Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 1997-12-05H E RITAG E\1997-12-05 HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES (LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES) DECEMBER 5, 1997 CITY OF KITCHENER Heritage Kitchener (L.A.C.A.C.) met this date, under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Haalboom, commencing at 12:05 p.m. with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Ms. S. Campbell, Ms. B. Glenn-Graham, Ms. E. Heinrichs, Ms. C. Martindale, Ms. T. Seedhouse, Ms. P. Wagner, Messrs. M. Badran, P. Bufe, R. Coo and E. Lucy. OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. L. Pasternak, Ms. S. Barber, Messrs. B. Stanley, L. Bensason and Ms. D. Gilchrist REGRETS: Messrs. R. Grimes and D. Pullen 1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN On motion by Councillor T. Galloway, it was resolved: "That Councillor J. Haalboom be appointed Chairman of Heritage Kitchener for a term to expire November 30, 1998." Ms. E. Heinrichs nominated Ms. P. Wagner for Vice-Chairman. Mr. M. Badran nominated Ms. S. Campbell as the Vice-Chairman; however, Ms. S. Campbell declined. On motion by Ms. E. Heinrichs, it was resolved: "That Ms. P. Wagner be appointed Vice Chairman of Heritage Kitchener for a term to expire November 30, 1998." 2. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS Councillor J. Haalboom welcomed the members and staff to the meeting and asked each to introduce themselves. 3. OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE WORK FOR 1998 Councillor J. Haalboom read the list of possible goals and objectives from the agenda, then asked Mr. L. Bensason to review the goals and objectives contained in the L.A.C.A.C. Strategic Plan 1994-1998. With the aid of the overhead projector, Mr. Bensason reviewed the Strategic Priorities by Key Activity Area advising which were complete, partially complete and those that still remained to be done. Copies of the overhead presentation were distributed to the Committee members. An open discussion took place over those items contained in the strategic plan and the list of possible goals and objectives contained in the agenda. Concerning promotions and public relations, it was noted that most of the activities in that category had not been completed. Mr. R. Coo suggested having a display in the City Hall Rotunda for Heritage Week. It was also noted that the Heritage Showcase is to take place on February 14, 1998. Councillor J. Haalboom explained what the Heritage Showcase is for the benefit of the new members. Councillor Haalboom also noted that there have not been any tours of heritage homes for about five years and suggested working on that. Councillor Haalboom asked Mr. Coo to head- up the Heritage Showcase. Ms. P. Wagner noted that the Peterborough L.A.C.A.C., during Heritage Week, invites the public to bring in old photographs of buildings, which they helped to identify. Anything of particular interest could be borrowed from the owner and duplicated. It has been invaluable to the Peterborough L.A.C.A.C. HERITAGE KITCHENER DECEMBER 5, 1997 54 CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. L. Bensason advised that he had been approached by the Victoria Park Historic Committee to update the walking tour booklet for Victoria Park. He advised that this Committee has also 3. OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE WORK FOR 1998 - CONT'D asked if he could do a workshop for Victoria Park residents. Ms. P. Wagner suggested working with Ms. G. Green of the Kitchener Public Library regarding workshops and a photo opportunity. Councillor J. Haalboom asked each member to think about how they could help with these objectives so that it may discussed at the January meeting. 4. UPPER DOON SIGNAGE AND STREET LIGHTING Mr. L. Bensason spoke of the funding being requested in the Capital Budget to implement policies contained in the Heritage Conservation District Plans for such things as signage, lighting, etc. He suggested that this Committee should prioritize how the money will be spent for Upper Doon and Victoria Park. It was noted that Mr. E. Lucy would look at the Upper Doon area and someone is needed for the Victoria Park area. 5. RESEARCH FOR FUTURE DESIGNATIONS AND PROPERTY EVALUATIONS For the benefit of the new members, Councillor J. Haalboom explained the benefits of the Heritage Inventory vis-a-vis planning applications. She then requested various Committee members to relate their experiences in doing the building evaluations. A discussion also took place concerning typical housing forms over the history of the City and, although they may not be outstanding architecturally, they are typical of this City and should be included in the inventory. 6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL MASTERPLAN Councillor J. Haalboom advised that the Region will be updating its archaeological masterplan in mid-1998. It was noted that we do not have any archaeological data within the City of Kitchener. Mr. B. Stanley suggested that staff could meet with the Region to see if we might supplement their information. Ms. P. Wagner suggested that we might be able to get someone from London to help the Committee or talk to us in this regard. 7. INTERNET WEBSITE Councillor J. Haalboom suggested that the Committee needs to be doing more to assist in the sale of Heritage buildings and finding buyers. Mr. M. Badran suggested there were two ways to do this: first, Heritage Kitchener members could talk to the Real Estate Board; secondly the Real Estate Board could include Heritage information in their data base. He questioned whether they could have access to the City's Heritage data base. 8. DEMOLITION APPLICATION - 108 QUEEN STREET NORTH Mr. L. Bensason provided copies of the owner's application to demolish 108 Queen Street North, which is a property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. Bensason reminded the Committee that, a few months ago, this Committee dealt with property standards issues on this property. Since then, a letter and application to demolish had been received by the Department of Planning and Development, on November 14, 1997. Council, under the Ontario Heritage Act, has 90 days to decide on the owner's request and the 90th day is February 12, 1998. Mr. Bensason advised that a demolition application has also been made under the Demolition Control By-law. Councillor T. Galloway noted that the application states the intended demolition is proposed for August 1998; so, it would appear they are expecting a refusal and are intending to wait out the 270 days. It was suggested that Heritage Kitchener make a recommendation to Council for the 8. DEMOLITION APPLICATION - 108 QUEEN STREET NORTH - CONT'D HERITAGE KITCHENER DECEMBER 5, 1997 55 CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 10. Council meeting of February 2, 1998. Mr. L. Bensason advised that staff are really looking at issues under the Demolition Control By-law to argue for refusal. Ms. S. Campbell questioned the criteria under the Demolition Control By-law and Mr. Bensason reviewed some of the criteria. Mr. L. Bensason also advised that he has received a number of inquiries from people interested in the site. Ms. L. Pasternak, Assistant City Solicitor, advised that the City's Property Standards By-law is intended to keep all properties in a minimum state of repair and the Building Code is more serious. She advised that the building should be stabilized over the winter. A brief discussion took place concerning what could be done with the property given the current approvals and the current zoning. Ms. P. Wagner suggested that, during the 180 day waiting period, something should be done to drawn the public's attention to this situation. REPEALING BY-LAW - 772 HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD Mr. L. Bensason explained the location of this property. He advised that it had been designated in 1991 and a demolition application had been submitted immediately after the designation was approved. A permit to demolish was applied for but no demolition took place at that time. Then, sometime in the last year, the building was demolished. Mr. Bensason circulated photographs of this house. Mr. Bensason advised that the Ontario Heritage Act requires a repealing by-law to be passed by Council once a designated property has been demolished. He advised that a motion is need to ask Council to direct the Legal Department to prepare a repealing by-law. Ms. L. Pasternak suggested that staff do a drive-by, every five months, of designated properties, especially those which are more hidden, to determine that these properties still exist. The Committee did not choose to recommend to Council that a repealing by-law be prepared. NEW AWARDS PROGRAM FOR HERITAGE AND ADAPTIVE RE-USE The Committee members were provided with copies of Planning and Development staff report PD 97/117 recommending the establishment of a new awards program for Heritage and Adaptive Re- use. It was noted that this matter would be considered by Planning and Economic Development Committee on December 8, 1997. Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the three recommendations contained in the report and the expenses involved in implementing such a program. Councillor T. Galloway advised that the Urban Design Awards program has no funding and may not be resurrected. If the City wants awards for Heritage and Adaptive Re-use it should be done on a stand alone basis. He also stated that it sounds very ambitious to have this in place for Heritage Day 1998. It was suggested that a Committee be set-up now, in anticipation of Council's approval on December 15, 1997. Mr. P. Bufe suggested that public nominations not be sought this year, so that it could be done more quickly. Mr. R. Coo, Ms. T. Seedhouse and Mr. P. Bufe volunteered to be on the Committee. On motion by Ms. S. Campbell, it was resolved: "That Heritage Kitchener supports recommendations 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of Planning Development staff report PD 97/117, dated November 27, 1997." NEW AWARDS PROGRAM FOR HERITAGE AND ADAPTIVE RE-USE - CONT'D It was requested that this recommendation be forwarded to Planning and Economic Development Committee for their meeting of December 8, 1997. HERITAGE KITCHENER DECEMBER 5, 1997 56 CITY OF KITCHENER 11. 12. 13. 13. 15. 16. 1924 CITY HALL FURNITURE The Committee was provided with copies of a memorandum from Mr. L. Proulx, Director of Facilities Management, to Councillor J. Ziegler, dated November 10, 1997 and an extract from the Finance and Administration Committee minutes of November 17, 1997. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned who would like a tour of the storage facility to view this millwork and all members indicated they would like one. The Committee members then reviewed photographs of the millwork and the list attached to Mr. Proulx's memorandum. NEXT HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT The Committee reviewed the priority order of Heritage Conservation Districts, as contained in the draft Planning and Development Department Capital Forecast 1998-2007. The Heritage Conservation Districts listed in the forecast are: Downtown Heritage District, Civic/Ahrens Street/Maynard Avenue, Mill/Courtland/Queen Street, Spadina Road and Central Frederick. The merits of the Downtown Warehouse District, the Central Frederick District and the Spadina Road District were discussed but no conclusion reached. It was generally agreed that the members would view each area and Mr. L. Bensason would provide maps of each area for this purpose. Mr. Bensason suggested that neighbourhood meetings be held to discuss the matter with each neighbourhood, to determine the response from the property owners. Ms. C. Martindale suggested visiting these neighbourhoods in groups, so that the new members could benefit from the experience of the longer standing members. ACO GATHERING Councillor J. Haalboom advised the members of the ACO "A Two-Point Gathering" to be held on Saturday December 6, 1997 at the Hespeler Railway Station and the Deitweller Meeting House. THANK YOU LETTER Mr. R. Coo suggested sending a thank you letter to former Councillor M. Wagner for his years of service to this Committee, which received unanimous support. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting of Heritage Kitchener will be held on Friday January 16, 1998 in the Conestoga Room, commencing at 11:45 a.m. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary