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Home My WebLink AboutHK Minutes - 2021-02-02HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES FEBRUARY 2. 2021 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee held an electronic meeting this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: S. Hossack -Chair Councillors D. Chapman, J. Gazzola and D. Gundrum, D. Vongphakdy, J. Haalboom, J. Baker, M. Asling, P. Ciuciura, R. Schwarz, S. Ahmed, S. Lockwood and T. Geer Staff: B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation M. Drake, Senior Heritage & Project Planner G. Stevenson, Senior Planner V. Grohn, Heritage Planner D. Kropf, Active Transportation Planning Project Manager D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator WELCOME — MICHELLE DRAKE V. Grohn introduced and welcomed back Michelle Drake, Heritage Planner who was on leave and has since returned and is looking forward to working with the Committee again going forward. COMMITTEE TRAINING V. Grohn gave a presentation entitled "Municipal Heritage Register Listing & Designating Properties", which included an overview of functions specific to Heritage Kitchener, namely: the Municipal Heritage Register, as well as the designating properties under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. V. Grohn gave a further presentation entitled "Heritage Conservation Districts: Upper Doon, Victoria Park Area, St. Mary's & Civic Centre Neighbourhood," which included an overview of Cultural Heritage Resources - built heritage and cultural heritage landscapes; Conservation - identification, interpretation, protection and use; Support for Heritage Conservation. V. Grohn directed members to the City's website, which include a number of Heritage Planning webpages for the Committee's reference. DSD -21-018 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA-2021-V-005 - 17 PARK STREET - DEMOLITION OF A DETACHED GARAGE The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -21-018, dated January 19, 2021 recommending approval of Heritage Permit Application (HPA) HPA-2021-V- 005 to permit the demolition of an existing detached garage on the property municipally addressed as 17 Park Street designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act located within the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District (VPAHCD). V. Grohn presented the Report, advising staff are recommending approval of the HPA. On motion by Councillor D. Chapman - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA- 2021-V-005 be approved, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -21- 018, to permit the demolition of an existing detached garage on the property municipally addressed as 17 Park Street." 43 SHELDON AVENUE NORTH - DRAFT SCOPED CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION REPORT & HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT The Committee considered a memorandum dated January 19, 2021 regarding a Draft Scoped Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report (CHER) & Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for the property municipally addressed as 43 Sheldon Avenue North. The HIA proposes to sever the property, which is neither designated nor listed under the Ontario Heritage Act but was identified on the former Heritage Kitchener Inventory of Historic Buildings as a property of interest. V. Grohn provided opening remarks regarding the HIA advising Heritage Planning staff will be seeking the Committee's input and comments, which will be taken into consideration as part of staff's review of the CHER and HIA and the processing of the associated planning application. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES FEBRUARY 2. 2021 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. 43 SHELDON AVENUE NORTH - DRAFT SCOPED CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION REPORT & HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (CONT'D) Owen Scott, CHC Limited, presented the Draft Scoped Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report (CHER) & Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for 43 Sheldon Avenue North. O. Scott stated the subject property includes 1962 Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church municipally addressed as 47 Sheldon Avenue North and a circa 1936 "Tudor Revival' style cottage municipally addressed as 43 Sheldon Avenue North. O. Scott provided an overview of the history of the property, noting 43 Sheldon Avenue North and 35 Sheldon Avenue North are mirror-image houses that were designed in 1936, noting the Ontario District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod acquired the property in 1961 and the Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church was constructed in 1962 on the lot at 47 Sheldon Avenue North. O. Scott presented a summary of the heritage significance related to 43 Sheldon Avenue North, including but not limited to: design value or physical value; historical value or associative value; contextual value; and, the dwellings heritage attributes, noting the house may have interior cultural heritage attributes as well; however, the interior was not examined as part of the CHER. O. Scott stated the suggested severance ensures that the cultural heritage attributes of 43 Sheldon Avenue North are included in the proposed lot for 43 Sheldon, including the house & garage, circular driveway with hedges bordering it, and the associated vegetation of the original development. O. Scott further advised the suggested line keeps all of the church parking lot on the new lot for 47 Sheldon Avenue and the proposed lot line also ensures a minimum 3.0 metre side yard for 43 Sheldon Avenue North and a generous side yard on the west side of the church. O. Scott stated in his opinion should the suggested severance property line be adopted, there would be no negative heritage impact to the property. In response to questions, O. Scott advised both the Church and the dwelling are serviced separately and would not be impacted by the proposed severance of the lot. J. Haalboom noted she wanted to commend the consultant on their evaluation of the property, noting comments related to the adjacent property 35 Sheldon Avenue North being a twin property, as well as the connection to the Church. Questions were raised regarding the future use of the property municipally addressed as 43 Sheldon Avenue North. Garett Stevenson stated the property owner has not indicated their future intentions related to the property. G. Stevenson noted they are looking to sell the property to someone who would have interest in its use under the current Zoning which is Institutional. In response to questions, G. Stevenson stated the severance application is due to be considered at the February 16, 2021 Committee of Adjustment meeting. In response to further questions, G. Stevenson stated if a new property owner wanted to use the property for a non -institutional purpose, they would be required to apply for a Zone Change application. Sven Kutnik expressed support for the Committee to consider designation of the properties to assist in conserving the heritage of the area. S. Kutnik stated the property owner is considering selling 43 Sheldon Avenue North to OneRoof who currently owns the adjacent property. S. Kutnik stated in his opinion if OneRoof is permitted to acquire the property they will be able to increase the size of their proposed development on 35 Sheldon Avenue and further detract from the heritage of the neighbourhood, noting they have already constructed a basketball court constructed on that property impacting the heritage of the dwelling. S. Kutnik indicated there is a neighbourhood committee of over 100 people that are trying to see these properties conserved, or designated for their heritage significance, noting there is no other place in the city similar to this with mirror homes adjacent to each other. Hazel Sheard expressed concern for the heritage conservation of 43 and 35 Sheldon Avenue North, noting the loss of these buildings could be compared to the loss of the Preston Springs Hotel in Cambridge. H. Sheard stated the landscape on these properties are important to the heritage of the area, stating 35 Sheldon Avenue currently owned by OneRoof has already seen a loss of a number of heritage features noting broken windows and doors as an example. H. Sheard stated OneRoof is currently proposing constructing a building in the rear of 35 Sheldon Avenue out of shipping containers, that include balconies, noting concerns with their possible acquisition of 43 Sheldon Avenue and the loss of the heritage dwellings for the neighbourhood. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES FEBRUARY 2. 2021 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DOWNTOWN CYCLING GRID - WAYFINDING & STREET FURNITURE - CIVIC CENTRE NEIGHBOURHOOD HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT & VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT The Committee considered a memorandum dated January 19, 2021 regarding the downtown cycling grid, specifically on proposed street furnishings for Civic Centre, and wayfinding signage postings through Civic District and Victoria Park neighbourhoods. D. Kropf presented the report, noting on December 14, 2020, Kitchener City Council approved the protected downtown cycling grid, a connected network of cycling infrastructure. D. Kropf provided an overview of the boulevard multi -use trail on Margaret Avenue (Victoria Street to Queen Street) will maintain the grass boulevards and trees, as required by the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District (CCHCD) Plan, as well as the separated bike lanes on Joseph Street (Victoria Street to Queen Street), which is adjacent to the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District (VPAHCD) Plan. D. Kropf provided and overview of the recommended street signage and street furniture for the Districts, stating staff were in attendance this date to receive feedback from the Committee on the proposed street furnishings (i.e. bike racks) for Civic Centre, as well as wayfinding signage that will be posted through Civic District and Victoria Park neighbourhoods. Donna Kuehl addressed the Committee, noting as a resident of the CCHCD she would like consideration to be given to the installation of signage to prevent traffic from detouring to Maynard Avenue once the turning lane is removed from the intersection of Margaret Avenue and Victoria Street. D. Kehl further advised for the CCHCD she would like any signage or street furniture installed to comply with the policies outlined in the District Plan, specifically the recommended colours of the District, i.e. black and gold, rather than the proposed blue. D. Kehl indicated she also was interested in the proposed placement of the bike racks, noting the information materials did not have locations clearly identified. In response to questions, D. Kehl stated in her opinion the signage help to strengthen the heritage of the area and should be consistent with the other signage within the District. J. Haalboom stated it would be her preference to see the proposed wayfinding signage to be more consistent with the direction outlined in the District Plan policies. In response to questions, D. Kropf indicated the proposed wayfinding signage are not regulatory signs under the Ontario Traffic Act. D. Kropf stated the blue and white signage were selected due to its reflectiveness, which is an important factor in the evenings. D. Kropf stated green signs were piloted in Belmont Village, staff received feedback that the signs were difficult to see. D. Kropf further advised Waterloo and Cambridge are also using blue and for consistency and connectivity it is staff's preference to use something similar. Questions were raised regarding the sign guidelines of the Districts and whether a review of other municipalities had been undertaken when proposing the wayfinding signs with the Districts. B. Cronkite noted staff will have a further review of the District Plan policies related to signage, noting the banner signs are a greater focus of those policies. B. Cronkite further advised to change the sign to include information related to the District would double the size of the sign and may actually detract from their aesthetics. M. Drake stated the District Plan documents include policies, which are to be adhered to and guidelines, which are strong encouraged recommendations. M. Drake stated there are two sections in the CCHCD that address street furniture and signage and although they note they should be unique for the neighbourhood, the plan also notes that they should comply with City standards. In regard to signage within the District, the decision was to highlight the conservation districts with recognizable banners. M. Drake further advised the Plan does say when wayfinding signs are implemented, they should include the name of the district or applicable crest of the area, noting Heritage Planning staff could discuss that further with Transportation Services. M. Drake indicated the comment regarding the sign increasing in size, may impact the final decision as it could be too large to lose continuity for their intended purpose. Finally, M. Drake stated although the plan does encourage black street furniture, it is not a requirement, stating the Plan also speaks to colours more typical of the era. J. Haalboom questioned whether consideration had been given in reviewing other municipalities were addressing similar signage in their heritage districts. S. Hossack stated she was in support of the Downtown Cycling Grid, noting the additional cyclist presence should improve the exposure to the heritage districts. S. Hossack stated the proposed HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES DOWNTOWN CYCLING GRID - WAYFINDING & STREET FURNITURE - CIVIC CENTRE NEIGHBOURHOOD HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT & VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (CONT'D) blue and white signs are at times beneficial for safety, stating in her opinion likely once they are installed on the poles the blue will not be as prominent. S. Hossack further advised the proposed stainless-steel bike facilities were not her preferred colour, noting more muted colours may be appropriate. B. Cronkite stated staff would be willing to review the proposed colours of the cycling infrastructure for the Heritage Districts. P. Ciuciura stated in regard to the proposed bike racks it would be his preference to maintain the stainless-steel design, noting if they are black, generally the colour is painted and will gradually deteriorate over time impacting their overall aesthetics. P. Ciuciura further advised he was in full support of the Downtown Cycling Grid. STATUS UPDATES - HERITAGE BEST PRACTICES UPDATE AND 2021 PRIORITIES - HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOLLOW-UPS Victoria Grohn advised staff anticipate bringing forward a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) at the April 6, 2021 Heritage Kitchener meeting related to the Kitchener Cold War -era bunker on King Street East, noting the HIA has already been considered by the Regional Heritage Advisory Committee. Sam Hossack stated the Committee was in receipt of email correspondence earlier this date from Donna Kehl related to Committee business and processes. S. Hossack stated staff are aware of the email, noting items contained within were anticipated to be brought forward at a future committee meeting and possibly referred to the discussions related to the Committee's workplan. In response to questions related to positions on the Committee representing the City's Heritage Conservation Districts, Dianna Saunderson noted currently 3 of the four Heritage Conservation District's have representatives on the Committee. D. Saunderson advised the one District currently unrepresented is the St. Mary's Conservation District, that position is still noted on the City's website and will continue to be available for people to apply. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator