Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-459 - Notice of Intention to Designate 66 Queen Street South Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING: November 7, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Manager of Development Review, 519-741-2200 ext. 7070 PREPARED BY: Victoria Grohn, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7041 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: October 6, 2023 REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-459 SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 66 Queen Street South 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 66 Queen Street South 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 66 Queen Street South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. An updated Statement of Significance on taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on August 1, 2023. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 66 Queen Street South be recognized and designation pursued. The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 66 Queen Street South 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 committee meeting, providing written correspondence to the property owner, and consulting 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 the Ontario Heritage Trust. 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. BACKGROUND: The subject property is located on the west side of Queen Street South between King Street West and Charles Street East. Figure 1: Location Map A full assessment of 66 Queen Street South has been completed and included a field evaluation and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on August 1, 2023. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 66 Queen Street South be recognized and designation pursued. This work was undertaken as part of the City of Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) Review, initiated in February of 2023. The to amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act introduced in January of 2023 through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. The City contacted owners of listed properties through an initial letter dated May 23, 2023, to inform them of this undertaking. Owners of properties recommended for designation were contacted via a with any comments, questions, or concerns. Per standard procedure, should Council support the Notice of Intention to Designate, Owners will be contacted a third time through a Notice of Intention to Designate (NOID) Letter. An ad for the NOID will also be published in a newspaper. Once the letter is served and the ad posted, there will be a 30-day appeal period in which Owners may object to the designation. 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 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 value and interest. Figure 2: Front Façade of 66 Queen Street South The property municipally addressed as 66 Queen Street South contains a two-storey late th 19 century building constructed in the Renaissance Revival architectural style. Constructed circa 1898, the subject property is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative and contextual values. It satisfies four out of the nine criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). Criteria Criteria Met (Yes/No) 1. The property has design value or physical value Yes because it is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, material, or construction method. 2. The property has design value or physical value No because it displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit. 3. The property has design or physical value because it No demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. 4. The property has historical value or associative value Yes because it has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community. 5. The property has historical or associative value because No it yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture. 6. The property has historical value or associative value No because it demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community. 7. The property has contextual value because it is Yes important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area. 8. The property has contextual value because it is Yes physically, functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings. 9. The property has contextual value because it is a No landmark. Design/Physical Value The design and physical value of 66 Queen Street South relates to the building being a representative example of the Renaissance Revival architectural style that is in good condition with many in-tact original elements. While the front (east) façade of the building is largely in-tact, the rear (west) façade has been extensively altered since it was first constructed. Historical/Associative Value The historical and associative value relates to the previous and existing owners, as well as the uses of the building. The ownership and history of this building is similar to the abutting property, 58 Queen Street South. The building has direct associations with George Randall and William Roos, distributing firm in established in 1884 and moved to the two-storey red brick building at 66 Queen Street South when it was built in 1898. The building has direct associations with John Fennell, a hardware company merchant and founding president of the Kitchener Board of Trade and founding organizer of the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The building has direct associations with Carl N. Weber, a hardware company owner, long-time member and president of the Kitchener Board of Trade, and director for Canada Trust, the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The existing use of the building is for The Working Centre, an organization established as a response to the unemployment and poverty in downtown Kitchener. Contextual Value The contextual value of 66 Queen Street South relates to its contribution to a collection of buildings constructed during the industrial and commercial development of Kitchener. The building on the subject property is in its original location and maintains historical and visual links to its surroundings. Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 66 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage attributes: All elements related to the construction and Renaissance Revival architectural style of the building, including: o A rectangular plan; o Brick construction, including; Decorative brick work; o Original remaining yellow brick voussoirs above window openings; o Three upper storey semi-circular window openings with brick voussoirs; and o Stone sills; and All contextual elements related to the building, including: o Its original location on the Queen Street South streetscape and its 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 of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting. CONSULT Heritage Planning staff have consulted with the Heritage Kitchener committee regarding designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Property owners were invited to consult via two separate letters dated May 23, 2023 and August 25, 2023. 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 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 REVIEWED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director of Planning APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Statement of Significance for 66 Queen Street South STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 66 QUEEN STREET SOUTH Summary of Significance Design/Physical Value Social Value Historical Value Economic Value Contextual Value Environmental Value Municipal Address: 66 Queen Street South Legal Description: Plan 391 Part Lot 6 RP 58R-9667 Part 1 & 2 Year Built: c. 1898 Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival Original Owner: Randall & Roos Original Use: Commercial Condition: Good Description of Cultural Heritage Resource 66 Queen Street South is a late 19th century building built in the Renaissance Revival architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.12 acre parcel of land located on the west side of Queen Street South between Charles Street East and King Street in the City Commercial Core Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the commercial building. Heritage Value 66 Queen Street South is recognized for its design/physical, significant historical/associative and contextual values. Design/Physical Value The design and physical values of 66 Queen Street South relate to the Renaissance Revival architectural style that is in good condition with many intact original elements. The building features: a rectangular plan; brick construction; decorative brick work; central entrance flanked by windows; three upper storey semi-circular window openings with brick voussoirs; and stone sills. East (Front) Façade The existing building is two storeys in height in red and yellow brick construction and has a flat roof. The building is currently occupied by The Working Centre, and the ground floor includes a large one- on-one window on both ends with a central entry. Between the windows and doors are two red brick columns and the ends of the façade includes yellow brick columns. Above the ground floor is a decorative green and beige cornice with decorative brackets on either side of the façade. The second storey includes three semi-circular windows each with yellow decorative brick headers and yellow stone sills or stone band that extends through the length of the façade. Above the windows there is decorative yellow brick work. North (Side) Façade This façade partially abuts the neighbouring building at 58 Queen Street South. The rear north façade is of red brick construction and includes two doors and a small single hung window with yellow brick voussoirs on the ground level. The doors might have been altered from windows. There is an additional single-hung window on the ground floor, but that has been filled in. the upper floor also includes three single-hung windows with yellow voussoirs. These windows do not seem to be original. West (Rear) Façade This façade has been extensively altered since it was first constructed. The ground floor includes three single-hung windows with yellow brick voussoirs, out of which two have been filled in. there is one window, which has been altered and now includes a smaller window opening with yellow voussoirs. The upper floor also has three windows with yellow brick voussoirs and stone sills. The windows do not seem to be original. This façade also includes pipes and other building systems. South (Side) Façade The south façade is long and includes an irregular fenestration pattern. On the ground floor, towards the rear, there is a door and an artistic installation with three small single-hung windows with yellow brick voussoirs. There is also a pair of single-hung windows next to the art installation that does not appear to be original. Some original window openings have been filled in or altered. Between the ground level and the upper level, there are four pairs of single-o the building. The upper storey includes four single-hung windows with yellow brick voussoirs. Historical/Associative Value The historical and associative values of 66 Queen Street South relate to the previous and current owners and uses of the building. The building was once owned by Randall & Roos and used a Wholesale Grocers. An advertisement Berlin, Canada: A Self-Portrait of Kitchener, Ontario Before World War One largest distributing form in wholesale groceries, cigars, tobaccos, etc. between Toronto and Winnipeg Roos of Waterloo in the Ahrens block of King Street in Berlin. The two-storey red brick building at 66 Queen Street South was built in 1898 for $6,000.00 by Aaron Bricker for Randall & Roos. The ownership and history of this building is similar to the abutting property, 58 Queen Street South. Ownership of the building transferred to John Fennell and Carl. N. Weber, respectively, for their hardware companies. George Randall George Randall was born on April 16, 1832 in Chesterfield, Cheshire, New Hampshire. He immigrated to Ontario in 1854 with his uncle Marshall H. Farr, who had contracts for station buildings from Guelph westward on the Grand Trunk Railway, as well as some on the Great Western Railway. George RandaGeorge Randall was on the which eventually came to be known as the County House of Industry and Refuge. When it opened on June 15, 1869, it became the first of its kind in Ontario. In 1870, for the next three years, George Randall served as the village magistrate, and when Waterloo officially became a town in 1876, Randall became the mayor in 1878. In 1884, George Randall opened the Randall & Roos Wholesale Grocers with William Roos. William Roos William Roos was born in Preston (present day Cambridge) on April 18, 1842. He was a businessman in Berlin and operated the Randall & Roos Wholesale Grocers for many years. He was the brother-in- law of George Randall. John Fennell The building was once used as a hardware company. The hardware company was founded on June 1, 1863 by John Fennell and carried his name for 60 years. John Fennell was born on August 8, 1837 in Coburg, Ontario. He arrived in Kitchener (formerly known as Berlin) on June 1, 1863 as a young hardware merchant. He became a prominent and successful businessman in the community as his hardware company sold plated ware, paint, glass, oils, etc. He was also an important member of society at the time. He was the founding president of the Board of Trade and was instrumental in preparing the by-law, some of which is still applicable today. He was also the founding organizer of the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In addition to these achievements, he also served -1882, as a Justice of the Peace, and as a Church Jackson. Carl Nicholas Weber After Carl N. Weber purchased the property and firm, he renamed it to Weber Hardware Co. Ltd. in 1923. Carl N. Weber was born on January 19, 1899 in Elmira. For many years he operated Weber Hardware Co. Ltd. In addition to his business interests, he was also a long-time member and President of the Kitchener Board of Trade and was also elected as a chairman of the Kitchener Urban Renewal Committee in 1971. He served as a Director for Canada Trust, the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company. -W Hospital Commission for 22 years, and was chairman for 20 of those years. He was a member of the Board of Governors at the University of Waterloo from the time it was founded in 1957 until his death in 1978. Carl N. Weber was also an active member of the Lutheran Church. He served as a Canadian delegate to the World Council of Churches in India in 1961, representing Kitchener and Canada on a global platform. He was also a member of the executive council of the Lutheran Church in America, a member and chairman of its board of publications, and a member of its pension board. The Weber Hardware Co. Ltd. operated out of the building at 58 Queen Street South from c. 1918 until 1927 when it moved to the building at 66 Queen Street South. The company moved to the building at 675 Queen Street South in 1987. The company still operates today as C.N. Weber Ltd. and is one of the rare businesses surviving from the time when Kitchener was still Berlin. The Working Centre The existing use of the building at 58 Queen Street South is for The Working Centre. The Working Centre has been operating out of this building since the mid-The Working Centre was established in the spring of 1982 as a response to the unemployment and poverty in downtown Kitchener. The Centre grew roots in the Kitchener downtown through the dedication of Joe and Stephanie Mancini, a young married couple who had just graduated from St. interest around responding to unemployment and poverty, developing social analysis and engaging in creative action. Contextual Value This building has contextual value as being built in the downtown commercial core of Berlin, before it became Kitchener, and is part of a group of buildings that were built at a time when industrial and commercial development was occurring. Today, these buildings are located in the downtown commercial core of Kitchener and greatly contribute to the character of the area. The building is in its original location, and maintains historical and visual links to its surroundings. Other Values Economic Value The existing building has economic value given its history and contribution to the economic th development that was taking place initially in Berlin, and then in Kitchener, in the late 19 and early th 20 century. Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 66 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage attributes: All elements related to the construction and Renaissance Revival architectural style of the building including: o A rectangular plan; o Brick construction, including: Decorative brick work; o Original remaining yellow brick voussoirs above window openings; o Three upper storey semi-circular window openings with brick voussoirs; and o Stone sills; and All contextual elements related to the building including: o Its original location on the Queen Street South streetscape and its contribution to the Kitchener downtown commercial area. Photographs 66 Queen Street South Front (East) Façade 66 Queen Street South West (Rear) Façade 66 Queen Street South South Façade 66 Queen Street South North Façade 66 Queen Street South Decorative Brick Voussoirs