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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-07 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 07, 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. E. Rudland, Ms. B. Glenn-Graham, Ms. A. Hooykaas, Messrs.J. Stevens and S. Burrows. Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Planning C. Goodeve, Supervisor, Legislated Services C. Mahood, Heritage Planner M. Lee, Heritage Planner W. Sleeth, Landscape Architect D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator 1. PRESENTATION - CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - VICTORIA PARK WASHROOMS The Committee considered the Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment for the proposed washroom building at Victoria Park, prepared by The Landplan Collaborative Ltd., dated April 24, 2013. Mr. L. Bensason provided background for the project stating that the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is being presented as a requirement for the Heritage Permit Application to construct a new washroom building in Victoria Park. He referred to the February 5, 2013 Heritage Kitchener meeting which was attended by Mr. W. Sleeth, who presented four options for the washroom facilities in Victoria Park. The four options that were considered were: year round utilization of the existing facilities located near the pavilion; adaptively reuse and retrofit the building on Joseph Street; construct a new building at the end of the existing parking lot on Jubilee Drive; or, reuse the existing utility building on Water Street. At the March 4, 2013 Council meeting, construction of a new building at the far side of the parking lot on Jubilee Drive was approved. He indicated that as Victoria Park is located in the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District, and to have consideration for policies from the Region of Waterloo related to Cultural Heritage Landscapes, it was requested that an HIA be prepared. He stated that the HIA is being presented for information at this time, in anticipation of the HPA being brought forward to Heritage Kitchener in June for consideration. Mr. Owen Scott, LandPlan Collaborative gave a presentation reviewing the HIA and the Victoria Park Conservation District Plan. He advised that the HIA examines mitigating measures to ensure the washroom assimilates with the heritage attributes of the Park and the District. He reviewed the Victoria Park Conservation District Plan,which refers to Victoria Park as one of the nation's finest examples of romantic landscape style. He advised that all attributes are to be taken into account when considering the location of the new building in order to preserve the attributes of the cultural heritage landscape. The Plan states that all permanent structures within the wooded areas should be discouraged for preservation, he noted that the wooded area at the washroom location should be enhanced in accordance with the Plan. Mr. Scott reviewed applicable conservation policies within the Plan stating a number of criteria are required for a new building including vistas, lighting furnishings, and signage. Mr. Scott referred to the impacts of the new building stating that there are a number of trees in the wooded area in the vicinity of the approved location including Austrian Pines, Globe Maples, and grand Sugar Maples, all of which will be preserved if in good health. He noted that the objective within the Plan is to encourage a canopy of trees and hearty planting to mitigate the sighting of a building in order to nestle it into the wooded area. He reviewed the characteristics of the proposed building perspective: 1300 sq. ft in size; single storey with a gable roof; located at the northerly edge of the existing parking lot and will have the least impact to the Park as possible. The size, sighting, massing and detailing are all design aspects used to have a minimal impact. With regard to outside elevations, he indicated that the lighting would be minimal with the longer lower roofline softening the impact; poured concrete lentils with benches will be built-in; cedar shingles have been suggested; glass will be tempered and frosted to convey a traditional image, all of which are consistent with the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan. Mr. Scott opened the floor to comments and questions from the Committee. Ms. A. Hooykaas expressed concerns related to safety and inquired about lighting on the pathway and building. Mr. Scott responded that the building exterior is lit but additional lighting HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 07. 2013 -14- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. PRESENTATION - CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - VICTORIA PARK WASHROOMS (CONT'D) can be considered. Mr. S. Burrows agreed with Ms. Hooykaas, suggesting additional lighting for safety and expressed concern that an area behind the building will create an alcove with trees. Mr. W. Sleeth responded that there is an existing light pole which may be relocated along the pathway to the building to address safety concerns. In addition, Mr. Scott noted that there are four lights to be located around the exterior of the building. Councillor F. Etherington shared the concern for the alcove created behind the building. He noted that there is an existing berm that currently creates issues for the police which would be further exacerbated by trees. Mr. Burrows commented that the design of the structure does not seem representative of its site within Victoria Park and that it is being hidden. Mr. Scott responded that the building is being situated in accordance with the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan which suggests no building in the wooded area. He reiterated that the proposal mitigates the Plan's policies by nestling the building into the wooded area. With regard to the building materials, Councillor F. Etherington commented that cedar shingles are being proposed, and inquired if they are used consistently throughout the structures within the Park. Mr. Sleeth responded that the garage has cedar shingles but the boathouse does not. Mr. M. Peterson provided comments, in absentia, suggesting the use of alternative materials, such as simulated asphalt shingles or recycled rubber shingles that appear to be cedar shake and offer a partnership between heritage value and environmental sensitivity. Councillor Etherington further commented that the Victoria Park Working Group has suggested a skate changing area at the new building. Mr. Scott acknowledged this suggestion has been incorporated in to the design, noting that the exterior benches will serve as an outdoor skate changing area. 2. CSD-13-042 - LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTIES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST ON THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-13-042, dated April 25, 2013 recommending listing the properties municipally addressed as 79 Moore Avenue/54- 68 Shanley Street, and 241-247 Duke Street West/55 Victoria Street North as non-designated properties of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. Ms. M. Lee reviewed the report, advising that the two properties are municipally addressed as 79 Moore Avenue/54-68 Shanley Street and 241 Duke Street West/55 Victoria Street North. The first property is known as Sacred Heart Catholic Church and consists of a church, rectory, former convent and two older homes, all owned by the Catholic Church. She reviewed the Statement of Significance for 79 Moore Avenue/54-68 Shanley Street which was prepared to detail the heritage attributes of the property, including the design, historical and contextual features and is attached to Report CSD-13-042 as Appendix A'. Ms. Lee provided an overview of the second property recommended for listing on the Municipal Heritage Register, advising that it is known as the Bergen Electric Company, circa 1800s, and is currently tenanted by the "Love Shop". She stated that it is located on the southwest corner of Duke Street West and Victoria Street North in the downtown Kitchener. She advised that an addition to the original structure was constructed, by the overall mass and setbacks remain the same. She reviewed the design, historical, and contextual features of the building, as detailed in the Statement of Significance for 241 Duke Street West/55 Victoria Street North which is attached to Report CSD-13-042 as Appendix A'. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 07. 2013 -15- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-13-042 - LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTIES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST ON THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER(CONT'D) On motion by Mr.J. Stevens- it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the following properties be listed on the Municipal Heritage Register as non-designated properties of cultural heritage value or interest, in accordance with the Statements of Significance attached as Appendix'A'to Community Services Department report CSD-13-042: ■ 79 Moore Avenue/54-68 Shanley Street; ■ 241-247 Duke Street West/55 Victoria Street North." 3. ASSIGNMENT OF FIELD/ EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE AND DISTRIBUTION OF FIELD PACKAGES The Committee Field Teams were in receipt this date of material for use in the evaluation of properties which are of cultural heritage interest. Mr. L. Bensason referred to the March 5, 2013 Heritage Kitchener meeting when members were asked to submit their interest in participating on either a Field Team or the Evaluation Subcommittee. He advised that according to the responses received, the following Field Teams have been assembled: Field Team 1 —Mr. Stephen Thomson & Ms.Amanda Hooykaas; Field Team 2—Mr. Grayson Zeilstra & Mr. John Stephens; and, Field Team 3—Ms.Ann Oja & Mr. Tyler Batten. Mr. Bensason indicated that training on the architectural styles will take place at the June 4, 2013 Heritage Kitchener meeting, and will be useful for the Committee in applying the criteria for evaluation by the Field Teams and Subcommittee. He advised that the Evaluation Subcommittee will be comprised of Ms. Beverly Glenn-Graham, Ms. Erin Rudland, and Mr. Stephen Thompson. He noted that the role of the Evaluation Subcommittee will be to review the forms and photographs submitted by the Field Teams, in collaboration with Heritage Planning Staff; and, to apply criteria to determine if the property should be shortlisted and brought forward for consideration of listing as a non-designated property of cultural heritage value on the Municipal Heritage Register. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason indicated that evaluation of properties within the packages can be completed over the summer months with submission to Heritage Planning Staff in August 2013. 4. ROCKWAY GARDENS UPDATE Mr. L. Bensason gave a presentation updating the status of designating Rockway Gardens under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. He referred to the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) completed by MHBC Planning and considered by Heritage Kitchener meeting in October 2012, which concluded that the Rockway Gardens and Rockway Centre are of cultural heritage value and interest. He stated that the HIA identified defining attributes associated with cultural heritage values; such as, the landscape; open space; fountains; pools; and rockery. He stated that in consideration of the defining attributes and the impact designation may have, Heritage Planning Staff met with the Kitchener Horticultural Society. He explained that the Horticultural Society has worked in partnership with the City to manage and operate Rockway Gardens for the past 80 years. He indicated that their work has allowed the Gardens to evolve over time, by moving and installing both old and new structures. He stated that the Kitchener Horticultural Society has indicated that the rockery is the most significant feature within the Gardens, and recognizes that it is not going to be moved. He elaborated that when the Kitchener Horticultural Society became aware of the recommendation to designate the Gardens, they expressed concern the ability to conduct their work would be impacted by the requirement of an approved Heritage Permit Application. In response to these concerns, Staff advised that the recommendation to designate was to promote the significance of the Gardens. He suggested that rather than specify each structure in the Designating By-law, the HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 07. 2013 -16- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. ROCKWAY GARDENS UPDATE (CONT'D) descriptions could be limited to broad characteristics that would allow the Horticultural Society to continue to make alterations without triggering the Heritage Permit Application process. He advised that consideration of the Rockway Gardens and Rockway Centre will be at the May 27, 2013 Community& Infrastructure Services Committee meeting. Ms. A. Hooykaas indicated that although she is supportive of the concerns expressed by the Horticultural Society, the history of the rockery should be detailed in the Designating By-law to ensure it is not at risk through alteration. Mr. Bensason assured her that the Statement of Significance references detailed features within the rockery, and is attached to the Designating By-law. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator