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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-11 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 11, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Councillor Z. Janecki, B. Glenn-Graham, S. Halapija and Messrs. S. Burrows, S. Miladinovic, S.Thomson, M.Timmerman and G. Zeilstra. Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Resources M. Seiling, Director of Building and Chief Building Official M. Drake, Heritage Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator 1. REMOVAL OF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO DESIGNATE 156-158 KING STREET WEST Mr. G. Zeilstra, Chair, advised that the special meeting being held this date was called by Mayor B. Vrbanovic to discuss the request being made at the Council meeting later this same date regarding the removal of the Notice of Intention to Designate 156-158 King Street West (formerly Hymmen Hardware). He referred to the email the Committee received this date from Mr. M. Seiling, Director of Building and Chief Building Official, advising that based on new information shortly after 1:00 p.m. he issued an Order to Remedy an Unsafe Condition and an Order to Prohibit Occupancy at 156-158 King Street. He indicated that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the former Hymmen Hardware building, and should not be used to debate 11 Young Street (former Mayfair Hotel) even though they are interconnected. He noted to the Committee that procedurally a motion to reconsider is required for Council to reopen the debate on 11 Young Street and that as an advisory Committee of Council, it is not within the scope of Heritage Kitchener to make any recommendations or to propose any actions regarding the Mayfair Hotel. Mr. Seiling addressed the Committee and provided a detailed chronology of events which were included in the Agenda package. He stated that new information has come to light from the inspections of 156-158 King Street that strongly confirm that the former Hymmen Hardware Building is more unstable and unsafe than originally thought and requires immediate demolition. He stated that three independent engineers have concluded that shoring 156-158 King Street is a complex process that would take several weeks before demolition could commence, which would leave both buildings vulnerable to an unplanned collapse. Based on the expert recommendation from the City's structural engineer, it has been his conclusion as Chief Building Official that due to ongoing public safety concerns, there is not sufficient time to complete the shoring work on 156-158 King Street and that both buildings must come down together as soon as possible. He indicated that at 1:00 p.m. this date, two Orders were issued pursuant to the Building Code Act, an Order Prohibiting Occupancy of an Unsafe Building and an Order to Remedy an Unsafe Building. Mr. Rick Halldenby, former director of Architecture, Wilfred Laurier University, and resident of David Street, addressed the Committee acknowledging the great loss of heritage attributes within the City of Kitchener. He expressed sadness at the continual diminishing of heritage buildings and stated that other cities, such as Rome, value heritage and insist that property owners preserve their assets. He encouraged the Committee to preserve historical continuity of heritage attributes and asked to ensure that preservation is not at all possible prior to recommending demolition. Mr. John Clinkett addressed the Committee stating his concern that an architectural evaluation of the Hymmen Hardware building was not completed. He noted he is a licensed architect and indicated that there are creative ways of restoring historic buildings and has worked on the complete restoration of the Waterloo Hotel and Western Hotel in Guelph. Mr. Simone Panziera addressed the Committee in contest to the engineering data, encouraging the Committee to request an extensive review and objective analysis of the data, with additional tests to measure stability. Mr. Steve Burrows addressed the Committee in opposition of the removal of the Notice of Intent to designate 156-158 King Street West. He advised of the efforts and work in the United Kingdom where the preservation of buildings is required. He provided numerous examples of successful creative preservation efforts and indicated that the integration of old and new could work in Kitchener. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MAY 11. 2015 -18 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. REMOVAL OF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO DESIGNATE 156-158 KING STREET WEST (CONT'D) Mr. Seiling responded to questions from the Committee, advising that due to the potential safety risks to the public, he would like to be in a position to issue the demolition permits immediately. With regard to the impact of demolition on the adjacent building, 150 King Street, Mr. Seiling stated that inspections have shown 150 King Street is a self-supporting structure and that the demolition plan will demonstrate how the building will be shored, if required. He further explained that the impact to heritage features is a concern and that demolition plans submitted to date do not recommend any mechanical wrecking ball or explosives. He stated that engineers have recommended some demolition by hand and some by non-intrusive methods such as equipment with shears, in order to prevent any effect on adjacent buildings. Mr. L. Bensason responded to questions regarding the heritage attributes that will be salvaged. He reviewed the statement of significance of the Hymmen Hardware building and advised that the brick alcove and a vault have been requested. Committee members pointed out that 156- 158 King Street was built in 1905 and should be preserved to represent the staying power from a very strong economic era. Mr. Ed Lippert addressed the Committee in support of the preservation of 156-158 Young Street. Mr. Lippert advised that his Grandfather had designed and built the Hymmen Hardware building and encouraged the Committee to do whatever possible to ensure the building is preserved. Councillor Z. Janecki brought forward a motion that no action be taken at this time to withdraw the Notice of Intention to designate 156-158 King Street West and that an expert in the field of heritage restoration be retained to provide an opinion as to what could be undertaken to preserve 156-158 King Street West(former Hymmen Hardware building). It was agreed that both matters be voted on with separately. On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki- it was resolved: "That no action be taken at this time to withdraw the Notice of Intention to designate 156-158 King Street West (former Hymmen Hardware building) as being of cultural heritage value or interest in accordance with Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act." On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki- it was resolved: "That an expert in the field of heritage restoration be retained to provide an opinion as to what could be undertaken to preserve 156-158 King Street West (former Hymmen Hardware building)." On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:24 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator