HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2020-02-04HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
FEBRUARY 4, 2020CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00p.m.
Present:S. Strohack-Chair
Councillor D. Chapman andMs. K. Huxted, Ms. S. Hossack,and Messrs. J. Baker, P.
Ciuciura, D. Gundrum, and R. Parnell.
Staff:L. Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning
J. Bunn, Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk
1.DRAFT HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) -50-52 WEBER STREET WEST, 56
WEBER STREET WEST, 107YOUNG STREET
The Committee considered a memorandum dated January 17,2020 regarding a Heritage Impact
Assessment (HIA) for the properties municipally addressed as 50-52 Weber Street West, 56
Weber Street West, and 107 Young Street. The HIA addresses the proposal to redevelop the
three subject properties, designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act,located north of
the downtown core within the Civic Centre Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District
(CCNHCD).Mr. L. Bensason provided opening remarks regarding the HIA advising there would
be multiple applications related to this development, including a demolition permit application
likely in April 2020.
Mr. J. Gibson, applicant, Mr. D.Currie, MHBC Planning Ltd, on behalf of the applicant, and Mr.
S. Burrows, presented the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). Mr. Gibson presented an
overview of the proposed building and highlighted planned partnerships for affordable housing
and green development initiatives. Mr. Currieprovided an overview of the HIA including, but not
limited to: the cultural heritage value of the subject properties; the demolition of 50-52 Weber
Streetand retention of the building at 107 Young Street; reference to the Civic Centre
Neighbourhood Secondary Plan; the potential impacts on the Civic Centre Neighbourhood
Conservation District (CCNCD); and steps that should be taken in Phase 2 HIA (should a
demolition permit application be approved), including: a Conservation Plan for 107 Young Street
(actions to be implemented prior, during and post construction); a Salvage, Documentation and
Commemoration Plan for 50-52 and 56 Weber Street West; and a Cultural Heritage Protection
Plan for 48 Weber Street and 109 Young Street.
Ms. J. Haalboom, addressed the Committee in opposition to the demolition proposed for 50-52
Weber Street, by highlighting the importance of the Berlin’s built heritage and stating the
unnecessary demolition of buildings adds significant waste to landfills.
Ms. S. Parks, ArchitecturalConservancy Ontario –North Waterloo Region, addressed the
Committee in opposition to the proposed development at 50-52 and 56 Weber Street West and
107 Young Street.Ms. Parks noted concerns with the proposed development, including: no
precedence for demolition of a heritage building in a Heritage District; the application is
inconsistent with city development policies, including the CCNCD Plan; and, the conclusions
and interpretations of the HIA.
Mr. H. Jaeger, addressed the Committee in support of the preservation of 107 Young Street. Mr.
Jaeger expressed opposition to some of the findings contained in the HIA, mainly the Criteria for
Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest evaluation of 107 Young Street. Mr. Jaeger
further noted that the Ontario Heritage Act outlines wherethere is a conflict between a Heritage
Conservation District Plan(HCDP)and municipal development by-laws, the HCDP prevails.
Ms. K. Huxted outlined a number of concerns relating to the HIA, including: the development
needs to be completely compatible with the CCNCD Plan, not somewhatcompatible; the
subjective nature of the Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest evaluation;
and, balconies and roofline do not seem consistent with the district.
Ms. S. Hossack,andMr. P. Ciuciuraexpressedconcerns with the extent of parking for the
proposed development. Mr. Ciuciuraspecifically raised concerns with the proposal to build
underground parking and retain 107 Young Street, and suggested the proposed building is not
in keeping with the Heritage District.
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
FEBRUARY 4, 2020-4-CITY OF KITCHENER
1.DRAFT HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) -50-52 WEBER STREET WEST, 56
WEBER STREET WEST, 107YOUNG STREET(CONT’D)
Mr. Bensason explained conditions can be applied to the demolition permit application to
address issues related to 107 Young Street to ensure the building can be safely moved to
manage the parking garage development. Mr. Bensason further suggested consideration will
also need to be given to the narrow workspace to move the building at 107 Young Street given
the neighbouring LRT infrastructure.
Ms. A. Vallentinaddressed the committee as a member of Senior Ladies Living Together, noting
sufficient parking is essential to the development as many of the seniorswho would live in the
proposed building would have private vehicles. Ms. Vallentin explained access to the LRT is not
sufficient to attend medical appointments and errands, or visit family and friends.
2.STATUS UPDATES -HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES UPDATE AND 2020PRIORITIES
-HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOLLOW-UPS
Mr. Bensason informed the Committee that City Council did not approve the request for
increased scope of delegated authority.
It was suggested and agreed that at a future meeting where there were few agenda items,the
Committee would review the Heritage Kitchener Work Plan.
3.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:29p.m.
J. Bunn
Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk