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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLACAC - 1995-10-13LACAC\1995-10-13 LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 1995 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 except Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Mr. V. Tarbutt. Regrets: Councillor B. Vrbanovic. Others Present: Mr. L. Bensason and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS Councillor M. Wagner congratulated Ms. S. Burke and the Joseph Schneider Haus on the opening of the Spirit of the West Collection. The upcoming workshops at the Kitchener Public Library on Heritage Partnerships was discussed. It was noted that they are to take place on Saturday, October 21, 1995 and the members were asked to indicate their attendance on a sign-up sheet. Councillor M. Wagner spoke of demolitions recently approved by Council. Mrs. P. Wagner stated that she felt that L.A.C.A.C. should have been given an opportunity to comment prior to Council's decision. A brief discussion took place in this regard. A draft copy of the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Study was made available to the members. Councillor M. Wagner spoke of the amount of time that Mr. L. Bensason has had to put into assisting Mr. N. Hill in the preparation of the study, to do work for which there was no funding. He advised that the Capital Budget has been increased for subsequent plans so that this will not happen in the future. Mr. L. Bensason then distributed copies of the newsletter for the Victoria Park area and advised of the public meeting to take place on October 24, 1995 at the Victoria Park Pavilion from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Councillor M. Wagner advised that 30 Francis Street is under the threat of demolition and that there is a possibility of a swap with the City for some adjacent land. Councillor M. Wagner spoke of 'Kitchener This Week' stating that there has been two issues and that Ms. B. Buchanan is L.A.C.A.C.'s contact for the newspaper. 2. MINUTES On motion by Mr. E. Bow - it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, of September 8, 1995, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 3. DESIGNATED PROPERTY GRANT/PRESERVING ONTARIO'S ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM The Committee members were provided with copies of a letter received from the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, dated October 5, 1995, advising that there will be no funding available under the Designated Property Grant Program for the 1995/96 fiscal year. Mr. L. Bensason addressed the Committee reminding them that 3 properties were approved for grants under this program for 1995/96 and, on the word of the Ministry, the property owners were advised that a grant in the amount of at least $1,000.00 would be available to each, based on the applications submitted and the program guidelines. Mr. L. Bensason advised that he was aware that 181 Park Street had begun working on the project but he had no information on the other 2 properties. Councillors Wagner and Galloway informed the Committee of a recent resolution approved by City Council in which they stated that Council would not cover any shortfall due to Provincial cut backs. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMI1-FEE MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 1995 - 52 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DESIGNATED PROPERTY GRANT/PRESERVING ONTARIO'S ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (CONT'D) Certain Committee members felt that some way must be found to provide the owner of 181 Park Street with the $1,000.00 funding. It was generally agreed that a few members of the Committee would individually approach there local MPP's to see if any monies could be obtained from the Province for 181 Park Street. Mr. L. Bensason advised that he would have to amend the information letter prepared to inform people about what is involved in designating their properties, to remove reference to the grant program. Ms. S. Burke suggested that local incentives should be found to help encourage property owners to designate their properties. HERITAGE RESOURCES OWNED BY THE REGION The Committee reviewed the list of properties owned by the Region of Waterloo, located in the City of Kitchener, as attached to the letter from Ms. S. Thorsen, Commissioner of Planning and Culture, dated May 15, 1995. The Committee generally agreed as follows: a) Gaol/Governor's House, Prison Yards, 73 Queen Street North, Kitchener. The Region to be reminded that this property is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and be advised of L.A.C.A.C.'s concern over the depressed state of the property. b) County of Waterloo Courthouse, 20 Weber Street East, Kitchener. This property is significant and should be added to the heritage inventory. c) Strange Street Pumping Station, 25 Strange Street. This property is already included in the heritage inventory. d) Greenbrook Pumping Station, 20 Greenbrook Drive. This property is to be added to the heritage inventory and considered for designation. e) 195 Duke Street, Kitchener. This property is already on the heritage inventory. f) 256 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener. This property has been significantly altered and is of no interest. g) 533, 484 and 474 Queen Street South, Kitchener. These properties are located in the area of the proposed Heritage Conservation District Plan for the Victoria Park area. On motion by Mr. P. Bufe - it was resolved: "That 152, 156, 168, 176 and 180 Benton Street be added to the heritage inventory as they are important to the streetscape and are located in the area for a possible Heritage Conservation District Plan." A motion to add 20, 24, 32 and 34 Mill Street to the heritage inventory, as put forward by Mr. P. Bufe, was VOTED ON AND LOST. A discussion then took place over the purpose of the inventory. DEMOLITION - 313 MILL STREET The Committee was advised by Mr. L. Bensason that the City has received a request to demolish the house at 313 Mill Street. A video of the property was then viewed by the Committee, a brief discussion then took place in this regard. LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMI1-FEE MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 1995 - 53 - CITY OF KITCHENER 10. DEMOLITION - 313 MILL STREET (CONT'D) On motion by Mr. W. Ristau - it was resolved: "That the Department of Planning and Development be advised that the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee has no interest in the property known municipally as 313 Mill Street, Kitchener." HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Committee members were provided with a draft copy of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 95/65 concerning the conservation of heritage resources within the plan of subdivision process. Mr. L. Bensason advised that the new Planning Act allows impact assessments to deal with more than the built heritage. He asked the members to review the staff report in order to allow for a in-depth discussion at the November meeting. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS a) Kaufman Footwear A brief discussion took place concerning Kaufman Footwear. Councillor M. Wagner stated his understanding that when last the sub-committee and owners met, that the owners agreed to let L.A.C.A.C. know when they were ready to proceed. b) Pioneer Tower Mrs. P. Wagner advised that she had spoken with Ms. J. Given, Senior Planner, and she would like L.A.C.A.C.'s input on heritage names for streets in the proposed subdivisions. c) Bread and Roses Messrs. W. Ristau and R. Coo reported on the inspection they made at the property at 307 Queen Street South in response to the owner's request to alter this designated property and Council's subsequent approval. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS The Committee members were provided with application forms to seek re-appointment to the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for the term December 1, 1995 to November 30, 1996. The Committee members were reminded that the completed application forms are to be returned to the secretary no later than Friday, November 3, 1995, being the Committee's next meeting date. ENTRANCES TO THE PAST The Committee then viewed a video on adding handicap access to heritage buildings. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary