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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLACAC - 1994-01-14LACAC\1994-01-14 LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 14, 1994 The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 12:05 p.m., under the Chairmanship of Councillor M. Wagner, all members present, except Mayor D. Cardillo and Mr. D. Parrish. Others present: Messrs. L. Bensason and Mrs. D.H. Gilchrist. 1. MINUTES On motion by Mr. E. Bow It was resolved: "That the minutes of the special meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee of December 10, 1993, as mailed to the members, be accepted." CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest were declared. INTRODUCTION Councillor M. Wagner introduced Mr. T. Hinde, seated in the audience, who was observing the meeting as he is interested in becoming a member of the Committee. Councillor Wagner advised that he has been working on the budget with Mr. Sosnoski and has purchased a supply of film and has purchased a slide projector. HISTORIC ROAD NAMES Mr. L. Bensason, Heritage Planner, requested the Committee's concurrence on two names proposed for future roads in the Doon South area. The first road is to be an arterial road proposed in the Doon South-Brigadoon Transportation Network Study. The road will traverse the lands previously owned by the Hislop family and he is suggesting that the road be named Hislop Road. The second road will be a collector road in the Monarch Subdivision off Pinnacle Drive. This road will not cross any prominent property; however Mr. Slee was a prominent citizen in this area as was the family. Mr. Bensason recommended that the road be named Slee Drive. Discussion then took place over the appropriateness of the name Hislop Road as it was generally felt by the Committee that the Hislop family was not that well known. It was unanimously agreed by the Committee that the arterial road in the Doon South-Brigadoon Transportation Network Study be named Towtown Road. The Committee generally agreed that the collector road in the Monarch Subdivision be named Slee Drive. SUB-COMMITTEE - MASTER PLAN/STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. L. Bensason reported on the progress of the Master Plan/Strategic Plan Sub-Committee, advising that with one more meeting the sub-committee will be able to bring forward a good strategic plan, possibly to the next L.A.C.A.C. meeting. Following the Strategic Plan, Planning staff will work on the Master Plan, with the Committee's input. This plan will outline where the Committee would like to be over the next 5 years. 6. 248 - 264 VICTORIA STREET NORTH (FORMER BAETZ BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING) LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES JANUARY 14, 1994 A property report from the sub-committee was distributed at the meeting. Mr. B. Green was in attendance and distributed copies of a proposed site plan for the property. Mr. Green addressed the Committee advising that the development of this site has been looked at in a number of different ways. The proposed site plan shows the demolition of the one storey 248 - 264 VICTORIA STREET NORTH (FORMER BAETZ BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING) - cont'd structure and 264 Victoria Street North, with the shaded buildings to be retained. The December L.A.C.A.C. report did not recommend the retention of the Baetz Bros. Furniture Building. The primary concern isthe C6 - Service Commercial zoning on this property. The property was re- zoned by the City and at that time it was known that the traditional uses would not continue. Consequently, in order to use the property under the current zoning, it is necessary to meet the parking requirement which is greater than that for industrial uses. In reference to the site plan, Mr. Green advised that to occupy the floor space in the building to be retained, 349 parking spaces would have to be provided and the site can only accommodate 256 parking spaces which equals a 36% deficiency. If the Baetz Bros. building is to be retained, an additional 82 spaces would have to be provided (431 in total) and the site would only be able to accommodate 208 spaces. Mr. Green advised that from his client's point of view, there would not be enough parking to result in a viable use of this property. They would be left with a lot of empty floor space and the tenants wouldn't have enough parking. With regard to the heritage aspect, Mr. Green stated that their heritage consultant questions what policies would be served in the designation of this property. It was recommended that the Committee look beyond the structure, at activity patterns. If the activity patterns don't change, the building will deteriorate. The alternative would be to demolish the Baetz Bros. building and increase the activity pattern or demolish everything and continue the modern development along Victoria Street. Mr. Green went on to say that the current site plan is consistent with the City's and Region's Heritage Policies and conforms to the broad definition of heritage resources in the City's plan. He questioned the value of 248 Victoria Street North and the building behind it, which are interesting buildings in themselves. There is a potential tenant for 2 floors in the rear building and the whole building closest to Margaret Avenue. It was Mr. Green's opinion that what is not needed is vacant industrial land. The site plan speaks to heritage issues more than other planning issues. Further, there have been no promises from Planning staff that they will support the proposed parking deficiency. It is the intention of the owner to make this an active, vibrant site. There will be some heritage preservation and all the other positive contributions which this site can make. Mr. Green then referred to page 1 of the sub-committee report advising that the zoning of the property is C6 - Service Commercial and not Industrial. Mr. Green then suggested that there may be other ways to appropriately recognize the contribution of the Baetz family on this site. A brief discussion then took place on possible ways to recognize the contribution of the family. Another discussion then followed as to whether the Committee should considering planning and economic matters or only historic and architectural matters with several members stating that L.A.C.A.C.'s job is to consider only architectural and historic matters. Mr. Green advised that his client's concern with the retention of this building is the overall visibility of the site. He questioned whether L.A.C.A.C.'s decision can be deferred at least one month, to obtain some direction from City Planning staff. Their comments should come to some conclusion over the next couple of weeks. Councillor T. Galloway spoke of the new downtown policies of bonusing for the preservation of its heritage buildings. He suggested that there may be a possibility of bonusing this site in return for heritage preservation. Mr. Bensason suggested that the parking deficiency is quite significant and this is not a great area for parking, given the lack of on-street parking. It appears as if there are opportunities for keeping part of the building or the facades only. He suggested that the Committee wait another month for the full staff report on the understanding that the owners agree not to apply for a demolition permit until L.A.C.A.C. has had a chance to make a decision. Mr. Green agreed to the deferral for one month, to see what Planning staff would recommend. 248 - 264 VICTORIA STREET NORTH (FORMER BAETZ BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING) - cont'd LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES -3- JANUARY 14, 1994 Mr. P. Bufe spoke in favour of the deferral if the owner will consider keeping at least the front half of the building and getting support from the City on the reduced parking. It was his opinion that L.A.C.A.C. is not interested in designating the addition; however Ms. B. Buchanan advised that the sub-committee is recommending designation of the entire building, including the addition. Mrs. P. Wagner recommended that the sub-committee report be accepted and that the report be distributed to City staff, the Region and the Adaptive Re-use of Industrial Buildings Committee. On motion by Mrs. P. Wagner It was resolved: "That the sub-committee report on 264 Victoria Street North (former Baetz Bros. Furniture building) as considered by the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee on January 14, 1994, be accepted and circulated to City Planning staff, the Region of Waterloo and the Adaptive Re- use of Industrial Buildings Committee, and further, That consideration of designation of this property be deferred to the L.A.C.A.C. meeting scheduled for February 4, 1994." A brief discussion on facadism then followed and it was agreed that this topic be discussed more fully at a future meeting. Councillor T. Galloway left the meeting at this time. 1994 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Mrs. P. Wagner provided some background information in this regard. She suggested that photographs and background information be supplied along with any applications. It was generally agreed that the Kitchener City Hall be submitted for an Award of Excellence and that Mr. R. Coo submit the required application. It was also agreed that the Victoria Public School be submitted for an Award of Excellence for adaptive re-use with Mr. V. Tarbutt to submit the required application. Mrs. G. Stoner suggested that Mr. K. Sylvester be submitted for an Award of Excellence for media and she volunteered to submit the required application. HERITAGE WEEK 1994 Mr. V. Tarbutt briefly advised that the Region will be holding a display in one of the malls, and L.A.C.A.C. will be part of this display, which will take place on February 19, 1994. At the February meeting, he will be looking for volunteers in this regard. 9. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT a) Evaluation/Desiqnation Criteria Ms. S. Burke advised that the final evaluation criteria forms should be available for the Committee's next meeting. An attempt will be made to divide up parts of the city with the members being appointed to different parts. Councillor M. Wagner advised that Mr. Ristau will look after designation ceremonies for the Harry Class Pool in the warm weather. Ms. M. Welsh will prepare a form for designation ceremonies. 9. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT - cont'd b) Promotions LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES 4 JANUARY 14, 1994 Mr. V. Tarbutt advised that the maps have been printed with a 2 inch border. King's Framing at Cedar and King Streets has agreed that they will frame these maps, upon request, at a fee of $60.00 for either of two wood frames or $45.00 for a metal frame. The maps will sell for $12.00 retail or $6.00 wholesale. Ms. Welsh agreed to keep track of the money and the number of maps and a sign out sheet will be used. Ms. S. Burke suggested that a press release be issued. c) Education Ms. E. Esenbergs reported on the work done thus far, stating that she had spoken with people in Oakville who will provide her with a package to set standards for workshops and seminars. She has also spoken with Mary Lou Evans at the Ministry who will help her develop a plan for a 2 - 3 year period for workshops for this Committee. Ms. Esenbergs distributed a short questionnaire to the members in this regard. A discussion then took place as to whether the Education Sub-committee is to educate the committee or the public. It was agreed that the mandate is twofold but probably the education of the public belongs to the Promotion Sub-committee. Further discussion on this matter will take place at a future meeting. 10. ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION Councillor M. Wagner advised that 5 members of the Committee would be given 2 wards each to respond to these applications and that Mr. P. Bufe would coordinate this project. 11. 12. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ristau suggested that a standard form of motion be drafted for designation. Councillor M. Wagner suggested that this be done by Mr. L. Bensason in consultation with the Legal Department. Mrs. P. Wagner questioned how much land was to be surveyed in conjunction with the designation on Graber Place. Councillor Wagner suggested that the Horticultural Society or the Lawn Bowling Club may be interested in this site. If neither are interested, then an arbitrary decision will have to be made. Mrs. Wagner spoke of the "Waterloo County Times" and suggested articles for this paper. Ms. M. Welsh advised of a Heritage Landscape Seminar which she wishes to attend at the University of Waterloo on February 3, 1994, which would last the whole day. It was generally agreed that she be permitted to attend. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee will take place on Friday, February 4, 1994 at 12:00 noon in the Conestoga Room, City Hall. 13. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary