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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2021-58 - Notice of Intention to Designate 518 Bridgeport RoadREPORT TO:Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING:May 4, 2021 SUBMITTED BY:Bustamante, Rosa, Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. PREPARED BY:Drake, Michelle,Heritage Planner,519-741-2200 ext. 7839 WARD(S) INVOLVED:Ward 1 DATE OF REPORT:April 9, 2021 REPORT NO.:DSD-2021-58 SUBJECT:Designation of 518 Bridgeport Road under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act RECOMMENDATION: That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property municipally addressed as 518 Bridgeport Road as being of cultural heritage value or interest. Location Map: 518 Bridgeport Road *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 1 - 1 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to requestthatCouncil publish Notice of Intention to designate 518 Bridgeport Road under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The key finding of this report is that 518 Bridgeport Road meets the criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act regulation 9/06 and has been confirmed to be a significant cultural heritage resource. There are nofinancial implications. Community engagement included informing residents by posting this report with the agenda in advance of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting, consulting and collaborating with the owner regarding implementation of the recommendations of the HIA, and consultation with Heritage Kitchener. In addition, should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served on the owner and Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The Record). This report supports the delivery of core services. Façade and West Elevation (Barnes, A., 2020) BACKGROUND: The property municipally addressed as 518 Bridgeport Road East is located on the north side of Bridgeport Roadbounded by Bridgeport Road, Lang Crescent and Lancaster Street West. The 0.84-acreproperty contains a c. 1914 one and a half storey poured concrete single detached dwelling built in the vernacular with influences from the Arts and Crafts movement and the Georgian Revival architectural styles.In 2008, the property was listed as a non-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the City’s Municipal Heritage Register. A copy of the Statement of Significance prepared for the listing in 2008 1 - 2 is attached as Appendix ‘A’ to this report. The submission and approval of a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) was made a requirement of consent applications B2020-039 to B2020- 040to ensure that the request to create two new lots (severed lands) plus the retained lands (for a total of three lots) had regard for and was consistent with Provincial, Regional and Municipal policies related to the conservation of cultural heritage resources. The HIA was prepared by Amy Barnes Consulting and presented to Heritage Kitchener at their September 1, 2020 committee meeting. The HIA was approved by the General Manager of the Development Services Departmentand concluded thatthe existing single detached dwelling and associated landscape are heritage attributesand thereforethe subject property is a significant cultural heritage resource that meets the criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06. As a result, heritage planning staff provided comments as part of the consent application process requesting that the property be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act to conserve its cultural heritage value and heritage attributes. REPORT: Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within our City is an important part of planning for our future, and helping to guide change while conserving the buildings, structures and landscapes that give our City its unique identity. The City plays a critical role in the conservation of cultural heritage resources. The designation of property under the Ontario Heritage Act is the main tool to provide long-term protection of cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the importance of a property to the local community; protects the property’s cultural heritage value; encourages good stewardship and conservation; and, promotes knowledge and understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes awareness, it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are appropriately managed and that these changes respect the property’s cultural heritage value and interest. The property municipally addressed as 518 Bridgeport Road East isrecognized for its design/physical value and its historical/associate value. The design value relates to the c. 1914 one and a half storey poured concrete singled detached dwelling built in the vernacular with influences from the Arts and Crafts movement and the Georgian Revival architectural styles. Aone and a half storeyaddition at the rear and a one storey attached garage were added in 1941.The historical/associative value relates to the indirect associations with Thomas Pearce and the direct associations with the Sims family. Further, the landscape demonstrates both physical/design value and associative value because of its direct association with Carl Borgstrom, a prominent landscape architectwho immigrated from Sweden to Ontario after World War I and together with eight other prominent Ontario designers, founded the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) in 1934. The complete Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, including a list of Heritage Attributes, is attached as Appendix ‘B’ and will form part of the Designation By-law. Consent applications B2020-039 and B2020-040 were approved by the Committee of Adjustment on October 20, 2020 subject to conditions. One of the conditions required the owner to enter into a modified subdivision agreement with the City outlining their agreement, through the issuance of a Notice of Intention to Designate, that the retained lands will be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the heritage attributes listed in the approved Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared by Amy Barnes 1 - 3 Consulting, dated June 2020, prior to application for and issuance of any building permits. In order to satisfy this condition, it is recommended that the City Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate 518 Bridgeport Road. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget – The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget. Operating Budget – The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the Heritage Kitchener committeemeeting. CONSULTand COLLABORATE – Heritage Planning staff have consulted and collaborated with the applicant and owner regarding implementation of the recommendations of the HIA, including designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. The owner has confirmed their support for designation subject to consideration by Heritage Kitchener and Council. Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving notice of its intention to designate a property. Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and consideration of this report (see INFORM above). Members of the community will be informed via circulation of this report to Heritage Kitchener and via formal consideration by Council. In addition, should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The Record). Once notice has been served, the owner has the right of appealto the Conservation Review Board. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: DTS-08-179Listing of Non-Designated Property of Cultural Heritage Value or Significance on the Municipal Heritage Register DTS-08-208Property Owner Notification Regarding Municipal Heritage Register Listings DSD-20-171B2020-039 and B2020-040 Heritage Act, 2019 Planning Act, 2020 APPROVEDBY: Justin Readman, General Manager APPENDICES: APPENDIXA– Statement of Significance APPENDIXB– Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest for Designating By-law 1 - 4 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE Statement of Significance 518 BRIDGEPORT ROAD Municipal Address: 518 Bridgeport Road, Kitchener Legal Description:GCTPt Lot 59 RP 58R-8657 Part 1 Year Built: 1914 Architectural Style:Vernacular with influences from Craftsman & French Colonial Revival Original Owner:Ernest Snow Original Use:Residence Condition:Excellent Description of Historic Place th 518 Bridgeport Road is a one-and-one-half storey early 20century concrete block residence built in the Vernacular architectural style with influences from the Craftsman and French Colonial Revival style. The residence is situated on the crest of a hill on a 1.43acre parcel of land located on the north side of Bridgeport Roadbetween Mackie Placeand Lancaster Street Westin the Bridgeport WestNeighbourhood of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principalresources that contribute to the heritage value include the house, attached garage, and landscaped gardens. Heritage Value 518 Bridgeport Road is recognized for its aesthetic and historic value. The design, physical and contextual value relate to the architectureand constructionof the residenceand attached garage as well as the landscaped gardens. The house is a unique example of Vernacular architecture with influencesfrom theCraftsman and FrenchCanadianColonial architectural styles.The house is in excellent condition with many intact original elements. The house features poured concrete (1910) and cinder block (1941) construction with concrete pargework that ispainted grey andscored to resemble square cut stone.Architectural detailsare executed in wood, glass, stone, and concrete including brackets, multi-pane windows, and balustrades.The landscaped gardens display a blend of both structure and natural forms. The gardens were built in tiers, starting with a flagstone terrace and balustrade, which stretched along the length of the ivy-covered house. A few steps lead to a grassy level bounded by geometric hedges before another stairway descends to a concrete pathmarking the perimeter of the buried pool. The structured tiers give way to a sweeping lawn edged by curved beds and towering trees. On the north edge of the property lies a steep wooded area with a 1 - 5 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE meandering path. The gardens host rare and unique speciessuch as the Carolinian rose, Indian bean tree, and catalpa tree. The historicand associativevalue relates to the historical ownership of the property as well as its association with a prominent landscape architect. The house was built in 1914 by ThomasPearce as a wedding gift for his daughter, Harriet, who married English sea captain Ernest Snow. In 1939, the property was sold to William and Mary Sims, whonamed the house “Hilltop House.” The Sims family was well-known in Kitchener’s legal circles. William, his brother J. Kenneth, and their father Harvey all had law practices. Hilltop House was the first of two Sims family estates in Kitchener. In 1929, Harvey Sims built the second estate in the Chicopee area, which was later occupied by his son J. Kenneth Sims. In 1941, a one-and-a-half storey addition to the rear of the house was constructedby local builder Ball Brothers Construction. The architect of the addition was T.H. Wells of Waterloo. Extensive landscaping was added to the property in 1945 anddesigned by prominent landscape architect Carl A. Borgstrom of Churchville, Ontario. Borgstrom also designed the landscaping at the second estate. In addition to thetwoSims estates, Borgstrom designed the Rock Garden at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton and was one of the founding members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Heritage Attributes The heritage value in 518 Bridgeport Road lies in the following heritage attributes: All elements related to the construction and architectural style, including: o Concrete block construction with pargework that is painted grey and scored to resemble square cut stone; o All windows, window openings, and stone sills; o All exterior doors and door openings; o Segementally-arched portico entrance withflat canopy and brackets; o Roof, roofline, and dormers; o Wood soffits and brackets; and o Brick chimneys. All Borgstrom-designed landscape features, including: o Curved driveway lined with trees and shrubs; o Front lawn with grass, trees and shrubs; o Terracedgrassslope on east side of property; o Flagstone walkways, stairs, ramp, and concrete balustrade; o Stone pool liner; o Coniferous and deciduousshrubs adjacent to thehouse, on top level of terrace; o Trees and shrubs bordering the east side of the property; and o Trees and sloped terrain of the east side of the property. 1 - 6 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE Photos South (Front) Elevation East (Side) Elevation 1 - 7 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE South (Front) Elevation with driveway East Elevation with terraced grass slopes, coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs 1 - 8 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE West (Side) Elevation East Elevation with concrete balustrade, coniferous and deciduous shrubs 1 - 9 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE Landscape Feature 1 - 10 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE City of Kitchener Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation Form Address:518 Bridgeport RoadPeriod:1914Recorder Name:T.B. Description:Vernacular with influences from the Craftsman and French Canadian Colonial Revival architectural style Photographs:Front Façade Left FaçadeRight FaçadeRear FaçadeDetailsSettingDate:April 13, 2008 Design or Physical Value RECORDER EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Style Is this a notable,rareor uniqueexample ofa N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes particular architectural styleor type? Construction Is this a notable,rare,uniqueor earlyexample N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes of a particular materialor methodof construction? Design Is this a particularly attractive or unique N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes structure because of themerits of its design, composition, craftsmanship or details? Does this structure demonstrate a high degree N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes of technical or scientific achievement? Interior Is the interior arrangement, finish, craftsmanship N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes and/or detail noteworthy? Notes - Recorder: Porch woodwork, decorative brickwork, and decorative eave brackets give look of Queen Anne (modified); front gable without return eaves and rectangular transom give the look of Berlin Vernacular Subcommittee:Decorative Berlin Vernacular Notes – Subcommittee:additional research required to determine style and construction. Contextual Value RECORDER EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Continuity Does this structure contribute to the continuity N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown NoYes or character of the street,neighbourhood or area? Setting Is the setting or orientation of the structureN/AUnknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes or landscaping noteworthy? Does it provide a physical, historical, functionalN/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes or visual link to its surroundings? Landmark Is this a particularly important visual landmark R N/A Unknown NoYes N/A Unknown No Yes within the region,city orneighbourhood? C (indicatedegree of importance) N Completeness Does this structure have other original outbuildings, N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes notable landscaping orexternal features that complete the site? Notes – Subcommittee:Continuity – attractive, mature vegetation, similar setbacks to adjacent properties, not necessarily consistent with other side of street; Setting – relationship of estate residence to garden structure (similar to Sims Estate ‘Chicopee’); Landmark – no differentiation between adjacent properties; Completeness – confirm presence of outbuildings and landscape features Integrity RECORDER EVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Site Does the structure occupy its original site? N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes Note: if relocated, i.e. relocated on its original site, moved from another site, etc. Alterations Does this building retain most of its original materials N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes and design features? Is this a notablestructure due to sympathetic N/A Unknown No Yes N/AUnknown No Yes alterations that have taken placeover time? Condition Is this building in good condition? N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown NoYes 1 - 11 APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE Historical or Associative Value & Significance RECORDEREVALUATION SUBCOMMITTEE Does this property or structure have strong associations with and/or Unknown No Yes Unknown No Yes contribute to the understanding of a belief, person, activity, organization or institution thatis significantor uniquewithin the City? Is the original, previous or existing use significant? N/AUnknown No Yes Unknown No Yes Does this property meet the definition of a significant built heritage UnknownNo Yes Unknown No Yes resource or cultural heritage landscape, as identified in the Provincial Policy Statement under the Ontario Planning Act? A property or structure valued forthe important contribution it makes to our understanding of the history of aplace, an event, or a people? Notes – Subcommittee: Landscape Architect – Carl Borgstrom; Sims Family 1 - 12 APPENDIX ‘B’ Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest Description of the Property The subject property is municipally addressed as 518 Bridgeport Road in the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo and the Province of Ontario. It is located on the north side of Bridgeport Road, Regional Road 9, in the Bridgeport West Neighbourhood and bounded by Lancaster Street West to the east, and Lang Crescent to the north and west. The subject property includes a one-and-one-half storey single detached dwelling with a rear addition,attached garageand landscaped gardens. The property has formal designed gardens. The dwelling is situated on the crest of a hill on a 0.84-acre parcel. The property has a large lot and generous set back from Bridgeport Road. Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest Thesubject property demonstrates design/physical value as well as historical/associative value. The property demonstrates design/physical value as representative example of an early 20th century, poured concrete, vernacular building with influences from the Arts and Crafts movement and Georgian Revival architecture style.The residence was built c. 1914 and a one-and-a-half storey addition and a one storey garage was added in 1941. The addition was designed by local architect T.H. Wells and built by Ball Brother Construction. The three-bay residence is built with poured concrete(c. 1914)and cinder block (1941) with concrete pargework scored to resemble square cut stones. The ivy- covered house features a gable end roof with overhanging eaves and dormers. It has recessed and decorative front entrance. Many of the features are original and intact. The house sits prominently on the highest area of the property, fronting towards Bridgeport Road. The property demonstrates historical/associative value because of its direct association with Thomas Pearce and direct association with the Sims family. The residence was built by Thomas Pearce as a wedding gift for his daughter Lena ‘Harriet’ Pearce and her husband, English sea captain Ernest Snow. Thomas Pearce played a prominent role in the development of the educational system in Waterloo County. In 1937, the Snows sold the property to William ‘Bill’ and Mary Sims, who named the house “Hilltop House.”The Sims were a well-known and respected family in Kitchener due in part to the prominence and success of Bill’s father, Harvey Sims. Harvey Sims is directly associated with the property known as the Sims Estate (Chicopee Estate) which featured a Humphrey Carver and Carl Borgstrom designed landscape. Bill, along with his father and brother J. Kenneth were lawyers in Kitchener. 1 - 13 The landscape demonstrates physical/design value and associative value because of its direct associationwith Carl Borgstrom. Carl Borgstrom was a prominent landscape architect from Churchville, Ontario who, in addition to various private commissions, designed the Rock Garden at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton. He was one of the founding members of the Canadian Associationof Landscape Architects, which evolved into provincial chapters. Carl Borgstrom designed the garden layout for the Sims in 1946. The landscaped gardens display a blend of both structure and natural forms. The gardens were built in tiers, starting with a flagstone terrace and balustrade. A few steps lead to a grassy level bounded by geometric hedges before another stairway descends to a concrete path marking the perimeter of the buried pool. The structured tiers give way to an open lawn edged by plantings and mature trees. The gardens host rare and unique species such as the Carolinian rose, Indian bean tree, and Catalpa tree.A steep unmaintained wooded area with a meandering path is found along the north side of the property. Description of the Heritage Attributes The heritage attributes supporting the cultural heritage value or interest of 518 Bridgeport Road are represented in the one-and-a-half-storey single detached dwelling, one storey garage and the designed landscape. Key heritage attributes associated with the built heritage resourcesinclude: One-and-a-half storey height and south facing orientation; The large setback from the street; The use of poured concrete construction(c. 1914)with pargework scored to resemble square cut stone; The one storey garage(1941) (1941); The window openings and sills; The original single sash wood windows on the c. 1914 single detached dwelling; The three-bay front facade with original wood door, side lights, and panelled transom; The recessed entrance with segmentally arched opening and flat canopy with brackets, wood soffits, and woodwork scored to resemble purlins; and, The gable roof, dormers, and roofline with overhanging eaves, wood soffits with woodwork scored to resemble purlins. Key heritage attributes associated with Borgstrom’s landscape features include: The spatial order surrounding the house including the terraces, grass tier, primary walkway in and out of the formal garden, and stone stairs and ramp; The curved driveway and vegetation (north side) which limits views into the formal garden and lawn; Thefront lawn with mix of grass, trees and plantings; The flagstone terrace with balustrade and retaining wall with centrally placed stone stairway; The stone edging which defines the original pool area; The open lawn area with sloping terrain; 1 - 14 The treesand plantings bordering the east edge of the property; The rare and unique species such as the Carolinian rose, Indian bean tree, and Catalpa tree; Vistas into and out of the terrace; and, The unmaintained wooded area at the north of the property. 1 - 15