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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 1998-10-02H E RITAG E\1998-10-02 HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 1998 CITY OF KITCHENER Heritage Kitchener met this date, commencing at 11:55 a.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Haalboom, with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Ms. S. Campbell, Ms. T. Seedhouse, Ms. P. Wagner, Messrs.. M. Badran, Mr. P. Bufe, Mr. R. Coo, and Mr. D. Pullen. Regrets: Ms. C. Martindale, Ms. E. Heinrichs, Mr. E. Lucy and Mr. G. Grimes. Others present: Messrs. L. Bensason and B. Stanley, J. Witmer and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. DELEGATIONS - PART 11 OF THE ONTARIO BUILDING CODE Mr. J. Witmer, Chief Building Official, was in attendance to give the Committee members an explanation of the contents of Part 11 of the Ontario Building Code. He advised that Part 11 deals with the renovation and has recently been revised and passed. This portion of the Code gives special consideration to older buildings. Mr. Witmer then gave a brief history of the Ontario Building Code and briefly reviewed each part of the Code. Witmer then read the definition for renovation from the Code and dealt with compliance alternatives and alternative measures for heritage buildings, as permitted in the Code. Mr. Witmer then gave examples of alternative ways that renovations can be done to heritage buildings and that there is a lot more flexibility in the Code for renovation of Part 9 buildings which are also heritage buildings. He pointed out that the performance must be at least as good as the performance prior to the renovation or alteration. Mr. Witmer then gave the Committee members the definition, in the Code, of heritage buildings and performance level. It was noted in the definition of heritage building, as contained in the Ontario Building Code, that a heritage building means a building designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, or building that is certified to be of significant architectural or historical value by a recognized, non-profit public organization whose primary objective is the preservation of structures of architectural or historical significance and which certification is accepted by the Chief Building Official. A discussion then took place with the members as to what would constitute a certification and whether or not the Committee's Heritage Inventory would count as certification. Mr. L. Bensason noted that the purpose of the inventory has changed over the last 20 years. Originally the inventory had required a report to be prepared on the properties added and these buildings were being considered for designation. Now this is a learning process. The Committee then discussed with Mr. Witmer the requirements for renovation of balconies and guard rail heights. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned the National Building Code and whether it was being updated. Mr. Witmer advised that it is updated every 5 years so probably there would be an update in the year 2000. He noted that National Building Code is not in use in Ontario. Mr. Bensason suggested that the Committee could communicate with the owners of designated properties the alternatives now available in the Ontario Building Code. 2. BUILDING REPORTS FOR DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATIONS Mr. W. Pearce was not in attendance but Mr. J. Witmer addressed this matter advising that when Mr. Pearce does a report for a demolition control application, he reviews what would be required on the property to bring it up to minimum standards under the Property Standards By-law. He noted that the costs involved include the cost of a contractor performing the work. Councillor Haalboom advised that the Committee was concerned about the heritage elements in a building. He stated that Mr. Pearce could break down the figures in his report into components such as heritage resources, building code requirements and property standards requirements. A brief discussion took place with respect to the possibility of short form tickets for property standards violations and the possibility of the City doing work on the property and collecting the costs like taxes. HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 1998 - 49- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DESIGNATION - GREENBROOK PUMPING STATION The Committee was provided with copies of a revised heritage property report for 20 Greenbrook Drive, Greenbrook Pumping Station, along with revised reasons for designation. Mr. Bensason advised that a request had been received from the Region to revise the historic information. He also advised that he has received a letter from the Region saying they are in support of the designation. Mr. D. Pullen stated that Mr. Bensason deserves praise for this designation. This is an active property and the proposed designation has been extremely well done. Councillor T. Galloway also thanked Mr. Bensason and Mr. Pyatt at the Region of Waterloo. Councillor J. Haalboom advised that the Parks and Recreation Department has agreed to put an interpretative trail around the property. Councillor Haalboom also noted that the designation ceremony for the Greenbrook Pumping Station will be held on October 24, 1998. On motion by Mr. D. Pullen It was resolved: "That, pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritaqe Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property municipally known as 20 Greenbrook Drive (Greenbrook Pumping Station) as being of historic and architectural significance, and further That the designation include all exterior elevations of the 1912 building and 1930, 1960 and 1990 additions; with the specific features of the designation to include: brick faCade including protruding brick detailing, window openings and windows including voussoirs and concrete sills, corbelling at cornice and walls, roof and rooflines, of the 1912 building; brick faCade, window openings and paned glass windows, plain cornice, roof and roofline of the 1930 addition; brick and paned glass fa¢ade, decorative brick detailing, window and door openings, plain cornice, roof and rooflines of the 1960 and 1990 additions." 4. 146 PIONEER TOWER ROAD Prior to Councillor T. Galloway leaving the meeting, Councillor Haalboom questioned his feelings about the property at 146 Pioneer Tower Road. Councillor Galloway advised that he would like to see if the tree could be saved. 5. MINUTES On motion by Ms. S. Campbell It was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of Heritage Kitchener, of September 11, 1998, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES Ms. P. Wagner advised that, with respect to the alterations at 234 Frederick Street, she has found two old photographs of the property, as she volunteered to do, in order to determine whether a window existed on the second floor. 7. ALTERATION APPLICATION- 253 QUEEN STREET SOUTH The Committee was in receipt of an Alteration/Demolition Application from the owner of 253 Queen Street South requesting permission to construct a new 3 car garage in the rearyard of this property. HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 1998 - 50- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 11. 12. ALTERATION APPLICATION- 253 QUEEN STREET SOUTH, CONT'D On motion by Ms. S. Campbell It was resolved: That, pursuant to Section 43 of the Ontario Heritaqe Act, we approve the request of the owner of 253 Queen Street South, located in the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District, to construct a detached 3 car garage in the rearyard, as outlined in his Alteration/Demolition Application dated, September 21, 1998 HERITAGE DISTRICT SIGNAGE Mr. L. Bensason requested the Committee's reaction to the draft signage as contained in the agenda. There was a discussion as to whether or not the clock tower was an appropriate logo in places other than Victoria Park. It was suggested that each District might want its own significant structure or building on the District Signage. After a brief discussion it was generally agreed that the logo on the sign for each District should be representative of that District, that the sign should be green and the script should be the same for the name of the District. Mr. Bensason advised that he would come back to the Committee with a price and determine the location for the signs. DESIGNATION CEREMONIES Councillor Haalboom advised that the designation ceremony for the Greenbrook Pumping Station will be held on October 24, 1998 and the designation for the Woolner Farm on Zeller Drive would take place on October 30, 1998. A discussion took place as to what was involved in preparing for and holding the ceremonies. Ms. S. Campbell advised that she would volunteer to work on the designation for the Greenbrook Pumping Station. ST. MARY'S AREA PROPOSED HERITAGE CONSERVATION Mr. L. Bensason distributed new flyers for the public meeting to be held to discuss the possibility of establishing a Heritage Conservation District in the St. Mary's neighbourhood. It was noted that the public meeting is to take place on Tuesday October 20, 1998 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Victoria School Community Centre. A brief discussion took place concerning what concerns the residents may have about a district. There was a brief discussion about providing a bus, because the location of the meeting is so far away from the area. Mr. Bensason noted that veterans housing will be placed on stamps from Canada Post and Mr. Bensason volunteered to get post cards from Canada Post to mail to all those residents in the circulation area for the St. Mary's neighbourhood. 1999 APPOINTMENTS The Secretary provided each member in attendance with a copy of an application to apply for reappointment to Heritage Kitchener. It was noted that the forms must be returned to the Deputy Clerk by Friday October 23, 1998. 146 PIONEER TOWER ROAD Mr. L. Bensason showed slides of the property at 146 Pioneer Tower Road including the retaining wall, the house and the Black Walnut Tree. It was noted that the retaining wall has to be removed for Pioneer Tower Road. Mr. Bensason noted that the house can be demolished without negatively impacting the tree. The Committee then discussed the possibilities of preserving the Black Walnut Tree and the value in trying to preserve the house. HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 1998 -51- CITY OF KITCHENER 12. 13. 146 PIONEER TOWER ROAD, CONT'D On motion by Ms. P. Wagner It was resolved: "That, subject to the owner identifying how the Black Walnut tree will be preserved on site, and subject to the stones from the stone retaining wall being used in the design of the future Pioneer Tower Trail, Heritage Kitchener has no objection to the demolition of 146 Pioneer Tower Road, and further That Heritage Kitchener suggests that the owners contact a restoration company with a view to salvaging significant architectural features." DOWNTOWN KITCHENER WESTWIDE CONNECTION STUDY - CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL 14. ASSESSMENT The Committee members were provided with copies of a letter from Stanley Consulting Group Ltd. with respect to the Class Environmental Assessment being undertaken by the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener with respect to the Downtown Kitchener Westside Connection Study. Councillor J. Haalboom suggested that the Committee should make some comments in this regard. It was suggested that this matter be put on the agenda for the November meeting and that, in the mean time, the Committee members review the contents of the letter and be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting. Mr. D. Pullen stated that there is a real traffic problem in that area and said that this was a serious problem on the outskirts of a Heritage Conservation District. It was generally agreed that this matter be placed on the November Heritage Kitchener Agenda. 49 BINGEMAN STREET - COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION FOR MINOR 15. VARIANCE Ms. S. Campbell left the meeting at this time. The Secretary explained the Application for Minor Variance being requested for the property at 49 Bingeman Street, being permission to add a three storey addition to the back of the house which will exceed the height requirement of the Zoning By-law. Councillor J. Haalboom advised that the Committee could offer comments with respect to the effect on the streetscape and context of site. A discussion took place over the proposal as outlined in the application. On motion by Mr. D. Pullen It was resolved: "That, regarding Application for Minor Variance A 98~98 - 49 Bingeman Street the Department of Business & Planning Services be advised that, in the opinion of Heritage Kitchener if the Development proceeded within the maximum height regulations with the Zoning By-law it would have a negative impact on the streetscape. Going beyond those limits will have an even larger negative impact on the streetscape. Going beyond those limits will have an even larger negative impact on the streetscape." The Committee then had a brief discussion about preserving trees and what trees may existing on this property and the fact that there is no trigger mechanism to prevent the cutting of trees. 237FREDERICK STREET Councillor J. Haalboom provided the Committee members with an update on their recommendation to Council to designate 237 Frederick Street. She advised that it had been deferred at the September Council meeting and would be going back to Council on October 5, HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 1998 - 52- CITY OF KITCHENER 16. 1998. The Committee then had a brief discussion on demolition control applications and designation. Councillor Haalboom asked the Committee members for their opinion as to how to approach Council with respect to designation and the Committee advised Councillor Haalboom that they would want her to go forward with the recommendation to designate. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of Heritage Kitchener has been rescheduled for Friday November 13, 1998, commencing at 11:45 a.m. in the Conestoga Room. 17. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary