Sides are to try and find solution to Shift sculpture designation issue

King council decided last week to hold off at this time at designating the Shift sculpture in King City as a heritage site.

Council voted on deferring the discussion and that Haydn Matthews, vice president of Hickory Hills Investments who owns the Keele Street property containing the sculpture, and the Township's Heritage Advisory Committee would meet and try to come up with a solution by Nov. 30.

Fiona Cowles, of the Heritage Advisory Committee, said she hopes council decides to designate Shift. "The sculpture is of great value and we hope that council makes the right decision," she declared.

Fellow committee member Elaine Robertson King City agreed with Cowles. "We need to make sure it is protected and that it's not destroyed or knocked down," Robertson commented.

The Shift is a wall sculpture created by American artist Richard Serra, which is on a stretch farmland. It is a collection of zigzagging pieces of concrete wall, built in six sections.

Lawyer Chris Barnett spoke on the behalf of Matthews, who did not attend the council meeting. He said his client understands the importance of the sculpture and does not want to knock it down or have it removed. But he believes that designating the sculpture means it will make his land openly accessible to strangers.

"Mr. Matthews understands the significance of Shift, but he does not want people thinking they can trespass onto his property whenever they feel like it to see the sculpture," Barnett told councillors.

Cowles responded that the committee is not interested in access.

Councillor Jane Underhill expressed displeasure with Matthews current predicament, explaining that council had been dealing with the issue of designation for more than a year, and they never got a response from him.

"He never once gave us the courtesy to get back to us when we want to discuss the issue, but whenever we try to designate it, he declines," Underhill declared.

Barnett explained by designating the sculpture it would open the land up to public access for inspection.

"We don't accept the notion of anything except for periodic inspection," Barnett answered.

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw said he would like to hold off on designation and let Matthews come up with a resolution on a particular deadline, which will help both him and the Heritage Advisory Committee.

"If he fails to do so, designation will be the solution," Laidlaw said.

Councillor Jack Rupke agreed with Laidlaw, that it is the owner's responsibility to come up with a resolution.

"It is very frustrating when the other side will not correspond properly," Rupke said.

Clerk Chris Somerville said she has been trying to set up a site visit with Matthews for more than a year, but he has failed to respond back to her.

Councillor Linda Pabst expressed disappointment in Matthews for not showing up to the meeting.

"I really think Matthews should have showed up," Pabst commented. "I would have liked to hear from him."

Laidlaw said he didn't see how it affects the owner.

"I would like to support designation but with a slight modification," Laidlaw said. "I would like to go back to my theory of a timeline, I would like to give Matthews time to air out his concerns. This will uphold both sides."

Underhill disagreed. "I feel we need to designate it right now," she said.

Mayor Margaret Black said though designating right away is what council should do, she does agree with Laidlaw in upholding both sides.

"I feel we should set a deadline, I say Matthews needs to give us a resolution by November 30," Black said.