HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-034 - Designation of 137-147 King Street East Under the~.?, Staff Repvr~
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REPORT TO: Mayor and Members of Council
DATE OF MEETING: February 27, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY: Leon Bensason, Coordinator Cultural Heritage Planning
519-741-2306
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9
DATE OF REPORT: February 16, 2012
REPORT NO.: CSD-12-034
SUBJECT: 137-147 KING STREET EAST
DESIGNATION UNDER THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to section 29.15 of the Ontario Heritage Act and in accordance with the
Notice of Intention passed by Council on May 9, 2011 save and except removal of the
term `roof' from the list of heritage attributes, the by-law to designate 137-147 King Street
East attached as Appendix `A' to Community Services Department report CSD-12-034, be
adopted.
BACKGROUND:
On May 9, 2011 City Council passed a Notice of Intention to designate 137-147 King Street
East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The proposed heritage designation was
appealed by the property owner to the Conservation Review Board. Discussions with the owner
and his legal representative have resulted in a settlement that would see the heritage
designation move forward, with a by-law prepared in accordance with the Notice of Intention
passed by Council on May 9, 2011, save for the removal of the term "roof' from the list of
heritage attributes.
REPORT:
Legal and Heritage Planning Staff have met with the owner of 137 -147 King Street East and his
legal representative to discuss the property owner's objection to the proposed heritage
designation. These discussions have resulted in the owner agreeing to withdraw his objection to
the designation, on the condition that the term "roof" be removed from the list of heritage
attributes in the designating by-law.
At the time of the Notice of Intention to designate 137-147 King Street East, both the roof and
roofline were identified as attributes contributing to the design and physical value of the
property. It is common practice to reference roof and roofline together in assigning value to
features located on the top of a building. In this case, City staff identified the heavy cornice with
dentil blocks and metal capping located at the top of 137-147 King Street East as contributing to
the design and physical value of the building. In voicing his objection to the proposed
designation, the owner of 137-147 King Street East argued that the flat roof of the subject
building is neither unique or uncommon for a commercial structure, and does not contribute to
the building's design or physical value. City Staff acknowledge that while the flat roof itself may
not have specific design or physical value, the straight roofline defined by the heavy cornice
does. As a result, Staff advised that it would be willing to support removal of the term "roof" from
the list of heritage attributes but not "roofline". Staff do not believe removal of the term "roof"
from the list of heritage attributes will compromise the designation or the protection of the
roofline as a heritage attribute. The owner has signed Minutes of Settlement with the City
agreeing to withdraw his objection to the heritage designation on the condition the term "roof" is
removed from the list heritage attributes in the designating by-law.
On February 16, 2012 the City received formal notice from the owner of 137-147 King Street
East that his objection to the designation has been withdrawn. Consequently, it is now
appropriate for Council to direct staff to prepare a by-law in accordance with the Notice of
Intention passed by Council on May 9, 2011, save and except removal of the term "roof" from
the list of heritage attributes, generally as shown in the by-law attached to this report as
Appendix `A'.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Community Priority -Quality of Life
The City has its own unique culture and heritage. The City has places, spaces and stories that
enrich, enlighten, and guide growth and development. These cultural heritage resources are
integral to the identity of the City, but they also play a significant role in economic development
by helping to enhance quality of life, strengthen distinctiveness, stimulate revitalization and
attract tourism. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, the City can designate properties of cultural
heritage value or interest. Designation publicly acknowledges a property's heritage value and
ensures its conservation for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. As a
result, designation supports the Quality of Life Community Priority of the City of Kitchener
Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Should Council pass the designating By-law, notice of the designation will be served on the
property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The
Record), all in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO
Community Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix `A' - Proposed By-law designating 137-147 King Street East under the Ontario
Heritage Act.
APPENDIX `A'
BY-LAW NUMBER
of THE CORPORATION
OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER
(Being a by-law to designate a
portion of the property
municipally known as 137-147
King Street East in the City of
Kitchener as being of cultural
heritage value or interest).
WHEREAS section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.18.,
authorizes the Council of a Municipality to enact by-laws to designate real property,
including all buildings and structures thereon, to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
AND WHEREAS the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener has
received and considered the recommendations of its municipal heritage committee
pertaining to this by-law, arising from Heritage Kitchener's meeting held on May 3, 2011;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Kitchener resolved at
its Council Meeting held the 9th day of May, 2011 to publish a Notice of Intention to
designate the land described as 137-147 King Street East, and which resolution was
confirmed by By-law No. 2011-067 passed by the Council of The Corporation of the City of
Kitchener at its Council Meeting held the 9th day of May, 2011;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the City of Kitchener has
caused to be served on the owner of the land and premises known municipally as 137-147
King Street East in the City of Kitchener, and upon the Ontario Heritage Trust, a Notice of
Intention to designate as being of cultural heritage value or interest that part of the
aforesaid real property more particularly hereinafter described in the attached Schedule
"A", and has caused such Notice of Intention to be published in a newspaper having
general circulation in the municipality;
AND WHEREAS a Notice of Objection was received by the Clerk of the
Municipality but was withdrawn prior to a full hearing of the matter scheduled by the
Conservation Review Board (File No: CRB1104);
AND WHEREAS there are currently no other appeals with respect to the
designation of the property;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the City of Kitchener enacts
as follows:
1. There is designated as being of cultural heritage value or interest the following key
attributes of the building where it stands, on the front and side elevations that
embody the heritage value of 137-147 King Street East as a representative
example of a vernacular commercial building:
• the square plan;
• the stone foundation;
• rugged brick construction;
• decorative brickwork and masonry detailing;
• date stone that reads "1922";
• precast masonry storefront;
• window and door openings;
• masonry sills;
• wood windows with multiple light transoms;
• heavy cornice with dentil blocks and metal capping;
• wood doors with semi-circular transom;
• roofline; and
• painted signage band on the north (west) elevation reading
"Conservatory Sales Room".
2. A statement of the property's cultural heritage value or interest is attached hereto as
Schedule "A".
3. The City Solicitor is hereby authorized to cause a copy of this by-law to be
registered against the portion of 137-147 King Street East described in Schedule
"B" attached hereto in the proper land registry office.
4. The Clerk is hereby authorized to cause a copy of this by-law to be served on the
owner of the aforesaid property and on the Ontario Heritage Trust and to cause
notice of the passing of this by-law to be published in a newspaper having general
circulation in the municipality.
PASSED at the Council Chambers in the city of Kitchener this day of
2012.
MAYOR
CLERK
SCHEDULE "A"
137-147 King Street East
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
The design and physical values relate to the vernacular architecture of the building
which features many intact original elements. The building is a representative example
of early 20t" century main street commercial architecture and a rare survivor of this style
of building south (east) of Frederick / Benton streets in downtown Kitchener. It features
a high degree of detail and craftsmanship including apre-cast storefront, brick and
masonry detailing, heavy cornice, and multiple light transoms.
The historical and associative values relate to previous and notable tenants associated
with individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the
community. From the 1940s through to the 1970s, the building was the location of the
Kitchener Conservatory of Music at a time when the organization's President was
founder George Henry Ziegler, a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. In
1911, George H. Ziegler founded the Ziegler Associated Studios, which later became
the Kitchener Conservatory of Music. Instruction was offered in piano, orchestra and
band instruments, voice, guitar, theory, and elocution. George was a flautist with the
29t" Regiment Band, the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony
Orchestra. In addition, he was an organist and choir master at St. Peter's Church, St.
Andrew's Church, and Trinity United from 1917-1950. He also organized the Kitchener-
Waterloo branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association, the Berlin
Symphony Orchestra, the Kitchener Ladies' band, and the first Kitchener Boys' Band.
He was leader of the 29t" Regiment Band of the Scots Fusiliers of Canada, and of the
Kitchener Musical Society Band.
The property also has a long time association with various trade union and labour
associations from the 1950s through to 2010. It served as headquarters of the K-W
Labour Association which included local unions from the Canadian Association of Public
Employees, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the United Packing
House Workers of America, the United Rubber Workers of America, and the United
Steel Workers of America.
SCHEDULE "B"
137-147 King Street East
Legal Description
PT LT 5 S/S KING ST, 6 S/S KING ST PL 364 KITCHENER AS IN 302404 & A14451
T/W A124451; S/T & T/W 302404; KITCHENER.
Being all of PIN 22501-0053 (LT).