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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-01 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Burrows - Vice-Chair Councillors J. Gazzola and Z. Janecki, and Messrs. S. Miladinovic, S. Thomson, P. Ciuciura, M. Timmerman and S. Hamoen. Staff: M. Seiling, Chief Building Official J. Sheryer, Assistant City Solicitor L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Resources S. Parks, Heritage Planner D. Kropf, Neighbourhood Strategy Engagement Associate D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator CSD-16-074 - HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES 1. - BUILT HERITAGE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT POLICY The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-16-074, dated October 14, 2016 recommending approval of the Built Heritage Emergency Management policy as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ of the Report. Ms. J. Sheryer and Mr. M. Seiling were in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. Mr. L. Bensason presented the report and provided an overview of the Policy, advising on December 14, 2015 Council gave staff direction to establish protocols for built Heritage resources using the Protocols currently in use by the City of Hamilton as a guide. He indicated staff, in consultation with the City’s Legal, Building and Planning Divisions, have collaborated to draft a Built Heritage Emergency Management policy, outlining the appropriate course of action to be adopted for the management of resources in certain situations where an Order has been issued by the City’s Chief Building Official (CBO). He further advised the Policy will allow the CBO to consult qualified structural engineers who have relevant experience in the conservation of heritage structures when expert advice is required. Councillor J. Gazzola and Mr. P. Ciuciua entered the meeting at this time. In response to questions, Ms. Sheryer advised the Policy is written to allow staff some flexibility with regards to obtaining advice from a heritage expert in all situations. Ms. S. Parks indicated in situations where a property has been identified as having heritage significance and the property owner is proposing some alteration/demolition to the site that does not have any adverse impacts to the heritage features, staff will not be required to obtain advice from a consultant with heritage expertise. Mr. Seiling further advised the Policy is intended to provide information to address sites where a significant Building Code infraction, have been identified and will outline procedures for staff to follow in remedying the situation. It was noted the recommendation arising from this matter would forwarded to Council for their consideration on November 21, 2016. On motion by Councillor Z. Janecki - it was resolved: “That the Built Heritage Emergency Management policy as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ of Community Services Department report CSD-16-074, be adopted.” CSD-16-066 - NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DEMOLISH 2. - 617-621 KING STREET WEST The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-16-066, dated October 11, 2016 recommending that, in accordance with Section 27(3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the written Notice of Intention to Demolish certain structures on the property municipally addressed as 617-621 King Street West dated September 23, 2016 be received for information and that the period run its course. Mr. L. Bensason presented the report advising the property municipally addressed as 617-621 King Street West, is commonly known as the former Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home. He noted HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2016 - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-16-066 - NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DEMOLISH 2. - 617-621 KING STREET WEST (CONT’D) the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home ceased operations on the property in 2015 and the property was sold and the new owners have identified plans to redevelop. He indicated their intention is to demolish only the 1969 additions and two other contemporary one-storey structures as outlined in Report CSD-16-066, and retain as much of the original heritage structure as possible. He stated the original brick structure was built in 1897 in the Victorian Gothic architectural style and was listed as a property on the City’s Municipal Heritage Register in 2009. He further advised, as per the Ontario Heritage Act, Council has 60 days from September 23, 2016 to issue a Notice of Intention to Designate the entire property as a means of preventing the demolition of any structures. Mr. Bensason noted staff have received a Stage 1 Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in support of the Notice of Intention to Demolish, which affirms the cultural heritage significance of the property and sets out the approach to be taken with the removal of the 1969 additions and completion of future conservation studies and reports. He indicated staff are of the opinion that no action to designate the property is required at this time as the demolition is intended to impact only non-heritage attributes. He further advised the owner has stated in the Notice of Intention to Demolish they intend to request designation of the property containing the original 1897 house under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act once the conservation work has been completed and the structure has been incorporated into a new development. Mr. D. Zehr, Zehr Group, property owner and Ms.C. Karney, McCallum Sather Architects, were in attendance in support of the Notice of Intention to Demolish and the staff recommendation. Mr. Zehr advised the final design for the proposed site has yet to be completed. Mr. Bensason further advised the Committee will have additional opportunities to review the site through the development process, noting additional Heritage Planning applications will be required for the redevelopment of the site. Ms. M. Rowell, North Waterloo Region Branch Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), was in attendance in support of the designation of 617-621 King Street West. It was noted the recommendation arising from this matter would forwarded to Council for their consideration on November 21, 2016. On motion by Mr. S. Miladinovic - it was resolved: “That, in accordance with Section 27(3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the written Notice of Intention to Demolish certain structures on the property municipally addressed as 617- 621 King Street West dated September 23, 2016 be received for information and that the notice period run its course, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-16-066.” NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY PROJECT 3. The Committee was in receipt this date of information materials entitled ‘Kitchener’s Neighbourhood Strategy: Draft Recommendations’, as well as a dot-macracy survey related to the Neighbourhood Strategy Draft Recommendations. Mr. D. Kropf provided an overview of the materials, outlining the purpose of the strategy, input from residents, why the strategy is important, and an overview of the 18 proposed recommendations. Mr. Kropf advised that staff are in attendance today to receive feedback from committee members on the draft proposals which will help to prioritize the recommendations and make any final adjustments to the recommendations prior to presenting the final Strategy to Council for approval. Mr. Kropf then organized the members into small groups and requested they complete the dot- macracy survey on the proposed recommendations. He noted any Member wishing to provide HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2016 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY PROJECT (CONT’D) 3. additional feedback outside of the Committee process could go to the City’s website at http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/neighbourhood-strategy.asp to submit additional comments or feedback through the Engage Kitchener portal. He further advised Members are encouraged to email him with any additional questions they may have at the following darren.kropf@kitchener.ca. Mr. Kropf stated staff anticipates presenting the final Neighbourhood Strategy to Council in February 2017. HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES – OCTOBER 4, 2016 JOINT SUB-COMMITTEES MEETING 4. REPORT The Committee was in receipt this date of an invitation letter that was mailed to all owners of non-designated properties on the Municipal Heritage Register, inviting them to the Heritage Open House being hosted November 10, 2016, to learn about the benefits of Heritage Designation. Ms. S. Parks reviewed the invitation, advising that currently there are 6 residents who have RSVP’d for the event, stating the deadline to RSVP is November 7, 2016. HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES - OPEN FORUM 5. Ms. S. Parks advised there are no further updates this date regarding the Heritage Best practises, indicating Items 1 and 4 on the current agenda relate Heritage Best practice measures. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator