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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-11-021 - 2010 Heritage Progress ReportREPORT TO:Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING: February 8, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning, 519-741-2319 PREPARED BY: Michelle Wade, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2839 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: January 19, 2011 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-021 SUBJECT: 2010 Heritage Progress Report For information. BACKGROUND: In October 2006, Council received and adopted “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener, 2007-2027” as the community’s vision for the next 20 years. The plan provided a unified strategic approach to key areas essential to the health and vitality of the City. The plan articulated priorities identified in consultation with the community and provided recommendations for action over four years (2007-2010). Compass Kitchener identified the review of the City’s Advisory Committees as one priority. In 2008, Council received Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-08-021 “2008 Review of Advisory Committees” and endorsed a number of recommendations, including the recommendation to report to Council on the progress of Advisory Committees at the end of each year. Staff have prepared a report on the progress of both Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning initiatives for the year 2010. The report is being presented to Council during the month of February in recognition of Heritage Day (February 21, 2011). REPORT: Heritage Kitchener advises Council on heritage related matters and contributes to the protection and identification of cultural heritage resources for the enjoyment of the citizens of Kitchener by encouraging conservation and raising public awareness. Specific responsibilities include: advising Council on matters pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act such as individual designations and heritage conservation district designations; reviewing and advising Council on properties of cultural heritage value or interest; and, promoting public awareness of heritage conservation through annual events such as Doors Open and Heritage Showcase. Heritage Kitchener, in conjunction with Heritage Planning staff, developed a Committee work plan for 2009 and 2010. The Heritage Kitchener work plan for 2009 and 2010 includes four general categories: 1. Municipal Heritage Register - identify properties of cultural heritage value or interest; 2. Ontario Heritage Act – manage alterations to designated properties; í ó ï 3. Heritage Awareness – promote heritage awareness; and, 4. Advisory Committee Review – commit to the ongoing review of Heritage Kitchener. Staff also developed a Heritage Planning work plan for 2009 and 2010. The Heritage Planning work plan was reviewed by Heritage Kitchener in order to understand the relationship between Committee and Staff roles and responsibilities. The Heritage Planning work plan for 2009 and 2010 includes eight general categories: 1. Municipal Heritage Register - identify properties of cultural heritage value or interest; 2. Ontario Heritage Act – manage alterations to designated properties; 3. Heritage Awareness Programs – promote heritage awareness; 4. Advisory Committee Review – commit to the ongoing review of Heritage Kitchener; 5. Financial Incentive Programs – administer the Grant and Tax Refund Programs; 6. Major Projects – manage and/or participate in major projects related to cultural heritage resources; 7. Planning Act Applications (Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Plans) – review and recommend approval of completed studies associated with Heritage Permit applications and/or Planning Act applications; and, 8. Other. A full description of each category, including background information, work plan priority, and 2010 achievements is attached as Appendix A. The following table lists each of the general categories identified in the Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning work plans for 2009 and 2010 along with a bullet point summary of the 2010 achievements. 2009 and 2010 Work Plan Categories 2010 Achievements Municipal Heritage Register 54 properties evaluated for listing as non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register; Of the 54 properties evaluated, 38 properties were recommended for listing as non-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register; and, Of the 38 properties recommended for listing, Council resolved to list 33 properties as non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. Ontario Heritage Act 26 Heritage Permit Applications (HPA) were received; and, Of the 26 HPAs, 17 were able to be processed through delegated approval. Heritage Awareness Programs Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning staff participated in the Waterloo Region Heritage Foundation’s annual Heritage Showcase event; Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning staff participated in the Remembrance Day ceremony at Veterans’ Green in the St. Mary’s Heritage Conservation District Interpretive Area; í ó î Heritage Planning staff spoke about heritage conservation and planning at a seminar for local real estate agents at the Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Board; and, Heritage Planning staff participated in critiques of an Urban Design Course project at the University of Waterloo. Advisory Committee Review Heritage Planning staff prepared the 2009 Heritage Progress Report and presented to Heritage Kitchener and Council for information. Financial Incentive Programs 12 Designated Heritage Property Grant Program applications were received equating to $31,255 in grant funding; 10 applications completed the conservation work resulting in the expenditure of $24,192.48 in grant funding; Total owner investment equalled $74,599.56; and, 5 Designated Heritage Property Tax Refund applications were received and all applications were eligible to receive the tax refund. Heritage Planning staff participated in the Ontario Major Projects Municipal Board pre-hearing conferences associated with the appeal submitted in opposition to the designation of the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District. On September 14, 2010 the appeal to the designation of the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District was withdrawn, and the by-law designating the City's fourth Heritage Conservation District took effect. Phases I and II of the Homer Watson House & Gallery Master Plan were reviewed by City staff and the Homer Watson House Board. Following detailed review and discussion with the Board, it was agreed that specific issues should be addressed with the assistance of a facilitator. It is expected this will take place in 2011. Heritage Planning staff participated in the review of cultural heritage resource policies within the City of Kitchener’s existing Official Plan. Planning Act Applications Heritage Planning staff were involved in the review and implementation of approximately 12 Planning Act applications. Of the 12 Planning Act applications, Heritage Planning staff were involved in the review of approximately 9 Heritage Impact Assessments and 4 Conservation Plans. í ó í Other Heritage Planning staff were involved with the implementation of various Heritage Design Guidelines within new subdivisions; Heritage Planning staff provided comments on various Environmental Assessment projects; Heritage Planning staff participated in the Façade Grant Program review process; Heritage Planning staff participated on the study team working on the Betzner Barn Scenic Lookout in Pioneer Tower West; and, Heritage Planning staff participated in the Industrial Artifacts Program Review. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Plan Foundation - Efficient and Effective Government Efficient and Effective Government The 2010 Heritage Progress Report relates to the Plan Foundation of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan. The 2010 Heritage Progress Report is a communication tool that provides education and information about the conservation of our cultural heritage resources. Community Priority – Development Development The 2010 Heritage Progress Report relates to the Community Priority of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan. The 2010 Heritage Progress Reports provides an update on the heritage register review as well as an update on the conservation of cultural heritage resources during the review of development applications and planning infrastructure improvements. Community Priority – Quality of Life Quality of Life The 2010 Heritage Progress Report relates to the Community Priority of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan. The 2010 Heritage Progress Reports is one form of education that assists the City in establishing greater public appreciation and understanding of our cultural heritage resources. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Members of the community will be informed via circulation of the report to the City’s Municipal Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) and to City Council. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Wilmer, Deputy CAO Community Services Department APPENDIX A: Heritage Update – 2010 Annual Review í ó ì í ó ë í ó ê í ó é í ó è í ó ç í ó ïð í ó ïï í ó ïî í ó ïí í ó ïì í ó ïë í ó ïê í ó ïé í ó ïè í ó ïç í ó îð í ó îï