HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-06HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m.
Present: Mr. K. Kirby - Chair
Councillors F. Etherington Y. Fernandes and J. Gazzola, Ms. A. Oja, Ms. E. Young, and
Messrs. L. Robertson and S. Thomson.
Staff: M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services
M. Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services
L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Resources
A. Golden, Heritage Planner
C. Mahood, Heritage Planner
D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator
CSD-12-144 - DESIGNATION OF 397 GRAVEL RIDGE TRAIL UNDER PART IV
1.
OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-144, dated
October 16, 2012, recommending designation of 397 Gravel Ridge Trail, also known as the
Donnenwerth Farmhouse, as being of cultural heritage value and interest.
Ms. A. Golden presented highlights of the Statement of Significance related to this property,
including the list of heritage attributes proposed for protection under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act. She advised that the property was formerly municipally addressed as 2062
Bleams Road and referred to as the Eby Estate Farmhouse; it has since been moved and
incorporated in to the existing Eby Estate Subdivision. She stated that the Notice of Intention
to designate was served in 2007 and the Owner of the property has expressed written support
for heritage designation; including the expanded list of heritage attributes and updated
Statement of Significance. It was noted that the associated Statement of Significance and list
of heritage attributes have been updated and expanded to reflect the existing cultural heritage
value and significance of the property in accordance with the provisions agreed to through the
Plan of Subdivision process.
Ms. Sarah Code, Planner, Schlegel Urban Developments, addressed the Committee regarding
the lengthy process of designation. She acknowledged the continuing support of City staff and
the support of Heritage Kitchener with regard to the designation.
On motion by Mr. L. Robertson-
it was resolved:
“That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the City Solicitor be directed
to prepare a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 397 Gravel
Ridge Trail under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.”
CSD-12-145 - DESIGNATION OF 500 STAUFFER DRIVE UNDER PART IV OF
2.
THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-145, October 18,
2012, recommending designation of 500 Stauffer Drive as being of cultural heritage value and
interest.
Mr. C. Mahood provided an overview of the Statement of Significance and description of
heritage attributes, advising that staff are of the opinion that 500 Stauffer Drive is a cultural
heritage landscape that meets the criteria for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act and Ontario Regulation 9/06 with regard to cultural heritage value or interest. He noted
that the landscape is comprised of a cluster of built heritage features including a farmhouse,
barn and drive shed that are surrounded by cultivated fields, an open water pond, hedgerows,
and a mature woodlot, and accessed by a long tree-lined driveway from Stauffer Drive. He
indicated that the property was previously identified on the Heritage Kitchener Inventory, and in
correspondence dated November 1, 2011 the Owner requested the designation of the property
under the Act. Mr. Mahood further explained the process leading to the staff recommendation,
stating that the Owner was notified of the proposed intention to designate on October 12, 2012
and conveyed continued support of the designation.
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2012 - 42 - CITY OF KITCHENER
CSD-12-145 - DESIGNATION OF 500 STAUFFER DRIVE UNDER PART IV OF
2.
THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT (CONT’D)
Ms. Monika Ruttkowski, Owner, attended in support of the recommendation to designate 500
Stauffer Drive under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. She commented on the necessity to
preserve and pass on the value of the home and surrounding landscape to future generations.
Councillor Y. Fernandes requested confirmation that the designation applied to the entire
property and not just the farmhouse by identifying it as a cultural heritage landscape. Mr. L.
Bensason clarified that the designation recognizes the landscape as a significant cultural
heritage resource as part of the overall designation of the property.
In response to questions regarding the long-term affect the designation has on the property,
Mr. Bensason responded that the designating by-law is registered on title and stays with the
property in perpetuity. He added that approval through the Heritage Permit Application
process would be required for alterations to the heritage attributes listed in the designating by-
law.
Mr. L. Robertson inquired as to whether designation of the farmhouse as well as the
surrounding land as a cultural heritage landscape would be the first designation of this scale in
Kitchener. Mr. Bensason indicated that other designations within the City make reference to
cultural heritage landscapes, which can be exemplified in associated landscape plans;
however, this would be the first formal designation of specific landscape attributes of an active
farmstead.
On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes-
it was resolved:
“That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to
publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property municipally addressed as 500
Stauffer Drive, as being of cultural heritage value or interest.”
PRESENTATION ON ROCKWAY HERITAGE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT
3.
Mr. L. Bensason referred to the Heritage Kitchener meeting of October 2, 2012 during which
the Committee requested the Consultant completing the Rockway Heritage Study and
Assessment attend to present Phase I of the Study.
Ms. Lasha Jones, Cultural Heritage Researcher, MHBC was in attendance to present the
analysis of Phase I. She provided an overview of the Study which included an assessment of
the cultural heritage resources of the Rockway Centre and surrounding lands; a photographic
inventory of each property; identification of heritage value of the properties; determination of
significance of lands as cultural heritage landscapes; and, an assessment of impacts that the
various options for the future use of the Rockway Centre may have on the identified heritage
attributes. Ms. Jones reviewed the history of the Rockway Centre as a transit terminal and the
key heritage attributes of the Centre, Gardens and Golf Course. She stated that the scope of
work requested that Heritage Consultants determine whether the three properties comprise a
cultural heritage landscape. She indicated that Phase I concluded that each individual
property constitutes a separate cultural heritage landscape and elaborated that there is an
insufficient relationship amongst the three to form a single cultural heritage landscape.
Mr. Bensason advised that the recommendations for Phase I were originally presented in draft
form at the October 2, 2012 Committee meeting; namely, that both the Rockway Centre and
the Rockway Gardens were recommended for designation under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act, as they meet all three of the major criteria of Regulation 9/06; and, that the
Rockway Centre and Rockway Gardens be considered for designation as separate sites, as
there is not a contextual relationship between the two to warrant their designation as a single
cultural heritage landscape. He added that at that time the Committee recommended that the
Rockway Centre and Rockway Gardens be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act. He noted that Council deferred consideration of those recommendations pending the
completion of the Rockway Feasibility study.
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2012 - 43 - CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENTATION ON ROCKWAY HERITAGE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT (CONT’D)
3.
Mr. K. Kirby requested clarification as to why Council did not approve the designation of
Rockway Gardens at its October 22, 2012 meeting. Councillor F. Etherington responded that
he would be seeking reconsideration from Council as there were two motions brought forward
from Heritage Kitchener and it is possible that Council did not treat the motions separately.
Councillor J. Gazzola spoke to the value of seeking reconsideration at this time as the
Rockway Study and Assessment is anticipated to return to the February 4, 2013 Council
meeting upon completion of Phase II.
Councillor Y. Fernandes inquired if the project team considered the feasibility of the Rockway
Centre when evaluating the cultural heritage significance of the building and if they are the
same team conducting Phase II of the Study. Ms. Jones responded that she is part of the
project team, and they will be reviewing the options presented for feasibility from a heritage
perspective.
Councillor Etherington inquired about the Feasibility Study and whether heritage attributes can
be retained as part of the options that will be presented in Phase II. Mr. Bensason responded
that in Phase I, the site was determined to be a cultural heritage resource with assessment of
the quality and attributes of the subject lands. He elaborated that the information contained
within Phase I is being used to identify options which will be reviewed by a Steering
Committee. The options will then be forwarded for consideration to the Heritage Consultants
to determine means to mitigate or avoid any negative impacts on the identified heritage
attributes. He added that information would then factor in to identifying the preferred options
for moving forward.
Councillor Gazzola commented that reports have been brought to Council related to water
problems at the Rockway Centre and asked if those issues have been addressed. Mr. M.
Hildebrand responded that the water problems have been monitored by Facilities Management
staff, who have assured that the building is dry. He added that the Facility Audit determined
that although there was ingress of water, the facility is being well maintained.
Mr. L. Robertson expressed concern regarding Council’s deferral of the two heritage
designations. He stated that Heritage Kitchener purposely separated the recommendations for
designating the Rockway Centre and Rockway Gardens as two distinct cultural heritage
resources. Councillor Etherington responded that in his opinion the deferral of the Rockway
Gardens designation was made in error. Mr. Kirby stated that the Committee’s primary
concern is preservation of the heritage attributes of the building.
ADJOURNMENT
4.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Daphne Livingstone
Committee Administrator