in the Notice of Intent to Designate 323 King Street West, which better reflects the prescribed legislative requirements outlined in O.Reg 9/06 for the designation of a property of cultural heritage value.

Description of Property 
The Subject Property is legally described as CON A PT LOT 19 BLK W LOT 11, with a civic address of 323 King Street West. The property is located near the King Street & William Street intersection. 323 King Street is also known as “The Field House” and is a detached, 1 ½ storey brick structure constructed in the Ontario Regency Cottage style and was completed circa 1847.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest 
The Field House at 323 King Street West, built circa 1847, has design and physical value because it is a representative example of an early Victorian era dwelling in the Ontario Regency Cottage style, and because it is a good remaining example of mid-19th century residential development along King Street West in Cobourg. The Field House consists of a 1 ½-storey brick structure in a rectangular plan. Architectural features that contribute to the mid-19th century Ontario Regency Cottage style are the solid masonry construction, symmetrical, three-bay composition of the north (principal) façade, the gabled roof with centered, low-pitched cross gables on the north (principal) and south elevations, and the flat-headed French doors on the north and south elevations. Architectural features that contribute to the representation of mid-19th century residential development along King Street West to the west of Ontario Street include its orientation to and setback from King Street.  

The Field House has historical and associative value for its direct associations with the Field family. The Field family was remarkably involved in Cobourg and many of its members made contributions to the early economic and social life the Town. John Field started a dry goods business (Field & Bros.) shortly after his arrival in Cobourg, which operated from 1832 to the late 1920s under the management of successive generations of Field sons. John Field was also a long-time member of the Congregational Church, a member of Town council in 1860, a Chairman of the Finance Committee, and while never acting in that capacity, was a Justice of the Peace. Many of John’s children had large families who went on to become lawyers, doctors, judges, politicians, merchants, teachers, making significant contributions to the Cobourg community. The Field House continues to be inhabited by direct descendants of the original owner.  

The Field House has contextual value because its scale, form, and architectural style are important in defining and maintaining the predominantly 19th and early 20th century residential character along King Street West to the west of Ontario Street. The structure is visually linked to its surroundings because it has similar scale, massing, material, and character to other mid-19th century residential structures still standing on King Street West. As one of the structures built in this area during the mid-19th century, it is historically linked to the wave of development that arose because of the purchase, subdivision, sale, and development of land, initiated by the Burnet siblings during this period.

Additional Information and Objections
Additional information is available by contacting Brent Larmer, Director of Legislative Services/Municipal Clerks.

Any person who objects to the above noted Council’s intention to repeal designation By-law 111-86 to be replaced with an updated designation By-law shall, within 30 days after the publication of this notice, serve on the Clerk of the Town of Cobourg, a Notice of Objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts.  The last day to submit the Notice of Objection is 23 SEPTEMBER 2025.

Service may be made digitally by email to clerk@cobourg.ca or blarmer@cobourg.ca; or by delivery personally to the Town Clerk or by Regular Mail at the following address:

Brent Larmer, Director of Legislative Services/Municipal Clerks
Corporation of the Town of Cobourg 
55 King Street 
Cobourg ON  K9A 2M2

Obtaining Additional Information:
More information about Heritage Planning in the Town of Cobourg may be obtained by contacting Heritage Planning Town staff by e-mail at planninginfo@cobourg.ca.  

Take note that a Notice of Objection may only be served to the Clerk of the Town of Cobourg as stated above.
Dated this 25th day of August, 2025.

Brent Larmer, Director of Legislative Services/Municipal Clerks
The Corporation of the Town of Cobourg 
55 King Street 
Cobourg, Ontario K9A 2M2 
E-mail: 
clerk@cobourg.ca 

            blarmer@cobourg.ca

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