HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-362 - Notice of Intention to Designate 35 & 43 Sheldon Ave N
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: September 5, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Interim Planning Director, 519-741-2200 ext. 7070
PREPARED BY: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7041
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: August 11, 2023
REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-362
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to
publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 35
& 43 Sheldon Avenue North as being of cultural heritage value or interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to request that Council direct the Clark to publish a Notice
of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 35 & 43 Sheldon
Avenue North under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The key finding of this report is that 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North possesses
design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value. It meets the criteria for
designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22)
and has been confirmed to be a significant cultural heritage resource.
There are no financial implications.
Community engagement included informing residents by posting this report with the
agenda in advance of the Heritage Kitchener meeting, consulting and collaborating with
the owner regarding the recommendations of the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA),
and consultation with Heritage Kitchener. In addition, should Council choose to give
notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served to the Owner and Ontario
Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper.
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the south side of Sheldon Avenue North, in between the
Edmund Road and Sheldon Avenue North intersection to the northeast and the King Street
East and Sheldon Avenue North intersection to the southwest. The two buildings were
constructed in the Tudor Revival architectural style c. 1936.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
Figure 1: Location Map of Subject Property
The submission and approval of a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) was made a
requirement of a Site Plan Application that was submitted to the City in 2020 for 35 & 43
Sheldon Avenue North (SP20/057/S/GS). Though the property was not listed as a non-
designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register,
its assessment was required as it was identified on the Kitchener Heritage Inventory. The
site plan proposed the construction of a three-storey building in the rear yards of 35 & 43
Sheldon Avenue North. The new building in addition to the two original buildings on site
function as a residential care facility known as oneROOF Youth Services.
The resulting HIA was dated April 21, 2021 and prepared by CHC Ltd. It was presented to
the Heritage Kitchener Committee on May 4, 2021. Approval of the HIA was given by the
Director of Planning on July 6, 2021.
The HIA confirmed that the existing buildings on 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North meets six
out of nine criteria under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22)
and would be eligible for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The owner
agreed to allow the City to pursue designation of the property as a condition of site plan
approval.
REPORT:
Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within the City of Kitchener is an
important part of planning for the future, and helping to guide change while conserving the
buildings, structures, and landscapes that give our City its unique identity. The City plays a
critical role in the conservation of cultural heritage resources. The designation of property
under the Ontario Heritage Act is the main tool to provide long-term protection of cultural
heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the importance of a
good stewardship and conservation; and promotes knowledge and understanding about the
property. Designation not only publicly recognized the promotes awareness, it also provides
a process for ensuring that changes to a property are appropriately managed and that these
The property municipally addressed as 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North is recognized for its
design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. It satisfies six out of nine
criteria. The evaluation, as included in the HIA, has been summarized in the table below.
Table 1: Designation Criteria Met
1. Have design value or physical value because they
i) Are rare, unique, representative, or early examples of a style, type,
Yes
expression, material, or construction method
ii) Display a high degree of craftmanship or artistic merit, or Yes
iii) Demonstrate a high degree of technical or scientific achievement No
2. Have historical value or associative value because they
i) Have direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity,
Yes
organization, or institution that is significant to a community
ii) Yield or have the potential to yield information that contributes to an
No
understanding of a community or culture, or
iii) Demonstrate or reflect the work or ideas of an architect, artist,
Yes
building, designer, or theorist who is significant to a community
3. Have contextual value because they
i) Are important in defining, maintain, or supporting the character of an
Yes
area
ii) Are physically, functionally, visually, or historically linked to their
Yes
surroundings, or
iii) Are landmarks No
Design/Physical Value
The existing buildings are representative examples of the Tudor Revival Style, which was a
original elements. They have an irregular but geometric floorplan and feature the following:
Steeply pitched roofs with cross gables;
Large brick chimneys;
Overhanging second floors with eave returns and finial details;
Stone lower floors and lintels and timber and stucco upper floors;
Multi-paned, leaded glass sashes and bay windows; and
Front doors with side and top lights.
The symmetrical and complimentary design of both the landscaping and the structures
themselves are also a unique characteristic of the subject property. Further, the buildings
display a high degree of craftmanship and artistic merit in their stonework, leaded-glass
windows, and landscaping.
Figure 2: Streetview of 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 3: Front elevation of 35 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 4: West elevation of 35 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 5: East elevation of 35 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 6: Rear elevation of 35 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 7: Front elevation of 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 8: West Elevation of 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 9: Rear elevation of 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Figure 10: East elevation of 43 Sheldon Avenue North
Historical/Associative Value
The historic and associative value of the subject property relates to the ownership of the
home as well as the architect who designed the buildings. 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North
were constructed by Barney Joseph and Irving Somer, uncle and nephew. Both were
prominent merchants within the community. In 1910 Joseph founded Joseph & Company
Inc., a scrap business that is still in operation. The current generation of leadership are
relations to Barney Joseph. Irving Somer established a clothing store in downtown
Kitchener. Originally named the Ref Front Department Store Ltd., its name was later
Other notable owners of the two properties include Edith Macintosh, who purchased 35
Sheldon in 1970, and Egbert Seegmiller, who purchased 43 Sheldon in 1951. Edith
e
mayor, and was the first female member of the University of Waterloos Board of Governors.
Between 1972-1974 she also held the title of Regional Councillor. She gained the title
s and sole-
support parents in need of childcare and can be credited for the establishment of four of the
was co-founder of E&E Seegmiller
Contractors. E&E remains a privately held company, employing between 200 and 500
workers depending on the construction season.
Local architect Charles Knechtel was retained in 1936 by the original owners of 35 & 43
Sheldon Avenue North to design the mirror-image houses on the two lots. Knechtel
established his office within the City in 1895 and practiced until 1930. Notable work of his
as well as work to Victoria Public School (25 Joseph Street).
Contextual Value
The contextual value of the subject property relates to the contributions the buildings make
to the continuity and character of the Sheldon Avenue North streetscape. The buildings are
located in-situ and as such are historically linked to their surroundings. Further, with
consideration to the history of the buildings construction being developed as one by and
uncle and nephew and hence possessing symmetry in their design 35 & 43 Sheldon
Avenue North also have contextual value in relation to one another.
Heritage Attributes
The HIA has identified the following as being heritage attributes of the buildings:
o cross gables
o steeply pitched roofs
o overhanging upper floors with eave returns and finial details
o random-
o half-timbered with stucco infill upper floors
o multi-paned windows, 8/12 wood sashes
o bay windows, leaded-glass sashes
o gable windows, leaded glass sashes
o panelled front doors and doorcases with side and top lights
o massive brick chimneys
Symmetrical front yard landscapes with
o Common circular drive
o Bordering Privet hedges
o Cast concrete walkways leading from the street to the front doors of both
houses
o Mature deciduous trees
o Cast concrete fountain with floral motif impressions
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
CONSULT and COLLABORATE Heritage Planning staff have consulted and collaborated
with the applicant and owner regarding implementation of the recommendations of the HIA,
including designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. The owner has confirmed their support
for designation subject to consideration by Heritage Kitchener and Council.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal
Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving notice of its intention to designate a
property. Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and consideration of this report
(see INFORM above). Members of the community will be informed via circulation of this
report to Heritage Kitchener and via formal consideration by Council. In addition, should
Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served on the
property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The
Record). Once notice has been served, the owner has the right of appeal to the Ontario
Land Tribunal.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
- Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
- Memo - 35 & 43 Sheldon Avenue North Draft Heritage Impact Assessment (May 4,
2021)
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services