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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2004-09-07HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:12 p.m. Present: Ms. J. Armstrong Ms. D. Kuehl Ms. A. Moore Mr. J. Countryman Mr. K. Kirby Mr. M. Stranz Mr. E. Lucy, in attendance for part of the meeting Regrets: Mr. Z. Janecki Councillor M. Galloway Staff: Mr. L. Bensason, Heritage Planner Ms. D. Gilchrist, Supervisor, Legislated Services Mr. C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator As Councillor M. Galloway and Mr. Z. Janecki were not in attendance the Committee appointed Ms. A. Moore as Acting Chair for this meeting. 1. 437 PIONEER TOWER ROAD - HERITAGE CONSERVATION EASEMENT AGREEMENT The Committee was in receipt of a draft copy of the Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement (HCEA) for 437 Pioneer Tower Road, dated September 3, 2004. Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the HCEA and noted the three primary purposes of the agreement are to ensure: adequate insurance, adequate maintenance, and that the parties to the HCEA are in agreement before the property can be demolished. He requested the Committee review and comment on the contents of the Agreement. Mr. J Ariens, proposed purchaser of 437 Pioneer Tower Road, was in attendance and advised the Committee this property is in the process of being severed from the surrounding lands, which are the subject of a draft plan of subdivision. The HCEA is a condition of the Committee of Adjustment decision to grant the severance, which will allow him to purchase the property. Mr. Ariens advised he and his family have been residing at the subject property since October of 2003, and the anticipated purchase date is September 24, 2004. He stated the house is currently in a state of total disrepair, and he is willing to make all necessary repairs once he owns the property. He reminded the Committee they have already endorsed his restoration/renovation plans and he received approval of a Heritage Permit Application for this work. At present Mr. Ariens, his lawyer, and insurance broker, are examining the draft HCEA. Mr. Ariens stated that he is more than willing to work with City staff to finalise the Agreement. On motion by Mr. E. Lucy - it was resolved: "That the draft heritage conservation easement agreement for 437 Pioneer Tower Road dated September 3, 2004 be endorsed in principle, and staff continue to work with the property owner (346874 Ontario Ltd.) to finalize this agreement, and further; That should unresolvable issues arise, they be presented to Heritage Kitchener at the October 5, 2004 meeting, for their consideration." 1754 OLD MILL ROAD (HOMER WATSON HOUSE AND GALLERY) - PROPOSED HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION The Committee was in receipt of a proposed Heritage Permit Application for 1754 Old Mill Road, being the Homer Watson House and Gallery. Ms. F. Hreblinger, Curator and Mr. D. Parrish, Architect, were in attendance to represent the proposal. Mr. L. Bensason advised the delegation is present to expand upon the issue of a new parking lot and an addition to the gallery; which were originally presented to the Committee at the August 17, 2004 meeting. HERITAGE KITCHENER SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1754 OLD MILL ROAD (HOMER WATSON HOUSE AND GALLERY) - PROPOSED HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION (CONT'D) Ms. Hreblinger gave a presentation outlining the proposed features that would allow for greater wheelchair accessibility, provide adequate parking, allow for a safe drop off point for public transit, and enhance the preservation efforts of the gallery. Mr. Parrish presented a revised design from the one the Committee received at the August 17, 2004 meeting. The revised design now incorporates a parking lot on Chalmers Street adjacent to the Doon Presbyterian Church. He advised that there are still concerns with this revised design, and he will work with City staff to rectify these issues. Mr. Parrish is planning on presenting a final draft to the Committee at the October 5, 2004, meeting. VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT - FOUNDATION PLAN - 2004 CAPITAL PROJECTS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-138 dated July 27, 2004. The Community Services Department has prepared a 10-year plan for improvements to Victoria Park, and funding has been approved in the 10-Year Capital Forecast 2004-2013. As required by the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan these improvements are being presented for consideration and comment; including endorsement of the projects that are subject to the guidelines of the plan. Mr. Bensason advised that the surface treatment for walkways in the park come under the guidelines of the Heritage Conservation District Plan. Mr. W. Sleeth, Landscape Architect, was in attendance to present the report. He advised that for the coming year it is staff's intention to resurface the walkway system as outlined in section 3 of the report. After examining alternative materials as outlined by the District Plan, staff is of the opinion that asphalt would be preferable to either gravel or poured concrete. According to Mr. Sleeth, asphalt will allow for greater accessibility and four-season use. Further, asphalt has a more diverse application which would allow staff to use it throughout the park. The suns UV rays will fade asphalt over a few years which would allow it to blend in with the natural landscape of the park. He felt that grass would be more likely to grow over the edges of the asphalt, than the other materials, which would further soften its appearance. Mr. Sleeth stressed that neither gravel nor poured concrete could meet these same conditions. Mr. E. Lucy left the meeting and quorum was lost. Discussion ensued as to the appropriateness of asphalt walkways within Victoria Park. Some members were in favour, and were of the opinion that asphalt walkways would facilitate greater accessibility and allow the park to be used year round. Others voiced concerns over the use of asphalt and were of the opinion that it would take away from the Romantic Landscape design of the park and be esthetically displeasing. Further, that paving of the walkways would lead to increased vehicular use. Mr. R. Mills of the Victoria Park Historical Society attended and voiced concerns over the proposed use of asphalt to surface the walkways in Victoria Park. He stated that "at times the conservation of heritage should take a little trouble and that accessibility everywhere to everyone is not a heritage objective". Mr. Mills advised that the problem with the current walkway system is its inconsistent surfacing allows for puddles to form, which, according to Mr. Mills, can be solved through increased maintenance not paving. Further, Mr. Mills believes that asphalt is uninviting and would only serve to over modernize the park. Mr. Mills requested the Committee oppose the use of asphalt on the Victoria Park walkway system. A motion was put forth by Ms. J. Armstrong to inform Council of the Committee's opposition to the use of asphalt in Victoria Park. This motion was voted on and lost on a tie vote. HERITAGE KITCHENER SEPTEMBER 7~ 2004 3. - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT - FOUNDATION PLAN - 2004 CAPITAL PROJECTS (CONT'D) On motion by Ms. J. Armstrong - it was resolved: "That a sub-committee be formed to work with staff to review and comment on the Victoria Park Strategic Plan Improvements 2004-2013." 410 KING STREET WEST - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION - FORMER KAUFMAN BUILDING The Committee was in receipt of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2004-1V-006 requesting approval to clean and repaint the fagade of the phase of the Kaufman Factory built in 1920. Mr. L. Bensason advised that the cleaning will be conducted using a ministry approved JOS system as outlined in the permit application. Mr. W. Green, GSP Group, Mr. M. Fasken, representing the owners, and Mr. R Buckton, with Canadian Construction Controls Ltd., purveyors of the JOS system, were in attendance. Messrs. Green and Fasken advised that the owners of 410 King Street West are interested in beginning a marketing campaign displaying advertising on the 1920 fa(;:ade of the Kaufman Factory. To do so the surface needs to be cleaned and repainted. Included with HPA 2004-1V- 006 is a letter from Mr. Buckton to Mr. Bensason, dated August 31, 2004 outlining the procedures his company will use to apply the JOS system to clean and resurface the fa(;:ade. Messrs. Buckton and Green assured the Committee that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent damage to the building, which includes allowing for a sufficient drying period. On motion by Ms. J. Armstrong - it was resolved: "That the Heritage Permit Application HPA 2004-1V-006 - 410 King Street West (Kaufman Footwear) be approved, to permit the cleaning and repainting of the facade of the phase of the Kaufman Factory built in 1920, in accordance with the specifications included with the application, subject to the following conditions: a) that the owner shall satisfy City staff that all necessary precautions have been undertaken to mitigate possible water and fine inert material damage caused by using the JOS system; and, b) that the owner shall satisfy City staff with respect to the appropriateness of using the Durex Brush Coat to seal the concrete; and, c) that the equipment operator for the JOS system has received formal training on how to use the JOS system by a JOS technical representative; and further, d) that a JOS technical representative shall be present at 410 King Street West at the time the JOS system is set-up and initially used to provide guidance and supervision." PROPOSED CIVIC CENTRE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Ms. J. Armstrong declared a pecuniary interest in this matter, as she is planning to bid on the study, and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this matter. The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 04-139 dated September 1, 2004, regarding the placement of the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District in the City's 10-Year Capital Forecast, and a change in the proposed study area boundary. Mr. L. Bensason advised this report follows-up on the discussion which took place on the August 17th. He advised he is requesting that monies budgeted for 2007 & 2008 of the 10-Year Capital Forecast to complete the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District Study be reallocated to 2005 & 2006. Further, that Legal Services be directed to prepare a by-law to define the boundaries of the proposed Heritage Conservation District. HERITAGE KITCHENER SEPTEMBER 7~ 2004 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. PROPOSED CIVIC CENTRE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (CONT'D) On motion by Mr. K. Kirby - it was resolved: "That the $31,000 allocated in 2007 of the 10 year Capital Forecast to complete the Civic Centre Heritage District Study be reallocated to 2005, and the $21,000 allocated in 2008 to complete the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District Plan be reallocated to 2006 of the 10 year Capital Forecast; and further, That Legal Services be directed to prepare a by-law to define an area, generally bounded by Victoria, Lancaster, Ellen, Queen and Weber Streets, as an area to be examined for future designation as a Heritage Conservation District, as shown on Map 2 (New Proposed Civic Centre Heritage District Study Area Boundary) in Appendix 'A' attached to Development & Technical Services Department Report 04-139 dated September 1, 2004." 6. DESIGNATED HERITAGE PROPERTY GRANT PROGRAM Mr. Bensason advised he would forward information on the Designated Heritage Property Grant Program to Committee members for their consideration and comments. Final consideration of this matter is deferred to the next meeting. 7. CULTURE PLAN II - REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION Mr. Bensason gave a brief overview of the purpose of Culture Plan II, noting those involved in the preparation of this plan have asked for a volunteer with a heritage background to participate in its development. Ms. A. Moore volunteered to be the Heritage Kitchener representative on Culture Plan II. 8. MIKE WAGNER HERITAGE AWARDS Mr. Bensason advised Mike Wagner Heritage Awards will now be awarded every other year instead of every year, and the awards will next be given in 2005. He advised he would like to start the process earlier than in the past, and more discussion on this mater will take place at the October meeting. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator