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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2003-12-09HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES DECEMBER 9~ 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER Heritage Kitchener met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. L. Harris, Ms. D. Kuehl and Messrs. J. Countryman, Z. Janecki, K. Kirby, E. Lucy and M. Stranz. Ms. A. Moore was in attendance for part or the meeting. Regrets: Ms. J. Armstrong and Councillor M. Galloway Others Present: Ms. B. McKinnon (Region of Waterloo), Ms. D. Gilchrist and Mr. L. Bensason 1, APPOINTMENT OF CITIZEN CO-CHAIR On motion by Mr. K. Kirby it was resolved: That Mr. Z. Janecki be appointed Citizen Co-Chair of Heritage Kitchener for a term to expire November 30, 2004. Mr. Janecki assumed the Chair at this time. SIMS ESTATE, 787 AND 811 MORRISON ROAD - HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - COMMENTS TO STAFF The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. L. Bensason, dated November 24, 2003, with respect to the Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared by Mayer Heritage Consultants Inc., for the property municipally known as 787-811 Morrison Road (Sims Estate). Mr. Bensason's memorandum also refers to a document, the "Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACC) Conservation (Preservation) Works Report", dated November 20, 2002 with respect to the Sims Estate. Committee members were in receipt or both documents. In his memorandum, Mr. Bensason suggests the Committee members consider three fundamental issues with respect to the Sims Estate: 1) Does the Heritage Impact Assessment meet the terms or reference, and ir there are any deficiencies, what additional information is required? 2) Is the Sims Estate worthy or designation under the Ontario Heritage Act? If so, which elements of cultural heritage significance should be included in the reasons for designation. If designated, does the proposed development represent an acceptable level or alteration. 3) Is the Sims Estate property a Cultural Heritage Landscape as defined in the Provincial Policy Statement? Ir so, which elements contribute to its Cultural Heritage Landscape significance, and does the proposed development represent an acceptable level of alteration. Mr. Bensason also advised, in his memorandum, that the Regional Heritage Advisory Committee questions whether the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), prepared by Mayer Heritage Consultants Inc., adequately addresses the potential Cultural Heritage Landscape significance of the Sims Estate, and has recommended the Region require a peer review of the Heritage Impact Assessment. The Committee was provided this date with a letter from Ms. B. McKinnon, Administrator, Development Planning, Region of Waterloo, to Ms. T. Malone-Wright, Senior Planner, City of Kitchener, dated December 9, 2003, stating that Regional start are not satisfied that the HIA prepared by Mayer Heritage Consultant Inc., fulfills the requirements of its terms of reference, as they relate to the examination or the Sims Estate as a possible Cultural Heritage Landscape. Consequently, Regional start have requested the preparation of an addendum, by a professional qualified to define and evaluate Cultural Heritage Landscapes. Mr. Bensason addressed the Committee providing background to this matter and noted the owner has applied to the City for approval of a zone change and a plan of condominium. He then referred to the Conservation report prepared for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario HERITAGE KITCHENER DECEMBER 7~ 2003 - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER SIMS ESTATE, 787 AND 811 MORRISON ROAD - HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT COMMENTS TO STAFF (CONT'D) on the Sims Estate noting the opinion in the report as to the significant features of this property: a) the built heritage, being the gardener's house, the estate house, and the bridge, b) the natural heritage landscape, c) the built landscape, d) the landscape architect, and, e) the architect. Mr. Bensason then questioned whether the Committee is of the opinion that this property meets the City's criteria for heritage designation, and whether it has cultural heritage landscape significance. Mr. B. Hermsen displayed a draft plan of vacant land condominium and an analysis of site restraint, and provided and explanation of the design considerations relative to the environmental aspects of the property, and natural constraints to development. He advised that vacant land condominium is a new concept. There will be detailed design guidelines for the homes to be built, and each home will have its own landscape plan which will be relatively controlled. With respect to the Region's letter requesting an addendum to the HIA with respect to Cultural Heritage Landscape, Mr. Hermsen advised that they are in the process of hiring a professional for this purpose. He cautioned that the design for the development for this property may change once the required addendum is produced. Mr. T. Hawkins reviewed the submitted HIA. He noted that within the past year the Ministry has included Cultural Heritage Landscapes as being of interest; however, criteria have yet to be established. In support of the proposed vacant land condominium, Mr. Hawkins stated that such a development allows a degree of control over the development, including lot size and housing design. He stated that no one can afford to maintain a property of this size, and the proposed form of development helps preserve the property. Following these presentations the Committee generally agreed that a Cultural Heritage Landscape report is necessary, and were assured by Mr. Bensason that this Committee will have an opportunity to review the report once submitted. Mr. Bensason presented a comparison of the "Borgstrum & Carver" landscape plan and the draft vacant land condominium plan, suggesting that the proposed development takes away from the Estate, and this will simply become a large house on a large lot. He also suggested that one of the outstanding values of this property is the fact that it is one of the few remaining Estate properties, which is under pressure for development because of the costs associated with its preservation. The Committee generally agreed that the significant features of the property should be identified, and a Heritage Property Report prepared for designation purposes. Mr. Bensason noted that the property owner should be provided with a copy of the Heritage Property Report, and provided an opportunity to comment and negotiate. He also cautioned that the proposed Cultural Heritage Landscape report may change the reasons for designation. Mr. E. Lucy left the meeting at this time, and there was no longer a quorum of the Committee in attendance. DECEMBER 7~ 2003 HERITAGE KITCHENER - 30 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. 2004 MIKE WAGNER HERITAGE AWARDS Mr. Z. Janecki declared a pecuniary interest in the nomination for 379 Queen Street South for a Mike Wagner Award, as he is employed by the property owner, and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this property. Mr. Bensason gave a PowerPoint presentation displaying photographs of previous Mike Wagner Heritage Award winners, as well as photographs of those properties nominated for 2004 Awards. The Committee members reviewed each property nominated and came to the following decision: "That, subject to receiving the consent of the owners of each property, the following properties receive 2004 Mike Wagner Heritage Awards: Outstandinq Achievement Award 124 Water Street South 379 Queen Street South Awards of Merit 33 Roland Avenue 21 Ahrens Street West" The Committee Administrator was requested to forward this recommendation to Council for the February 23, 2004, Council meeting, at which time the Awards will be presented to the winners. 4, 2004 DOORS OPEN WATERLOO REGION The following properties were suggested as sites for the 2004 Doors Open Waterloo Region: 189 Queen Street North, 137 Queen Street South and St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. 5, DEFERRALS It was generally agreed that discussions pertaining to Heritage Easement Agreements and the Heritage Showcase be deferred to the January meeting. 6, ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator