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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-089 - Victoria Strategic Plan Item - Flagpole RemovalREPORT TO: Special Council DATE OF MEETING: November 1, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations Grant Murphy, Director of Engineering Alain Pinard, Director of Planning PREPARED BY: Grant Murphy, Director of Engineering WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9 DATE OF REPORT: October 25, 2011 REPORT NO.: INS 11-089 SUBJECT: Heritage Permit Application HPA 2011-V-018 – Victoria Park Lake Flagpole Removal RECOMMENDATION: For information BACKGROUND: In April 2011, staff and consultants began work on the detailed design of the Victoria Park Lake reconfiguration and sediment removal. In addition to these improvements, the study team also investigated the implementation of various enhancements identified in the Victoria Park Strategic Plan. Six (6) enhancements are viable to proceed with and include: 1) removal of the defunct pump station, 2) repair of the existing heritage bridge piers, 3) replacement of the entire lake edge treatment, 4) removal of the flagpole located in the middle of the lake, 5) reconstruction of the dock and patio structure at the Boathouse, and 6) construction of a new pedestrian bridge at the upstream end of the lake. As part of the design and approvals process, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2011-V-018 was submitted seeking Council’s permission to make alterations to Victoria Park as part of the Victoria Park Lake Improvements Project. The proposed alterations include the removal of the flagpole. In processing the Heritage Permit Application, Heritage Planning Staff did not identify a concern with the removal of the flagpole, given its removal would not in Staff’s opinion have a negative impact on the significance of the heritage district or Park. The Heritage Permit Application was considered by the Heritage Kitchener Committee on October 4, 2011 and the th Committee recommended approval to City Council. At the October 24 Council meeting Heritage Permit Application HPA 2011-V-018 was brought forward for consideration. Council deferred consideration of the removal of the flagpole pending additional information. REPORT: Park Operations Staff are recommending that the flag pole located in Victoria Park Lake be removed as part of the Victoria Park Lake Improvement Project and the rationale is the following: 1. A pole was first used in this general location in the lake on a temporary basis during winter skating activities. A hole was drilled in the ice and a wooden pole inserted to support lighting and possibly loud speakers. A more permanent pole was installed at some time in the 1950’s and is not part of the original park design. The existing pole is a replacement of earlier versions installed in 1995. Additionally, skating on the lake is no longer permitted, as such this equipment is redundant.. 2. The Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan does not identify the flagpole as a specific heritage attribute of the Park. The Plan does identify views over the lake and the natural setting of woods and grass as being key elements and makes the following statements: Conspicuous engineered structures such as pressure treated lumber retaining walls, concrete containers and metal gabions baskets should be discouraged and replaced over time with designs that become indivisible from the landscape; and, Built structures in the lake, such as light standards and loud speakers, should be discouraged as being disruptive to the visual serenity of the Lake. In the opinion of City Staff, as an engineered structure located in the middle of the Lake, the flagpole is conspicuous and might be considered disruptive to the aesthetic serenity of the Lake. As such, its removal would not be inconsistent with the guidelines and objectives of the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan. 3. The existing flag pole is difficult to access to raise, lower or replace the flag since a boat is required to gain access. Any repairs to the flag hardware or to untangle the flag, or any other operation involving access to the pole itself above grade requires the use of skilled workers. Currently it is the Forestry Division arborists, trained in safe climbing techniques, who are called upon to untangle the flag or complete repairs to the hardware. This is time consuming and takes these workers away from their primary duties. The erection of a new flagpole in another location in the Park (on land), may be investigated by the City at a later date, and would be subject to Heritage and Operations review. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The partnership that we are proposing to form with the Region of Waterloo is in line with the City’s Strategic Plan, particularly the Development and Environment Community Priorities. Community Priority - Environment “Continue to show leadership in the development of an environmentally sustainable community.” The approach of testing the sediment once it is at the landfill will provide the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener with data to determine what potential viable disposal alternatives might exist for this type of material. The cost associated with sediment disposal is a problem faced by all municipalities and by choosing the proposed approach; we are demonstrating our leadership in this respect. Community Priority - Development “Maintain a balanced approach to replacing and/or expanding existing infrastructure and building new infrastructure.” There are over 100 stormwater management facilities that will eventually require sediment removal and the work associated with Victoria Park Lake will provide us with a better understanding of the potential re-use of this material and could help make sediment disposal more cost effective. This in turn will result in a greater number of stormwater management facility cleanouts and therefore a better maintenance of our existing infrastructure. Community Priority – Quality of Life Quality of Life The review and consideration of Heritage Permit Applications supports the Community Priority of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan. The process to consider alterations to designated property helps to ensure that the heritage attributes of a property, and therefore its heritage value, are conserved. Cultural heritage resources are valuable assets that contribute to the quality of life of a community in a variety of ways. They represent and strengthen the identity and distinctiveness of a community; play a significant role in economic development; stimulate revitalization and attract tourism. Victoria Park is recognized as being the jewel in the City’s crown, and a haven of tranquility and beauty for residents and visitors alike. The designation in 1997 of the Victoria Park Area as a Heritage Conservation District served in part to publicly recognize and promote awareness of the heritage value of Victoria Park. Much of the significance of the Park lies in the aesthetic values of its Romantic Landscape design. The Victoria Park Lake Improvements Project proposes to reconfigure the Lake to improve its function. In processing this Heritage Permit Application, the City is upholding its responsibility to ensure the aesthetic and heritage values of Victoria Park and the Heritage District are conserved. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: During the detailed design of the Victoria Park Lake Improvements, two (2) public information rd centres (PIC) were conducted. One PIC was held on June 23, 2011, to receive community th input early in the design phase. The second PIC was held on September 27, 2011, to share the outcome of the detailed design and share what the public could expect during construction. rd At the June 23 2011 public meeting, an opportunity for the public to comment on the possibility of removing the flag pole was provided. There were 39 responses received with 18 respondents wanting the flagpole to remain where it is, 14 that wanted it removed completely and 7 of which requested that it be relocated. CONCLUSION: This report is provided for information to Council in support of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2011-V-018. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department