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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHK Minutes - 2023-03-07 Heritage Kitchener Committee Minutes March 7, 2023, 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 Present: J. Haalboom, Chair Councillor D. Chapman D. Vongphakdy, Member I. Bodendorfer, Member P. Ciuciura, Member N. Pikulski, Member A. Portengen, Member Staff: G. Stevenson, Manager, Development Review D. Choudhry, Heritage Planner J. Vieira, Heritage Planner _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The Heritage Kitchener Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no conflicts declared. 3. Discussion Items 3.1 Draft Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) - 1385 Bleams Road - Proposed Construction of 8 Three-Storey Townhomes, DSD-2023-080 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023- 080, dated February 14, 2023 regarding a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for 1 the property municipally addressed as 1385 Bleams Road which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. D. Choudhry, Heritage Planner, provided an overview of the HIA, noting the HIA was completed in support of a Zoning By-law application for the redevelopment of the subject property to include the construction of eight new town homes at the rear of the existing building which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). D. Choudhry advised the Committee will not be making any recommendation on the subject matter; rather Heritage Planning staff will be application. J. Vieira and G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning, were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. M. Warzecha was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee and provided an overview of the project. In response to questions from the Committee, M. Warzecha noted the subject property is currently designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and all the heritage attributes are intended to be preserved. M. Warzecha also noted Stage 1, 2 and 3 archeological assessments were conducted for the subject property and there were no recommendations for further assessment. Lastly, M. Warzecha noted, the townhouses would hold design features complimentary to the heritage property. In response to questions from the Committee, D. Choudhry noted there were no statements of significance in the HIA as the designating By-law (87-309) does not include statements of significance. Staff noted they would investigate whether statements of significance could be included in the HIA and the process for updating the Heritage Designating By-law. 3.2 Bill 23 - Municipal Heritage Register Review The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023- 053, dated January 20, 2023 regarding the Heritage Kitchener Committee Work Plan focusing on Bill 23 (More Homes Built Faster Act 2022). J. Vieira provided an update regarding the Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) Review noting, the City aims to conserve its cultural heritage resources through their identification, protection, use, and/or management in such a way that their heritage values, attributes, and integrity are retained. To meet this objective, while responding to the amendments introduced to the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) through Bill 23, the City is looking to streamline its designation process. 2 Through the work plan proposed in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-053, the City aims to evaluate and recognize the given properties that meet the criteria for designation. With consideration to the number of properties identified for potential heritage designation, the time required to assess the properties, and staff resources, J. Vieira indicated staff are looking to have at least 80 properties reviewed to determine whether to designate or not designate by January 1, 2025. J. Viera further advised this work is proposed to be the focus -2024 term and would require the joint efforts of all Committee members. J. Viera provided an overview of the evaluat goal for Committee members to assess approximately six properties every month to be brought back to the Committee for review and consideration for heritage designation. J. Viera responded to the questions of the Committee noting, pending the time commitments, staff can continue to review the proposed objectives and timelines of the project throughout the term and potentially re- evaluate if required. 3.3 Status Updates - Heritage Best Practices Update and 2023 Priorities, Heritage Impact Assessment Follow-ups There were no updates to share at this time. 4. Information Items 4.1 Heritage Permit Application Tracking Sheet 5. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m. Marilyn Mills Committee Administrator 3