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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-14-005 - Property Owner Engagement and Municipal Heritage RegisterStuff Report Community Services Department www1itchener.ca REPORT TO: Council DATE OF MEETING: January 27, 2014 SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning PREPARED BY: Michelle Drake, Heritage Planner, 519 - 741 -2200 ext. 7839 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: December 11, 2013 REPORT NO.: CSD -14 -005 SUBJECT: PROPERTY OWNER ENGAGEMENT AND THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER RECOMMENDATION: For information. BACKGROUND: The Ontario Heritage Act requires municipalities to list properties that have not been designated under the Act but that the municipality believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The 2013 -2015 Community Services Department Business Plan identifies the continued development of the Municipal Heritage Register as a Divisional Project in 2013 and 2014 that contributes to the City's Strategic Plan. The development of the Municipal Heritage Register follows the Council approved 4 -Step Listing Process, as outlined in Staff Reports DTS -05 -213 and DTS -09 -160. On June 10, 2013, Council requested that staff prepare a report describing property owner engagement in the heritage listing /register process. The purpose of this report to outline the efforts the city takes to engage property owners during the heritage listing /register process. REPORT: The purpose of this report is to: describe the legislative requirements for the listing of heritage properties and property owner engagement, describe the general extent of engagement in other municipalities, and outline engagement in the creation of Kitchener's process and current property owner engagement. Legislative Requirements The Ontario Heritage Act requires municipalities to list properties that have not been designated under the Act but that the municipality believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The Ontario Heritage Act requires that Council consult with the municipal heritage committee (Heritage Kitchener) and provide a description of the property that is sufficient to readily ascertain the property before formally listing the property as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The Ontario Heritage Act does not require a municipality to consult with the property owner. Other Municipalities Various municipal approaches are utilized for formalizing a list of non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. Heritage planning staff conducted a survey and review of municipal best practices in 2006 prior to adopting the 4 -Step Listing Process. At the time, many municipalities had not formalized a process and the majority of municipalities that had formalized a process endorsed the listing of non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register without any prior property owner consultation. Table 1. 2006 Review of Municipal Best Practices At the time, only three municipalities indicated that their process involved property owner consultation in one of two ways. The first approach involves notifying the owner upfront in advance of the municipal heritage committee and council meetings (similar to Kitchener) and inviting the property owner to participate in the listing process. The second approach involves notifying the owner, for information purposes only, after the municipal heritage committee and council meetings. The most common technique is standard mail notification. Other techniques include: information packages, surveys, open houses, brochures, municipal heritage committee and council meetings. Heritage planning staff conducted a new survey and review of municipal best practices in 2012. At that time, the majority of municipalities that had a formalized process sent a letter to the property owner before endorsing the listing of non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The review of municipal best practices in 2012 demonstrated that the City's process for property owner engagement is consistent with the majority of municipalities. Engagement in Creating Kitchener's Listing Process Although property owner consultation is not required under the Ontario Heritage Act and the majority of municipalities were not consulting property owners, it was decided that a transparent and public process that involved property owner consultation was important to staff, Heritage Kitchener and Council. As a result, staff drafted a 4 -Step Listing Process that included opportunities for property owner consultation. The first opportunity for property owner consultation was a public information meeting in May 2006. All owners with property identified on the Heritage Kitchener Inventory of Historic Buildings were sent a letter inviting them to attend the public information meeting. Letters were also sent to local professional planning and architectural consultants, the Waterloo Regional Homebuilders Association, the KW Real Estate Board and the local neighbourhood associations inviting them to attend the public information meeting. The public information meeting was well attended by approximately 90 people. Comments received from the public information meeting were considered in the 4 -Step Listing Process and reported back to Council. Type of Property Owner Consultation No Consultation Consultation Consultation Consultation Before Before After (Letter (Letter to (Newspaper to Owner) Owner) Advertisement) Number of 10 1 1 1 Municipalities with Formalized Listing Processes At the time, only three municipalities indicated that their process involved property owner consultation in one of two ways. The first approach involves notifying the owner upfront in advance of the municipal heritage committee and council meetings (similar to Kitchener) and inviting the property owner to participate in the listing process. The second approach involves notifying the owner, for information purposes only, after the municipal heritage committee and council meetings. The most common technique is standard mail notification. Other techniques include: information packages, surveys, open houses, brochures, municipal heritage committee and council meetings. Heritage planning staff conducted a new survey and review of municipal best practices in 2012. At that time, the majority of municipalities that had a formalized process sent a letter to the property owner before endorsing the listing of non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The review of municipal best practices in 2012 demonstrated that the City's process for property owner engagement is consistent with the majority of municipalities. Engagement in Creating Kitchener's Listing Process Although property owner consultation is not required under the Ontario Heritage Act and the majority of municipalities were not consulting property owners, it was decided that a transparent and public process that involved property owner consultation was important to staff, Heritage Kitchener and Council. As a result, staff drafted a 4 -Step Listing Process that included opportunities for property owner consultation. The first opportunity for property owner consultation was a public information meeting in May 2006. All owners with property identified on the Heritage Kitchener Inventory of Historic Buildings were sent a letter inviting them to attend the public information meeting. Letters were also sent to local professional planning and architectural consultants, the Waterloo Regional Homebuilders Association, the KW Real Estate Board and the local neighbourhood associations inviting them to attend the public information meeting. The public information meeting was well attended by approximately 90 people. Comments received from the public information meeting were considered in the 4 -Step Listing Process and reported back to Council. Council adopted the 4 -Step Listing Process in 2006 which introduced a transparent and public evaluation process for inclusion as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. This process includes: initial assessment by a field team using a standardized evaluation form; critical review by a subcommittee comprised of staff and Heritage Kitchener members; preparation of a statement of significance; letter to the property owner, including a statement of significance and brochure, inviting them to participate in the process by contacting staff, submitting comments, or attending the Heritage Kitchener and Council meetings; staff report considered by Heritage Kitchener; letter to property owner advising of the Heritage Kitchener recommendation and inviting them to participate by contacting staff, submitting comments or attending the Council meeting; and, consideration by Council. Engagement in the Current Process The 4 -Step Listing Process involves two opportunities for property owner consultation before the Council meeting. The first opportunity occurs in advance of a property being considered by Heritage Kitchener. Staff prepare an information package that includes a letter, statement of significance and brochure. An example of the property owner information package is attached as Appendix W. The information package is sent approximately one month in advance of the Heritage Kitchener meeting. The letter invites owners to participate in the process by contacting staff, providing written comments and /or attending the Heritage Kitchener meeting. The statement of significance includes a description of the cultural heritage value and interest associated with the property, a completed standardized evaluation form and photographs of the property. The brochure provides responses to frequently asked questions. The second opportunity for property owner consultation occurs after the Heritage Kitchener meeting, but in advance of the Council meeting. Staff prepares a second letter that is sent to the property owner approximately two weeks in advance of the Council meeting. The letter advises of the Heritage Kitchener recommendation and invites the owners to participate in the process by contacting staff and /or attending the Council meeting. Once Council lists a property the address is added to the Municipal Heritage Register and posted on the City's website for public access. Since 2006, approximately 650 properties have been evaluated and considered for addition to the register. Of those properties, to date 106 have been listed while approximately 510 properties were not recommended by the field team and /or evaluation subcommittee for listing. Of the properties recommended to City Council for listing, approximately 10 were not listed. The City has approved a thorough and transparent process involving property owner consultation that goes well beyond the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act and exceed or are consistent with the practices of other municipalities in the Region and Ontario. Staff, Heritage Kitchener and Council have also been supportive of requests by owners to defer decisions to allow more time for consultation. For instance, the KW Badminton Club, as a tenant, had contacted staff several months ago asking about the heritage status of their property and expressing support for the listing status. The KW Badminton Club has now taken ownership of their property and has requested a deferral to provide time to consider their options for the property. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Listing of non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register supports the Quality of Life Community Priority of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan by helping to nurture a sense of pride and community and promote culture as both an economic driver and a central element of a healthy community. Listing on the Municipal Heritage Register also supports the Development Community Priority to honour and protect our heritage. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The "inform" theme of the Community Engagement Toolkit was utilized for this report. CONCLUSION: Identifying specific local cultural heritage resources is a vital first step toward upholding the City's responsibility to protect and conserve its heritage. The Council approved 4 -Step Listing Process is thorough, objective and transparent. Opportunities for property owner consultation exceed legislative requirements and exceed or are consistent with the practices of other municipalities in the Region and Ontario. Reviewed by: Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO Community Services Department Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package December 11, 2013 City of Kitchener c/o Cynthia Fletcher 200 King Street West Kitchener ON N2G 4G7 RE: 200 King Street West — Municipal Heritage Register Dear Ms. Fletcher, I am writing this letter to update you on a recent initiative in identifying the City's cultural heritage resources. In 2005, the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) was amended in part to enable municipalities to list non - designated property on the City's Municipal Heritage Register (MHR). The MHR is the City's official list or record of properties identified by Council as being of cultural heritage value or interest. Listing non - designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register does not impose restrictions or obligations with regard to obtaining heritage approvals, meaning you do not require a heritage permit or City approval to make alterations. Listing non - designated property on the MHR does increase the amount of time the City has to process demolition applications (up to 60 days), and may have implications for Planning Act applications (e.g. Plans of Subdivision, Site Plans, etc.) where conservation issues may need to be addressed by the preparation of a Heritage Impact Assessment and /or Conservation Plan. The City is actively reviewing properties currently listed on an inventory maintained by the City's Heritage Kitchener Committee, to determine if they qualify for listing as non - designated property on the MHR. This involves a four step evaluation process, which introduces consistency and objectivity to the evaluation process, and property owner consultation before recommendations are made to City Council. I have enclosed a brochure that provides additional information on the MHR and the four step evaluation process. Steps 1 and 2 in the four step evaluation process have been completed for the property municipally addressed 200 King Street West. A Statement of Significance has been prepared that describes the historic place, identifies the key heritage values, and lists the principal heritage attributes. I have enclosed a copy of the Statement of Significance for your review. As the owner of the property you are invited to participate and provide comments in Step 3 and 4 of the process. In Step 3 of the process, the Heritage Kitchener Committee will review the Statement of Significance; consider comments provided by the property owner; and, provide a recommendation to City Council. 200 King Street West has been scheduled for review at the Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 in the Conestoga Room at City Hall. In Step 4 of the process, City Council will make a decision on whether or not to list the property on the MHR as a non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest. Further correspondence will confirm the date, time, and location of the City Council meeting. Please review the enclosed information and submit comments, questions or concerns in writing to the City's Heritage Planner by November 15, 2013. In addition, please confirm if you wish to speak as a delegation at the Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting. Note that pursuant to Council's Procedural By -law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of 5 minutes. Please don't hesitate to contact myself if you have any questions Sincerely, Michelle Drake, MAES, MCIP, RPP Heritage Planner Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package December 11, 2013 City of Kitchener c/o Cynthia Fletcher 200 King Street West Kitchener ON N2G 4G7 RE: COUNCIL MEETING — Monday, January 27, 2014 200 King Street West — Municipal Heritage Register Dear Ms. Fletcher: I am writing this letter to inform you that on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 the City's Heritage Kitchener Committee recommended that the property municipally addressed as 200 King Street West be listed on the City's Municipal Heritage Register as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest. Council will consider this recommendation at its regular Council meeting on Monday, January 27, 2014 in Council Chambers at City Hall. The Municipal Heritage Register is the City's official list or record of properties identified by Council as being of cultural heritage value or interest. The City's Municipal Heritage Register is a public document. The listing of non - designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register does not impose restrictions or obligations with regard to obtaining heritage approvals, which means that you do not require a heritage permit or City approval under the Ontario Heritage Act to make alterations. Listing non - designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register does increase the amount of time the City has to process demolition applications (up to 60 days), and may have implications for Planning Act applications (e.g. Plans of Subdivision, Site Plans, etc.) where conservation issues may need to be addressed through the preparation of a Heritage Impact Assessment and /or Conservation Plan. Since 2005, the City has actively reviewed properties currently listed on an inventory maintained by the City's Heritage Kitchener Committee in order to determine if they qualify for listing as non - designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register. This review has involved a four step evaluation process, which introduces consistency and objectivity to the evaluation process, and includes property owner consultation before recommendations are made to Council. Steps 1, 2 and 3 in the four step evaluation process have been completed for the property municipally addressed as 200 King Street West. As the owner of the property you were invited to participate and provide comments. A letter was sent to your attention on October 30, 2013 requesting that you review the information (Letter, Statement of Significance and Municipal Heritage Register Brochure) and submit comments, questions or concerns in writing to the City's Heritage Planner by November 15, 2013. This letter also advised that the property would be considered for listing on the City's Municipal Heritage Register as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest at the December 3, 2013 Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting where you would be provided the opportunity to speak as a delegation. No correspondence was received and no one spoke as a delegation at the Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting. The property will now move to Step 4 of the four step evaluation process. This letter serves to inform you that the property municipally addressed as 200 King Street West is scheduled for consideration by Council at its regular Council meeting on Monday, January 27, 2014 in Council Chambers at City Hall. In Step 4 of the process, City Council will make a decision on whether or not to list the property on the Municipal Heritage Register as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest. If you wish to speak as a delegation at the Council meeting please contact Linda Korabo at 519 - 741 -2591. Note that pursuant to Council's Procedural By -law, delegations are permitted to address Council for a maximum of 5 minutes. Also note that delegations wishing to show a presentation must submit the material on or before Friday, January 24, 2014 at noon. Heritage Planning staff are available to respond to any questions or concerns. Please don't hesitate to contact the undersigned. Sincerely, Michelle Drake, MAES, MCIP, RPP Heritage Planner Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Statement of Significance 200 KING STREET WEST Municipal Address: 200 King Street West, Kitchener Legal Description: Plan 401 Part Lots 10 -14 N of King Part Lots 1 -4 E of College W of Young Year Built: 1993 Architectural Style: Modern Original Owner: City of Kitchener Original Use: Kitchener City Hall Condition: Good Description of Historic Place 200 King Street West is a 21St c architectural style. The building is sit King Street West, College Street, C Commercial Core Planning Commun Waterloo. The principal resource that building and public square. Heritage Value municip; on a,2.71 street We: the City 'c )utes to t I building built in the modern acre parcel of land bounded by and Young Street in the City Kitchener within the Region of heritage value is the municipal 200 King Street North is recognized'for its design and physical value. The building is built in the modern architectural style. The building is in good condition with many intact original elements. The building features red sandstone construction; a pink granite -- datestone' at the corner of King Street West and Young Street; an aluminum clad canopy overlooking the main entrance and public square; and, a 10- storey aluminum clad administrative tower with a public observation deck and weather beacon. The design of the building also creates a public square. The public square contains a reflecting pool in the summer months that converts to a skating rink in the winter months. The public square also contains a raised podium sheltered in part by the aluminum clad canopy. The raised podium provides a stage for events and entertainment. The red sandstone wings of the building assist with enclosing the public square in order to provide the feeling of "an outdoor public room." The building and public square were designed by the Toronto architecture firm Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects and is a product of the 1989 national Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package design competition that sought the development of a single civic and administrative building on a single site with a new public square. The construction of the 120, 000 square foot building was completed in 1993 for $43.4 million. Since completion the architecture and design of the building and site has been recognized through a number of awards, including: 1990 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence, 1994 Governor General's Gold Medal for Architecture Award, 1996 Pan American Biennale Honorable Mention, 1997 Ontario Association of Architects Award of Excellence, and the 1998 City of Kitchener Urban Design Honorary Award of Distinction. The architecture and design of the building and public square was the book "Images of Progress 1946 -1996: Modern Architecture in This book describes the site as an outdoor public room with a reflect skating rink (winter), raised podium, and aluminum clad canoe sandstone wings. Centered between the two wings is the civic rotun stairs leading to the council chambers on the west while the 10 -sto administration tower is located on the east. The administrative Lowe observation deck as well as a spire with an illuminated weather beacc Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 200 King Street All elements related to thi building, including: o red sandstone cor • windows and wind • doors and door o • roof and rooflines; • pink granite date Street; • aluminum clad ca and, ■ All the fol also recognized in Waterloo Region." ing pool (summer), y flanked by red da wrapped by the rey aluminum clad r provides a public g heritage attributes: rn architectural style of the at the corner of King Street West and Young ooking the main entrance and public square; administrative tower with a public observation d to the construction and design of the public square, including: odium; and, g pool / skating rink. Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Photos Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package City of Kitchener Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation Form Address: 200 King Street West Period: 1993 Recorder Name: Lynn/Sue Description: Modern Photographs: Front Faqade ® Leff Faqade ❑ Right Faqade ❑ Rear Faqade ❑ Details ❑ Setting ❑ Date: May 14, 2008 Design or Physical Value community oriented RECORDER EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE' Style Is this a notable, rare or unique example of a N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 particular architectural style or type? Setting Is the setting or orientation of the structure N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 or landscaping noteworthy? Construction Is this a notable, rare, unique or early example N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes El N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ Noy❑ Yes 0 of a particular material or method of construction? Landmark Is this a particularly important visual landmark 0 R N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 within the region, city or neighbourhood? Design Is this a particularly attractive or unique N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No o Yes © N/A ❑ Unknown " ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 No ❑ Yes ❑ structure because of the merits of its design, notable landscaping or external features that complete the site? composition, craftsmanship or details? Does this structure demonstrate a high degree N/A ❑ Unknown © No ❑ Yes .❑ N/A ❑ Unknown 0 No ❑ Yes ❑ of technical or scientific achievement? Interior Is the interior arrangement, finish, craftsmanship N/A ❑ Unknown o No, ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 and/or detail noteworthy? Notes — Field Team: style is contemporary architecturally designed; red clay coloured sandstone from India; steel and grey stone; interior foyer has generous space; fountain; winter ice rink; front is community oriented Contextual Value RECORDER EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Continuity Does this structure contribute to the continuity, N/A ❑, Unknown ❑' No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 or character of the street,neighbourhood or area? Setting Is the setting or orientation of the structure N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 or landscaping noteworthy? Does it provide aphysical, historical, functional N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No 0 Yes ❑ or visual link to its surroundings? Landmark Is this a particularly important visual landmark 0 R N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 within the region, city or neighbourhood? 0 C (indicate degree of importance)' 0 N Completeness Does this structure have other original outbuildings, N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No 0 Yes ❑ notable landscaping or external features that complete the site? Appendix `A': Example Property Owner Information Package Notes — Field Team: new city hall constructed in 1993; new city hall links present to past by visually connecting the old clock tower in significant location in hear of industrial and urban centre Sub Committee: building is not directly on King Street Integrity RECORDER Site Does the structure occupy its original site? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 Note: if relocated, i.e. relocated on its original site, moved from another site, etc. Alterations Does this building retain most of its original materials N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes C and design features? Is this a notable structure due to sympathetic N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes Rl alterations that have taken place over time? Condition Is this building in good condition? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No d" . Yes 0 Notes — Field Team: all brand new. who is architect `Bruce Kuwabara " ?: negatives: 1. no visible number (e.❑r. Historical or Associative Value & Significance Does this property or structure have strong associations with and/or contribute to the understanding of a belief, person, activity, organza or institution that is significant or unique within the City9 Is the original, previous or existing use significant? Does this property meet the definition of a significant built heritage resource or cultural heritage landscape, as identified in the Provincial Policy Statement under the Ontario Planning Act? A property or structure valued for the important contribution it makes to our understanding of the history of a place, an event, or a people? Notes — Field Team: Sub Committee: age of building does not yet lend itself to stro City ❑ No N/A ❑, Unknown ❑ __ No ❑ 'Yes 0 No ❑ Yes 0 Park down Gaukel Street; main street of King is N/A ❑ Unknown ,u, No ❑ Yes Rl N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 NIA - © Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 King Street West); 2. no mention of date built or name of architect EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Unknown ❑ No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes 0 or contributions to the understanding of a belief, person, activity, organization, or institution that is unique within the Heritage Registry:Layout 1 9/15/08 9:33 AM Page 1 The Municipal Heritage Register is the official list or record of cultural heritage properties that have been identified as being important to the community. Prior to 2005, only designated heritage buildings were recorded on the registry. In 2005, the Ontario Heritage Act was amended to allow properties that have not been designated, but that the municipal council believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest, to be placed on the register. Non - designated properties added to the Municipal Heritage Register are referred to as "listed properties ". Listing properties on the Municipal Heritage Register is an important tool in managing the conservation of the city's cultural heritage resources. A Register of Cultural Heritage Properties: • Recognizes properties of cultural heritage value in a community • Fosters civic identity and pride by promoting knowledge and enhancing an understanding of a community's cultural heritage • Provides easily accessible information about cultural heritage value for property owners, land -use planners, developers, the tourism industry, educators and the general public • Is a key component of any municipal heritage conservation strategy Listing properties on the Municipal Heritage Register is an administrative process rather than a legal process. It serves to formally identify that certain properties are of cultural heritage value or interest to the municipality. Listing your property: • does not provide any protection under the Ontario Heritage Act • does not impose restrictions or obligations with regard to obtaining heritage approvals Property owners: • are not subject to the Heritage Permit process or Heritage Kitchener review; and • are not required to obtain Council approval to make alterations to their property. Listing your property: • does increase the amount of time municipalities have to process demolition applications made under the Ontario Building Code (from 10 to 60 business days depending on the type of building) to provide sufficient time to evaluate whether the property merits some form of protection such as designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, which is subject to a separate formal legal process. • does have implications relating to Planning Act Applications (such as Site Plans and Plans of Subdivision) and the Provincial Policy Statement, regarding conservation issues that may be addressed by preparing a Conservation Plan or a Heritage Impact Assessment. IT(1 tF'N F,. . For more information on the Municipal Heritage Register or on cultural heritage planning in the City of Kitchener, please visit www.kitchener.ca or contact Heritage Planning staff at 519- 741 -2426 or at planning@ kitchener.ca Heritage Registry:Layout 1 9/15/08 9:34 AM Page 2 Municipalities have a responsibility to identify, evaluate and conserve resources that have lasting cultural heritage value or interest in their community. Listing a property is the very first step a municipality should take in the identification and evaluation of a property that may warrant some form of heritage conservation, recognition and /or long term protection. Part of taking stock is deciding as a community which resources are most important to conserve today and for future generations. Recent amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act and the Planning Act have made listing property an important tool in the ongoing effort to conserve our cultural heritage. Kitchener City Council has approved a 4 -step listing process that serves to standardize the selection criteria and methodology used to evaluate cultural heritage resources by introducing consistency and objectivity to the process; property owner consultation and notification; and several levels of review before recommendations are considered by City Council. Heritage properties are evaluated for inclusion on the municipal heritage register using a set of criteria that measures architectural, contextual and historical significance including: Architectural Significance: • Style & type • Design • Construction • Interior • Integrity Contextual Significance: • Continuity • Setting • Completeness Historical and/or Associative Significance or Value: • Association with person, event, activity • Previous or present use The City's 4 -step listing process was carefully developed to ensure thorough and objective evaluation of each property and involves the following: 1. Initial evaluation by a recorder through completion of a survey form and taking photographs (only where properties are visible from the public realm). 2. Short listing of properties following a review of the recorder's survey form and photographs; undertaken by an evaluation sub - committee comprised of City Staff and Heritage Kitchener Committee members. Heritage Planning staff prepare a `statement of significance' for each short - listed property and notify the property owner of the heritage interest in the property. Property owners are invited to make comment and to attend the Heritage Kitchener meeting where their property will be discussed and considered for possible listing on the Municipal Heritage Register. 3. The City's Heritage Kitchener Committee reviews the merits of the short listed properties; considers the comments of the property owner (if made); and makes a recommendation to City Council. 4. City Council makes a decision on whether or not to list the properties on the Municipal Heritage Register as "non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest ".