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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2025-363 - Notice of Intention to Designate 69 Agnes Street, 80-86 Union Boulevard, 571 York Street, Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage ActStaff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Council Meeting DATE OF MEETING: August 25, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals, 519-783-8922 PREPARED BY: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8924 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: August 14, 2025 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-363 SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 69 Agnes Street and Notice of Intention to Designate 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York 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 69 Agnes Street as being of cultural heritage value or interest; and further, 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 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street 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 properties municipally addressed as 69 Agnes Street and 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The key finding of this report is that the built structures on the two subject properties 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. Both possess design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value. A Notice of Intention to Designate was published on January 24, 2025, and the mandated 120 -day period in which the designating by-law is to be passed has elapsed. The Notice of Intention to Designate is to be re -issued. There have been no changes to the property from the time of review and approval at the beginning of the year. There are no financial implications associated with this report. Community engagement included informing residents by posting this report with the agenda in advance of the Council meeting and, previously, providing written correspondence to the property owners dated May 23, 2023, October 7, 2024 (for 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street), November 6, 2024 (for 69 Agnes Street), and in January 2025. 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 again. 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. Page 17 of 112 REPORT: Notice of Intention to Designate for the properties municipally addressed as 69 Agnes Street and 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act were brought forward to Heritage Kitchener on January 7, 2025, and Council on January 20, 2025. On this date, Council passed the following motions: "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 69 Agnes Street, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -2025-013, as being of cultural heritage value or interest. " and "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 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -2025-014, as being of cultural heritage value or interest." The Notice of Intention to Designate for the properties was published in the Waterloo Regional Record, being a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Kitchener, on January 24, 2025. Under Section 29(8) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the designating by-law must be passed within 120 days after this date of publication. The 120 -day timeline has lapsed without a designating by-law being presented to be passed by Council due to a technical error. As such the process is now being re-initiated and a new Notice of Intention to Designate must be issued. During the first process when contacted, the Owners of 69 Agnes Street indicated that they had no concerns with the proposed designation. No response was received by the City from the Owners of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street. Copies of the previous staff reports as well as copies of the Statement of Significance for each property has been attached to this report. 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 council / committee meeting. CONSULT — Heritage Planning staff have consulted with the Heritage Kitchener Committee regarding designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. As part of the initial Municipal Heritage Register Review Project process, property owners were invited to consult via two separate letters dated May 23, 2023, and October 7t", 2024 (80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street) and November 6th, 2024 (69 Agnes Street). Further letters were sent in January 2025, as part of the formal Notice of Intention to Designate process. As discussed in the Background section of this report, a response Page 18 of 112 was received from the Owner of 69 Agnes Street who indicated no objections with the proposed designation, and no response from the Owner of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street. 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, 2027, after which it will be removed according to the changes enacted by Bill 23. Once removed, it cannot be re -listed on the Register again for five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2032. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • Ontario Heritage Act • DSD -2025-013 Notice of Intention to Designate 69 Agnes Street • DSD -2025-014 Notice of Intention to Designate 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A— DSD -2025-013 Notice of Intention to Designate 69 Agnes Street Attachment B — Statement of Significance for 69 Agnes Street Attachment C — DSD -2025-014 Notice of Intention to Designate 80-86 Union Boulevard/571 York Street Attachment D — Statement of Significance for 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street Page 19 of 112 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING: January 7, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals, 519-783-8922 PREPARED BY: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8924 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: December 6, 2024 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-013 SUBJECT: Attachment A - Notice of Intention to Designate - 69 Agnes Street - DSD-2025-013.docxthe 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 69 Agnes Street 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 69 Agnes Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. • An updated Statement of Significance on the property's cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on November 5, 2024. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 69 Agnes Street be recognized, and designation pursued. • The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 69 Agnes Street 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. The property is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value. • There are no financial implications with this recommendation. • 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 owners dated May 23, 2023 and November 6, 2024, 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. BACKGROUND: *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 20 of 112 69 Agnes Street is a two-storey institutional building constructed in the Art Deco architectural style. The building is situated on am irregularly shaped 1.15 acre parcel of land located on the east side of Agnes Street between Dominion Street and Park Street in the Cherry Hill Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the institutional building. Figure 1: Location Map of Subject Property A full assessment of 69 Agnes Street has been completed and included a field evaluation and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property meets the criteria for designation. An updated Statement of Significance on the property's cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on November 5t", 2024. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 69 Agnes Street 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 MHR Review is the City's 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 Homeowners Protection 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 in November 2024 were contacted via a second letter dated November 6t", 2024, and invited to contact the City's Heritage Planner with any comments, questions, or concerns. No response was received to either letter. 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. Page 21 of 112 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. 69 Agnes Avenue is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. It satisfies five of the nine criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the criteria that is met or not met is provided in the table below. Page 22 of 112 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 yields, Yes 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 Yes 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, Yes functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings. 9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No Page 22 of 112 Figure 2: Front Facade of Subject Property Figure 3: Close-up of Northern Section of Front Fagade Page 23 of 112 Figure 4: Close up of Central Section of Front Fagade Design/Physical Value The design value of the subject property relates to the architecture of the institutional building, specifically the red brick portion constructed in 1927 with some alterations that have occurred over a period of years. 69 Agnes Street is an example of the Vernacular architectural style with Art Deco influences. The building is in good condition and features: a two storey building with an asymmetrical composition; red brick construction; exposed concrete foundation, central two storey tower and smaller tower near south end of front fagade; concrete banding below the parapet with concrete motifs; 4/4 and 1/1 windows arranged in groups of two, three, four, seven and eight with concrete sills; the north entrance features a one -storey glazed entranceway will terrazzo floor; and, the south entrance features an unclosed entranceway with roof. The influences of the Art Deco style can be seen in the streamline design of the building, repetition of elements, and the use of geometrical shapes broken up by ornamental motifs. Front Fagade The front fagade of the building is asymmetrical in its design and massing, though many of the architectural features make use of symmetry and repetition. There are two projecting towers which vertically divide the building into three major sections; the first section is north of the first tower, the central section is between the two towers, and the third section is to the south of the second tower. The northern end section can be further divided vertically into five parts. The first four are comprised 4/4 and 1/1 windows arranged into groups of three or four, with the ground floor windows having concrete sills and being separated from the second -storey windows by Page 24 of 112 decorative panels above. There is a parapet with two concrete motifs and concrete banding, and the roofline is flat and staggered. A one -storey glass vestibule projects out from the northern end sections and abuts the first tower. Above the glass vestibule there is a group of seven windows with a concrete sill. The first tower is greater in height then the adjacent sections, with a flat concrete roof. It contains a group of three -by -three 1/1 windows, the bottom row is capped by a concrete sill, and the top row is crowned with vertical cladding. The central recessed section can be vertically divided into six parts, five of which are comprised of groups of three 4/4 and 1/1 windows. As with the northern end section, the ground floor windows have concrete sills and there are decorative panels underneath the second -floor windows. The parapet is this section possesses the same concrete banding and one concrete motif, and the roofline again has some variation in its height. There is a one -storey brick addition that abuts the first tower, and it contains two groups of two 1/1 windows with concrete sills on the front and one group of two 1/1 windows on the side. The second tower is similar in appearance to the first, possessing the same grouping of three -by -three 1/1 windows with the bottom row having a concrete sill. The second tower lacks the vertical cladding that can be found in the first tower and contains one window of glass blocks on the ground floor. The southern end section of the 1927 portion of the building contains a covered entranceway with a flat roof on the ground floor, and a single group of eight windows with concrete sill on the second. The parapet contains the concrete banding but no additional motifs. Modifications The two towers, as well as the vestibule, 1 -storey ground floor addition, and roof over the second entrance do not appear to be original to the building but instead were added on sometime after then 1955 fire. Exact construction dates for these components are unknown, though a building map from 1976 show they were present. The additions utilize the same red brick and similar groupings of windows, making them compatible with the design of the original building. Other modifications include alterations to some windows, and the removal of a third central entranceway, the removal of the "Granite Club" sign that was embedded into the parapet, and changes to the decorative panels on the front fagade. Historical/Associative Value The subject property has historic and associative due to the original landowner and historic tenants as well as its association with the sport of curling and badminton with the Region. It also has the potential to contribute to an understanding of the development and progression of sports and sport associations / clubs within Kitchener and Waterloo. The sport of curling has a long history within Kitchener, with the first games being played on a rink at the corner of Gaukel and Charles Street in the early 1880's. After an initial joint venture between curling clubs from Waterloo and Kitchener failed in the mid 1920's, the Athletic Association of Kitchener and Waterloo was incorporated on August 20th, 1927. They purchased the site on Agnes Street from Kaufman Rubber Co. Ontario Ltd. in September 1927 for $2, 500. Three additional land purchases were made by the group Page 25 of 112 over the next several years to form the current holdings. The original building that was constructed on the land contained five curling ices, a dining room and kitchen, a board room, locker room, furnace room, ice equipment room, and was reported to have cost over $32,000. The K -W Granite Club official opened its doors on December 30th, 1927. In 1928 the first addition — a one -storey wooden structure — was added to the south side of the building. The addition houses more changing rooms, toilet facilities, and an expanded kitchen. In 1931 another addition was added to accommodate the badminton club. This addition provided five badminton courts, a lounge, and locker rooms and later a dining room. The sport of badminton dates to the 1920's in Kitchener, with the first reported game being played in the Kitchener Park Pavilion. The Granite Badminton Club was officially established in 1931, after two years of discussion with the Athletic Association of Kitchener and Waterloo. Though the badminton club experienced some difficulties with funding over the years, it was only ever formally closed once for a period of time during the Second World War. In 2023, the Granite Badminton assumed ownership of 69 Agnes Street, purchasing the building the club had operated out of for over 80 years. Both the curling section and badminton section of the club has played host to provincial, national, and world competition, and have boasted members who won titles at national championships. Canadian badminton championships were held at the club in 1957 and 1966, while the curling section has hosted numerous provincial championships as well as national events (the Brier 1962 and 1989, the Canadian Mixed 1969 and 1975, World Junior Championship 1980). As such the building is associated with the history of both sports at both a national and international scale. On May 8, 1955, a fire broke out which destroyed a large portion of the 69 Agnes, gutting the badminton section and causing damage to the north-east corner of the curling section. 44 days after this disaster, plans were approved for the rebuilding process. 69 Agnes Street has additional cultural heritage value due to the architect of the original building, the contractor who constructed the original building, and the architect of the major renovation that occurred after the fire in 1955. The original 1927 structure and the additions that were added between 1928 and 1952 were designed by Bernal Ambrose Jones. A native of Toronto, Jones moved to Kitchener in 1922 where he worked with Kitchener local and architect William Herbert Eugene Schmalz, establishing the firm of Schmalz & Jones Architects. It is likely the two met during their time at the Toronto firm of Darling & Pearson, where Jones worked as a draftsman and Schmalz served an apprenticeship. Their first notable work together was the 1923 Beaux-Arts Kitchener City Hall, later demolished in 1973 except for the clock towner and cupola, which stand in Victoria Park as of the date of 2024. In 1926 Schmalz & Jones Architects was disbanded and Jones commenced work under his own name. He is responsible for the design of several important or prominent buildings within Kitchener, including the 1932 Public Utilities Building (former), Church of the Good Shepherd, Olivet Evangelical United Brethren Church (now the Rockway Mennonite Church), St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He was also greatly involved in the undertaking of a building programme for Freeport Hospital, initiated by the Board of Directors of the Waterloo County Health Association which was incorporated in 1920 to Page 26 of 112 manage and operate the sanitorium. He provided his architectural services to the Board, and designed the main treatment building (1929-1930), portions of the Nurses Residence (1933, 1940), and the new Medical Superintendent Residence (1938-1939). The 1927 was built by the Dunker Brothers (William, Albert, and Frederick), who inherited the Dunker Construction company (established 1887) from their father Henry Dunker. Dunker Construction was a well known and respected local building company that was in operation until 1974. The company was responsible for the construction or alteration of several notable buildings within Kitchener, including Berlins #2 Fire Hall (1913), alterations to the Kitchener Auditorium (1927-28), the Registry Theatre (1938-39), and the first K -W Rotary Crippled Childrens Centre on King Street (1957-58). Dunker Construction also aided in the advancement of construction machinery within the area — the 1937 Dunker Steam Shovel was used to excavate the million -gallon reservoir for the Kitchener Water Commission at Lakeside Park. This was the former Shoemaker Pumping Station (now Greenbrook Pumping Station in 2024), which was the first water pumping station in Kitchener. In addition to operating Dunker Construction, the brothers were active participants in the community. William Dunker, president of Dunker Construction, also served on the Kitchener Planning Board and Kitchener Relief Board. His brother Albert, president of Dunker Investments Ltd and Chairman of the Board of Directions for Dunker Construction, was Chairman of the Kitchener Water Commission for 18 years, and a member for over 26. The rebuilding of 69 Agnes Street after the 1955 fire was overseen by the local architecture firm of Jenkins and Wright. Established in 1945, Jenkins and Wright are known for work such as the 1952 restoration of `Woodside', the home on William Lyon Mackenzie King located on Welling Street North within the City, as well as the Memorial Auditorium. Contextual Value 69 Agnes Street is physically, visually, historically, and functionally linked to its surrounding. The building remains in-situ and maintains its original institutional use as a recreational complex, though in 2023 it was purchased by the K -W Badminton Club. The K -W Badminton Club had leased space from and operated within the building for over 80 years. Social Value 69 Agnes Street has social value to the surrounding community as well as the City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo as a whole. Recreational facilities such as 69 Agnes Street provides a space that supports better mental and physical health, as it enables social interactions to occur and connections to be built. It also provides opportunities for different fitness activities. Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 69 Agnes Street resides in the following attributes: ■ All elements related to the Art Deco architectural style, including: o two storey asymmetrical massing and composition; o red brick construction; Page 27 of 112 o central two-storey tower and smaller tower near south end of front fagade; o concrete banding below the parapet with concrete motifs; o fenestration pattern and window openings with concrete sills; o decorative paneling between the first and second storey windows; o the appearance of 4/4 multi -pane and/or single -hung windows o the north entrance featuring a one -storey glazed entranceway will terrazzo floor; and, o the south entrance featuring an unclosed entranceway with roof. ■ All elements related to the contextual value, including: o Location and orientation of the buildings along Agnes Street. 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— 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 November 6th, 2024. As discussed in the Background section of this report, no response from the Owner was received. 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, 2027, after which it will be removed according to the changes enacted by Bill 23 and Bill 200. Once removed, it cannot be re -listed on the Register again for five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2032. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: Ontario Heritage Act, 2022 Municipal Heritage Register Review — November 2024 Update (DSD -2024-444) APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Statement of Significance for 69 Agnes Street. Page 28 of 112 C�'l I-,' (; HE R,uTe,f11 L L� STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Summary of Significance ®Design/Physical Value ®Historical Value ®Contextual Value 69 AG N ES STREET ®Social Value ❑Economic Value ❑Environmental Value Municipal Address: 69 Agnes Street Legal Description: Plan 324 Lot 4 to 7 Part Lot 1, 2, 3 & 8 Plan 377 Part Lot 489 Year Built: 1927 / 1955 Architectural Styles: Art Deco Original Owner: KW Granite Club Original Use: Institutional (Sport Centre) Condition: Good Description of Cultural Heritage Resource 69 Agnes Street is a two-storey institutional building constructed in the Art Deco architectural style. The building is situated on an irregularly shaped 1.15 -acre parcel of land located on the east side of Agnes Street between Dominion Street and Park Street in the Cherry Hill Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the institutional building. Page 29 of 112 Heritage Value 69 Agnes Street is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value. Desi_gn/Physical Value The design value of the subject property relates to the architecture of the institutional building, specifically the red brick portion constructed in 1927 with some alterations that have occurred over a period of years. 69 Agnes Street is an example of the Vernacular architectural style with Art Deco influences. The building is in good condition and features: a two storey building with an asymmetrical composition; red brick construction; exposed concrete foundation, central two storey tower and smaller tower near south end of front fapade; concrete banding below the parapet with concrete motifs; 4/4 and 1/1 windows arranged in groups of two, three, four, seven and eight with concrete sills; the north entrance features a one -storey glazed entranceway will terrazzo floor; and, the south entrance features an unclosed entranceway with roof. The influences of the Art Deco style can be seen in the the streamline design of the building, repetition of elements, and the use of geometrical shapes broken up by ornamental motifs. Front Fagade The front fagade of the building is asymmetrical in its design and massing, though many of the architectural features make use of symmetry and repetition. There are two projecting towers which vertically divide the building into three major sections; the first section is north of the first tower, the central section is between the two towers, and the third section is to the south of the second tower. The northern end section can be further divided vertically into five parts. The first four are comprised 4/4 and 1 /1 windows arranged into groups of three or four, with the ground floor windows having concrete sills and being separated from the second -storey windows by decorative panels above. There is a parapet with two concrete motifs and concrete banding, and the roofline is flat and staggered. A one -storey glass vestibule projects out from the northern end sections and abuts the first tower. Above the glass vestibule there is a group of seven windows with a concrete sill. The first tower is greater in height then the adjacent sections, with a flat concrete roof. It contains a group of three -by -three 1/1 windows, the bottom row is capped by a concrete sill, and the top row is crowned with vertical cladding. The central recessed section can be vertically divided into six parts, five of which are comprised of groups of 3 4/4 and 1/1 windows. As with the northern end section, the ground floor windows have concrete sills and there are decorative panels underneath the second -floor windows. The parapet is this section possesses the same concrete banding and one concrete motif, and the roofline again has some variation in its height. There is a one -storey brick addition that abuts the first tower, and it contains two groups of two 1/1 windows with concrete sills on the front and one group of two 1/1 windows on the side. The second tower is similar in appearance to the first, possessing the same grouping of three -by - three 1/1 windows with the bottom row having a concrete sill. The second tower lacks the vertical cladding that can be found in the first tower and contains one window of glass blocks on the ground floor. Page 30 of 112 The southern end section of the 1927 portion of the building contains a covered entranceway with a flat roof on the ground floor, and a single group of eight windows with concrete sill on the second. The parapet contains the concrete banding but no additional motifs. Modifications The two towers, as well as the vestibule, 1 -storey ground floor addition, and roof over the second entrance do not appear to be original to the building but instead were added on sometime after then 1955 fire. Exact construction dates for these components are unknown, though a building map from 1976 show they were present. The additions utilize the same red brick and similar groupings of windows, making them compatible with the design of the original building. Other modifications include alterations to some windows, and the removal of a third central entranceway, the removal of the "Granite Club" sign that was embedded into the parapet, and changes to the decorative panels on the front fagade. Historical/Associative Value The subject property has historic and associative due to the original landowner and historic tenants as well as its association with the sport of curling and badminton with the Region. It also has the potential to contribute to an understanding of the development and progression of sports and sport associations / clubs within Kitchener and Waterloo. The sport of curling has a long history within Kitchener, with the first games being played on a rink at the corner of Gaukel and Charles Street in the early 1880's. After an initial joint venture between curling clubs from Waterloo and Kitchener failed in the mid 1920's, the Athletic Association of Kitchener and Waterloo was incorporated on August 20th, 1927. They purchased the site on Agens Street from Kaufman Rubber Co. Ontario Ltd. in September 1927 for $2, 500. Three additional land purchases were made by the group over the next several years to form the current holdings. The original building that was constructed on the land contained five curling ices, a dining room and kitchen, a board room, locker room, furnace room, ice equipment room, and was reported to have cost over $32,000. The K -W Granite Club official opened its doors on December 30th, 1927. In 1928 the first addition — a one -storey wooden structure — was added to the south side of the building. The addition houses more changing rooms, toilet facilities, and an expanded kitchen. In 1931 another addition was added to accommodate the badminton club. This addition provided five badminton courts, a lounge, and locker rooms and later a dining room. The sport of badminton dates to the 1920's in Kitchener, with the first reported game being played in the Kitchener Park Pavilion. The Granite Badminton Club was officially established in 1931, after two years of discussion with the Athletic Association of Kitchener and Waterloo. Though the badminton club experienced some difficulties with funding over the years, it was only ever formally closed once for a period of time during the Second World War. In 2013, Granite Badminton assumed ownership of 69 Agnes Street, purchasing the building the club had operated out of for over 80 years. Both the curling section and badminton section of the club has played host to provincial, national, and world competition, and have boasted members who won titles at national championships. Canadian badminton championships were held at the club in 1957 and 1966, while the curling section has hosted numerous provincial championships as well as national events (the Brier 1962 and 1989, the Canadian Mixed 1969 and 1975, World Junior Championship 1980). As such the building is associated with the history of both sports at both a national and international scale. Page 31 of 112 On May 8, 1955, a fire broke out which destroyed a large portion of the 69 Agnes, gutting the badminton section and causing damage to the north-east corner of the curling section. 44 days after this disaster, plans were approved for the rebuilding process. 69 Agnes Street has additional cultural heritage value due to the architect of the original building, the contractor who constructed the original building, and the architect of the major renovation that occurred after the fire in 1955. The original 1927 structure and the additions that were added between 1928 and 1952 were designed by Bernal Ambrose Jones. A native of Toronto, Jones moved to Kitchener in 1922 where he worked with Kitchener local and architect William Herbert Eugene Schmalz, establishing the firm of Schmalz & Jones Architects. It is likely the two met during their time at the Toronto firm of Darling & Pearson, where Jones worked as a draftsman and Schmalz served an apprenticeship. Their first notable work together was the 1923 Beaux-Arts Kitchener City Hall, later demolished in 1973 except for the clock towner and cupola, which stand in Victoria Park as of the date of 2024. In 1926 Schmalz & Jones Architects was disbanded and Jones commenced work under his own name. He is responsible for the design of several important or prominent buildings within Kitchener, including the 1932 Public Utilities Building (former), Church of the Good Shepherd, Olivet Evangelical United Brethren Church (now the Rockway Mennonite Church), St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He was also greatly involved in the undertaking of a building program for Freeport Hospital, initiated by the Board of Directors of the Waterloo County Health Association which was incorporated in 1920 to manage and operate the sanitorium. He provided his architectural services to the Board, and designed the main treatment building (1929-1930), portions of the Nurses Residence (1933, 1940), and the new Medical Superintendent Residence (1938-1939). The 1927 was built by the Dunker Brothers (William, Albert, and Frederick), who inherited the Dunker Construction company (established 1887) from their father Henry Dunker. Dunker Construction was a well known and respected local building company that was in operation until 1974. The company was responsible for the construction or alteration of several notable buildings within Kitchener, including Berlins #2 Fire Hall (1913), alterations to the Kitchener Auditorium (1927-28), the Registry Theatre (1938-39), and the first K -W Rotary Crippled Childrens Centre on King Street (1957-58). Dunker Construction also aided in the advancement of construction machinery within the area — the 1937 Dunker Steam Shovel was used to excavate the million -gallon reservoir for the Kitchener Water Commission at Lakeside Park. This was the former Shoemaker Pumping Station (now Greenbrook Pumping Station in 2024), which was the first water pumping station in Kitchener. In addition to operating Dunker Construction, the brothers were active participants in the community. William Dunker, president of Dunker Construction, also served on the Kitchener Planning Board and Kitchener Relief Board. His brother Albert, president of Dunker Investments Ltd and Chairman of the Board of Directions for Dunker Construction, was Chairman of the Kitchener Water Commission for 18 years, and a member for over 26. The rebuilding of 69 Agnes Street after the 1955 fire was overseen by the local architecture firm of Jenkins and Wright. Established in 1945, Jenkins and Wright are known for work such as the 1952 restoration of `Woodside', the home on William Lyon Mackenzie King located on Welling Street North within the City, as well as the Memorial Auditorium. Page 32 of 112 Contextual Value 69 Agnes Street is physically, visually, historically, and functionally linked to its surrounding. The building remains in-situ and maintains its original institutional use as a recreational complex, though in 2013 it was purchased by the K -W Badminton Club. The K -W Badminton Club had leased space from and operated within the building for over 80 years. Social Value 69 Agnes Street has social value to the surrounding community as well as the City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo as a whole. Recreational facilities such as 69 Agnes Street provides a space that supports better mental and physical health, as it enables social interactions to occur and connections to be built. It also provides opportunities for different fitness activities. Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 69 Agnes Street resides in the following attributes: ■ All elements related to the Art Deco architectural style, including: o two storey asymmetrical massing and composition; o red brick construction; o central two-storey tower and smaller tower near south end of front fagade; o concrete banding below the parapet with concrete motifs; o fenestration pattern and window openings with concrete sills; o decorative paneling between the first and second storey windows; o the appearance of 4/4 multi -pane and/or single -hung windows o the north entrance featuring a one -storey glazed entranceway will terrazzo floor; and, o the south entrance featuring an unclosed entranceway with roof. ■ All elements related to the contextual value, including: o Location and orientation of the buildings along Agnes Street. Photographs Page 33 of 112 Page 34 of 112 Close-up of Architectural Detailing on Central Section Including Concrete Motifs and Decorative Panels Page 35 of 112 Second Tower and Southern End Section (Front Fagade) Page 36 of 112 CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM 69 Agnes Street Address: Institutional — recreational complex Description: Photographs Attached: Jessica Vieira e r: October 16, 2024 ❑X Front Facade ❑ Left Facade X❑ Right Fagade ❑ Rear Facade ❑X Details ❑ Setting Designation Criteria Recorder — Heritage Heritage Kitchener Committee Planning Staff 1. This property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it is a Yes x❑ Yes ❑ rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method. 2. The property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it Yes ❑ Yes ❑ displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit. 3. The property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it Yes ❑ Yes ❑ demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. * e.g., constructed with a unique material combination or use, incorporates challenging geometric designs etc. Page 37 of 112 4. The property has historical value or 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. N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes N N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ 5. The property has historical or associative N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it yields, Yes ❑X Yes ❑ or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture. * E.g - 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 historical value or N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ associative value Yes 0 Yes ❑ 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. Page 38 of 112 7. The property has Recorder Heritage Kitchener Committee Interior: Is the interior contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is important Yes ❑X Yes ❑ in defining, maintaining N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ notable landscaping or external Yes ❑ or supporting the features that complete the site? 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 contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is physically, Yes ❑X Yes ❑ functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings. * Additional archival work may be required. 9. The property has contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is a Yes ❑ Yes ❑ landmark. *within the region, city or neighborhood. Notes Additional Criteria Recorder Heritage Kitchener Committee Interior: Is the interior arrangement, finish, craftsmanship N/A ® Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ and/or detail noteworthy? Yes ❑ Completeness: Does this structure have other original outbuildings, N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ notable landscaping or external Yes ❑ features that complete the site? Page 39 of 112 Site Integrity: Does the structure occupy its original site? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Yes ❑x * If relocated, is it relocated on its original site, moved from another site, etc. Alterations: Does this building retain most of its original N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ materials and design features? Yes Please refer to the list of heritage attributes within the Statement of Tower additions, vestibule, one - Significance and indicate which storey addition, window elements are still existing and alterations which ones have been removed. Alterations: Are there additional elements or features that should be N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ added to the heritage attribute list? Yes Concrete foundation Condition: is the building in good condition? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Yes 0 *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 this site be of importance to N/A ❑ Unknown ® No ❑ Yes N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Indigenous heritage and history? ❑ ❑ Additional Research Required El Additional Research Required *E.g. -Site within 300m of water sources, near distinct topographical land, or near cemeteries might have archaeological potential and indigenous heritage potential. Could there be any urban Indigenous history associated with N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ the property? N/A ❑ Unknown © No ❑ Yes ❑ Additional Research Required * Additional archival work may be ❑ Additional Research Required required. Function: What is the present Unknown ❑ Residential ❑ Unknown ❑ Residential ❑ Commercia function of the subject property? Commercial ❑ 1 ❑ Office ❑ Other © Office ❑ Other ❑ - * Other may include vacant, social, Institutional —recreational complex institutional, etc. and important for the community from an equity building perspective. Diversity and Inclusion: Does N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® Yes N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ the subject property contribute to ❑ ❑ Additional Research Required the cultural heritage of a ❑ Additional Research Required community of people? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Page 40 of 112 Does the subject property have N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No © Yes ❑ Additional Research Required intangible value to a specific ❑ community of people? ❑ Additional Research Required * E.g.- Waterloo Masfid (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 ❑X If not, please select the appropriate action for follow-up ❑ Keep on the Municipal Heritage Register ❑ 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 Notes Page 41 of 112 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING: January 7, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals, 519-783-8922 PREPARED BY: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8924 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: December 6, 2024 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-014 SUBJECT: Attachment C - Notice of Intention to Designate - 80-86 Union Boulevard - DSD-2025-014.docx 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 80- 86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street 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 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. • An updated Statement of Significance on the property's cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on October 1 st, 2024. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street be recognized, and designation pursued. • The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street 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. The property is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual value. • There are no financial implications with this recommendation. • 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 owners dated May 23rd, 2023, and October 7t", 2024, 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. Page 42 of 112 BACKGROUND: 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street contains two mid -20th century apartment buildings. The buildings are situated on a 0.25 acre parcel of land located on the western corner of the intersection at York Street and Union Boulevard, within the K -W Hospital Planning Community of the City of Kitchener in the Region of Waterloo. The principal resources that contribute to the heritage value of the property are the two apartment buildings. u li o�7imil ti'.v;uwu—, 01 dy 7 )t4 Y xk2 Trvk€4 G. Ir 4'�frna.ev. ��rwttredrN T/w A full assessment of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street has been completed and included a field evaluation and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property meets the criteria for designation. An updated Statement of Significance on the property's cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on October 1 st, 2024. On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street 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 MHR Review is the City's 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 Homeowners Protection 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 in October 2024 were contacted via a second letter dated October 7th, 2024, and invited to contact the City's Heritage Planner with any comments, questions, or concerns. No response was received to either letter. Page 43 of 112 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 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. 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. It satisfies five of the nine criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the criteria that is met or not met is provided in the table below. Page 44 of 112 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 Yes 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 No 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 yields, Yes 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 No 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 Yes defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area. 8. The property has contextual value because it is physically, Yes functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings. 9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No Page 44 of 112 Photo 1: Front Facade Design / Physical Value The design value of the subject property relates to the architecture of the apartment building. The building is a unique example of the Art Moderne architectural style with Art Deco influences. The buildings are three and a half storeys in height, with a raised basement and the third floor being composed of dormer additions. They feature varied roofline, curved building corners, varied brick colour, concrete banding, projecting central front bay, main entrance framed by glass blocks with stone face surround; signage above the main entrance that reads "UNION APTS" with decorative leaf motifs; symbol with the letter's `U' and `A'; and, parged concrete foundation. The buildings also have a range of different windows and window openings including 1/1 windows with concrete headers and sills, 6/6 windows with concrete sills, and glass block windows with concrete sills. The Art Moderne architectural style emerged during the 1930's and developed out of the Art Deco architectural style. It is characterized by its use of simple geometric shape, long horizontal lines and banding, curved sides and corner windows, and glass block windows as seen in 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street. The Art Deco influences can be seen in the decorative detailing that adorn the building, such as the leaf motifs above the entrance of the carved UA symbol, or the more dramatic and ornate front entrance surround. Front Facade The front fagades of the buildings are symmetrical in their design and massing. They can be divided vertically into three sections; while all sections are approximately the same width, the northern -most and southern -most sections are recessed back from the central section and contain angled corners with glass block windows and concrete sills and headers. The side sections also contain three single hung windows with concrete sills and headers. The projecting central section contains the single front -entrance, which is framed Page 45 of 112 by glass blocks and a stone -faced surround. A stone sign which reads "UNION APTS" with decorative leaf motifs is located within this surround, and above the sign there is a single lantern. Above the front entrance there are two single hung windows framed by concrete sills and headers and glass blocks to the side, as well as a decorative UA symbol just below the roofline. The roofline of the central section is square and stepped, and distinctive from the slope of the rest of the roof. The building is also divided horizontally by concrete banding which delineates the raised basement, first, and second floor. The third floor is distinguished by the roofline and dormers which do not appear to be original and are clad with white horizontal siding. Historical/Associative Value The historic and associative value of the apartment buildings relate to their potential to contribute towards an understanding of development patterns in the late 1930's to the 1960's. This time period saw a marked change is housing, as Canada regained its economic and social footing following the second world war and opened its doors to new immigrants. As such a construction boom of apartments occurred, as they were an efficient and economical means to create a sufficient supply of housing. In 1928 14 apartments existed within Kitchener and Waterloo (Vernon's Directory, 1928). By 1945 there were 66 apartment buildings, and by 1955 there were 109 (Vernon's Directory, 1945 and 1955) 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street was one of the first of several low-rise apartment buildings constructed in the Art Moderne style between the time period of 1944-1954 within the Waterloo Region. The Art Moderne style was an appropriate choice for such developments, as it was a response from designers which sought to meet the needs of ordinary citizens while proving that mass production / quantity and quality were not mutually exclusive. The resulting apartments were sensible and were still of a small enough scale as to allow a community -centric experience to residents. Contextual Value The contextual values relate to the contribution that the apartment building makes to the continuity and character of the Union Boulevard and York Street streetscapes and the surrounding area. The property is located within the Westmount East & West Neighbourhood Cultural Heritage Landscape, and boarders the Union Street & Union Boulevard Cultural Heritage Landscape. The Westmount CHL is a neighbourhood with a unique urban form inspired by the City Beautiful Movement. One of its more distinguishable features are the slightly curvilinear alignment of the roads and the 6 -metre -wide medians planted with high branching trees and elegant light fixtures. The residential dwellings within the neighbourhood are a concentrated mixture of recognizable architectural styles from the 1920's -1940's, largely constructed from high quality material and displaying fine details. A number of these homes are historically associated with important city builders, businesspeople, and community leaders including A.R. Kaufman, E.O. Weber and E.F. Seagram. While slightly larger in height and massing than the typically 1.5 and 2 -storey single detached dwellings predominate in the neighbourhood, the overall design, form, setbacks, and materials used in the construction of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street are compatible and complimentary to adjacent and surrounding properties. The garden beds and mature trees Page 46 of 112 in and around the property further integrate it into the well-maintained Westmount neighbourhood. The apartment buildings at 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street are also physically, visually, historically, and functionally linked to their surroundings as they remain in-situ and maintain their original multiple residential use. Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street resides in the following attributes: ■ All elements related to the Art Moderne with Art Deco influences architectural style, including: o varied roofline; o angled building corners; o varied brick colour; o concrete banding; o window openings with concrete headers and sills; o glass blocks framing window openings and entrance openings; o glass block windows with concrete headers and sills; o projecting central front bay with main entrance; o stone faced surround; o sign that reads "UNION APTS" with leaf motifs; o light fixture above main entrance; o symbol with the letters `U' and `A'; and, o parged concrete foundation. • All elements related to the contextual value, including: o Location and orientation of the buildings and the contribution that they make to the continuity and character of the Union Boulevard and York Street streetscapes. 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— 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 23rd, 2023, and October 7t", 2024. As discussed in the Background section of this report, no response from the Owner was received. Page 47 of 112 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, 2027, after which it will be removed according to the changes enacted by Bill 23 and Bill 200. Once removed, it cannot re -listed on the Register again for five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2032. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • Ontario Heritage Act, 2022 • Municipal Heritage Register Review — October 2024 Update (DSD -2024-413) APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Statement of Significance for 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street. Page 48 of 112 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 80-86 UNION BOULEVARD / 571 YORK STREET "' Summary of Significance ®Design/Physical Value ®Historical Value ®Contextual Value ❑Social Value ❑Economic Value ❑Environmental Value Municipal Address: 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street Legal Description: Plan 203 Lot 140 Part Lots 115, 138, 139 & 140 Year Built: 1944 Architectural Styles: Mid -Century Vernacular Original Owner: A. Kraus Original Use: Residential (multiple dwelling) Condition: Very Good Page 49 of 112 Description of Cultural Heritage Resource 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street contains two mid -20th century apartment buildings. The buildings are situated on a 0.25 acre parcel of land located on the western corner of the intersection at York Street and Union Boulevard, within the K -W Hospital Planning Community of the City of Kitchener in the Region of Waterloo. The principal resources that contribute to the heritage value of the property are the two apartment buildings. Heritage Value 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street is recognized for its design/physical, historic/associative, and contextual values. Design/Physical Value The design value of the subject property relates to the architecture of the apartment building. The building is a unique example of the Art Moderne architectural style with Art Deco influences. The buildings are three and a half storeys in height, with a raised basement and the third floor being composed of dormer additions. They feature varied roofline, curved building corners, varied brick colour, concrete banding, projecting central front bay, main entrance framed by glass blocks with stone face surround; signage above the main entrance that reads "UNION APTS" with decorative leaf motifs; symbol with the letter's `U' and `A'; and, parged concrete foundation. The buildings also have a range of different windows and window openings including 1/1 windows with concrete headers and sills, 6/6 windows with concrete sills, and glass block windows with concrete sills. The Art Moderne architectural style emerged during the 1930's and developed out of the Art Deco architectural style. It is characterized by its use of simple geometric shape, long horizontal lines and banding, curved sides and corner windows, and glass block windows as seen in 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street. The Art Deco influences can be seen in the decorative detailing that adorn the building, such as the leaf motifs above the entrance of the carved UA symbol, or the more dramatic and ornate front entrance surround. Front Fagade The front fagades of the buildings are symmetrical in their design and massing. They can be divided vertically into three sections; while all sections are approximately the same width, the northern -most and southern -most sections are recessed back from the central section and contain angled corners with glass block windows and concrete sills and headers. The side sections also contain three single hung windows with concrete sills and headers. The projecting central section contains the single front - entrance, which is framed by glass blocks and a stone -faced surround. A stone sign which reads "UNION APTS" with decorative leaf motifs is located within this surround, and above the sign there is a single lantern. Above the front entrance there are two single hung windows framed by concrete sills and headers and glass blocks to the side, as well as a decorative UA symbol just below the roofline. The roofline of the central section is square and stepped, and distinctive from the slope of the rest of the roof. Page 50 of 112 The building is also divided horizontally by concrete banding which delineates the raised basement, first, and second floor. The third floor is distinguished by the roofline and dormers which do not appear to be original and are clad with white horizontal siding. Historical/Associative Value The historic and associative value of the apartment buildings relate to their potential to contribute towards an understanding of development patterns in the late 1930's to the 1960's. This time period saw a marked change is housing, as Canada regained its economic and social footing following the second world war and opened its doors to new immigrants. As such a construction boom of apartments occurred, as they were an efficient and economical means to create a sufficient supply of housing. In 1928 14 apartments existed within Kitchener and Waterloo (Vernon's Directory, 1928). By 1945 there were 66 apartment buildings, and by 1955 there were 109 (Vernon's Directory, 1945 and 1955) 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street was one of the first of several low-rise apartment buildings constructed in the Art Moderne style between the time period of 1944-1954 within the Waterloo Region. The Art Moderne style was an appropriate choice for such developments, as it was a response from designers which sought to meet the needs of ordinary citizens while proving that mass production / quantity and quality were not mutually exclusive. The resulting apartments were sensible and were still of a small enough scale as to allow a community -centric experience to residents. Contextual Value The contextual values relate to the contribution that the apartment building makes to the continuity and character of the Union Boulevard and York Street streetscapes and the surrounding area. The property is located within the Westmount East & West Neighbourhood Cultural Heritage Landscape, and boarders the Union Street & Union Boulevard Cultural Heritage Landscape. The Westmount CHL is a neighbourhood with a unique urban form inspired by the City Beautiful Movement. One of its more distinguishable features are the slightly curvilinear alignment of the roads and the 6 -metre -wide medians planted with high branching trees and elegant light fixtures. The residential dwellings within the neighbourhood are a concentrated mixture of recognizable architectural styles from the 1920's -1940's, largely constructed from high quality material and displaying fine details. A number of these homes are historically associated with important city builders, businesspeople, and community leaders including A.R. Kaufman, E.O. Weber and E.F. Seagram. While slightly larger in height and massing than the typically 1.5 and 2 -storey single detached dwellings predominate in the neighbourhood, the overall design, form, setbacks, and materials used in the construction of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street are compatible and complimentary to adjacent and surrounding properties. The garden beds and mature trees in and around the property further integrate it into the well-maintained Westmount neighbourhood. The apartment buildings at 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street are also physically, visually, historically, and functionally linked to their surroundings as they remain in-situ and maintain their original multiple residential use. Page 51 of 112 Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 80-86 Union Boulevard / 571 York Street resides in the following attributes: ■ All elements related to the Art Moderne with Art Deco influences architectural style, including: o varied roofline; o angled building corners; o varied brick colour; o concrete banding; o window openings with concrete headers and sills; o glass blocks framing window openings and entrance openings; o glass block windows with concrete headers and sills; o projecting central front bay with main entrance; o stone faced surround; o sign that reads "UNION APTS" with leaf motifs; o light fixture above main entrance; o symbol with the letters `U' and `A'; and, o parged concrete foundation. • All elements related to the contextual value, including: o Location and orientation of the buildings and the contribution that they make to the continuity and character of the Union Boulevard and York Street streetscapes. Photographs Page 52 of 112 : «y' Page 53 0 112 Page 54 of 112 CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM 80-86 Union Blvd Address: Apartments Description: Photographs Attached: ❑X Front Facade ❑ Left Facade Jessica Vieira e r: August 19, 2024 ❑ Right Fagade ❑ Rear Facade ❑X Details ❑X Setting Designation Criteria Recorder — Heritage Heritage Kitchener Committee Planning Staff 1. This property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it is a Yes x❑ Yes ❑ rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method. 2. The property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it Yes ❑X Yes ❑ displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit. 3. The property has design value or physical N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it Yes ❑ Yes ❑ demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. * e.g., constructed with a unique material combination or use, incorporates challenging geometric designs etc. Page 55 of 112 4. The property has historical value or 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. N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X Yes ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ 5. The property has historical or associative N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ value because it yields, Yes ❑X Yes ❑ or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture. * E.g - 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 historical value or N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ associative value Yes ❑ Yes ❑ 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. Page 56 of 112 7. The property has Recorder Heritage Kitchener Committee Interior: Is the interior contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is important Yes ❑X Yes ❑ in defining, maintaining N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ notable landscaping or external Yes ❑ or supporting the features that complete the site? 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 contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is physically, Yes ❑X Yes ❑ functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings. * Additional archival work may be required. 9. The property has contextual value N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑X N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ because it is a Yes ❑ Yes ❑ landmark. *within the region, city or neighborhood. Notes Additional Criteria Recorder Heritage Kitchener Committee Interior: Is the interior arrangement, finish, craftsmanship N/A ® Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ and/or detail noteworthy? Yes ❑ Completeness: Does this structure have other original outbuildings, N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ notable landscaping or external Yes ❑ features that complete the site? Page 57 of 112 Site Integrity: Does the structure occupy its original site? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Yes ❑x * If relocated, is it relocated on its original site, moved from another site, etc. Alterations: Does this building retain most of its original N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ materials and design features? Yes Please refer to the list of heritage attributes within the Statement of Dormers seem like new Significance and indicate which additions, new double single - elements are still existing and hung or single -hung windows which ones have been removed. Alterations: Are there additional elements or features that should be N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ added to the heritage attribute list? Yes Light fixture above entrances look like they could be ori nal Condition: is the building in good condition? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Yes 0 *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 this site be of importance to N/A ❑ Unknown ® No ❑ Yes N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Indigenous heritage and history? ❑ ❑ Additional Research Required El Additional Research Required *E.g. -Site within 300m of water sources, near distinct topographical land, or near cemeteries might have archaeological potential and indigenous heritage potential. Could there be any urban Indigenous history associated with N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ the property? N/A ❑ Unknown © No ❑ Yes ❑ Additional Research Required * Additional archival work may be ❑ Additional Research Required required. Function: What is the present Unknown ❑ Residential ® Unknown ❑ Residential ❑ Commercia function of the subject property? Commercial ❑ 1 ❑ Office ❑ Other © Office ❑ Other ❑ - * Other may include vacant, social, Multiple dwelling institutional, etc. and important for the community from an equity building perspective. Diversity and Inclusion: Does N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ® Yes N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ the subject property contribute to ❑ ❑ Additional Research Required the cultural heritage of a ❑ Additional Research Required community of people? N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No ❑ Yes ❑ Page 58 of 112 Does the subject property have N/A ❑ Unknown ❑ No © Yes ❑ Additional Research Required intangible value to a specific ❑ community of people? ❑ Additional Research Required * E.g.- Waterloo Masfid (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 ❑X If not, please select the appropriate action for follow-up ❑ Keep on the Municipal Heritage Register ❑ 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 Notes Page 59 of 112