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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2017-03-07 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:01 p.m. Present: A. Reid - Chair Councillors J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis and P. Singh, 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 Landscape Architect S. Parks, Heritage Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-17-020 - HPA-2017-IV-003 & HPA-2017-IV-004 - 920 ORR COURT - REPAIR/RESTORE FRONT DOOR/REPAIR FLOORING AND BASEBOARDS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-17-020, dated February 15, 2017 recommending approval of Heritage Permit Applications HPA-2017-IV-003 & HPA-2017-IV-004 to permit repairs and restoration of the front door and repairs to the flooring and baseboards at 920 Orr Court. Ms. S. Parks presented the Heritage Permit Application and the staff recommendation. Mr. David Schooley, owner and applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the applications and responded to questions. With regard to the process, Ms. Parks advised that if approved by unanimous consent, the Heritage Permit Application would be approved through delegated authority. The following motion was then voted on and was Carried Unanimously. On motion by Mr. C. Farley - it was resolved: That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2017-IV-003 be approved to permit restoration of the front door on the property municipally addressed as 920 Orr Court, in accordance with the plans and supplementary information submitted with the application; and, further, That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2017-IV-004 be approved to permit repairs to floors and baseboards after HVAC installation on the property municipally addressed as 920 Orr Court, in accordance with the plans and supplementary information submitted with the application. 2. CSD-17-021 - HPA-2017-IV-005 - 128 MARGARET AVENUE - REPLACE ROOF AND ROOF FLASHING The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-17-021, dated February 15, 2017 recommending approval of Heritage Permit Application HPA-2017-IV-005 to permit replacement of the roof and roof flashing at 128 Margaret Avenue. Ms. S. Parks presented the Heritage Permit Application (HPA) and the staff recommendation. Ms. Jen Norman, BJC Architects Inc. and Mr. Mel Lavoie, Waterloo Region District School Board, advised they were in attendance in support of the subject application and the staff recommendation. In response to questions, Ms. Norman advised the overall budget for the roof replacement is approximately $750,000. She noted there are a number of renovations currently underway on the subject property, including installation of new elevators, barrier-free washrooms and replacement of windows, adding replacement of the roof will not actually occur until 2018. Questions were raised regarding the HPA process and the steps following approval to ensure construction is completed as outlined in the requested and approved HPA. Mr. L. Bensason HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-17-021 - HPA-2017-IV-005 - 128 MARGARET AVENUE - advised staff will be reviewing the heritage approval process this coming year with the intention of establishing more formal protocols for the process. He indicated staff have intentions of including a follow-up inspection following a heritage approval as part of those procedures. He further advised staff will also be reviewing the existing delegated approval authority to possibly expand the approval process to straight forward Part IV applications where very simple and straight forward renovations are being requested. With regard to the process, Ms. Parks advised that if approved by unanimous consent, the Heritage Permit Application would be approved through delegated authority. The following motion was then voted on and was Carried Unanimously. On motion by Mr. S. Miladinovic - it was resolved: That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2017-IV-005 be approved to permit replacement of the roof and roof flashing on the property municipally addressed as 128 Margaret Avenue, in accordance with the plans and supplementary information submitted with the application and subject to the following condition: 1. That the final building permit drawings be reviewed and heritage clearance 3. PRESENTATION ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVANCY OF ONTARIO, NORTH WATERLOO BRANCH PARTNERING WITH HERITAGE KITCHENER The Committee considered information materials from the North Waterloo Region Branch of the Architectural Conservatory of Ontario (ACO), dated August 29, 2016 requesting an opportunity to meet with the members of Heritage Kitchener to explore ways and means by cultural heritage resources. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of information materials from the North Waterloo Branch ACO, prepared by Ms. Marg Rowell dated March 7, 2017. Ms. Marg Rowell, ACO, addressed the Committee in support of the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage landscapes. She indicated the ACO realizes and appreciates that Heritage Kitchener has carefully developed a rating scale and priority list for the Non- Designated Register and they would like to offer assistance to the Committee with adding more buildings to the Register. She noted they could assist by prioritizing buildings at risk and help to prioritize buildings from the list for possible designation. She further advised a number of the members of the ACO have expertise and time that could be offered to assist with determining architectural style names and architectural descriptions, as well as building photography. In response to questions, Ms. Rowell advised the ACO is gradually moving towards working with other municipalities within the Region to assist in a similar nature to what is being offered to the Committee this date. She noted their branch offers assistance in heritage preservation for all municipalities within the Region except for Cambridge and North Dumfries. Questions were raised on what pre-empted the Presentation to the Committee this date. In response, Ms. Rowell advised she is requesting the Committee to consider an informal type of partnership, where staff or the Committee could reach out to their organization to receive assistance in heritage preservation matters. She indicated she was not seeking a formal position on the Committee/Sub-Committee; rather, she advised a number of their members have a significant amount of expertise in heritage matters and would like the Committee and staff to be aware that they are available for assistance if needed. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. PRESENTATION ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVANCY OF ONTARIO, NORTH WATERLOO BRANCH In response to questions, Ms. Rowell noted there is one property having heritage significance that the ACO has identified as possibly being at risk. She noted the property is the First Church of Christ, Scientist, municipally addressed as 64 Water Street North. She further advised if the property was designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, they may be eligible for heritage grant funding. Mr. L. Bensason advised staff currently reach out to various resources within the community when staff have been unable to definitely determine a particular heritage or architectural style. He noted when staff received the request from the ACO, it was reviewed against recommendations outlined in the Council Approved Heritage Best Practices, suggesting staff should continue to investigate the opportunity to develop partnerships with other area municipalities, the Region, community organizations, academic institutions and businesses to broaden the support base for heritage locally, noting assistance can further support heritage preservation in the City. Several members expressed support for the offer of assistance, noting staff already reach out to various organizations when assistance is required and the ACO is a valuable resource. 4. HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) - 1664 HURON ROAD - SOUTH KITCHENER DISTRICT PARK Mr. L. Bensason provided some opening remarks, indicating the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has been submitted in support of a Site Plan Approval application. He indicated the Site Plan Approval application has been submitted on behalf of the City of Kitchener for the future development of the South Kitchener District Park. He stated any feedback received from the review of the HIA and in making a recommendation to the Director of Planning. Ms. Meaghan Rivard, Stantec Consulting Ltd. presented the HIA advising the City retained Stantec Consulting Ltd. to complete a Site Plan for the South Kitchener District Park (SKPD) located at the property municipally addressed as 1664 Huron Road. She indicated the property is currently listed on the Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) as a non-designated property of heritage value or interest. She noted an HIA was required as part of the Site Plan approval process. She provided a brief summary of the site and the cultural heritage value related to the subject property, noting the property contains a one and one half storey residence with the following heritage attributes: symmetrical five bay front façade; large field stone front façade and smaller field stone use throughout remaining façades; medium pitched hipped roof with front and rear gable dormers clad in painted tin; wide eaves with dentils; and, association with the primarily Scottish settlement in the southwest corner of the former Township of Waterloo, a characteristic unique within the City of Kitchener. Ms. Rivard provided a summary of the results related to the one and one half storey residential structure, indicating the stone walls in fair condition, the remainder of residence in poor condition. She stated there is indication of water infiltration, wood rot, evidence of repointing and interior framing failure. She presented the list of possible recommendation/mitigation options, with approximate costing implications, with regards to the stone residence, including: restoration and retention in situ; retention in situ as a ruin; relocation; and, documentation, salvage and commemoration. She further advised the following recommendations are being proposed in order of preference, for the historic residence: relocation; restoration in situ as a ruin; and, documentation, salvage, and commemoration. Mr. Steve Bendo, Stantec Consulting Ltd. presented the Site Plan for the SKPD advising the primary site design objectives for the Park include, but are not limited to: community connectivity/multimodal; building and outdoor facility connectivity; pedestrians first; well defined site circulation; compatible uses ie: skatepark and BMX; low impact development (LID) solutions and best management practices; aquatics and indoor soccer; maintain opportunity for twin pad expansion; and, site expansion and flexibility. He provided an overview of the various design alternatives that have been considered, as well as the site constraints impacting the overall design of the site. He presented the various alternatives, including the latest design, which is currently identified as the preferred design, indicating the preferred design would require the relocation of the stone residence. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) - 1664 HURON ROAD - SOUTH KITCHENER DISTRICT In response to questions, Ms. Rivard advised the HIA did not recommend restoration in its existing location. She noted the stone house does not have any contextual value with its location on the site itself. She noted heritage significance was identified between the dwelling and the neighbouring properties, but there is no heritage significance remaining with the current s location on the site. Questions were raised regarding the current condition of the house, noting it is a City owned property. Councillor J. Gazzola noted the site was purchased in 1988 and was always intended for future recreational use. He noted the City did not purchase the site, having regard for the dwelling, rather the property was purchased specifically for the land. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised the property is on the MHR. If and when the applicant is prepared to move the dwelling or demolish it, Council would have 60 days to review the dwelling to determine whether they would like to pursue heritage designation. Members offer the following suggestions in relation to the HIA and the recommendation to relocate the stone structure: concerns were raised with regards to relocating the dwelling and questioned whether it was structurally sound enough to withstand the actual relocation, noting if it does not, all heritage significance would be lost; contextual value should be reviewed in relation to the relocation of the home and whether the newly proposed site does not further diminish the heritage significance of the dwelling; several members indicated it would be their preference to see the dwelling incorporated in the development of the SDKP, suggesting possible changeroom/washroom facilities as a possible option; it was suggested that if the dwelling was relocated on the subject property that a communication plan promoting awareness for the dwelling and its heritage significance should be considered as the cost to relocate the dwelling can be seen as significant, but not necessarily in relation to the overall development of the site; several members noted, in their opinion, there are lots of possible ways to integrate the dwelling into the development of the SDKP and in this situation public good should outweigh private good. Ms. A. Reid noted any members having additional comments/feedback could forward them via email to Leon Bensason at leon.bensason@kitchener.ca. 5. BILL C-323 PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL TO SUPPORT HERITAGE RESTORATIONS The Committee considered a presentation entitled Tax Credit for Restoring Historic Buildings: Bill C- Income Tax Act to create a 20% tax credit on eligible costs for rehabilitation work to designated historic places. Ms. S. Parks provided an overview on the Bill and its current status, noting staff have just learned the House of Commons may have a second hour of debate regarding Bill C-323 on March 9, 2017. She indicated there will be a vote on whether to kill the bill, or send it to the House of Commons Environment Committee for further vetting and debate, on March 22, 2017. She further advised if the Committee approved the staff recommendation as outlined in the Presentation, it would be forwarded to Council for consideration March 20, 2017, which could then be forwarded on prior to the House of Commons meeting March 22, 2017. Mr. S. Miladinovic expressed concerns regarding Bill C-323 stating, in his opinion, tax credits create an unfair taxation system, noting credits issued would need to make up the balance of the tax paying citizen, essentially meaning those individuals would need to pay more to cover the difference. On motion by Mr. C. Farley - it was resolved: HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 - 10 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. BILL C-323 PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL TO SUPPORT HERITAGE RESTORATION heritage resources are important from a historical and cultural perspective, they are also of social, economic, environmental and educational value. They help to instill civic pride, foster a sense of community, contribute to tourism and stimulate the building renovation WHEREAS, Bill C-323 An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Rehabilitation of Historic Property), which proposes to create a 20% income tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic buildings, has the potential to broadly affect homeowners and the development/construction industry, and positively impact the economy, job creation and carbon reduction through the support of the rehabilitation of historic buildings; -323, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Rehabilitation of Historic Property); and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment & Climate Change; the Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance; the Hon. Peter Van Loan; all local area M.P.s and municipalities; and the National Trust for 6. HERITAGE KITCHENER WORK PLAN DISCUSSION The Committee considered the draft Heritage Kitchener 2017/2018 Work Plan. Mr. L. Bensason advised the draft Work Plan identifies a number of strategic directions, themes, visions, initiatives, and actions that could be pursued in the coming term, noting each action is associated with a proposed timeline, group responsible for implementation, priority level, and budget limitations. He reviewed the various items, noting which items fall within the Committees core business areas, as well providing an overview of the items that were added from the discussions held at the February Committee meeting. In response to questions regarding the creation of heritage protocols, Mr. Bensason noted it is anticipated that staff will be drafting heritage approval protocols later this year, which the Committee will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback throughout the process. Questions were raised regarding the number of properties identified for annual designation; Mr. Bensason advised the previous Committee proposed three to five properties as a guide, noting it was not a firm requirement rather a guide to be completed annually. Several members spoke in support of the Work Plan as well as the additional items identified related to heritage plaquing and possible heritage promotion event in conjunction with a Canada 150 event in 2017. Mr. Bensason advised staff would make some minor adjustments and bring forward the 2017/2018 Work Plan for final consideration at the April 4, 2017 Committee meeting. 7. SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Ms. D. Saunderson advised that Council at their regular meeting on February 27, 2017 considered and approved a resolution to amend Section 3 of Council Policy I-110 (Heritage Kitchener \[Municipal Heritage Committee\] Terms of Reference) shall indicate when executing any duties prescribed by the Ontario Heritage Act quorum shall be 5 members, including the composition of sub-committees, quorum shall be the majority of members appointed to Heritage Kitchener. She indicated that would permit up to seven members on each of the sub-committees. Ms. A. Reid opened the floor to nominations and it was agreed the following members would be appointed as Sub-Committee members: Messrs. C. Farley, P. Ciuciura, S. Hamoen and S. Thomson be appointed to act as the Heritage Kitchener Designation Sub-Committee; and, HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 7, 2017 - 11 - CITY OF KITCHENER 7. SUB- Messrs. C. Farley (until July), S. Thomson, S. Hamoen (part-time) and Ms. D. Laurin and Ms. K. Huxted be appointed to act as the Heritage Kitchener Promotion Sub- Committee. 8. HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES OPEN FORUM & UPDATE Mr. L. Bensason advised the Committee tha last meeting as she was retiring March 31, 2017; and, on behalf of the Committee, he thanked Ms. Parks for all her hard work over the past two years 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator