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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2017-02-07 HERITAGE KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m. Present: Ms. A. Reid - Chair Councillors J. Gazzola and B. Ioannidis, Ms. C. Zalagenas, Ms. D. Laurin, Ms. K. Huxted and Messrs. C. Farley, P. Ciuciura, R. Parnell, S. Miladinovic, S. Thomson, S. Burrows, S. Hamoen and S. Strohack. Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning S. Parks, Heritage Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Ms. D. Saunderson opened the floor to nominations for the position of Committee Chair. Mr. S. Miladinovic and Ms. A. Reid agreed to stand for appointment. Ms. Reid was selected as Chair. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That Ms. A. Read, be appointed Chair of the Heritage Kitchener Committee for a term expiring November 30, 2018.” Ms. Reid then opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. Mr. S. Burrows and Mr. S. Hamoen agreed to stand for appointment. Mr. Hamoen was selected as Vice-Chair. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That Mr. S. Hamoen, be appointed for Vice-Chair of the Heritage Kitchener Committee for a term expiring November 30, 2018.” 2.HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ORIENTATION The Committee was in receipt of training this date on the Upper Doon, Victoria Park Area, St. Mary’s and Civic Centre Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation Districts (HCD’s). Mr. L. Bensason provided the training advising that Heritage Conservation Districts are established under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, which serves to do the following: publicly recognize and promote awareness of the cultural heritage value or interest of the area; provide a process for ensuring that changes to heritage attributes are appropriately managed, and respect the heritage value of the property or heritage district; confirm that building repairs, alterations, additions, relocation, new construction and demolition require a Heritage Permit and conform to conservation standards and guidelines, as well as HCD Plan policies; establish a measure of protection from demolition; and, potentially qualify the properties for financial assistance programs. Mr. Bensason highlighted the key characteristics of an HCD stating that each reflects an aspect of the history of the City; has a significant number of properties that are of cultural heritage value or interest; and, is distinctive and contributes to the character of the City. He then reviewed key characteristics of the Upper Doon, Victoria Park Area, St. Mary’s and Civic Centre Neighbourhood HCD’s noting that each HCD can vary in character and can have different policies and guidelines. He advised that each HCD specifies different types of work that will require approval though the Heritage Permit Application process. 3.MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER ORIENTATION The Committee was in receipt this date of training materials regarding the designation of properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and the listing of non-designated properties of cultural heritage significance on the City’s Municipal Heritage Register. Ms. S. Parks began the training session with a presentation outlining the background of the Municipal Heritage Register. She advised that listing a property is the initial step that municipalities should take in the identification and evaluation of a property that may warrant HERITAGE KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2017 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3.MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER ORIENTATION (CONT’D) heritage conservation, recognition and/or long-term protection. She indicated that listing a property can have various implications, noting that the listed properties are not subject to restrictions or obligations with regard to alterations (i.e. no Heritage Permit requirements); however, the listing of properties provides a 60-day delay of demolition under the Ontario Building Code. In addition, Planning staff can require the submission and approval of a Heritage Impact Assessment and/or Conservation Plan as part of a Planning Act application. She then reviewed the Four-Step Listing Process, including: i. field team evaluation; ii. Municipal Heritage Register Evaluation Sub-Committee meeting; iii. Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting and recommendation to Council; and, iv. Council meeting. Ms. Parks also outlined the designation process for properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. She indicated currently, the City has 90 properties individually designated. She noted a Best Practices measure adopted by Council recommends increasing the number of Part IV designations. She advised designating By-laws are registered on title, identifying the cultural heritage value or interest (design/physical, historical/associative and contextual) of a property and its heritage attributes. 4.HERITAGE KITCHENER WORK PLAN DISCUSSION The Committee was in receipt this date of the Heritage Kitchener 2015-2016 Work Plan, for use as a reference tool in consideration of the Work Plan for the current term of the Committee. Mr. L. Bensason addressed the Committee, advising the 2015-2016 Work Plan is being presented to the Committee for information and will be tabled for future consideration. He reviewed the document, stating the Committee is responsible for completing core business, which is outlined in the Committees Terms of Reference, including: making recommendations to City Council related to heritage designation; listing properties on the Municipal Heritage Register; and, consideration of Heritage Permit Applications. In addition he noted, core business also includes reviewing nominations and making recommendations for the Mike Wagner Heritage Award, and promoting awareness and education of heritage conservation related matters. Mr. Bensason stated the Committee is also responsible for a number of tasks through the Heritage Best Practises approved by Council in 2015, including: the establishment of a sub- committee to assist in reviewing the list of non-designated properties on the Municipal Heritage Register, with a view toward bringing recommendations forward for designation annually in consultation with property owners; the establishment of a sub-committee to promote greater public education and awareness of heritage conservation; and, to assist with developing partnerships with other area municipalities, the Region, community organizations, academic institutions and businesses to broaden the support base for heritage locally. He further advised there is outstanding work related to the core services that will be transferred from the previous Committee Work Plan to the 2017-2018 Work Plan, noting that the Committee would have an opportunity to brainstorm other initiatives they may also consider undertaking this term. He reviewed the Work Plan structure, noting staff would be willing to bring back a more formal draft of the Plan at the March 7, 2017 Committee meeting where additional time could be included on the agenda to review the draft. He indicated following that discussion it would be ideal to seek approval of the final draft at the Committee’s April 4, 2017 meeting. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised the Committee does not have a designated budget related to core services. He indicated Heritage Planning staff does have some allocated funding that could potentially assist with initiatives of the Committee if deemed appropriate. He indicated the Committee may need to establish a plan identifying the need for funding, which could then be reviewed further by City staff. th Mr. C. Farley noted with 2017 being Canada’s 150 Birthday, it may be an opportunity for the Committee to plan/host a promotional event in conjunction with a City planned special event. In response, Mr. Bensason advised he could follow-up with the City’s special event staff on the HERITAGE KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2017 - 5 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4.HERITAGE KITCHENER WORK PLAN DISCUSSION (CONT’D) proposition, noting the proposed promotional event could be referred to the Heritage Promotion Sub-Committee for further consideration. Questions were raised with regards to fundraising/sponsorship; Councillor B. Ioannidis indicated there was a policy around sponsorship, noting it may be something that would require further review. Mr. Farley questioned whether staff were considering establishing another Heritage Conservation District, noting there were at least 2 or 3 other areas within the City that may merit consideration. Mr. Bensason advised staff have recently completed a Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) Study, which identified 55 CHL areas within the City. He indicated staff will be speaking further to this at a future Committee meeting, noting the Study has now been completed and a further review of those 55 CHL areas would be required to determine whether designation as a Heritage Conservation District is warranted. In response to questions regarding the inventory of commercial properties with identified heritage significance, Mr. Bensason advised if it was the Committee’s will, the Heritage Designation Sub-committee could possibly conduct a review of the commercial sites with heritage significance, to complete a follow-up investigation to determine if any of the sites are potentially at risk and warrant further heritage protection. 5.HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES - UPDATE - OPEN FORUM The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Honourable Peter Van Loan, Member of Parliament (MP) for York-Simcoe, regarding a Private Members Bill (Bill C-323) to establish a tax credit for restoration of historic places. Ms. S. Parks noted the Heritage Best Practices update and open forum is a standing item on the Committee agenda. She noted it provides an opportunity to receive updates from the sub- committees or address any other items members may have, relating to heritage conservation / best practices. She provided an overview of the Designation and Promotion Heritage Sub- committees noting she would be seeking volunteers for the sub-committees, indicating a sign- up sheet has been circulated this date for anyone that may be interested. She advised members could also volunteer via e-mail or at the start of the March 7, 2017 Committee meeting. She further advised once there was some clarity on who was interested in volunteering, this matter could be included on the March 7, 2017 committee agenda to finalize the sub-committee appointments. She indicated the sub-committees generally meet bi-monthly following the committee’s regular meeting, noting the Designation Sub-committee would be first to meet following the regular March committee meeting. Further discussion was had regarding the possibility of hosting a heritage promotion event in th conjunction with Canada’s 150 birthday, it was suggested and agreed that it may be more appropriate for the Heritage Promotion Sub-committee to meet in March rather than the Designation sub-committee, to ensure there is sufficient time to plan an event should the Committee wish to pursue that initiative. Ms. Parks noted the circulated correspondence regarding Bill C-323, noting it may be of interest to members on the Committee to address their MP in support of the proposed bill. In response to questions, Ms. Parks advised if it is the will of the Committee, the information related to Bill C-323 could be included on the March 7, 2017 Committee agenda with a draft resolution for consideration by the Committee. 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Committee Administrator