HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2024-425 - Notice of Intention to Designate 83 Benton Street Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: October 1, 2024
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals,
519-741-2200 ext. 7070
PREPARED BY: Michelle Drake, Senior Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7839
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: September 10, 2024
REPORT NO.: DSD-2024-425
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 83 Benton Street
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 83
Benton Street as being of cultural heritage value or interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to request that Council publish a Notice of Intention to
Designate 83 Benton Street Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
An updated Statement of Significance describing the cultural heritage value or interest
of 83 Benton Street has been drafted by Heritage Planning staff.
The key finding of this report is that 83 Benton Street meets two (2) of nine (9) criteria
for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario
Regulation 569/22) and has been confirmed to be a significant cultural heritage
resource recognized for its design/physical and historical/associative.
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 at their
August 6, 2024 committee meeting. Should Council choose to give Notice of Intention
to Designate, such notice shall be served to the property 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:
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83 Benton Street is a two-storey late 19 century brick house built in the Italianate
architectural style. The house is situated on a 0.32-acre parcel of land located on the east
side of Benton Street between St. George Street and Church Street in the Cedar Hill
Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal
resource that contributes to the heritage value is the house.
Figure 1.0: Location Map of Subject Property (83 Benton Street)
A full assessment of 83 Benton Street has been completed, including: field evaluation and
archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property meets two (2) of nine
(9) criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06 (amended by
Ontario Regulation 569/22). An updated Statement of Significance describing the
or interest was presented to the Heritage Kitchener
Committee on August 6, 2024. The Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29
of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 83 Benton Street
should be confirmed by pursuing designation of the subject property under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act. This work was undertaken as part of the CityMunicipal Heritage
Register (MHR) Review, initiated in February of 2023. The
response to amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act introduced in January of 2023
through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Bill 200, the Homeowner Protect Act,
2024, extended the time municipalities have to designate properties listed on their
municipal heritage registers until January 1, 2027. 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 second letter.
The property owner for 83 Benton Street was contacted via second letter sent by mail
dated August 9, 2024. This letter was accompanied by the updated Statement of
Significance and a prepared in June
any comments, questions, or concerns.
Per standard procedure, should Council support the Notice of Intention to Designate
(NOID), the property owner will be contacted a third time through a letter advising of the
served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and the newspaper ad is
posted, there will be a 30-day appeal period in which the property owner may object to the
designation.
Figure 2.0: Front (North Façade) Elevation 83 Benton Street
REPORT:
Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within our City 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 conservation
of cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the
importance of a property to the local commu
value or interest; 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
heritage value or interest.
83 Benton Street is recognized for its design/physical and historical/associative values. It
satisfies two (2) of nine (9) criteria for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act
Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the criteria that is
or is not met is provided in the table below.
Criteria Criteria Met
(Yes/No)
1. The property has design value or physical value because it is a Yes
rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type,
material, or construction method.
2. The property has design value or physical value because it No
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 because it Yes
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 it No
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 because it Unknown
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 important in No
defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area.
8. The property has contextual value because it is physically, No
functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings.
9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No
Table 1: Criteria for Designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (Amended by
Ontario Regulation 569/22)
Design/Physical Value
The property municipally addressed as 83 Benton Street demonstrates design/physical
value as a unique example of the Italianate architectural style and a rare example of the
Italianate subtype known as centered gable. This example of the centred gable subtype is
a variation of the farmhouse elevations and plans introduced in 1865. The building is two-
stories in height and features a low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or
tower, a front-facing centered gable with lunette window, wide overhanging eaves
supported by decorative brackets, tall and narrow segmentally arched door and window
openings, double entrance door, and a full-width hipped roof one-storey verandah with
square beveled corner posts and decorative brackets. The 1/1 hung windows do not
appear to be original as their flathead does not match the segmentally arched window
opening. The house is in good condition.
Historical/Associative Value
The property municipally addressed as 83 Benton Street has historical/associative value
for its relationship to an early property owner, the original building owner and the Bitzer
family. The property was purchased by Christopher Blum in 1871. Christopher Blum was
the great-great-uncle of property owner in 2014. His niece and husband, Adeline and
Conrad Bitzer, built the building around 1886. Conrad Bitzer was an honoured citizen who
practiced law, held several political offices and was actively involved in various
associations and boards.
Conrad and Adeline had six children who were born and/or raised at the family home
located at 83 Benton Street. Three of their children held political offices and were active in
various associations and boards. Arno Lindner Bitzer served as an alderman between
1917 and 1919
lieutenant with the Canadian Signal Corps during WWI, the Public Utilities Commission in
1939 and 1940, the Family Relief Board, and the secretary of the Kitchener Taxpayers
Association. Armin served as an alderman between 1958 and 1960 and was a vocal
opponent of the civic centre project, which he appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board
(OMB). In an interesting turn of events, Armin had a heart attack and died at the OMB
meeting held at Kitchener City Hall on October 31, 1967. Wilfrid Laurier Bitzer was born in
the house at 83 Benton Street. He was the youngest child and was named after Wilfrid
Laurier who was the Prime Minister at the time of his birth. Wilfrid Laurier Bitzer began his
real estate career in the 1940s and retired in 1990 at the age of 94. He was active in the
real estate industry, German community, and many community groups. He also served as
a Kitchener Alderman from 1954-1957.
Paul Jewitt Bizer was the grandson of Conrad and Adeline Bitzer Paul was born in Toronto
but returned to his ancestral home at 83 Benton Street when he was nine years old. He
attended Kitchener Collegiate Institute and Waterloo College before becoming a civil
servant in the Saskatchewan government. He served as a Kitchener Alderman between
1977-1979 and helped to launch the Centre in the Square. He was a lifelong member of
the United Church of Canada, including Trinity United Church in Kitchener. The Bitzer
family was honoured on the German Pione.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 83 Benton Street resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the Italianate architectural style of the house, including:
o Front Elevation (North Façade)
three bays;
orientation towards Benton Street;
prominent centre bay features:
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
front-facing centred gable containing a lunette window with
brick surround and wood sill;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired)
decorative brackets and small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and
wood sills;
full-width hipped roof one-storey verandah with square beveled
corner posts and decorative woodwork; and,
double entrance segmentally arched wood door with lower
panels and upper lites.
two end bays feature:
a setback approximately 16 feet from the centre bay;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched cross-hipped roof;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired)
brackets;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
rubble stone foundation; and,
eastern bay displays segmentally arched false window
openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills while the western
bay displays segmentally arched window openings with brick
voussoirs and wood sills.
o Side Elevation (East Façade)
three bays;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative
brackets and small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
evidence of an original chimney;
paired segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and
wood sills on both the first- and second-storey; and,
rubble stone foundation.
o Side Elevation (West Façade)
three bays;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
rear facing gable at the back of the house;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative
brackets and small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
evidence of an original chimney;
paired segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and
wood sills on both the first- and second-storey;
door openings on both the first- and second-storey; and,
rubble stone foundation.
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 May 17, 2024. Heritage Planning
staff corresponded by email with the owner of the property and met virtually on June 21,
2024 to discuss the proposed designation. During this meeting, the owner advised that
they do not object to the proposed designation of 87-91 King Street West.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal
Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving Notice of Intention to Designate
(NOID) 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.
Should Council choose to proceed with a NOID, such notice will be served on the property
owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The Record).
Once notice has been served, the property owner has the right of appeal to the Ontario
Land Tribunal (OLT). Should Council decide not to proceed with a NOID then the building
will remain on the Cit7, after
which it will be removed in accordance with the legislative changes enacted by Bill 200.
Once removed from the MHR, it cannot be re-listed on the MHR for five (5) years (i.e.,
January 1, 2032).
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
Ontario Regulation 9/06 (Amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22)
Bill 23 Municipal Heritage Register Review (DSD-2023-225)
Municipal Heritage Register Review August 2023 Update (DSD-2023-309)
Municipal Heritage Register Review January 2024 Update (DSD-2024-022)
Municipal Heritage Register Review February 2024 Update (DSD-2024-056)
Municipal Heritage Register Review March 2024 Update (DSD-2024-093)
Municipal Heritage Register Review April 2024 Update (DSD-2024-131
Municipal Heritage Register Review May 2024 Update (DSD-2024-194)
Bill 200, Homeowners Protection Act, 2024
Municipal Heritage Register Review June 2024 Update (DSD-2024-250)
Municipal Heritage Register Review August 2024 Update (DSD-2024-333)
Municipal Heritage Register Review September 2024 Update (DSD-2024-413)
APPROVED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Statement of Significance for 83 Benton Street
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
83 Benton Street
Figure 1.0: Location Map 83 Benton Street
Summary of Significance
Design/Physical Value Social Value
Historical Value Economic Value
Contextual Value
Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 83 Benton Street
Legal Description: Plan 205 Part Lot 2, 4, 7, 9 and 10 Together with & Subject to ROW
Year Built: c. 1886
Architectural Style: Italianate
Original Owner: Adeline & Conrad Bitzer
Original Use: Residential
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
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83 Benton Street is a two-storey late 19 century brick house built in the Italianate architectural style.
The house is situated on a 0.32-acre parcel of land located on the east side of Benton Street between
St. George Street and Church Street in the Cedar Hill Planning Community of the City of Kitchener
within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the
house.
Heritage Value
83 Benton Street is recognized for its design/physical and historical/associative values.
Design/Physical Value
The Italianate architectural style originates from the romanticism of the mid-1800s. Italianate buildings
are often two-stories in height and, feature low-pitched roof with wide eaves and brackets beneath;
tall, narrow arched windows; and, a square cupola or tower (McAlester, 1984). Six principal subtypes
can be distinguished, including approximately 15% that represent the centered gable subtype that
may showcase a simple or compound plan with a front facing centred gable that projects from a low-
pitched hipped roof (McAlester, 1984). In 1865, The Canada Farmer journal printed elevations and
plans for a two-story square plan farmhouse with a symmetrical design featuring a centred gable
frontispiece, hung windows with hood molds, corner quoins, chimneys and panelled front door with
transom and side lites (Blumenson, 1990; Kyles, 2016). These elevations and plans were unique to
Ontario.
83 Benton Street demonstrates design/physical value as a unique example of the Italianate
architectural style and a rare example of the Italianate subtype known as centered gable. This
example of the centred gable subtype is a variation of the farmhouse elevations and plans introduced
in 1865. The building is two-stories in height and features a low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants
of a cupola or tower, a front-facing centered gable with lunette window, wide overhanging eaves
supported by decorative brackets, tall and narrow segmentally arched door and window openings,
double entrance door, and a full-width hipped roof one-storey verandah with square beveled corner
posts and decorative brackets. The 1/1 hung windows do not appear to be original as their flathead
does not match the segmentally arched window opening. The house is in good condition.
Front Elevation (North Façade)
The front façade of the building is three bays wide and faces Benton Street.
The prominent centre bay features buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched hipped roof with the
remnants of a cupola or tower; a front-facing centred gable containing a lunette window with brick
surround and wood sill; wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets
and small (paired) decorative modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; segmentally arched window
openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills; full-width hipped roof one-storey verandah with square
beveled corner posts and decorative woodwork; and, a double entrance segmentally arched wood
door with lower panels and upper lites.
The two end bays are setback approximately 16 feet from the centre bay, are about 6 feet wide, and
the ridge of their cross-hipped roofline aligns with the rear of the main hip roof. These bays feature
buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched cross-hipped roof; wide overhanging eaves supported
by large (not paired) brackets; fascia, soffit and frieze board; rubble stone foundation and, the eastern
bay displays segmentally arched false window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills while the
western bay displays segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills.
Side Elevation (East Façade)
The side façade of the original building is three bays wide. The bay closest to Benton Street features
buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower; wide
overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and small (paired) decorative
modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; evidence of an original chimney; and, rubble stone
foundation. The middle bay features buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched cross-hipped roof;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and small (paired)
decorative modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; paired segmentally arched window openings with
brick voussoirs and wood sills on both the first- and second-storey; and, rubble stone foundation. The
end bay has minimal visibility from the sidewalk and Benton Street.
Side Elevation (West Façade)
The side façade of the original building is three bays wide. The bay closest to Benton Street features
buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower; wide
overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and small (paired) decorative
modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; evidence of an original chimney; and, rubble stone
foundation. The middle bay features buff (yellow) brick construction; a low-pitched cross-hipped roof;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and small (paired)
decorative modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; paired segmentally arched window openings with
brick voussoirs and wood sills on both the first- and second-storey; and, rubble stone foundation. The
end bay is visible from St. George Street and features: buff (yellow) brick construction; gable roofline;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and small (paired)
decorative modillions; fascia, soffit and frieze board; segmentally arched window openings with brick
voussoirs and wood sills on both the first- and second-storey; a door opening on both the first- and
second-storey; and, rubble stone foundation. This façade also features a non-original two-storey
verandah.
Historical/Associative Value
The historic and associative values relate to an early property owner, the original building owner and
the Bitzer family. The property (lot 20) was purchased by Christopher Blum in 1871 (Bitzer, 2014).
Christopher Blum was the great-great-uncle of property owner in 2014 (Bitzer, 2014). His niece and
husband, Adeline and Conrad Bitzer, built the building around 1886 (Bitzer, 2014). Conrad Bitzer (b.
January 11, 1853; d. September 22, 1903) was an honoured citizen who practiced law, held several
political offices and was actively involved in various associations and boards. Conrad obtained his
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1878 and went on to study law in the office
of Bowlby and Clement in Berlin until he was called to the bar in 1881 (Berliner Journal, 1903). He ws
the first German-speaking lawyer in Berlin (Wikipedia, 2023). Between 1882 and 1892 he practiced
law in partnership with Alex Millar, K.C. and in 1892 he began his independent practice (Berliner
Journal, 1903). Conrad served as Deputy Reeve and Reeve of the Town and County Council in 1890
and 1891 and Mayor of Berlin in 1892 (Berliner Journal, 1903). He was a member of the Berlin School
Board, the Berlin High School Board, the Berlin High School ex-
Lutheran Church, the local YMCA, and the liberal party (Berliner Journal, 1903). His involvement with
the school boards continued until his death in 1903 (Bitzer, 2014). He also served on the finance and
railroad committee of the second Saengerfest festival committee in 1897 (Berliner Journal, 1897).
Conrad and Adeline had six children who were born and/or raised at the family home located at 83
Benton Street (Koch, 1986; Wikipedia, 2023). Three of their children held political offices and were
active in various associations and boards. Arno Lindner Bitzer (b. February 7, 1858; d. July 16, 1933)
served as an alderman between 1917 and 1919 (Bitzer, 2014; Bonk, 2024).
Bitzer (b. October 4, 1885; d. 1967) was an electrical engineer (KW Record, 1967; Bonk, 2024). He
served as a lieutenant with the Canadian Signal Corps during WWI, the Public Utilities Commission in
1939 and 1940, the Family Relief Board, and the secretary of the Kitchener Taxpayers Association
(KW Record, 1967). Armin served as an alderman between 1958 and 1960 (Bitzer, 2014) and was a
vocal opponent of the civic centre project, which he appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)
(KW Record, 1967). In an interesting turn of events, Armin had a heart attack and died at the OMB
meeting held at Kitchener City Hall on October 31, 1967 (KW Record, 1967). Wilfrid Laurier Bitzer (b.
February 10, 1896; d. 1996) was born in the house at 83 Benton Street (Bonk, 2024; Koch, 1986). He
was the youngest child and was named after Wilfrid Laurier who was the Prime Minister at the time of
his birth (KW Record, 1996.
Wilfrid Laurier Bitzer began his real estate career in the 1940s and retired in 1990 at the age of 94
(KW Record, 1996; KW Record, 1990). Wilfrid partnered with Michael Budaker forming the real estate
firm of Bitzer-Budaker Ltd., which operated between 1983 and 1990 (KW Record, 1990). He was the
president of the K-W Real Estate Board in 1951 (KW Record, 1996). Wilfrid was also active in the
founding member and a long-time president of the Trans Canada Alliance of German Canadians, a
founding and honorary member of the German Bus
founder of the Canadian Society for German Relief (KW Record, 1996). His work with the Canadian
(KW Record, 1996). He was honoured in 1981 for his work with the German community that included
helping German immigrants to come to Kitchener, helping them with language barriers, helping them
process immigration forms and acting as a liaison between West Germany and its former citizens
(KW Record, 1981). He was the Honorary German Consul between 1956 and 1981 (Bitzer, 2014). He
served as a Kitchener Alderman from 1954 to 1957 and was active with other community groups
including the Granite Club, the Rotary Club of Kitchener and the Concordia Club (KW Record, 1996).
Record, 1996).
Paul Jewitt Bizer (b. 1931, d. May 12, 2020) was the grandson of Conrad and Adeline Bitzer (Bonk,
2024). Paul was born in Toronto but returned to his ancestral home at 83 Benton Street when he was
nine years old (KW Record, 2020). He attended Kitchener Collegiate Institute and Waterloo College
(now Wilfrid Laurier University) before becoming a civil servant in the Saskatchewan government (KW
Record, 2020). He served as a Kitchener Alderman between 1977-1979 and helped to launch the
Centre in the Square (Bitzer, 2014; KW Record, 2020). He was a lifelong member of the United
Church of Canada, including Trinity United Church in Kitchener (KW Record, 2020).
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 83 Benton Street resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the Italianate architectural style of the house, including:
o Front Elevation (North Façade)
three bays;
orientation towards Benton Street;
prominent centre bay features:
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
front-facing centred gable containing a lunette window with brick surround
and wood sill;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets
and small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills;
full-width hipped roof one-storey verandah with square beveled corner posts
and decorative woodwork; and,
double entrance segmentally arched wood door with lower panels and upper
lites.
two end bays feature:
a setback approximately 16 feet from the centre bay;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched cross-hipped roof;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) brackets;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
rubble stone foundation; and,
eastern bay displays segmentally arched false window openings with brick
voussoirs and wood sills while the western bay displays segmentally arched
window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills.
o Side Elevation (East Façade)
three bays;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and
small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
evidence of an original chimney;
paired segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills on
both the first- and second-storey; and,
rubble stone foundation.
o Side Elevation (West Façade)
three bays;
buff (yellow) brick construction;
low-pitched hipped roof with the remnants of a cupola or tower;
rear facing gable at the back of the house;
wide overhanging eaves supported by large (not paired) decorative brackets and
small (paired) decorative modillions;
fascia, soffit and frieze board;
evidence of an original chimney;
paired segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and wood sills on
both the first- and second-storey;
door openings on both the first- and second-storey; and,
rubble stone foundation.
References
Berliner Journal. (1897). The Second Saengerfest. Berliner Journal: Berlin, Ontario.
Berliner Journal. (1903). Death of Conrad Bitzer: Succumbs to Typhoid Fever, - An Honored Citizen
and Ex-Mayor of Berlin. Berliner Journal: Berlin, Ontario.
Bitzer, B. (2014). E-mail to Michelle Drake dated May 15, 2014 regarding the heritage evaluation of 83
Benton Street.
Blumenson. (1990). Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms: 1784-Present.
Fitzhenry & Whiteside: Leaside, Ontario.
Bonk, D. (2024). Waterloo Region Generations: A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
https://generations.regionofwaterloo.ca/
Koch, H. (1986). Real estate broker, 90, is aiming for 110. KW Record: Kitchener, Ontario.
KW Record. (1967). Former Alderman: Armin Bitzer Dies At Civic Hearing. KW Record: Kitchener,
Ontario.
KW Record. (1981). . KW Record: Kitchener, Ontario.
KW Record. (1990). Bitzer retires at 94. KW Record: Kitchener, Ontario.
KW Record. (1996). Obituary: Bitzer dedicated life to heritage, home town. KW Record: Kitchener,
Ontario.
KW Record. (2020). Paul Jewitt Bitzer obituary. KW Record: Kitchener, Ontario.
Kyles. (2016). Building Styles: Italianate (1850-0900). Accessed on July 22, 2024 from
http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/italianate.htm.
McAlester. (1984). A Field Guide to American Houses. Random House: Toronto, Ontario.
Photographs
Front Elevation (North Façade) 83 Benton Street
Side Elevation (East Façade) 83 Benton Street
Side Elevation (West Façade) 83 Benton Street
CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM
83 Benton Street Michelle Drake
Address: Recorder:
c. 1886, Italianate
July 3, 2024
Description: Date:
(date of construction, architectural style, etc)
Photographs Attached:
Front Facade Left Façade Setting
Right Façade Rear Facade Details
Recorder Heritage Kitchener Heritage Planning Staff
Designation Criteria
Committee
1. This property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes Yes
physical value
because it is a rare,
unique,
representative or
early example of a
style, type,
expression, material
or construction
method.
2. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes
Yes
physical value
because it displays a
high degree of
craftsmanship or
artistic merit.
3. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes Yes
physical value
because it
demonstrates a high
degree of technical or
scientific
achievement.
* E.g. - constructed with a
unique material
combination or use,
incorporates challenging
geometric designs etc.
4. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical value or
Yes Yes
associative value
because it has direct
associations with a
theme, event, belief,
person, activity,
organization or
institution that is
significant to a
community.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
5. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical or
Yes
Yes
associative value
because it yields, or
has the potential to
yield, information
that contributes to an
understanding of a
community or
culture.
* E.g - A commercial
building may provide an
understanding of how the
economic development of
the City occured.
Additional archival work
may be required.
6. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical value or
Yes
Yes
associative value
because it
demonstrates or
reflects the work or
ideas of an architect,
artist, builder,
designer or theorist
who is significant to a
community.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
7. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes Yes
because it is
important in defining,
maintaining or
supporting the
character of an area.
* E.g. - It helps to define
an entrance point to a
neighbourhood or helps
establish the (historic)
rural character of an area.
8. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes Yes
because it is
physically,
functionally, visually
or historically linked
to its surroundings.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
9. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes Yes
because it is a
landmark.
*within the region, city or
neighborhood.
Notes
Additional Recorder Heritage Kitchener Committee
Criteria
Interior: Is the
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
interior
Yes
arrangement,
finish,
craftsmanship
and/or detail
noteworthy?
Completeness:
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
Does this
Yes
structure have
other original
outbuildings,
notable
landscaping or
external
features that
complete the
site?
Site Integrity:
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
Does the
Yes
structure
occupy its
original site?
* If relocated, is it
relocated on its
original site,
moved from
another site, etc.
Alterations:
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
Does this
Yes
building retain
most of its
original
materials and
design
features?
Please refer to
the list of
heritage
attributes
within the
Statement of
Significance
and indicate
which
elements are
still existing
and which
ones have
been
removed.
Alterations:
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
Are there
Yes
additional
elements or
features that
should be
added to the
heritage
attribute list?
Condition: Is
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No Yes
the building in
Yes
good
condition?
*E.g. - Could be a
good candidate
for adaptive re-
use if possible and
contribute
towards equity-
building and
climate change
action.
Indigenous
History: Could
N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes
this site be of
Additional Research Required Additional Research Required
importance to
Indigenous
heritage and
history?
*E.g. - Site within
300m of water
sources, near
N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes
distinct
topographical
Additional Research Required Additional Research Required
land, or near
cemeteries might
have
archaeological
potential and
indigenous
heritage
potential.
Could there be
any urban
Indigenous
history
associated
with the
property?
* Additional
archival work may
be required.
Function:
Unknown Residential Unknown Residential Commercial
What is the
Commercial Office Other
present
Office Other -
function of the
________________
subject
property?
* Other may
include vacant,
social,
institutional, etc.
and important for
the community
from an equity
building
perspective.
Diversity and
N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes
Inclusion:
Additional Research Required Additional Research Required
Does the
subject
property
contribute to
N/A Unknown No Yes N/A Unknown No Yes
the cultural
Additional Research Required Additional Research Required
heritage of a
community of
people?
Does the
subject
property have
intangible
value to a
specific
community of
people?
* E.g.- Waterloo
Masjid (Muslim
Society of
Waterloo &
Wellington
Counties) was the
first established
Islamic Center
and Masjid in the
Region and
contributes to the
history of the
Muslim
community in the
area.
Notes about Additional Criteria Examined
Recommendation
Does this property meet the definition of a significant built heritage resource, and should it be designated
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act? (Does it meet two or more of the designation criteria?)
N/A Unknown No Yes !
If not, please select the appropriate action for follow-up
Remove from the Municipal Heritage Register
Additional Research Required
Other:
General / Additional Notes
TO BE FILLED BY HERITAGE PLANNING STAFF:
Date of Property Owner Notification: