HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-105 - HPA-2018-IV-026 - 1754 Old Mill Road, Homer Watson House & GalleryREPORT TO:Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: September 4, 2018
SUBMITTED BY:Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning, 519-741-
2200 ext. 7648
PREPARED BY:Alison Bucking, Student Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7074
WARD(S) INVOLVED:Ward 4
DATE OF REPORT:August 21, 2018
REPORT NO.:DSD-18-105
SUBJECT:Heritage Permit Application HPA-2018-IV-026
1754 Old Mill Road (Homer Watson House)
Repair of Clay Brick Veneer, Chimneysand Rubble Foundation
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2018-
IV-026 be approved to permit the repair of the clay brick veneer, stone window sill, chimneys and
rubble foundation on the property municipally addressed as 1754 Old Mill Road, in accordance
with the plans and supplementary information submitted with the application and subject to the
following conditions:
1.That the final building permit drawings be reviewed and heritage clearance provided by
Heritage Planning staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
2.That an approximate one foot square test panel in Type Kand Type Nmortar be prepared for
review and approval by Heritage Planning staff prior to proceeding with the work.
3.That an appropriate 24”x 24”test panelfor the proposed chimney repair be prepared for
Heritage Planning staff review and approval.
4.That a sample of the new brick veneer be provided to Heritage Planning staff for review and
approval.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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Location Map: 1754 Old Mill Road
BACKGROUND:
The Development Service Department is in receipt of Heritage Permit Application HPA-2018-IV-026
requesting permission to repair the clay brick veneer walls, chimneys, stone window sill and rubble
foundation at the building municipally addressed as 1754 Old Mill Road.
REPORT:
The subject property is locatedon the northof Old Mill Road and east of Mill Park Drive. The property
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commonly known as the Homer Watson House contains a one and a half storey brick house, a 19
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century brick coach house, three mid 20century artist cabins, a 1965 art studio, gardens, and a number
of mature plantings and trees.The Homer Watson house was built around 1850 in a vernacular style with
Gothic Revival details. The propertyis designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Actand is subject
to a conservation easement agreement with the Ontario Heritage Trust.Designating By-law 80-197
identifies that the property is historically and architecturally significant as itwas built by Adam Ferrie, a
founding industrialistof the Village of Doon and later purchased by Homer Watson, a famous artist, who
resided there for a number of years and later added a studio and art gallery to the property.
Architecturally, the dwelling is a fine example of the early Scottish Gothic Style. The conservation
easement identifies the following characterdefining heritage features which include but are not limited
to: the windows and window openings, brick chimneys, brick window surrounds, brick quoins, high rubble
foundation, the gothic revival details, the gallery, the studio, the artists’cabins and coach house. As a
result, a heritage permit is required to alter and repair the clay brick veneer walls, window sill and rubble
foundation.
The Ontario Heritage Trust has a separate procedurefor the approval of any modificationsor repairs to
a property subject to their conservation easements. The applicant was required to submit their plans to
the Ontario Heritage Trust prior to applying for a heritage permit with the City. The Ontario Heritage Trust
approved the proposed repairs on May 28, 2018 subject to several conditions (Appendix ‘B’).
The proposal identifiesthe need to repoint and repair the existing mortar joints and brick veneer. While
mortar joints are an important part of the buildings historical fabric, they are meant to deteriorate overtime.
Therefore it is understood that historical buildings will require repointing periodically to ensure that they
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continue to be protected against the elements. Therefore this repair is essential to the continued
preservation and protection of the Homer Watson House.
Proposal to Repair the Brick Veneer Mortar Joint Cracking, Stone Window Sill and Deterioration Below
Existing Downspout:
The applicant has advised thatrepairs to the brick veneer mortar jointing, stone window sill and mortar
below the existing downspout are required as they have begun to deteriorate and arenecessary to protect
the building from the elements. To begin the repairs, the contractor willfirsthand chip and remove all
loose mortar and clean the dust and debris from the cracked joints. The contractor will then repoint the
existing clay brick veneer with type N mortarfor brick materials and type K mortarfor stone materials.
The new mortar will be tinted to match the existing weather mortar and a sample will be provided for
approval prior to use. The joints will then either be tooled with a slight rake or tooled flush to match the
existing joints.
Brick Veneer Mortar Joint Cracking CrackedMortar Joint on Stone Window Sill
Deterioration Below Existing Downspout
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Proposal to Repair the Stone Foundation Separation
The applicant has advised that replacement of themortar joint on the stone
rubble foundation is required as it has begun to separate. The contractor
willfollow the same procedure as stated above to remove the mortarby
hand chipping the existing mortar and removing all loose mortar and dust.
Next the contractor willimplement a closed cell back rod and fill the joint
with tremco spectrum 2 sealant to the manufacturer’sinstructions. The
colour will be tinted to match the existing weathering mortar joints and
submitted for approval prior to installation.
Stone Foundation Separation
Proposal to Repair the Brick Veneer on the Chimney
The existing chimney has experienced significant weathering as seen on its
brick veneer and repairs are requiredtoensure the building continues to be
protected and preserved.The contractor will begin by removing the chimney
coping unit and setting it aside for reuse. Next they will dismantle the clay
brick veneer down the chimney to the point where all masonry units and
joints are solid. The contractor will then review the condition of the existing
clay bricks and remove all deteriorating bricks. All bricks that are in good
condition will be reused and the new bricks will be evenly distributed
throughout the chimney. Once the chimney interior is exposed, the contactor
will contact the consultant to review the existing condition of any interior
wythes and flue. Next the contractor will prepare a 24’x 24’ mock – up for
review and approvalprior to installation.
Existing Chimney with
Deteriorating Brick Veneer
In reviewing the merits of the application, Heritage Planning staff note the following:
The windows and window openings, brick chimneys, brick window surrounds, brick quoins and
high rubble foundation are all identified as heritage attributes;
The mortar and brick on these attributes have begun todeteriorate and are necessary to protect
the building from the elements;
Mortar joints are an important part of the buildings historical fabric and are meant to deteriorate
overtime;
The new mortar will be type N for brick mortar joints and type Kfor stone mortar jointsand will be
tinted to match the existing weathering mortar;
The repairs to the chimney will make use of the existing brick and the new brick will match the
existing and be evenly distributedthroughout the chimney;
The repairs ensure that the property will continue to be preserved and protected and diminishes
the chance for larger and more costly conservation projects in the future;
The alterations and repairs will not detract from the character of the property.
The method of repair has received approval from the Ontario Heritage Trust.
In accordance with the preceding comments, heritage planning staff support the application torepair the
clay brick veneer walls, chimneys, stone window sill, downspout and rubble foundation subject to the
conditions as described above and provided in the report recommendation.
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The approval of an application under the Ontario Heritage Act shall not be a waiver of any of the
provisions of any by-law of the City of Kitchener or legislation, including, but not limited to, the
requirements of the Ontario Building Code and Kitchener’sZoning By-law.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision through the
delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM- This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the Heritage
Kitchener committee meeting.
CONSULT - Heritage Kitchener has been consulted regarding the subject Heritage Permit Application.
REVIEWED BY: Leon Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7306
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
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www.witzeldyce.com
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
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826 King Street North, Unit 15
REPAIR DETAILS
GALLERY BRICK REPAIRS
HOMER WATSON HOUSE AND
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SOUTH ELEVATIONNORTH ELEVATION (PARTIAL)
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www.witzeldyce.com
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
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826 King Street North, Unit 15
REPAIR DETAILS
GALLERY BRICK REPAIRS
HOMER WATSON HOUSE AND
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EAST ELEVATIONWEST ELEVATION
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10 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3
Telephone : 416-325-5000
Fax : 416-325-5071
www.heritagetrust.on.ca
SENT BY MAIL AND EMAIL
May 28, 2018
Lynda Stewart, Manager Facilities Management
Corporation of the City of Kitchener
Kitchener Operations Facility
131 Goodrich Drive
Kitchener, ON N2C 2E8
Re: Homer Watson House 1754 Old Mill Road, Kitchener
Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement
Approval for Masonry Repairs
Dear Ms. Stewart:
On May 22, 2018 the Ontario Heritage Trust (Trust) received and alteration request to undertake
masonry repairs to the Homer Watson House. As you are aware the property known as Homer
Watson House is protected by a heritage conservation easement agreement (HCEA) held by the
Trust and registered February 1, 1991 as Instrument No. 1067748. As such all proposed alterations
to the heritage features must be approved in writing by the Trust before they are undertaken by the
property owner.
The current proposal involves repairs to masonry walls, stone window sills and chimneys at the
Homer Watson House. The work will include repointing as well as replacement of damaged
masonry units. In support of the current application the Trust received the following items in
addition to the alteration request form:
Drawings and specifications prepared by Witzel Dyce Engineering Inc. dated August 2017
(received May 22, 2018 by the Trust).
After reviewing the previously referenced documentation, Trust staff feel the proposal is in keeping
with the terms of the HCEA. The Trust therefore approves the work subject to the following
conditions:
Mortar used for repointing must match the original in composition, colour, texture and
profile;
Mortar profile should be matched to the original as established on site by the consultant;
Cutting out must not damage masonry widen joints, etc. in any way;
Colour should be obtained from the aggregate. If pigments are required to achieve a
satisfactory colour match the proportion should not exceed 5% of the mix as this will
weaken the mortar and cause shrinkage cracks.
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Air entrainment (agents used to help mortar resist freeze-thaw damage) can be added to the
mortar but it should be within 8-10% ideally and should not exceed 12% or it will reduce
bond strength and porosity.
Never apply mortars in temperatures near or below freezing or in hot, direct sunlight.
Repointing must not be done at temperatures above 27ºC unless shading and water-misted
burlap over new work are provided. Repointing should never be done when the temperature
is below 5 ºC.
Newly repointed joints should be kept in a damp environment to promote curing, they
should be misted and covered with damp burlap and polythene sheets for a period of no less
than 3 days and as long as possible.
Replacement bricks should match the existing in terms of compressive strength, absorption,
colour, size and texture.
An alteration completion form is submitted to the Trust once the work has been completed.
An information sheet prepared by the Trust on repointing historic masonry structures is attached to
this letter. It is expected that the guidelines outlined in this material will be followed for any
repointing work to Cartwright House.
Should you have any questions regarding this approval or the scope of work changes please contact
me by telephone at 416-314-1751 or email at kiki.aravopoulos@heritagetrust.on.ca.
Sincerely yours,
Kiki Aravopoulos
Easements Program Coordinator
Email copy: Leon Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning, City of Kitchener
Enclosure: TCS-001 Repointing Historic Masonry Structures
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