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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLACAC - 1994-02-04LACAC\1994-02-04 LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1994 The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 12:05 p.m., under the Chairmanship of Councillor M. Wagner, with all members present except Mayor D. Cardillo. Others present: Messrs. T.B. Stanley, L. Bensason and Mrs. D.H. Gilchrist. 1. INTRODUCTION Councillor M. Wagner introduced Messrs. T. Hinde and P. Simmons who are observing the Committee with an interest in becoming members. 2. MINUTES On motion by Mrs. G. Stoner it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee of January 14, 1994, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest were declared at this time. 4. 264 VICTORIA STREET NORTH (BAETZ BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING) It was noted that consideration of designating this property was deferred at the January meeting, pending the outcome of the staff review and the Adaptive Re-use of Industrial Buildings Committee review of the re-development proposal for this property. The Committee was in receipt of a Planning & Development Staff Report PD 94/12, prepared by Mr. L. Bensason, Heritage Planner, dated January 27, 1994, providing information from the outcome of the review by the Project Review Committee and the Adaptive Re-use Committee. The report suggests 3 alternatives for the Committee to consider. The Committee was also in receipt of the L.A.C.A.C. sub-committee report on this property. Mr. W. Green, Planning Consultant, was in attendance on behalf of the owner, advising that Mr. Bensason's report is accurate to date, as to what has taken place thus far and advising that his clients prefer option no. 3, which suggests taking no action on the designation. Mr. P. Bufe suggested that this Committee should remember its role, which is to consider the architectural and historic significance of the building and that the Committee should work towards saving the building. Mr. Bufe then referred to the discrepancy between Mr. Green's report and the staff report over the parking. Mr. Green responded that he has met with Traffic & Parking staff and the proposed Site Plan is in compliance with the requirements for driveway and aisle widths. The alternate parking layout would still produce 252 spaces. The plan is being reviewed by the Region and they would require a road widening but would be willing to enter into an agreement to locate parking on the widening, as the physical widening won't be required for the foreseeable future. Mr. Bufe questioned the possibility of retaining half the building and using it as a parking structure. Mr. Green responded that it would not be feasible as the floor slab is lower than the parking lot elevation. There would also be a net loss of parking because of the need to manoeuvre into the building. Mr. Green advised that the owner cannot continue to reduce the parking to the point where he cannot attract tenants. Mrs. P. Wagner advised of her concern if the building would be demolished and then the area not LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES - 6 - FEBRUARY 4, 1994 developed. She questioned whether the building could be preserved until it can be proven that the parking is required. 264 VICTORIA STREET NORTH (BAETZ BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING) - cont'd Mr. Green advised that he has been pursuing this idea with the Department of Planning & Development. He has requested that occupancy be approved up to the point of existing parking, whereby the owner could lease space to definite tenants. Mr. Green doubted that the owner would be successful at the Committee of Adjustment with such a large variance. Mr. T.B. Stanley, Director of Planning, advised that staging of site plan approvals has been done in the past, but primarily for new sites; however he did not see why it could not be done. Mr. D. Parrish was of the opinion that the Adaptive Re-use Committee would possibly look favourably on this type of staging. Ms. S. Burke suggested that this procedure would be delaying the inevitable. L.A.C.A.C. should be preserving the building now, as it may deteriorate over time. L.A.C.A.C. should decide now what it wants to do and suggested that perhaps the 4 elevations of the 1910 building should be designated. Mr. W. Ristau stated that this Committee has tried to persuade the owner to save this building and is fighting a losing battle. If the owner does not want the building designated then why should the Committee do it. The Committee could be spending time on another project. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that the Committee should designate half of the building. L.A.C.A.C.'s job is to try to designate buildings based on their architectural and historic merits and not economics. He suggested that the c. 1910 portion of the building be recommended to Council for designation and then Council will debate the issue and consider all aspects. Mr. D. Parrish was of the opinion that the building is not very important architecturally or historically. The Committee really needs a priority rating system. He requested that the Committee reconsider designation as the building doesn't warrant all this effort. Mr. Bensason questioned Mr. Green as to whether his client would be requesting a demolition permit if the building was designated. Mr. Green advised that his client is trying to make this a viable site. He assured the Committee that no action will be taken on demolition until this process is complete. He will still proceed with the possibility of staging this development, asking to occupy the building up to the threshold of the existing parking. Other staff have given their preliminary views and he was not certain if it would change with designation. Ms. S. Burke put forward a motion to designate the 1910 portion of the building and accepted a friendly amendment from Councillor T. Galloway that this Committee support the staging of the site plan approval. On motion by Ms. S. Burke it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritaqe Act, the Clerk be authorized to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property known municipally as 264 Victoria Street North (Baetz Bros. Furniture Building) as being of historic and architectural significance; and further, That the designation apply to the four elevations, the roof and roof line, capping and timber frame machinery housing on the roof, all window and door openings, of the c. 1910 portion of the building, with the specific reasons for designation being those contained in the sub-committee report considered by the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee on February 4, 1994; and further, That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee supports the staging of the site plan approval process for this property." LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1994 5. SCENIC ROADS Councillor T. Galloway distributed copies of the map titled "City of Kitchener Doon South- Brigadoon Transportation Network Corridor Study Recommended Transportation Network Alternative Exhibit 24" and an extract from the study. Councillor T. Galloway advised that the consultants have submitted their report which will go before the Planning and Economic Development Committee on March 21, 1994. He stated that the recommended Network does impact on the Scenic Road system. The proposed east-southerly arterial road would cross Tilt Drive. It may be similar in size to Homer Watson Boulevard and would be a major thoroughfare. Another alternative would be to take traffic down Riedel Drive to New Dundee Road and the 401. He recommended that L.A.C.A.C. go on record as being concerned with the Tilt Drive/Scenic Road issue. He suggested that L.A.C.A.C. give authority to Mr. V. Tarbutt to represent their preference at the Planning & Economic Development Committee and Council. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway it was resolved: "That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee objects to the transportation alternative as shown on "Recommended Transportation Network Alternative Exhibit 24" of the City of Kitchener Doon South- Brigadoon Transportation Network and Corridor Study, as it affects scenic roads; and further, That Mr. V. Tarbutt be appointed to represent the views of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee before the Planning & Economic Development Committee and City Council." 10 SPETZ STREET Mr. L. Bensason advised the Committee that 10 Spetz Street is included on this Committee's Inventory of Architecturally and Historically Significant Buildings and that demolition permits are to be requested in the immediate future. The Committee was in receipt of a property report on this building. It was generally the feeling of the Committee that this property is not worthy of designation; however, a sub-committee composed of Ms. B. Buchanan, Ms. A. Welsh and Ms. J. Kramer volunteered to record the property along with Mr. Bensason and Mrs. P. Wagner suggested that Mr. B. Newlands from the Region be invited to visit the property for an archaeological assessment. SUMMER STUDENT Mr. D. Parrish updated the Committee on the work the students have done on the Forsythe building. He advised that the material should be in hand in time for the Committee's March meeting. It was generally agreed that a student be hired for the summer of 1994. Mr. V. Tarbutt advised that the strategic plan sub-committee could come forward with suggestions for a project and the decision could be made at the next meeting. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS a) Promotions Mr. V. Tarbutt advised of the Heritage Week display to take place at the Fairview Park Mall requesting assistance for set up of the display, which was forthcoming from Councillor and Mrs. Wagner. Mr. Tarbutt advised that he would report to L.A.C.A.C. on the outcome of the display and advise of what is being planned for 1995. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES 8. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS - cont'd -8- FEBRUARY 4, 1994 b) Education Ms. E. Esenbergs reported on the survey conducted at the last meeting. Discussion took place on the possibility of a regional conference with Councillor Wagner advising that the work would be shared by all regional L.A.C.A.C.s. The suggestion of full day or half day seminars was also discussed. It was suggested that short workshops, which could take place at the end of Committee meetings, could be prepared by some of the members, for example, Mrs. Wagner could prepare a short talk on designation criteria and Mr. Bufe could prepare a talk on how to use the Registry Office. c) Strategic Plan Mr. L. Bensason provided copies of the Strategic Plan for L.A.C.A.C. and reviewed the last 3 pages of the report which outlined "Strategic Priorities by Key Activity Area (1994-1998)". Councillor Wagner thanked Mr. Bensason and the sub-committee for all their hard work and advised that the Strategic Plan will go to Planning & Economic Development Committee and City Council for approval. d) Evaluation Ms. S. Burke presented the format of the Building Evaluation Form. She advised that once completed, the forms would go to an evaluation committee to prioritize in terms of designation. To implement, the City would be divided into sections and a team would blanket the area. It is intended that the Committee start with the inner core, in the area of the proposed Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan. The team would be composed of approximately 8 people with Ms. Burke and Mr. Tarbutt as team leaders. The team members are to pick up packages in the Clerks Department which will cover 2 or 3 streets, both sides. A form is to be completed for each building with a determination made later as to which buildings require a closer look. This is to be a learning experience with Victoria Park being the practice area. It is important that the team members keep track of the number of buildings looked at, the number rated and the amount of time spent. Ms. Burke also advised that this project requires a volunteer photographer. Ms. B. Buchanan volunteered to take photographs along with Mr. T. Hinde. The members were advised that the packages could be picked up in the Clerks Department on Wednesday. Discussion then took place over the composition of the evaluation committee, with Ms. Burke suggesting that it be composed of 5 people in total with the following backgrounds: history, someone from this area whose family has always lived here, an architect from the area and someone who is conversant with the industrial aspect of the community. Discussion then took place on whether the evaluation committee could consist only of members of L.A.C.A.C. or should it be an outside group. It was general feeling being that the evaluation committee should be composed of members of L.A.C.A.C. who can draw on outside expertise as required. It was generally agreed that a debate on the strategic plan and a decision on the composition of the evaluation sub-committee would be the first order of business for the March meeting. Mr. L. Bensason agreed to discuss with the Legal Department the possibility of having outsiders sit on a L.A.C.A.C. sub-committee. For the purpose of the building evaluation exercise, Ms. S. Burke broke down the Victoria Park area into the following sections: 1. Victoria and Joseph 2. Queen and Patricia 3. Oak, Michael, Linden 4. Heinz, Water, Frank's Lane, Richmond 5. Theresa, Devin, Henry 6. David and Hilda 7. Roland, Schneider, Dill 8. Homewood, Brock, Highland 9. West Ave., Van Camp, Garden, Spadina. NEW HERITAGE ACT SEMINAR Mr. L. Bensason gave a brief report on the new Heritage Act Seminar which took place at the LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES - 9 - FEBRUARY 4, 1994 University of Waterloo last week. He advised that the draft legislation is to go to the legislature in the spring, and it is anticipated that it will be enacted by the end of the year. Mr. T.B. Stanley advised that the Municipal Plan will go before Planning and Economic Development Committee on March 21, 1994 and Council on March 28, 1994 and the Transportation Study is to go to Committee on March 21 and be integrated into the Municipal Plan. If the new Heritage Act has not been enacted before the Municipal Plan goes before the Region, it will be necessary to have the Region hold certain sections until the Act is passed, as they are based on the new Heritage Act. 10. COMMUNICATIONS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the communication items attached to the agenda. Councillor Wagner advised of the Southwestern Region L.A.C.A.C. Seminar to take place in Petrolia on May 14, 1994, he also referred to a letter from the Ministry of Citizenship dated December 17, 1993 concerning their volunteer awards program. Mr. W. Ristau referred to the Heritage Foundation Awards and suggested that Mr. Ken McLaughlin be nominated. 11. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee is scheduled for Friday, March 4, 1994 in the Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall, commencing at 12:00 noon. 12. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary