HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-416 - Notice of Intention to Designate 87 Scott Street and 82 Weber Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage ActStaff Report
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: October 3, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Manager Development Review, 519-741-2200 ext.
7070
PREPARED BY: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7291
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: September 12, 2023
REPORT NO.: DSD -2023-416
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 87 Scott Street and 82 Weber Street
East 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 79-
87 Scott Street/66-82 Weber Street East as being of cultural heritage value or
interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
• The purpose of this report is to request that Council direct the Clerk to publish a Notice
of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 79-87 Scott Street and
66-82 Weber Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
• The key finding of this report is that two buildings on the subject property, addressed
as 87 Scott Street and 82 Weber Street East, meet the criteria for designation under
Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22) and have been
confirmed to be a significant cultural heritage resource. 87 Scott Street possesses
design/physical and contextual value, while 82 Weber Street East possesses
design/physical and historical/associative value.
• 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
• This report supports the delivery of core services.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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BACKGROUND:
There are three roads that run along the boundaries of the subject property-, the southern
property line borders Weber Street East, the western property line borders Scott Street,
and the northern property line borders Pearl Place.
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Figure 1: Location of Subject Property
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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 of Kitchener in 2018
for a development located at 66-82 Weber Street East, 79-87 Scott Street, and 15-29 Pear
Place (SP18/108/S/BB). The assessment was required as 82 Weber Street East and 87
Scott Street were listed as non -designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on
the Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register. The site plan proposed the construction of an
11 -storey building on the lands while retaining 82 Weber Street East and 87 Scott Street.
The resulting HIA was prepared by MHBC Planning Ltd. and is dated October 17, 2018.
The final version of the HIA was given approval by the Director of Planning on February 7,
2020. The assessment confirmed that the existing buildings meet criteria for designation
under Ontario Regulation 9/06. At the time the HIA was completed the Ontario Heritage
Act required only one criterion to be met for a property to be eligible for designation.
Ontario Regulation 569/22, introduced in January 2023, changed this requirement so that
a minimum of two criteria needed to be met for a property to be eligible for designation.
The subject properties still satisfy this current criterion for designation, with 87 Scott Street
meeting two of nine criteria and 82 Weber Street East meeting four of nine criteria. A
summary of the evaluation for each building, as included in the HIA, is provided below.
Page 54 of 156
Ontario Regulation 9/06
87 Scott Street
4. Design/Physical Value
iv. Rare, unique, representative
Representative example of late Italianate architecture in the City of
or early example of a
Kitchener
style, type, expression,
material or
construction method
No.
v. Displays high degree of
No.
craftsmanship or
artistic merit
vi. Demonstrate& high degree
No.
of technical or scientific
No
achievement
S. Historical/associative value
iv. Direct associations with a
No.
theme, event, heIief,
person, activity,
organization,
institution that is
significant
v. Yields, or has potential to
No.
yield information that
contributes to an
understanding of a
Community or Culture
vi, Demonstrates or reflects the
No
work or ideas of an
architect, artist,
builder, designer, or
theorist who is
significant to the
community.
6. Contextual value
iv. Important in defining,
The building at 91 Scott Street mirrors 87 Scott Street. Together,
maintaining or
Bath buildings create a frame for Pearl Place.
supporting the
character of an area
v. Physically, functionally,
No.
visually, or historically
linked to its
surroundings
vi. Is a landmark
No.
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Ontario Regulation 9/06 87 weber Street East
1. Design/Physical Valale
i. Rare, unique, representative Yes. The building represents the modernist movement in the City
or early example of a of Kitchener and reflects future civic structures in the City..
style, type, expression,
material or
construction method
ii. Displays high degree of No
craftsmanship or
artistic merit
iii. Demonstrates high degree No..
of technical or scientific
achievement
2. H istorica Vassociative value
L Direct associations with a
theme, event, belief,
Directly associated with Horton & Ball architects who designed the
person' activity,
1966 Waterloo Public Library and 1969 Stanley Park Mall..
organization,
institution that is
significant
ii. Yields, or has potential to
Yes. It provides information on the modernist movement in cities
yield' information that
in south western Ontario and the transition from architectural
contributes to an
understanding of a
styles coming out of the Cold war.
community or culture
iii. Demonstrates or reflects the
Yes. It reflects the work of Horton & Ball Architects. James Ball was
work or ideas of an
a former president of the Ontario Architectural Association- Grand
architect, artist,
builder, designer, or
galley Chapter. The firm designed several buildings in the Region of
theorist who is
waterloo and continues todayas Walter Fedy.
significant to the
community.
3. Contextual value
L Important in defining,
No,
maintaining or
supporting the
character of an area
ii. Physically, functionally,
� No. —01
visually, or historically
linked to its
surroundings
iii. Is a landmark
No.
Per the assessment of the HIA and the conditions of the approved site plan, the Owner
has agreed to allow the City to pursue designation of the property.
As part of the Site Plan application, a Conservation Plan was also prepared for the
property. The Conservation Plan guided the rehabilitation of the building, including but not
limited to the repair or replacement of cracked masonry, window and door frames, wood
columns, handrails and decking on the front verandah, and the repair of the tooth fascia
detailing. The work undertaken did not substantially alter the character defining elements
or heritage attributes of the building and original building material was retained where
feasible.
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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 the City of Kitchener 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 property to the local community; protects the property's cultural heritage
value; encourages good stewardship and conservation; and promotes knowledge and
understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes
awareness, but it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are
appropriately managed and that these changes respect the property's cultural heritage
value and interest.
The property municipally addressed as 79-87 Scott Street and 66-82 Weber Street East
has been identified as having two heritage resources; the building addressed as 87 Scott
Street and the building addressed as 82 Weber Street East. 87 Scott Street is recognized
for its design/physical and contextual value, while 82 Weber Street East is recognized for
its design/physical and historical/associative value.
87 Scott Street
Design/ Physical Value
87 Scott Street is a representative example of the Italianate architectural style. This style
of architecture was popular in then -Berlin until the early 1890's, particularly for domestic
buildings due to its relation to the earlier regency style and its complement Gothic and
Queen Anne architecture. The design elements of Italianate architecture, including the
signature overhanding eaves, brackets, and tall segmentally arched windows, also lent
itself to various building sizes, making it an accessible style for the domestic class.
The building has been rehabilitated, with repairs or replacements complete that
maintained the character defining elements of the home. Two storeys in height and square
in massing with a 1 '/2 storey addition at the rear south fagade, 87 Scott Street displays the
following architectural details:
• Buff brick walls and rubble stone foundation;
• Hip shaped roof with wide overhanging eaves;
• One remaining chimney between main building and rear addition;
• Signature Italianate brackets and fascia;
• Narrow, double -pane windows with basic trim;
• Asymmetrical front door;
• Front porch with pediment brick pillars;
Further, the building contains both an upper and lower unit. The duplex design reflects the
building's history as a boarding housing in the 1930's.
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.10
Figure 2: 87 Scott Street After Rehabilitation (Front Elevation)
Figure 3: 87 Scott Street After Rehabilitation (West Side Fagade)
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Figure 4: 87 Scott Street After Rehabilitation (East Side Fa(;ade)
Contextual Value
The contextual value of 87 Scott Street relates to the contributions the building makes to
the continuity and character of the Scott Street streetscape. Though the removal of the
residential building adjacent to the southwest (83 Scott Street) partially isolated 87 Scott
Street, the low-density residential character of the rest of the street remains. 87 Scott
Street acts as the beginning mark to the consistent pattern of low-rise homes located with
minimum setbacks lining Scott Street, this type of pattern was a signature planning
technique of the era. Further, though the houses on the street do not necessarily display a
singular architectural style, there are notable consistencies when considering their scale,
massing, orientation to the street, and materials used that 87 Scott Street also displays.
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Figure 5: North-East View Down Scott Street
The contextual value of 87 Scott Street also relates to its relationship to 91 Scott Street,
the building located across Pearl Place to the northeast. While the architectural style of the
homes on the rest of the street varies, 91 Scott Street is also a representative example of
the Italianate architectural style, and mirrors 87 Scott Street in terms of fenestration and
other design elements. The two buildings together provide a distinctive and balanced
frame to the entrance of Pearl Place, and the visual impact of the totality is significant.
Figure 6: 87 Scott Street and 91 Scott Street
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Heritage Attributes
The HIA has identified the following as being heritage attributes of the buildings:
• Materials: Buff Brick (Walls), Rubble Stone (Foundation);
• Hip shaped roof with wide overhanging eaves;
• Italianate brackets and fascia ;
• Detailing on front porch pediment;
• Windows: Narrow, double -pane windows with basic trim, bay window, Italianate
circular window on western elevation;
• Doors: Asymmetrical front door on south elevation;
• Design/ physical value representative of Italianate architecture;
• Contextual value in association with 91 Scott Street as they `frame' the entrance to
Pearl Place.
82 Weber Street East
Design/ Physical Value
82 Weber Street East is an excellent example of modern or modernist architecture within
the Waterloo Region. The modernist style is characterized by the use of construction
materials such as glass, steel, and reinforced concrete and was a signature type of
architecture for institutional and corporate buildings from the 1920's into the 1980's.
Figure 7: 82 Weber Street East (Front Elevation)
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Obw
Figure 8: 82 Weber Street East (West Side Elevation)
The expression of the exterior walls of the building are of note, as the cast -in-place
concrete material used forms of rough sawn hemlock boards to create a textured surface.
This technique displays the contemporary interest of using texture from natural materials
to give greater character to concrete, which originated from Le Corbusier's experiments in
baton -brut in the late 1940's. The textured concrete is complimented by the wooden
sunscreens that shield the windows of the fagade that fronts onto Weber Street.
The left corner of the front fagade of the building is also of architectural interest. It contains
a circular disk decorative motif, with two others located along the northwestern side
fagade. The decorative motifs along the side fagade are interceded by a perpendicular
branch of windows. The final element of architectural interest in the building includes the
rough sawn hemlock doors, which add some interest to an otherwise unassuming
entrance.
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Figure 9: 82 Weber Street East Facade Detailing
The building materials primarily consist of concrete. As such, the building possesses a
high level of durability and is in good condition with very little alteration.
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Historical /Associative Value
The historic and associative value of the building relates to its association with Horton &
Ball Architects, the firm hired to design the building. Founded in 1959 by locals Tony
Horton and David James Ball, this architecture firm is responsible for the design of several
notable buildings within the Region of Waterloo, including the Waterloo Public Library
(1966) and the Stanley Park Mall (1969). In 1971 Horton & Ball joined engineering firm
Walter, Fedy, McCargar, Hachborn, which still operates to this day as Walter Fedy. The
building was constructed by Oscar Wiles and Sons Ltd, established in 1927 as Oscar
Wiles General Contractor. This contracting company has built a number of houses,
churches, schools, and factories within the area, with their first job being the construction
of the former KW Record building located at the intersection of Duke and Queen Street.
The building also has historical value as it contributes to the understanding of the
modernist movement in southwestern Ontario and yields information on the transition in
architectural styles that occurred after the Cold War.
Heritage Attributes
The HIA has identified the following as being heritage attributes of the building:
• Cast -in-place concrete walls;
• Decorative modern details;
• Rough sawn hemlock door;
• Wooden sun screen;
• Windows;
• Historical/ Associative Value with Horton & Ball Architects.
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 — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance
of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
CONSULT and COLLABORATE — Heritage Planning staff have consulted and
collaborated with the applicant and owner regarding designation under the Ontario
Heritage Act. Designation was made a condition of site plan approval, subject to
consideration by the Municipal Heritage Committee and Council.
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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. It should be noted that should Council decide not to proceed
with a Notice of Intention to Designate, that the building will remain on the City's Municipal
Heritage Register until January 1, 2025, after which it will be removed according to the
changes enacted by Bill 23. Once removed, it cannot re -listed on the Register again for
five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2030.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
• Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
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