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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