Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2004-03-02HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 2~ 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Chair Councillor M. Galloway Ms. J. Armstrong Ms. D. Kuehl Ms. A. Moore Mr. F. Bishop Mr. C. Countryman Mr. E. Lucy Regrets: Mr. R. Dyck Mr. Z. Janecki Mr. K. Kirby Mr. M. Stranz Staff: L. Bensason, Heritage Planner D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2004-V-003 - LOT 3, REGISTERED PLAN 58M-230 OREGON COURT - CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND GARAGE The Committee was in receipt of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2004-V-003, requesting permission to construct a single family dwelling and garage on Lot 3, Registered Plan 58M-230, located in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District. Attached to the application is an elevation drawing, and a plan showing the location of the building on the lot. Mr. Kuiken of Charleston Homes was in attendance to represent the application and to answer any questions the Committee might have. He displayed samples of the building materials to be used. On motion by Ms. J. Armstrong - it was resolved: "That Heritage Permit Application HPA 2004-V-003 (Lot 3, Registered Plan 58-230, Oregon Court) be approved to permit the construction of a single family dwelling and garage in accordance with the plans submitted with the application, and the materials displayed at the Heritage Kitchener meeting of March 2, 2004." 787-811 MORRISON ROAD - SIMS ESTATE - ADDENDUM TO HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE - and - DTS-04-028 - PROPOSED DESIGNATION AND HERITAGE EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONSERVATION OF FORMER SIMS ESTATE The Committee had been provided with an addendum to the Heritage Impact Assessment for the Sims Estate at 787-811 Morrison Road. The addendum was prepared by Wendy Shearer Landscape Architect Limited, is dated February 19, 2004, and is titled "Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment 'Chicopee' Former Sims Estate, Kitchener, Ontario". Ms. Shearer was in attendance to present her assessment to the Committee. Mr. B. Hermsen, MHBC Planning was in attendance on behalf of the property owner to present a revised vacant land condominium plan. Ms. Shearer advised that cultural heritage landscapes are new territory in the heritage field, and three types have been identified by the province. She advised that Chicopee was developed in the 1920s and is important because of its known association with 2 of Canada's leading landscape architects. Chicopee is unique because it was built as a private home. It is a designed cultural landscape, and elements of the design become key heritage features. Layering of the site is important in understanding the significance of the site. Ms. Shearer then commented on 3 landscape features on the site, comparing them to features of the landscape design prepared by Carl Borgstrom & H.M.S. Carver, as displayed in the HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 2~ 2004 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER 787-811 MORRISON ROAD - SIMS ESTATE - ADDENDUM TO HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE - and - DTS-04-028 - PROPOSED DESIGNATION AND HERITAGE EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONSERVATION OF FORMER SIMS ESTATE (CONT'D) August 1933 edition of Canadian Homes and Gardens. The small lake existing on the site is not the same as the small lake on the design. The front open space is not the sheep pasture referred to on the landscape design; as by its nature a sheep pasture would be a rustic meadow and not a manicured lawn. The existing driveway is different in approach and viewing than the driveway on the design. These three features are not included in the integrity of the design. Ms. Shearer noted that other aspects of the design were constructed and remain. Further, the reasons for designation should include those elements of the plan which are known to have been built. Ms. Shearer went on to explain that the following features were not original, but added later, and contribute to a cohesive plan: the fountain, the driveway turn-a-round, the bowl in the dipping well, the lighting of the lily pond, the stone wall, the fieldstone wall at the kitchen garden, and the greenhouse. Mr. Bensason questioned whether this property is a cultural heritage landscape as defined in Provincial Policy. Ms. Shearer responded that it complies with the provincial definition, except it does not have community value. This is an evolving landscape; however, its significance is the fact that it is a designed landscape. Ms. Shearer went to explain that there is an importance to the line between the maintained and unmaintained portions of the landscape. Part of the role and function of the park is to establish a view of the house, and the focus of the design is to allow views of the house. Mr. Bensason questioned whether of the 40 acres of the property, Ms. Shearer believes only 14 acres are of cultural heritage landscape significance. Ms. Shearer responded that the property has cultural heritage landscape significance because of the involvement of the professional landscape architects. Because this is a designed landscape, the extent of the design is where the significance lies. Mr. Bensason questioned significant views on the property, and Ms. Shearer responded the significant view is from the house south and east to the river. When questioned as to the significance of this property provincially and locally, Ms. Shearer responded that the property is not significant provincially but is probably significant for Kitchener. This property was developed at a period in time when these professionals were trying to be active. Chicopee was special in the careers of these landscape architects. Mr. B. Hermsen then presented a revised plan for the vacant land condominium development proposed for this property, He advised the lot that will contain the existing house has been increased from 1.7 acres to 3 acres in order to maintain the trees in front of the estate house. The driveway entrance will give a progressively wider view of the estate house, framed by trees on each side. The new lots will be 3A acres in area. The new homes will be required to have a roof pitch the same as the estate house, and the designs of the new houses will minimize the appearance of the garages along the street. Mr. Hermsen stated that 6 townhouses will be developed at the north end of the property, and the lotting plan along the north side has been reconfigured to allow a larger side yard for the gardener's cottage. Further, the trees along the existing driveway can be maintained, and the new lots backing on to the existing driveway will have great rear lot lines. He advised that there will probably be no sidewalks and curbs along the new main road into the development, and the condominium corporation rules will regulate tree preservation and design controls. With respect to common elements in this condominium development, Mr. Hermsen advised that approximately 2 acres of the site will be included in the common elements, including the portion along the river. HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 2~ 2004 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER 787-811 MORRISON ROAD - SIMS ESTATE - ADDENDUM TO HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE - and - DTS-04-028 - PROPOSED DESIGNATION AND HERITAGE EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONSERVATION OF FORMER SIMS ESTATE (CONT'D) Mr. Hermsen referred to Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-04- 028, dated February 18, 2004, still to be considered this date, and requested the opportunity to meet with Ms. Shearer and Mr. Bensason, and review Mr. Bensason's report in light of the Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment prepared and presented by Ms. Shearer. The Committee now reviewed Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 04-028, dated February 18, 2004, respecting the potential designation of the Sims Estate and the heritage conservation easement agreement to secure the conservation of the cultural heritage attributes of the property. Mr. Bensason advised the Committee that the report is intended to initiate the designation process. He emphasized the historic interest in the landscape architects who prepared the landscape design, as well as the interest in the natural area of the property, and the buildings on the site. He suggested to the Committee that any heritage designation for this property should apply to the entire 40 acres and not just the 14 acres covered by the landscape design. Further, Mr. Bensason stated that condominium rules can change over time, and there should be some City control over the heritage features of the Sims Estate. Mr. Bensason then advised that the property owner has not received a copy of the staff report, and should be given an opportunity to review and discuss the contents of the report. He recommended that prior to the Committee taking action in this regard, a final design for the development should be prepared, as well as the design guidelines and reasons for designation. Ms. Armstrong recommended that, as the entire property will remain in one ownership, the entire property should be designated. Further, she recommended that such things as fencing, and the alignment of the driveway should be included in a heritage conservation easement agreement, not simply in the condominium rules. Ms. Armstrong asked that Ms. Shearer include a statement in her addendum report relating the landscape at the Sims Estate to the definitions of Cultural Heritage Landscape in the Provincial Policy Statement. The Committee requested that staff review the designs for the town houses to be located across Old Chicopee Drive from the Sims Estate. It was generally agreed that staff continue discussions with the property owner, following which, a final recommendation be presented to this Committee for consideration. It was also generally agreed that recommendations on all planning application affecting the Sims Estate be presented to City Council at the same time. 3. DISCUSSION ON MONITORING DESIGNATED HERITAGE PROPERTIES Mr. E. Lucy identified some significant changes made in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District, such as the cul-de-sacing of Doon Village Road, and suggested that, from time to time, there is need for a device to determine whether the City's heritage conservation districts are being maintained. Mr. Bensason noted that the heritage conservation district plans provide guidelines for the municipality as well as private property owners. He advised that he will notify the City's Engineering Serives and Community Services to present the work they intend to undertake in the City's heritage conservation districts each year to Heritage Kitchener. HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 2~ 2004 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. 185 KING STREET WEST Mr. Bensason advised that the City has been approached by the architect for Pizza Pizza concerning the installation of glass in the side window openings at 185 King Street West, on which has been etched historic photographs of the City of Kitchener He asked that Committee members provide him with suggestions in this regard. Mr. Bishop agreed to present this request to the Public Art Committee. It was also suggested that Mr. N. Reese be contacted in this regard. 5. UPDATE ON ST. JEROME - DATE STONE AND HERITAGE PLAQUE Mr. Bensason advised that the heritage plaque from that portion of former St. Jerome High School destroyed by fire, has gone missing. He also advised of his discussions with representatives from Wilfrid Laurier University who have agreed to incorporate the date stone into some form of monument. 6. HERITAGE SHOWCASE UPDATE Ms. D. Kuehl distributed copies of her report on the preparations for and outcome of the Heritage Kitchener display at the Heritage Showcase held at the Cambridge Centre on Saturday February 21,2004. She made some suggestions for future years including the preparation of a mural and walking tour guide which could be distributed to schools during Heritage Week. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator