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LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 3, 1995
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee met this date, under the Chairmanship of
Councillor M. Wagner, commencing at 12:10 p.m. with the following members present: Councillor T.
Galloway, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. E. Bow, Ms. B. Buchanan, Mr. P. Bufe, Ms. S. Burke, Mr. R. Coo,
Ms. P. Costigan, Ms. E. Esenbergs, Mr. V. Tarbutt, Mrs. P. Wagner, and Ms. D. Westman.
Others present: Ms. C. Ladd, Mr. G. Sosnoski, Mr. L. Bensason, Mr. T. Boutilier and Ms. D. Gilchrist.
MINUTES
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic,
It was resolved:
"That the Minutes of the regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation
Advisory Committee of February 10, 1995, as mailed to the members, be accepted."
DELEGATION - COUNCILLOR K. REDMAN (CENTRE WARD)
Councillor K. Redman addressed the Committee advising that she had had a request from the
Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association to move up the timing for the Heritage Conservation
District in that area. She requested that the list of Heritage Conservation Districts be referred to
the Heritage Conservation District Sub-Committee to review the dates for each Heritage
Conservation District proposed with an eye to moving the Central Frederick Heritage Conservation
District up the line.
Councillor M. Wagner advised that this matter would be turned over to the Sub-Committee to bring
back a report.
Councillor Redman advised that the concerns of the Neighbourhood Association came from the
process of the Secondary Plan and that they are looking for ways to protect the core.
Mr. L. Bensason advised that a special area distinction was discussed at the staff level; however a
Zone Change and Official Plan Amendment are needed and the department doesn't have the staff
at this time to process these. However, the Strategic Plan for the Department of Planning and
Development will be looking at these matters. Further he advised that should L.A.C.A.C. be of the
opinion that the Central Frederick Heritage Conservation District be moved up, the budgeted
amount of $25,000 would not be sufficient for this plan and a recommendation would have to go to
Council for additional budget funding.
Mr. P. Bufe questioned whether the Civic Centre has sufficient protection in the by-law that that
area could be put off and still have some measure of protection. Mr. L. Bensason advised that this
was the case and what the protective measures are.
PIONEER TOWER WEST
Mr. P. Britton, MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Ltd., was in attendance and gave
a presentation to the Committee on the subdivisions proposed by his client, JHS Properties Inc., in
this area. Messrs. P. Puopolo and W. Green were also in attendance as both have clients who
propose subdivisions in this area. Questions were raised by the Committee and Mr. P. Britton
displayed the Grand River Conservation Area Concept Plan and explained it for the Committee's
benefit.
Councillor M. Wagner advised that the Planning Department wants a formal reaction from
L.A.C.A.C. and that the deadline for agency comments is the end of March. He stated that he
required their comments within the next two weeks.
Mr. W. Green then advised of his clients intentions for a subdivision in the lands immediately to
the east of those described by Mr. Britton. He spoke of certain cultural features, the original farm
LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NUTES
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CITY OF KITCI:IENER
house and laneway and advised that the farm house is capable of being preserved. Further he
PIONEER TOWER WEST - cont'd
advised that the farm lane is included in the proposed community trail. He also advised that the
Iow lands are to be included in the proposed open space area.
Mr. L. Bensason advised that the farm house at 146 Pioneer Tower Road is on L.A.C.A.C.'s
inventory.
Mr. P. Puopolo advised that he had recently been retained by DawnGIo Properties and the Rod
and Gun Club. He advised that he would obtain background information from Ms. S. Burke on the
Committee's interest in this area.
Councillor M. Wagner then stressed that the concerns of the members of the committee must be
given to Mr. L. Bensason or himself over the next ten days. Mr. L. Bensason advised that he
wanted the members to contact Ms. S. Burke initially and then she would present the Committee's
concerns to himself and Ms. J. Given of the Department of Planning and Development.
Ms. C. Ladd advised that the Department is receiving comments on these proposed plans which
could lead to modifications of the plan and that she is looking for the major interests of this
Committee.
Ms. S. Burke questioned some servicing proposed in the area and Mr. P. Britton advised that he
would get a copy of the service and concept plan for her to review.
Mr. T. Boutilier advised that on March 15th at 7:00 p.m. there would be a public meeting held at
the Pioneer Sportsman Club concerning the Official Plan Amendment, zoning and subdivision
proposal.
DELEGATION - DR. JEAN STECKLE
Dr. Steckle was in attendance to discuss difficulties associated with her 1994 designated property
grant. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. G. Sosnoski dated February 13, 1995
and two letters from Dr. Steckle.
Mr. G. Sosnoski introduced this item and explained, for the benefit of the new members, the grant
process. The Committee members were provided with photocopied photographs of the Forge
barn on the property and Mr. Sosnoski explained the photographs and what has been done to the
building, advising that this wall supports the entire structure of the barn. He then explained what
the grant was approved for and the subsequent approval for alteration of the property given by
Council in September 1994. He then explained that the Committee is being asked to retroactively
approve a grant and that the grant guidelines state that the work has to be for a feature mentioned
in the by-law. Although the work was necessary, this portion of the building was not covered in the
designating by-law. Mr. Sosnoski advised that he had spoken with the Ministry in this regard and
they gave a verbal undertaking not to oppose the retroactive approval provided that L.A.C.A.C.
and Council approval is obtained. However, the province may not fund this work and should it be
approved by Council they would have to cover the grant amount and there are no funds in the
budget for this. Mr. Sosnoski advised that if L.A.C.A.C. was going to look favourably upon Dr.
Steckle's request that the recommendation to Council should indicate that it is amending the
previous approval and that it is without prejudice or precedent and not withstanding the provincial
guidelines.
Dr. Steckle then addressed the Committee advising that the engineer was of the opinion that the
structural matters had to be done first otherwise the repointing would be ineffective. Mr. Sosnoski
advised that there was some confusion between the grant approval and the subsequent
permission to alter and that Dr. Steckle did not realize that she has to come back with the specific
details of each segment.
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4. DELEGATION - DR. JEAN STECKLE - cont'd
On motion by Mr. R. Coo,
it was resolved:
"That, without prejudice or precedent, and notwithstanding the Provincial administrative
guidelines, the scope of the 1994195 Designated Property Grant for 811 Bleams Road
(Steckle Heritage Homestead) be expanded to include structural work to the Forge Barn as
outlined in the letter from J. Steckle, dated January 28, 1995."
5. UPDATES
a) 1252 DOON VILLAGE ROAD
Mr. T. Boutilier advised that SPUD has some interest in creating a parkette or interpretive centre
for the Heritage Conservation District on this site. L.A.C.A.C. is on record as asking that once the
demolition has taken place an investigation be made to determine the feasibility of turning this land
into a parkette/interpretive centre for the district. There was some disagreement on the
significance of the archaeological remains on this property. There were also some concerns about
the disruption of the land through the demolition.
On motion by Ms. S. Burke,
it was resolved:
"That Council investigate the potential for an archaeological assessment of the property
known municipally as 1252 Doon Village Road as well as the opportunity to create an
interpretive park at that location; and further
That the demolition to take place at 1252 Doon Village Road be least intrusive to the
surrounding ground."
b) 10SPETZ STREET
Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Region no longer has an archaeologist and that Mr. Dean
Millans is not a licensed archaeologist. The suggestion was made that one could be obtained
from the University; however, Ms. S. Burke advised that this is very costly and there are
archaeologists who would come from the Ministry if the building is deemed to be important;
however, there is a long lineup for this service.
6. DESIGNATION SUB-COMMITTEE
Mrs. P. Wagner advised of her discussion with the Region concerning the preservation of heritage
features in subdivisions. She advised that they would look into this matter; however, if they make
a rule it has to be for the whole Region and not just for the City of Kitchener. She then advised
further on her discussions at a meeting with the Region.
Mrs. Wagner then reviewed, along with some of the other members, properties which had been
identified for designation at the February meeting. Mrs. Wagner then provided the members with
a copy of a letter of introduction which she intends to use to contact owners of properties which the
Committee is interested in designating.
Councillor M. Wagner advised the Committee of its two priorities for 1995 being inventory and
designations. He encouraged the members to proceed with these reports and asked that these
members report to Mrs. Wagner who will then prepare a comprehensive report for the Committee.
7. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUB-COMMITTEE
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CITY OF KITCI:IENER
The Committee members were requested to ratify the Strategic Priorities Sub-Committee outlines
which had been distributed at the February meeting. It was requested that an additional major
7. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SUB-COMMITTEE - cont'd
activity be added to the Designation Sub-Committee outline, being "liaison with property owners
for designated property grants".
Mr. L. Bensason requested a clarification with respect to the activities of the Policies and
Procedures Sub-Committee. He noted that the design of the work program for contract employees
should be done in conjunction with the Heritage Planner.
On motion by Mr. R. Coo,
it was resolved:
"That the Sub-Committee Policies and Procedures as considered by the Local Architectural
Conservation Advisory Committee at their meeting of March 3, 1995, as amended, be
approved".
Ms. S. Burke requested that sub-committee reports become a regular item on the agenda.
The Committee then discussed the issue of more Committee members with some feeling that more
members are needed to fulfil the Committee's goals, while others were of the opinion that more
people are not necessary.
8. ADAPTIVE RE-USE OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee members were provided with the terms of reference for the Adaptive Re-Use of
Industrial Buildings Sub-Committee. Councillor M. Wagner advised that he would keep L.A.C.A.C.
informed about the work of this Committee on an on going basis.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
a) VICTORIA PARK ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
The Committee was advised that the Victoria Park Anniversary Committee is looking for volunteers
from L.A.C.A.C. or the A.C.O. to conduct walking tours. The material for the tours will be provided
by the Anniversary Committee.
b) VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Legal Department is preparing a by-law to go to Council. Once
the by-law is passed by Council an advertisement will be placed in the K-W Record. A public
meeting will be held and there will be ample opportunity for public input.
C) LECTURE SERIES
Ms. S. Burke advised of a series of four lectures to take place during the month of April at the
Joseph Schneider Haus as follows:
1 ) Wednesday, April 5, 1995 - Architecture of the 19th Century
2) Wednesday, April 12, 1995 -Architecture - Inside Out
3) Wednesday, April 19, 1995 - Architecture of the Modern Era
4) Wednesday, April 26, 1995 - Our Industrial Heritage
All lectures will be held at the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and all will commence at 7:30 p.m.
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Registration for these lectures is required.
10. PIONEER TOWER WEST
Mr. L. Bensason gave an overhead presentation showing the area of the proposed subdivisions in
the Pioneer Tower West area, previously illustrated by Mr. P. Britton. Mr. Bensason pointed out
the area which had been considered by L.A.C.A.C. for a heritage conservation district.
Ms. S. Burke then explained the four main elements of the area, which had been considered last
June. The first element is the Grand River and its vistas and viewscapes. The second element is
the Pioneer Tower and that access to it should continue to be provided. The third element is the
continuation of the alignment of Pioneer Tower Road and its rural character, as it was part of the
heritage highway. The fourth element is the historic interest in this area as the birthplace of
Waterloo County, as this area was the earliest permanent settlement. Ms. Burke suggested that
this Committee must decide if it wants a heritage conservation district in this area even if the
owner's do not want one.
Further discussion took place on this matter.
11. NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee is scheduled
for Friday, April 7, 1995, in the Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall, commencing at 12 noon.
12. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Dianne H. Gilchrist