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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage - 2010-04-06HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES APRIL 6, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p. m. Present: Mr. K. Kirby -Chair Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. A. Oja, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. L. Brohman and Messrs. Z. Janecki, T. Benedict, and L. Robertson. Staff: J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Planning M. Wade, Heritage Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk DTS-10-067 -HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2010-IV-002 - 31, 35, 39 & 43 DAVID STREET (25 JOSEPH STREET) - PROPOSED NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Mr. T. Benedict declared a conflict, as he has been involved with the site plan approval process for the subject property. In addition, Mr. L. Robertson also declared a conflict as he is employed by a firm involved with this project; accordingly, neither member participated in any discussion or voting regarding this matter. The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-10- 067, dated March 23, 2010 regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA 2010-IV-002 recommending the construction of a new 3 ''/2-storey 18-unit multiple residential building on the property municipally addressed as 25 Joseph Street, which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the report, advising that the proposed development is the same as what was described at the March 2, 2010 Heritage Kitchener meeting, with the exception of minor changes proposed to the detailing of the front building elevation and landscaping. He noted that the recommendation contained in Report DTS-10-067 inaccurately references Section 34 of the Ontario Heritage Act, and requested that if approved this be revised to read Section 33. Ms. Karen Kwiatkowski, Kitchener Housing Inc. and Mr. Patrick Simmons, Robertson Simmons Architects Inc. attended in support of the staff recommendation. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised that the building has been designed to have a high degree of articulation and architectural detail, emphasizing a pedestrian scale by being oriented to the street; which includes concrete paths leading from the sidewalk to individual unit doors at the ground floor level. He stated that the individual doors on the David Street fapade are meant to provide a more prominent street presence thereby defining the front of the building. He added that these will be functioning entrances for the lower level units, noting that the doorways were enhanced in accordance with the feedback previously provided by this Committee. On motion by Mr. Z. Janecki - itwas resolved: "That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2010-IV-002, be approved to permit the construction of a new 3-1/2 storey 18-unit multiple residential building on the property municipally addressed as 25 Joseph Street, in accordance with the plans dated March 9, 2010 and exterior material specifications dated March 2, 2010 and March 5, 2010 prepared by Robertson Simmons Architects Inc. and forming part of the application." HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT -KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY The Committee considered a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), dated February 2010 regarding an addition and renovations to the main branch of the Kitchener Public Library (KPL) located at 85 Queen Street North. Mr. L. Bensason requested that members provide input and comments, which would be considered by staff when processing the HIA. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES APRIL 6. 2010 -15 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT -KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY (CONT'D Mr. Phil Carter, Phillip H. Carter Architect & Planner reviewed the HIA, advising that the proposal includes the expansion of the existing library to approximately 106,000 square feet. In addition, a new underground parking garage would be constructed to accommodate 412 cars, with the future development of a civic square on its roof. He pointed out that while the building is currently only listed on the old Heritage Kitchener property inventory it is located immediately south of the Governor's House & Gaol, which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Further, the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District is located directly across Queen Street from the subject property. Accordingly, the proposed alterations have been designed to be in keeping with the historic character of the District. He then reviewed the proposed design of the addition and parking garage, noting that the final building would achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating. Mr. Carter commented that in his opinion the additions would have a minimal impact on the surrounding heritage assets and requested the Committee's endorsement of the HIA. In response to questions, Mr. Carter advised that the design of the three level parking garage calls for an entry ramp from Queen Street along the south wall of KPL. He added that the proposed concrete wall of the parking garage would be located approximately four feet north of the Gaol wall, which should leave sufficient space for future maintenance work. He noted that prior to construction a visual survey of the Gaol wall would take place cataloguing its existing condition. He commented that given the protection already afforded to this building by virtue of the surrounding heritage assets, he is not recommending that it be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act at this time. Members provided the following comments and suggestions regarding the KPL Main Branch HIA: softening the appearance of the concrete ramp wall as a means of improving the articulation between it and the Gaol wall; and, expressed approval with the proposed conservation of the children's mural. In addition, several members requested hard copies of the HIA. Mr. L. Robertson advised that he is the current principle of the firm that were the original architects when this building was constructed in 1960. He commented that for the most part he is pleased with the design, but expressed concerns with the proposed re-cladding of the Queen Street elevation with a glass screen projecting out from the original fapade. He added that while he understands that this would enhance the insulating value, he suggested that re- glazing the existing windows could also allow the LEED standards to be met; and, would preserve an element of the original building. He noted that the proposal calls for the removal of everything but the precast arches from the Queen Street elevation, which would negatively affect one of the only remaining original features of the building. Mr. David Warne, David Warne Architects, advised that he is a consultant involved with this aspect of the project and agreed to discuss this matter further with Mr. Robertson. 3. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2010-IV-005 - 811 BLEAMS ROAD (J. STECKLE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD) - PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC WASHROOM The Committee was in receipt this date of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2010-IV-005 regarding the installation of a washroom facility at 811 Bleams Road (J. Steckle Heritage Homestead). Ms. M. Wade reviewed the application and advised that the proposed washroom facility would not negatively affect the heritage attributes of the property. Mr. Laverne Brubacher, J. Steckle Heritage Homestead, attended in support of HPA 2010-IV- 005, advising that the new washroom facility would take the place of portable toilets rented annually to accommodate their summer program participants. He described the new building as having a metal roof, with the exterior walls being constructed using board and batten siding. He noted that the proposed location of the new washroom would not be visible from the street, adding that this proposal would provide a more sanitary alternative to their present facilities. On motion by Ms. L. Brohman - itwas resolved: HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES APRIL 6, 2010 -16 - CITY OF KITCHENER HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2010-IV-005 - 811 BLEAMS ROAD (J. STECKLE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD) - PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC WASHROOM (CONT'D) "That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2010-IV-005 (811 Bleams Road), be approved to permit the construction of a washroom facility in accordance with the plans submitted with the application." REVIEW -HERITAGE KITCHENER DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee considered the revised draft of Council Policy I-110 (Heritage Kitchener - Terms of Reference), dated March 2010 which was developed in accordance with the recommendations arising from the all Advisory Committee Review conducted by Compass Kitchener. Mr. C. Goodeve reviewed the revised Terms of Reference. Members expressed support for the draft Terms of Reference and suggested the following minor revisions: increase the maximum number of sector-specific members to seven; remove "i.e." from the list of examples provided for Item 5. a); and, add "etc..." to the list of examples provided for under the Historian sector-specific position. On motion by Ms. E. Gallaher - itwas resolved: "That Council Policy I-110 (Heritage Kitchener -Terms of Reference) be repealed and replaced with the revised Policy I-110 dated March 2010, as amended at the April 6, 2010 Heritage Kitchener meeting." ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:41 p. m. Dianna Saunderson Colin Goodeve Administrative Clerk Committee Administrator