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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-04HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Mr. K. Kirby - Chair Councillors F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, and Z. Janecki, Ms. A. Oja, Ms. E. Young, and Messrs. S. Thomson, S. Sindile and G. Zeilstra. Staff: B. Sloan, Manager of Long Range Planning C. Goodeve, Supervisor Legislative Services L. Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Resources C. Mahood, Heritage Planner A. Golden, Heritage Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator CSD-12-123 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2012-IV-017 1. - 318 DUKE STREET WEST - REPOINTING AND MASONRY REPAIR The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-123, dated August 13, 2012, recommending approval of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2012-IV-017 to permit the repair of the brick masonry and concrete sills as well as repointing the existing motor joints at 318 Duke Street West. Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the report, advising that the subject property is former Fire Hall #2 and was constructed circa 1913. Mr. Brian Bee, Applicant, attended in support of the subject HPA. In response to questions, Mr. Bee indicated that although the building looks as though it may be shifting due to the cracks in the mortar, structural engineers found that the shifting took place early in the life of the building; and, has not occurred for many years. On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki - it was resolved: That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2012-IV-017, be approved to permit repointing and masonry repair on the building municipally addressed 318 Duke Street West, in accordance with the supporting information submitted with the application. CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL - 330 JOSEPH SCHOERG CRESCENT 2. Mr. L. Bensason provided an overview of the concept plan proposed for 330 Joseph Schoerg Crescent. He noted the proposal encompasses three major components, including: repair and alternations to the farmhouse; demolition of the two storey rear kitchen annex; and, construction of a new addition with a two car garage. He advised the proponents are seeking the Committee’s input prior to submitting formal applications for the proposed work. Mr. Pat George, JHS Properties advised that the intention is to develop the house into a habitable structure with the owner / occupant maintaining the property. He stated that the conceptual drawings include a garage addition and a new kitchen in rear; however, the exact floor plan has yet to be determined. Mr. George described the conceptual design as being consistent with the existing brick structure; however, the addition of the chimney would serve to tie-in the stones used on the lower elevations. He reviewed the existing structure, noting the back of the house appears to be an old porch that was enclosed; but, the foundation was cut to provide basement access. He stated that structural evidence indicates that this back portion was added at a later date. He advised the existing clay brick has been examined and it was determined there is no way of salvaging most of it. Mr. George elaborated on the condition of the structure, noting prior owners had sprayed urethane to prevent water infiltration. However, during an inspection in 2007, it was identified that this process trapped moisture into the structural beams, causing them to deteriorate. He added engineers have temporarily supported the back of the house and in their opinion, the rear annex cannot be repaired. In response to questions, Mr. George advised that should the application be approved, the rear kitchen annex would be demolished given the degree of the damaged. He added that the date the kitchen annex was built is a matter of debate; however, certain sources refer to a fireplace in the basement and could suggest the rear portion is the oldest section of the home. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL - 330 JOSEPH SCHOERG CRESCENT (CONT’D) 2. Mr. Tony Bocchino, was also in attendance to answer question related to the conceptual proposal. He confirmed that the foundation is sunken and noted that all roof supports are framed on to the brick house. He commented that the front portion of the house has J. Price brick circa 1920, which might be an indication of its age. Councillor Z. Janecki spoke to the historical significance of the property and inquired as to the size and extent of the rehabilitation. Mr. George responded that it is estimated that once complete, the finished building would be approximately 4000 sq. ft. He indicated their intent is to work within the existing blueprint and floor plan of the single family dwelling. Further questions were raised as to whether the windows would need to be replacement. Mr. George advised the existing windows are in poor condition, noting the previous owner had submitted a demolition application. He added that since then, the property has not been occupied and the windows have continued to deteriorate. He stated that their intention is to replace the windows with ones similar to the existing; being, six over six and nine over nine. Mr. G. Zeilstra inquired about the landscaping of the property and whether it would be similar to 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent. Mr. Bensason advised that 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent is subject to a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement, which provides for the preservation of the historic views. He noted that a similar Agreement has not been applied to the subject property and agreed to review the designating by-law to identify whether the views were specifically mentioned as heritage attributes. Referencing the conceptual plan, Mr. S. Thompson suggested detaching the garage from the house in order to better exhibit the property. He then asked if the shutters shown on the plan are consistent with the original design of the house. Mr. Bensason advised that it is not known if the original building had shutters, adding that a Heritage Permit Application would be required if the owner were to pursue incorporating shutters on the original exterior façade. Councillor Y. Fernandes indicated she would prefer to see the rear annex retained. Mr. George advised that the rear area has deteriorated to a point that has made salvage impossible. Councillor Fernandes further suggested that the repairs should be undertaken using the reclaimed bricks. Mr. George advised as clay bricks were used and went to the ground with no break; this allowed moisture to permeate, which caused deterioration. He indicated the brick were also improperly repaired at some point. He noted that mortar appears to be smeared on in places, while elsewhere the bricks were sandblasted which removed the hardness from the kiln. He advised that while they will try to salvage as many bricks as possible, it is uncertain how many can be feasibly re-used. He responded further that the exact age of the bricks is not known, indicating that J Price Brick opened in 1906 producing hand molded brick. He commented that the brick used on the house were not hand molded and could have been purchased at a later date. Councillor Z. Janecki inquired as to the timing of the project. Mr. George advised that depending on the direction received by Heritage Kitchener, working drawings will be created and submitted for approval. He added that concurrently a demolition application for the rear annex would also be submitted; whereby, it would be removed without impacting the rest of the house. He noted that ideally he would prefer to start as soon as possible. DISCUSSION - ROCKWAY CENTRE 3. Mr. L. Bensason advised that the City has hired a consultant to conduct a heritage evaluation of the Rockway Centre and Rockway Gardens area to inform the feasibility study, which is currently underway. He added that he has reviewed a draft of the first phase of the study and expects a second and final phase will be complete within the next month.He further advised that this matter is anticipated to be discussed at the October Heritage Kitchener meeting. DISCUSSION - 500 STAUFFER DRIVE 4. Councillor Y. Fernandes inquired as to the status of the heritage designation of 500 Stauffer Drive. Mr. L. Bensason advised that he has met with the owners of the property and taken photographs as part of preparing the documentation required for listing on the City’s Municipal HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER DISCUSSION - 500 STAUFFER DRIVE (CONT’D) 4. Heritage Register (MHR). He added the evaluation of the property will continue this fall, with particular assistance being provided by Heritage Planners, Alissa Golden and Chris Mahood. Mr. Bensason indicated that the evaluation and documentation would be sent to the property owners and a staff report would be prepared for the November Committee meeting. It was noted that any recommendation arising from the Committee would then be considered at the following Council meeting. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason indicated that the HIA completed in association with the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed extension of Strasburg Road concluded that 500 Stauffer Drive was a cultural heritage resource. He added that as a result, the heritage significance of the property was considered as part of that EA process; and, that designation of the property would not change the way in which the EA would consider the heritage impact of the proposed road extension. Concerns were expressed that the impact of noise and visual issues have not been mitigated though the EA. Mr. Bensason confirmed that the HIA identified two potential heritage impacts those being visual and noise; and, the heritage consultant concluded that the visual impact could be appropriately mitigated through a screening buffer. He added that to his knowledge, mitigation measures to reduce the noise impact on 500 Stauffer Drive were not addressed. Mr. Bensason advised that his comments on the HIA and EA have been forwarded to Engineering Staff and to the consultant working on that project. DISCUSSION - 38 SHIRK PLACE 5. Councillor Y. Fernandes inquired as to the process for requiring maintenance and repair to 38 Shirk Place given that it is a designated property. Mr. Bensason advised that the heritage provisions in the City’s Property Standards By-law only apply to vacant heritage properties. He agreed to bring this matter to the attention of By-law Enforcement staff. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator