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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLACAC - 1994-04-08LACAC\1994-04-08 LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 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. Ms. S. Burke entered the meeting after its commencement. Others present: Messrs. J. Wallace, T.B. Stanley and Mrs. D.H. Gilchrist. 1.MINUTES On motion by Mr. E. Bow it was resolved: "That the minutes of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee meeting of March 4, 1994, as mailed to the members, be accepted." Ms. M. Welsh requested that the minutes show that with respect to 10 Spetz Street on page 8 of the minutes, that Ms. Welsh and Mrs. J. Kramer attended at the property with Mr. Bensason and concurred with his findings. 2. EVALUATION COMMITTEE Mr. J. Wallace, City Solicitor, was in attendance to advise on the matter of the proposed Evaluation Committee, which Mr. Bensason had discussed with him. Mr. Wallace advised that the statute provides for only one committee and this committee must be the only one making the decisions; as no one else has the authority to make the decisions. This committee would be liable to attack if they allowed someone else to make the decisions. LACAC can seek outside advice, but it must be the only one making the decisions. Mr. V. Tarbutt advised that it was not the intent of LACAC to allow the Evaluation Committee to make the decisions but to advise and make a recommendation. Mr. Wallace responded that the other committee could report to LACAC but should not be making recommendations. LACAC should not be adopting the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee; otherwise it could be said that LACAC did not give proper consideration to the matter. If there is to be an Evaluation Committee separate from LACAC, then LACAC should examine the other committee's report fully and decide if there was substantive and full consideration given to the property. Mr. V. Tarbutt advised that the Inventory Subcommittee is anxious to start canvassing the community and begin this process. Mr. Wallace suggested that if LACAC proceeded in this vein then the other committee should simply be giving advice. Mr. P. Bufe questioned whether the Evaluation Committee should be an ad hoc committee rather than a permanent committee and Ms. Welsh suggested a committee composition where the non-LACAC members had no voting privileges. Mr. Wallace responded that an ad hoc committee would be preferable; however, over the years, if the committee continues to exist, you unconsciously begin to depend on them when you shouldn't. You may begin to rely on them to make decisions when you should not. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that no one would challenge putting properties on an inventory. Mr. Wallace agreed, but advised that if this committee decides in the future to designate a property simply because it is on the inventory, there could be a problem. This committee should re-examine and reconsider properties on the inventory before they are designated. Mr. Wallace then referred to page 6 of the Strategic Plan, item #1, which refers to the Evaluation Committee advising that only one committee can make a designation recommendation and that has to be the whole of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES APRIL 8, 1994 - 15- CITY OF KITCI:IENER 3.TRANSPORTATION STUDY Ms. S. Burke entered the meeting at this time. Councillor T. Galloway advised that all but one member of Council voted against the route through the Caryndale lands. On June 20, another route alternative is to be presented to the Planning and Economic Development Committee. A brief discussion then took place on this matter. Mrs. P. Wagner advised that she had obtained letters of support from several organizations for LACAC's recommendation and requested that thank you letters be sent. Councillor Wagner stated that he would draft the thank you letters. 4. MUNICIPAL PLAN A brief discussion took place on the heritage component of the Municipal Plan. In addition, Councillor Wagner distributed copies of an extract from the Regional Official Policies Plan concerning heritage conservation and advised of the Regional Community Workshop to take place on Saturday May 7, 1994 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Engineering Lecture Building at the University of Waterloo. 5.STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. T.B. Stanley was in attendance to review the contents of the Strategic Plan with the committee. He reviewed the key areas. Ms. S. Burke suggested that this matter be discussed at the next meeting and that members spent time considering the underlying philosophy of the plan. At the May meeting discussions can take place on the plan, which can then be finalized and approved. Mr. Bufe stated that in the past, designation has usually taken place at the request of the property owner. Very few designations have taken place directly from the committee; it has generally been a voluntary act by the owner. Ms. Burke responded that there are ways of designating buildings without just coming from the owner and that LACAC members are interested in taking a pro-active role. Mr. Bufe questioned the items on page 6 of the Strategic Plan dealing with the heritage inventory. He questioned whether it is advisable to have the buildings on the inventory rated or should they just be added. Ms. Burke explained that the committee has embarked on process which should come to its logical end. It is important that the forms be returned within the next week so that the process can be concluded in time for the May meeting. Mr. Bufe stated that LACAC has never discussed what this is to achieve or the principals behind this. He questioned the aims behind the process suggesting that this should be discussed by the whole committee. Ms. Burke agreed that this is a selective process and she referred to the philosophy and underlying assumptions on page 2 of the Strategic Plan. It was agreed that the Strategic Plan will be item #1 on the May agenda. Councillor Wagner asked that any concerns about the Plan be forwarded, in writing, prior to the meeting or at the very least, that the member should phone Ms. Burke prior to the meeting if they have any concerns. Mrs. G. Stoner referred to page 7 and 8 of the Strategic Plan and spoke about the plaquing system in Paris, Ontario. 6.SUBCOMMITTEES MS. M. Welsh advised that she is the only member left on the Heritage Conservation District Subcommittee and she needs some assistance. Ms. E. Essenberg also requested assistance with the Education Subcommittee. Ms. S. Burke suggested that an additional subcommittee is needed to deal with designations. She suggested that Mrs. Wagner take on this responsibility. 6.SUBCOMMITTEES - cont'd LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES APRIL 8, 1994 - 16- CITY OF KITCI:IENER Councillor Wagner advised that he will prepare something to equally distribute the work amongst the members. 7. MUNICIPAL PLAN Mr. T.B. Stanley advised that the Municipal Plan will go before Council on April 25 and will be forwarded to the Region on May 9, 1994. Regional approval is expected by the end of September or the beginning of October. He questioned whether the Region can approve the heritage component if there is no new Heritage Act by that time and advised that approval of those sections will have to be deferred until the Act is approved. 8.WATERLOO REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL The Committee was in receipt of information on deadlines for submitting articles to Arts Now. 9.CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The Committee was in receipt of information from Paragon Engineering Limited concerning the widening of Fischer-Hallman Road in the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. 10.STUDENT Mrs. P. Wagner advised of work done on scenic roads in the Doon area last summer. She suggested that a student be hired to complete work on scenic roads for future designation. She suggested that the Planning Department could use some of the information also. The University of Waterloo has a database which students are working on for the Waterloo Regional Heritage Inventory. Mr. T.B. Stanley advised that this does sound useful. In order to designate scenic roads, it would be necessary to prepare a corridor specific study after approval of the transportation network study. Mrs. Wagner advised that Ms. Hammond of the University of Waterloo would be willing to come and give a presentation and that she has criteria for viewscape. Councillor T. Galloway advised that viewsheds and viewscapes are difficult to evaluate; however, Ms. Hammond has been able to narrow these down to realistic criteria. Mr. D. Parrish stated that vistas and viewscapes are difficult to assess and questioned the prudence of giving this responsibility to a student. The last project given to students had a narrow defined scope and the project was within the students' abilities. Giving students this responsibility may prejudice the committee's perception. Councillor Wagner responded that Ms. Hammond would assist LACAC in controlling the work. Mr. T.B. Stanley suggested that the work not be looked at as a final product but as a starting point. Perhaps the City could obtain some of their technology to start its own work. This should be an open-ended study to provide information and technology. Further, Mr. Stanley advised that the Urban Design Study included in the Municipal Plan will be coming up soon. It will be conducted by an in-house design team who will draw on expertise from the community and will take approximately two years. Mrs. P. Wagner was requested to contact Ms. Hammond to make a presentation at the Committee's May meeting and to include either Mr. Stanley or Mr. Bensason to see if this process could be included in the larger plan. 10.STUDENT - cont'd Mr. V. Tarbutt suggested that the Strategic Plan Subcommittee could make use of a summer student to LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES APRIL 8, 1994 - 17- CITY OF KITCI:IENER identify 4 or 5 buildings, preferably industrial buildings, for designation. Mr. Bufe questioned whether LACAC is going to designate against the owner's wishes and suggested that this may be a waste of time and money. 11 .CONFERENCES/SEMINARS The following is a list of upcoming seminars and conferences: a) Regional Community Workshop Saturday May 7, 1994 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Engineering Lecture Building, University of Waterloo b) A.C.O. Conference "When a House is not a Home" April 22 & 23, 1994 Cambridge, Ontario c) John A. McGinnis Heritage Conservation Lecture Thursday April 28, 1994 -8:00 p.m. Vistors' Centre, Black Creek Pioneer Village d) Southwestern Region L.A.C.A.C. Seminar May 14, 1994 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Victoria Hall, Petrolia, Ontario e) Adapting to Ontario's New Heritage Act Tuesday June 21, 1994 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mississauga Central Library 301 Burnhamthorpe Road West Mississauga, Ontario f) Ontario Historical Society "Feasts, Frolics and Fun" May 13-14, 1994 Ramada Hotel, Hamilton If you wish to attend any of these seminars/conferences, please register through the Secretary. 12.STECKLE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD -811 BLEAMS ROAD The Committee was in receipt of a letter from Mrs. J. Steckle, dated March 18, 1994, outlining certain restoration work to be completed on this designated property. The Committee then reviewed the approval given for the restoration, dated October 12, 1993. It was generally agreed that the work being proposed in the letter of March 18, 1994 is substantially the same as that approved on October 12, 1993 and no further approval is required. It was generally agreed that Mr. W. Ristau would be the Committee's liaison and work with Ms. Steckle in this regard. 13.COMMUNICATIONS a)Grand River Conservation Authority The Committee acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Grand River Conservation Authority, dated March 13, 1994, seeking support for the "Grand Strategy". A copy of the "Grand Strategy for managing the Grand River as a Canadian Heritage River" was circulated at the meeting. Mrs. P. Wagner suggested that, at the June meeting, a speaker from the G.R.C.A. be invited to give a presentation on LACAC's along the river. 13.COMMUNICATIONS - cont'd LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES APRIL 8, 1994 - 18- CITY OF KITCI:IENER b) Town of Ancaster The Committee was in receipt of a letter from the Town of Ancaster, dated March 3, 1994, requesting advice on preserving designated properties. 14. NEW BUSINESS a) Friends of Doon Mrs. P. Wagner displayed a framed print of a barn at the Doon Heritage Crossroads which is being sold for $100.00 by the Friends of Doon. b) U of W Presentation Series Mrs. Wagner advised of a presentation she attended on a system to record inventory and designated properties. She advised that this system has everything the Cambridge system has and more. c) Kitchener Jail Mrs. G. Stoner spoke of the state of the jail and questioned what is happening with it. She spoke of the possibility of it being used as a restaurant. Mrs. Wagner advised of Mrs. Haalboom's idea of asking the Law Society to take it over. She also spoke of Chairman Seiling's idea of using the property for heritage and cultural displays. Several members indicated that they had not been inside the Governor's house and jail and it was suggested that a tour be arranged to follow the May meeting at 3:00 p.m. that day. d) 27 Schneider Avenue Ms. B. Buchanan advised of a Zone Change notice she had received concerning 27 Schneider Avenue which contains a house and coach-house. She noted that the land at the rear of this property is to be severed and added to a Queen Street property. She stated that this property is not on the inventory. On motion by Mr. P. Bufe it was resolved: "That 27 Schneider Avenue be added to the L.A.C.A.C. inventory." Ms. Buchanan advised that she would follow up in this regard. 15. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee will take place on Friday May 13, 1994, in the Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall, commencing at 12:00 noon. 16.ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary