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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-05 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 05, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. G.Zeilstra, - Chair Councillor F. Etherington, Ms. A. Hooykaas, Ms. E. Rudland, Ms. B. Glenn-Graham and Messrs. J. Stevens, S. Thomson and W. Trotter. Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Planning C. Goodeve, Supervisor, Legislated Services C. Mahood, Heritage Planner M. Lee, Heritage Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator At the commencement of the meeting, Mr. G. Zeilstra introduced Ms. B. Glenn-Graham as the newly appointment member and representative from the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District. APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER - REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE VICTORIA PARK 1. HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT The Committee was in receipt this date of three applications submitted for consideration of appointment as the representative from the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District. The Municipal subject applications were circulated under separate cover in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Mr. G. Zeilstra requested that the application package be returned to staff once deliberations were complete; and, that candidates be referred to in numerical form as indicated on the application package. Mr. C. Goodeve advised that the subject applications meet Section 3(d) of Heritage Kitchener Terms of Reference (Council Policy I-110), as all applicants are residents of the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District. He stated that at the November 19, 2012 Council appointment meeting, the St. Mary’s, Victoria Park and Civic Centre Heritage Conservation Districts were not represented within the Heritage Kitchener complement. He noted that the Civic Centre representative has since been appointed and that representation from the St. Mary’s and Victoria Park Heritage Conservation Districts remain outstanding. He requested consideration of diversity, sector-specific skills, demonstrated interest and participation in heritage matters when deliberating on the merits of each application. He then advised that the process would include a call for nominations followed by a vote. Mr. Zeilstra then opened the floor to nominations. Mr. J. Stephen nominated Applicant #3; Ms. E. Rudland nominated Applicant #1; and, Councillor F. Etherington nominated Applicant #2. Mr. S. Thomson referred to the Terms of Reference which specify Committee Composition, and inquired if one applicant, who fulfills both qualifications as a sector specific member, and a representative from a Heritage Conservation District, would provide the opportunity to appoint two new members. Mr. Goodeve explained that the Terms of Reference would require an exemption, as the complement would exceed the maximum of 14 members of the public on the Committee. On motion by Councillor F. Etherington - it was resolved: “That Steve Burrows be appointed to Heritage Kitchener as the Committee’s representative from the Victoria Park Neighborhood Heritage Conservation District for a term expiring November 30, 2014.” OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS 2. The Committee was in receipt this date of training materials related to the Heritage Permit Application process, including the submission requirements, schedule and form. Mr. L. Bensason led the training session, detailing the Heritage Permit Application (HPA) process. He provided background under the Ontario Heritage Act, which requires that no owner of a property designated under Part IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act shall alter the property, if the alteration is likely to affect the property’s heritage attributes, unless the owner HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 05, 2013 - 7- CITY OF KITCHENER OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS (CONT’D) 2. applies to Council and receives written consent through the approval of an HPA. He advised that the HPA process is the primary mechanism through which the City manages physical changes to designated heritage property. He clarified that the approval of a Heritage Permit Application is also required for the demolition, or removal, of a building or structure on a designated property. He then reviewed the submission requirements included in the HPA package, stating that it is their purpose to inform applicants of the City’s requirements, process and schedule for processing HPAs. He explained that the requirements ensure that sufficient detail is provided to enable City staff, the Heritage Committee, and Council to make an informed decision. In addition, the requirements direct the applicant to reference the designating by-law or Heritage Conservation District Plan guidelines and recognized conservation principles when submitting their proposal. Mr. Bensason reviewed the timelines for approval of Heritage Permit Applications, stating that there are notice requirements once an HPA has been submitted. He advised that once a Notice of Receipt is provided to the applicant, a decision is to be made within 90 days. He explained that the Committee and staff work collaboratively to provide a recommendation to Council in a timely manner, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines. He stated that there is a process for delegated authority which has been granted under a provision within the Ontario Heritage Act. The delegated authority allows staff to make a decision on an HPA within 10 days, in order to: ensure improved customer service by reducing approval times for routine HPA’s; greater acceptance of heritage review; and, more efficient use of the Committee’s and staff’s resources that can be devoted to other heritage priorities. He explained that it is limited to Part V HPA’s which are routine and non-controversial in nature. He clarified that those HPA’s which will come to Heritage Kitchener for consideration are for: individually designated properties under Part IV; all HPA’s that seek Council’s consent for demolition; and any complex HPA’s for Part V which require a Heritage Impact Assessment or a Conservation Plan. He reviewed a list of referral criteria which identifies those significant attributes which require Heritage Kitchener’s consideration, and stated that only those applications meeting the Heritage Conservation District Plan Guidelines can be dealt with by delegated approval authority. Ms. B. Glenn-Graham inquired when the Heritage Permit Application process was last revisited by Council. Mr. Bensason responded that the process was reviewed by Council in 2008/2009, when delegated approval authority was granted to staff. With regard to specific changes in the form, he stated that applications for alterations were initially required in 1994; since then, only slight modifications have been incorporated into the form. He clarified that Council endorsed the utilization of the Parks Canada Standards and Guidelines approximately four years ago, which are reflected in the application form. In response to further questions from the Committee, Mr. Bensason indicated that although feedback on the HPA process has not been solicited from the community, past surveys indicate satisfaction by the majority of citizens. He added that data collected by the surveys suggests that the experiences of those individuals living within a Heritage Conservation District have largely been positive. PROCESS FOR LISTING NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTIES ON THE MUNICIPAL 3. HERITAGE REGISTER The Committee was in receipt this date of training materials regarding the listing of non- designated properties of cultural heritage significance on the City’s Municipal Heritage Register. Mr. C. Mahood began the training session with a presentation outlining the background of the Municipal Heritage Register. He advised that listing a property is the initial step that municipalities should take in the identification and evaluation of a property that may warrant some form of heritage conservation, recognition and/or long-term protection. He indicated that listing a property can have various implications, noting that the listed properties are not subject to restrictions or obligations with regard to alterations (i.e. no Heritage Permit requirements); however, the listing of properties provides a 60-day delay of demolition under the Ontario Building Code. In addition, Planning staff can require the submission and approval of a Heritage Impact Assessment and/or Conservation Plan as part of a Planning Act application. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 05, 2013 - 8- CITY OF KITCHENER PROCESS FOR LISTING NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTIES ON THE MUNICIPAL 3. HERITAGE ROSTER (CONT’D) He then reviewed the Four-Step Listing Process, including: i. field team evaluation; ii. Municipal Heritage Register Evaluation Sub-Committee meeting; iii. Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting and recommendation to Council; and, iv. Council meeting. Ms. M. Lee provided training on the process for completing the Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation form and an examination of the common architectural styles found in the City of Kitchener. She referred to the initial step in the Four-Step Listing Process, and indicated that field teams are assigned based on expressions of interest by Committee members. They are then provided with packages of property information and are asked to complete evaluation forms which contain specific criteria that are used to determine a property’s significance. Ms. Lee requested that members interested in participating on a field team or the Evaluation Sub- Committee indicate via email to Ms. D. Livingstone, by March 19, 2013. Members were informed that the training materials would be provided electronically and are requested to bring their flash drives to the April 5, 2013 Heritage Kitchener meeting for updating. DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE KITCHENER 2013-2014 WORK PLAN 4. The Committee was in receipt this date of the Heritage Kitchener 2011-2012 Work Plan, dated February 9, 2011, for use as a reference tool in consideration of the Work Plan for the current term of the Committee. Mr. L. Bensason addressed the Committee, advising that the Work Plan is being presented to the Committee for information and to be tabled for future consideration. He reviewed the document, stating that the core areas are outlined categorically under Strategic Direction, and are areas of priority for Heritage Kitchener. He stated that these areas were identified as initiatives related to the Municipal Heritage Register, legally protecting resources through designation under Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Awareness Programs, and Advisory Committee Review. He suggested that members consider areas of focus or objectives they would like included in the new Work Plan, as it identifies areas of initiative and action for the current term of Heritage Kitchener. He stated that 2013 is the year the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards are granted, and noted that this is an item for inclusion in the Work Plan. He indicated that ideally, the Work Plan would be completed by the June meeting and put forward for Council’s consideration in August. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator