HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2020-01-07HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
JANUARY 7. 2020 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: A. Reid - Chair
Councillors D. Chapman, J. Gazzola, C. Michaud, and Ms. K. Huxted, Ms. S. Hossack, Ms.
V. Mance, Ms. B. Mueller, and Messrs. P. Ciuciura, D. Gundrum, R. Parnell and S. Strohack.
Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning
V. Grohn, Heritage Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. DRAFT HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) - 50-52 WEBER STREET WEST, 107
YOUNG STREET
The Committee was advised the property owner intends to revise their development plans which
will also necessitate amendments to the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). The Chair noted
the matter was being removed from the agenda this date, stating once the HIA has been revised
it would be rescheduled accordingly for a future meeting.
2. DSD -19-273 — DELEGATED AUTHORITY BY-LAW UPDATE
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -19-273, dated
November 18, 2019 recommending an amendment to Chapter 642 (Heritage Property Consent
- Alteration) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code regarding delegated approval authority for
Heritage Permit Applications (HPA).
Mr. L. Bensason provided an overview of the Report, advising this matter was deferred at the
December 3, 2019 Heritage Kitchener meeting. He presented a brief summary of some of the
discussions that took place at that meeting, indicating the report before the Committee this date
is intended to expand the Delegated Approval for Heritage Permit Applications (HPA's) to
potentially reduce approval timelines for Group "A" properties or properties of significant cultural
heritage interest on the Municipal Heritage Registrar (MHR).
Ms. A. Reid advised Mr. J. Baker sent his regrets for this meeting, stating he provided a brief
summary of his position related to the possible expansion of the Delegated Approval Authority,
noting he was generally in support, pending some checks and balances were put in place for
the Committee.
Councillor C. Michaud entered the meeting at this time
In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised if the Committee recommended approval to
amend the Delegated Approval Authority By-law and it was then approved by Council, the only
means to rescind the expanded approval would be for Council to repeal the By-law. In response
to further questions, Mr. Bensason advised as a means of adding some additional transparency
to the process, he could speak with the Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning regarding
the possibility of including the internal memos to the applicants, which outlines the rationale for
approving an HPA through delegated approval. He stated the memos could possibly be included
in the agenda as an information item which may add further transparency to the process. It was
noted a sample 2020 HPA tracking sheet has been included in the agenda package, which
includes the additional information columns requested by the Committee.
Mr. S. Strohack acknowledged HPA such as the example provided regarding the church and the
necessary repair from the wind storm, are applications that are relatively straightforward and it
was likely the Committee would approve unanimously. He stated his biggest concern was the
applications approved under delegated authority on which the Committee has very little
information. He indicated it would be his preference to see a more formalized process
implemented to improve the transparency of delegated approval.
Questions were raised regarding the pre -meeting timeline and whether staff were able to find
efficiencies within the application review period and report writing timeline. Mr. Bensason
advised the report approval process may involve two to three reviewers, depending on the report
writer, which is a standard review process for all Planning reports. He stated development
applications continue to get more complex and require more staff time to complete the necessary
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
JANUARY 7, 2020-2-CITY OF KITCHENER
2.DSD-19-273–DELEGATED AUTHORITY BY-LAW UPDATE(CONT’D)
work to bring the matter forward for the Committee’s consideration. He stated the report approval
process is outside of the scope of the discussion this date. He indicated staff were given direction
to find more efficiencies in the delegated approval process, notingthe recommendation outlined
in the report is intended to achieve that goal. He further advised the efficiencies may not make
a great deal of improvement, noting it may only impact 1 or 2 applications each year.
Several members expressed support for maintaining the current delegated approvalprocess,
noting concerns with: lack of transparency;possible recourse opportunities for other residents;
loss of Committee participation;and, reducing educational opportunities for the Committee.
Ms. B. Muellerentered the meeting at this time.
Ms. S. Hossack stated in her opinion,larger development applications that may be of greatest
concerns of the Committeeare not applications that would be eligible for delegated approval.
She questioned whether there were any applicationspreviouslyapproved through delegated
authority that created controversy. In response,Mr. Bensason advised staff previously
experienced some challenges with HPA’s approved through delegated authority in Upper Doon
and the process has been amended to address those concerns. He indicated the proposed By-
law is only a minor adjustment from the practice already taking place.
The following motion was then Carried, on a recorded vote with Mr. D. Gundrum,Ms. S. Hossak,
Mr. S. Strohack, Ms. B.Mueller, Ms. V. Mance and Ms. A. Reid voting in favour;and, Councillors
D. Chapman, J. Gazzola, C. Michaud and, Mr. P. Ciuciuraand Ms. K. Huxted voting in
opposition.
On motion by Mr. S. Strohack-
it was resolved:
“That the draft by-law as circulated to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on December 3,
2019 be enacted to amend Chapter 642(Heritage PropertyConsent –Alterations)of The
City of Kitchener Municipal Code regarding delegation of the power to consent to alterations
to property designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD-19-273.”
3.STATUS UPDATES -HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES UPDATE AND 2020PRIORITIES
-HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOLLOW-UPS
Mr. L. Bensasonadvised there were no status updates this date.
4.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:34p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator