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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLACAC - 1994-05-13LACAC\1994-05-13 LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13, 1994 CITY OF KITCHENER The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee met this date, under the Chairmanship of Councillor M. Wagner, commencing at 12:05 p.m., with all members present. Others present: Messrs. L. Bensason, T.B. Stanley and Mrs. D.H. Gilchrist. 1. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS Councillor M. Wagner advised that five members of LACAC had attended the ACO Conference in Cambridge at the end of April. Mrs. G. Stoner gave a brief overview of the conference which had the theme "When A House Is Not A Home". She complimented Ms. S. Burke on being the best speaker there. Ms. M. Welsh entered the meeting at this time. Mrs. G. Stoner advised that she had correspondence from the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation to say that Mr. Ken Sylvester, who LACAC had nominated, is the recipient of the foundations 1994 Award of Excellence. She and Ms. Burke had prepared the nomination. Mr. V. Tarbutt advised that the Victoria Public School redevelopment, which was also nominated by LACAC, has won a 1994 Award of Excellence from the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. Mr. W. Ristau advised that, at the request of LACAC, he has been in contact with Dr. J. Steckle concerning the renovations taking place at the Steckle Heritage Homestead. He has had a tour of the property with Dr. Steckle and has attended a meeting of their Board of Directors. He further advised that they are considering applying for a grant from Jobs Ontario. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that there is still money available from Jobs Ontario and he recommended that they apply. Mrs. P. Wagner questioned whether the members had toured the farm and it was suggested that a tour be arranged at the end of an upcoming meeting. Councillor Wagner reminded the members that the Waterloo Regional Arts Council is accepting heritage articles for "Arts Now" and the next deadline is June 1st. It was suggested that Councillor Wagner write a short article on LACAC. Councillor Wagner advised of the letter received from the Kitchener Public Library concerning their celebration of Heritage Week this year. The theme will be 1854 and the Grace Schmidt Room. A decision must be made by June 10, 1994 if LACAC is to be involved and what it will do. It was agreed that the Promotions Sub-committee in conjunction with the Education Sub-committee look after this matter. Councillor M. Wagner advised that Council is being requested not to make a decision about specific use of the Registry Building until the highest and best use can be determined. He advised that the Multicultural Centre and the Curling Hall of Fame are both interested in using the building. He advised that any member who has not been in the building could go for a tour after this meeting. Councillor Wagner advised that today would be the first in a series of educational workshops at the end of meetings. Ms. E. Esenberg requested ideas for upcoming workshops which are as follows: window replacement and restoration, paint, and architectural styles. Mr. L. Bensason advised that Ms. K. Hammond of the University of Waterloo will be coming to the June meeting to do a workshop on scenic roads. 2. STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. L. Bensason advised that there has been a change in some of the wording in the Strategic Plan because the Ministry has changed wording in the proposed Ontario Heritage Act. The words "Heritage Places" has been changed to "Real Property". The Strategic Plan Sub-committee will meet between now and the June meeting. The new document will be distributed and LACAC will be asked to endorse it at the June meeting. Some members reviewed the addition distributed in April and made comments on wording. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES MAY 13, 1994 - 90- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DEMOLITION - 30 FRANCIS STREET SOUTH Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Planning Department is in receipt of a Demolition Permit Application for 30 Francis Street South, which is not on the Heritage Inventory. He showed a video of the subject property and distributed copies of an evaluation form for this building. He advised that the property was in the ownership of the Lang family until 1954 and is now owned by Loblaws Groceterias. Mr. P. Bufe suggested that the Committee seriously look at designating this property as it has historic and architectural merit. Mr. D. Parrish responded that the owners have now made a decision on what to do with the property. This Committee doesn't have the property on the inventory. Suggesting designation now would put the Committee in an adversarial position. This property should be on the inventory so that other people now of LACAC's interest. Mr. L. Bensason suggested involving the Adaptive Re-use Of Industrial Building Sub-committee. He volunteered to contact the owner to discuss the situation. Mr. T.B. Stanley advised that the property is designated "Warehouse District" in the current Official Plan and Zoning By-law. Mr. S. Burke stated that it is hoped that relief is in sight and that things are not going to be this way forever. It was her opinion that this property is unique because it would have been part of a complex where factories along with owner's homes and workers' homes were built together. Councillor T. Galloway stated that Mr. Parrish's point is well taken. He suggested that the members keep in mind the powers of LACAC and Council. He suggested that LACAC accept Mr. Bensason's suggestion and he also cautioned that if the Committee is confrontational there will be less chance of long term success. On motion by Ms. M. Welsh it was resolved: "That 30 Francis Street South be added to the Heritage Inventory; and further, That Mr. L. Bensason approach the property owner and Councillor M. Wagner approach the Adaptive Re-use Of Industrial Buildings Sub-committee in an effort to save the building from being demolished." 4. VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN Mr. L. Bensason advised that the successful public meeting which had taken place concerning the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan. Further, he advised that some people have come forward to volunteer to be on the Steering Committee. The determination must still be made as to the neighbours who will be appointed to the Steering Committee and the boundaries for the district. Once these have been accomplished the matter will come back to LACAC. 5. EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR Doug & Martha George of Doug George Masonry Ltd. were in attendance and gave a short seminar on masonry work. 6. FIRST MENNONITE CEMETERY The Committee was in receipt of a letter from the Education staff of Joseph Schneider Haus, dated May 2, 1994, concerning the deterioration and vandalism of the stones in the First Mennonite Cemetery. Ms. S. Burke addressed the Committee in this regard advising that the press has been advised and she hopes they will do something positive. Ms. Burke suggested that the property be designated. Mrs. P. Wagner advised that it is difficult to designate a church property. Mrs. J. Kramer 6. FIRST MENNONITE CEMETERY - cont'd volunteered to look into the matter and report back to the Committee at its June meeting. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES MAY 13, 1994 CITY OF KITCHENER 7. EVALUATION SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT Ms. S. Burke provided the members with copies of a report called "Report On The Inventory Collection Policy Plan". Ms. Burke introduced the report and advised of the tests done in the Victoria Park Area. She advised that a mock evaluation Committee was formed, three streets were chosen out of the area and the buildings were classified as one of three types, A, B, or C. "A" buildings have architectural significance and are added to the inventory. "B" buildings require more research. "C" buildings have Iow priority. The Committee then reviewed the report and a discussion took place on the criteria. It was generally agreed to accept the criteria as contained in the report. Mr. L. Bensason then reviewed the role of the Heritage District Sub-committee. He suggested that buildings located in the area proposed for Heritage Conservation District Plans be added to the inventory without evaluation sheets being completed for each building, strictly on the basis of them being in the area of the proposed plan. The Committee members were then asked to divide themselves into two groups, one group would be the Site Survey Group and the other would be the Research Group. They are as follows: Site Survey Group - Mr. R. Coo, Mr. D. Parrish, Mr. E. Bow, Mrs. J. Kramer, Mr. W. Ristau, Mrs. P. Wagner and Ms. B. Buchanan; Research Group - Mr. P. Bufe, Ms. M. Welsh, Ms. E. Esenberg, Mrs. G. Stoner, Mr. B. Tarbutt, Ms. S. Burke and Mrs. P. Wagner. A training/orientation session will take place at the June meeting. 8. VILLAGE ARTS Ms. M. Welsh advised that a group of artists and crafts people are going to hold an Artsfest each Saturday during July and August in Market Village. She encouraged LACAC members to be involved. 9. NEW BUSINESS MFS. P. Wagner requested that LACAC be advised of new rules being proposed for the demolition of buildings, as proposed by Ms. S. Frenette, as she is specifically concerned about the houses on Frederick Street which are boarded up. 10. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee is scheduled for Friday, June 10, 1994, at 12:00 noon in the Conestoga Room. 11 .ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary