HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2017-11-07HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
NOVEMBER 7, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. A. Reid - Chair
Councillors B. Ioannidis and J. Gazzola, Ms. K. Huxted and Messrs. C. Farley, P. Ciuciura,
S. Miladinovic, S. Thomson, S. Burrows and S. Strohack.
Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Resources
M. Drake, Senior Heritage & Project Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. CSD-17-099 - NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DEMOLISH PORTIONS OF THE BUILDING
- 1 QUEEN STREET NORTH
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-17-099, dated
October 19, 2017 regarding the Notice of Intention to Demolish dated October 5, 2017, to
demolish portions of the building on the property municipally addressed as 1 Queen Street
North.
Mr. L. Bensason presented the Report. He indicated the Committee previously considered a
Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) at the Heritage Kitchener meeting on October 3, 2017,
which was generally favourably received. He advised the Notice of Intention to Demolish dated
October 5, 2017, prepared by MHBC Planning, outlines specific structures and portions of the
buildings proposed to be demolished, and provided an overview of the property owners
intentions. Mr. Bensason noted staff are in support of allowing the Notice of Intention to run its
course, at the end of which the Building Division may issue a demolition permit as early as
December 12, 2017.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis -
it was resolved:
That, in accordance with Section 27(3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the written Notice of
Intention to Demolish dated October 5, 2017 to demolish portions of the building on the
property municipally addressed as 1 Queen Street North, as outlined in Community
Services Department report CSD-17-099, be received for information and that the notice
period run its course.
2. CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPES - BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Committee considered an internal memo ritage Landscapes
Background I
Landscape (CHL) conservation process.
Ms. M. Drake provided an overview of the CHL study, including: background information;
descriptions of cultural heritage landscapes; a summary of the work the City has already
completed; and, a high-level overview of the next steps in the CHL conservation process. She
provided an overview of the next steps within the CHL process, noting it may involve
establishing a Heritage Kitchener Sub-Committee to assist with
to determine what types of protection measures should be established to manage change. She
stated staff are considering aligning the CHL process in conjunction with other planning
processes, as there are currently other reviews underway including land use reviews, etc. that
would help to minimize the number of times the community is being consulted during the
planning review process.
Councillor B. Ioannidis expressed reservations with the possible next steps in the CHL review
process, noting there appears to be conflicting messages regarding the need to intensify and
develop within the Downtown Core in comparison to the heritage objectives of conservation.
He indicated there arn the Downtown and felt consideration
needs to be given to achieving a balance between intensification and conservation. He further
advised one topic that continues to be debated is affordable housing. He indicated he has
concerns with additional regulations being imposed in the Downtown and their impact on
affordable housing options. In response, Ms. Drake advised staff acknowledge there will be a
balancing approach required. She indicated staff have to achieve certain mandates, which has
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
NOVEMBER 7, 2017 - 38 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPES -
been directed by the Region of Waterloo, acknowledging that intensification and conservation
are both included in those directions. She stated staff will be completing a comprehensive
process to review what types of planning mechanisms can be applied to achieve balance
between the directed objectives.
Several members noted concerns with increasing density and wished to ensure that an
increase in density does not reflect the same in Kitchener as it has in Waterloo in the area of
King Street North and Columbia Street.
In response to questions, Ms. Drake advised the CHL study was approved by Council in 2014.
She indicated in her opinion, there has not been a significant amount of change to those
landscapes since they were identified; however, as part of the prioritization process they may
need to be re-evaluated to confirm their status.
Ms. A. Reid suggested this may be a good opportunity tto determine
whether any of the areas are worthy of becoming a Heritage District. She acknowledged the
concerns raised, noting she is not in support of adding regulations where there is no value
added. She stated in her opinion, conservation does not always mean halting development,
add
3. HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES OPEN FORUM & UPDATE
Mr. L. Bensason advised there were no Heritage Best Practices updates this date.
4. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator