HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-02 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
JUNE 2. 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. B. Glenn-Graham-Chair
Councillors J. Gazzola and Z. Janecki, Ms. S. Halapija and Messrs. S. Burrows, P.
Ciuciura, S. Miladinovic, B. Page, S. Thomson, M. Timmerman and G. Zeilstra.
Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Resources
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE FUTURE PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS
The Committee considered a memorandum entitled, "Best Practice Discussion" dated May 19,
2015, providing an outline to assist in generating discussion on the City's heritage
conservation best practices. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of excerpt
documents including: Section 12 (Cultural Heritage Resources) from the City's new Official
Plan, currently under appeal; Section 3.G (Cultural Heritage) of the Regional Official Plan;
Section 5.3 (Heritage Conservation)from the City's existing Official Plan; Chapter 665—Article
34 Vacant Heritage Property (Property Standards) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code;
and, Built Heritage Emergency Management Protocol from the City of Hamilton.
Mr. L. Bensason advised that in retrospect of the events leading up to the demolition of 11
Young Street and 156-158 King Street, Council has directed staff, along with Heritage
Kitchener, to undertake a review on best practices for the future preservation of heritage
buildings in the City of Kitchener, and report back to Council following the review. He noted
that the entire discussion this date is intended to receive feedback from the members on how
to potentially enhance the City's processes regarding the preservation of heritage buildings.
He provided a brief summary of the existing tools and approaches currently in place to manage
heritage resources, indicating that a number of those tools have been circulated to the
Committee this date.
Mr. Bensason provided a brief summary of the existing City processes that are in place to
manage cultural heritage resources within the City, noting that the discussion this date should
focus on enhancing any existing processes and to make suggestions for any additional
practices that the City should pursue to preserve heritage buildings. He further advised that
the discussion regarding heritage best ractices will be a standing agenda item until a full
review has been completed and staff are prepared to finalize the list and present a report to
the Committee,which will then be forwarded to Council for consideration.
Mr. S. Burrows entered the meeting at this time.
A discussion ensued and the following items were included in the list of items meriting further
investigation on the financial and resource implications of the suggestions, as well as potential
implementation processes:
• consider establishing conservation plans for the maintenance of City-owned heritage
resources;
• investigate implementing heritage inspections as part of the building permit process;
• consider establishing a Built Heritage Emergency Management Protocol;
• establishing a list of pre-qualified heritage consultants and engineers to be used by
heritage property owners, including the City's Chief Building Official for use in emergency
management situations affecting a heritage property;
• taking a more active role in designating properties that are currently listed, which may
require establishing a priority list of properties for designation;
• inspection of vacant heritage property as per Chapter 665 (Property Standards) City of
Kitchener Municipal Code;
• establishing additional monitoring measures and a comprehensive inspection checklist
for City owned vacant heritage properties; and,
• Taking a more active role in promoting greater public education and awareness of
heritage conservation issues.
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
JUNE 2.2015 -20 - CITY OF KITCHENER
1. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE FUTURE PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS
(CONT'D)
Mr. Bensason further advised that any member having additional feedback prior the August 4,
2015 Committee meeting, could forward any additional suggestions to him via email at
Leon.Bensason(cr7Kitchener.ca. He noted that staff will begin to undertake a review of the
items already suggested and provide a status update at the August 2015 meeting.
2. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator