HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2025-367 - Kitchener 2051 Official Plan Update & Cultural Landscape Implementation Update
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: October 7, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals,
519-783-8922
PREPARED BY: Deeksha Choudhry, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8906
Victoria Grohn, Heritage Planner, 519-783-8912
Michelle Drake, Senior Heritage Planner, 519-783-8909
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 12, 2025
REPORT NO.: DSD-2025-367
SUBJECT: Kitchener 2015 Official Plan Update &
Cultural Heritage Landscape Implementation Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the cultural heritage resource
policies that have been drafted as part of Kitchener 2051, the CityÓs new Official Plan
project, and the Cultural Heritage Landscape Implementation project update.
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 Heritage Kitchener meeting and consulting with Heritage
Kitchener. Broader community engagement on draft cultural heritage resource and
cultural heritage landscape policies will occur as part of the engagement on the draft
new Official Plan later this fall
This report supports building a Connected City Together: Focuses on
neighbourhoods; housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around
easily, sustainably and safely to the places and spaces that matter.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener 2051 Update
KitchenerÓs Official Plan is the policy framework that guides short- and long-term
development within the City. The current Official Plan (OP) was adopted in 2014. Kitchener
is forecasted to grow from todayÓs estimated population of 300,000 to a population of
approximately 450,000 by 2051. Through Kitchener 2051, the City of Kitchener has been
updating the OP to determine how the city may grow and evolve. Heritage planning staff
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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have been working to update existing OP policies related to cultural heritage conservation,
as well as add new policies as needed.
Cultural Heritage Landscape Implementation Update
The Province of Ontario encourages planning authorities to develop and implement
proactive strategies for the conservation of CHLs and further requires planning authorities
to conserve protected heritage property which may contain CHLs. The Provincial Planning
Statement defines CHLs as Ð geographical areas that may have been modified by human
activity and are identified as having cultural heritage value or interest by a community,
including an Indigenous community. The area may include features such as buildings,
structures, spaces, views, archaeological sites or natural elements that are valued
together for their interrelationship, meaning or association.Ñ
In 2014, the City initiated the Historic Places Kitchener project with the purpose of
inventorying Cultural Heritage Landscapes (CHL) across the city. The project produced
KitchenerÓs CHL Study, which identified 55 CHLs of value and significance, and was
approved by Council in 2015. Since that time, as part of broader planning projects, the City
has been reviewing individual CHLs to identify them in the Official Plan and develop both
general and CHL-specific heritage conservation policies where appropriate. At present, 20
of the 55 CHLs have been added to Map 9 Î Cultural Heritage Resources of the Official
Plan along with general and specific policies to conserve these CHLs.
In March 2025, as part of Kitchener 2051, Heritage Planning staff launched the Cultural
Heritage Landscape Implementation project. The purpose of the project is to add 27 CHLs
to Map 9 of the Official Plan, review and update general policies applicable to all CHLs
and heritage corridors, and add site specific policies for Caryndale, Pandora, QueenÓs
Boulevard and Rockway CHLs.
REPORT:
Kitchener 2051 Official Plan
Kitchener 2051 launched with a community engagement launch party on Gaukel Block in
October 2024 and a community working group was formed to help guide the Kitchener 2051
process. Since that time a variety of technical studies have been completed. Work has
commenced on drafting a new Official Plan based on engagement to date and the technical
studies completed. Staff anticipate having a draft Official Plan for community input later this
fall.
Official Plan Heritage Kitchener Survey Results
Staff conducted a survey at Heritage KitchenerÓs March 5, 2025, meeting. The purpose of
the survey was to help identify gaps in the existing Official Plan framework and to establish
a shared vision that could be used to improve the policies that allow the City to conserve its
cultural heritage resources.
When asked about priority areas to keep in mind while reviewing and/or drafting policies,
the Committee identified the following areas:
- Management of change to cultural heritage resources;
- Sustainability;
- Recognizing community histories; and
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- Ensuring respect/compatibility in design.
The Committee broadly identified the following barriers through the survey:
- Financial costs associated with restoration/maintenance/adaptive reuse;
- Lack of knowledge/understanding on why we conserve but also how we conserve;
and
- Unclear or slow processes/difficulty navigating permitting processes.
When asked about what staff should focus on when drafting policies, some of the responses
included:
- New or stronger policies to reinforce the connection between heritage resources and
urban design;
- Policies to reduce material waste/reuse salvageable materials in demolition
proposals;
- New or stronger programs/policies required to capitalize on educational benefits;
- New policies/programs to acknowledge or inform on unknown/understudied histories
in the City; and
- Attracting tourism opportunities, businesses through the creation of distinct places
with sense of character.
Staff have taken these comments into consideration as part of their review of existing cultural
heritage OP policies.
Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Kitchener 2051 OP Policies
Purpose
The conservation of our cultural heritage resources is an essential part of our planning and
decision-making processes and is proposed to be integrated within the different policies
and focus areas of the Official Plan. The cultural heritage resources policies are proposed
to continue to provide a long-term vision and strategy to guide how these resources are
protected, enhanced, and managed across the City as our city continues to grow and
change.
Staff are recommending strengthening, removing and retaining some existing cultural
heritage policies in the Official Plan. Additionally, new policies are proposed to be added.
These new policies are the focus of this report. These proposed new cultural heritage
resource policies prioritize conservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive re-use of cultural
heritage resources in new or re-developments. Some proposed new policies also focus on
sustainability, and the contribution existing buildings can make towards achieving the
CityÓs sustainability goals. Draft cultural heritage policies have been attached with this
report for Heritage KitchenerÓs review and feedback (Attachment A).
Proposed New Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
The last Official Plan update occurred in 2014, and over time Heritage Planning staff have
recognized what is working well, what has been challenging, and identified gaps within the
existing cultural heritage policies. Through the Kitchener 2051 project, Heritage Planning
staff have undertaken an extensive reassessment of the existing cultural heritage policies
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within the current Official Plan, reviewed cultural heritage policies in other municipalities
across Ontario and explored provincial, national, and international best heritage practices
to develop new comprehensive cultural heritage resource policies.
While many of the existing cultural heritage policies continue to be relevant and applicable,
Heritage Planning staff are proposing several changes to address updates to provincial
legislation, new municipal responsibility, and clarity around best practices of conserving
cultural heritage resources.
General Policies
Some general policies within this section already exist in the Official Plan. These include,
but are not limited to, policies identifying the different types of cultural heritage resources
within the City, and the mechanisms that the City may use to conserve these resources
long term. Staff are proposing minor changes to these policies to further strengthen or
clarify their intent.
As part of the general policies, staff are proposing some new policies that would apply to
all cultural heritage resources within the City. The intent of the new and/or revised cultural
heritage resource policies is to provide for a proactive approach to recognizing,
conserving, and incorporating heritage resources into new developments, while protecting
heritage resources from deterioration and/or demolition by neglect. These new proposed
general heritage policies put increased responsibility on the City to identify and manage
City-owned cultural heritage resources, engage and collaborate with Indigenous
communities regarding the identification, protection, and management of cultural heritage
resources, and emphasize the importance of placemaking and place keeping to further the
enrichment of our communities. These general policies can be found on page 1 of
Attachment A.
Design with Heritage Resources
As the City continues to evolve and change, cultural heritage resources in established
neighbourhoods and in and around the downtown core are facing greater impacts due to
development pressures. To facilitate the incorporation of cultural heritage resources into
development proposals, new draft policies focused on design with heritage resources are
proposed. The intent of these policies is to convey the cityÓs expectations and minimum
design requirements for developments incorporating cultural heritage resources. The new
policies encourage the adaptive re-use of vacant or underutilized properties and have
regard for a higher standard of design when incorporating existing cultural heritage
resources. These policies also promote lighting and commemorative features as tools to
conserve and enhance cultural heritage resources and discourage the retention of singular
façades. These proposed policies can be found on page 3 of Attachment A.
Demolition
The demolition of cultural heritage resources continues to be an ongoing challenge
throughout the city. To deter the demolition of cultural heritage resources to facilitate
development, the proposed new draft policies make clear that there will be a presumption
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against demolition. However, it is recognized that demolition is not always avoidable. In
these instances, the new draft policies provide direction around:
- the appropriate salvage and reuse of materials and the process of deconstruction;
- the requirement for comprehensive Commemoration Plans to effectively recognize
significant cultural heritage resources that have been or will be lost; and
- Clarity around the submission requirements for a Notice of Intention to Demolish.
Proposed policies regarding demolition can be found on page 4 of Attachment A.
Archaeology
The responsibility of identifying areas of archaeological potential, requesting assessments,
and reviewing recommendations and conclusions of archaeological assessments was
previously a Regional planning responsibility, but now falls under the role of the City.
Considering this change, new draft policies on archaeology are proposed to be
incorporated into the Official Plan. The intent of these policies is to ensure that the City
has clear direction around the early identification of areas of archaeological potential, and
management of identified archaeological sites, in accordance with applicable legislation
and through consultation with Indigenous communities.
Staff note that the City will also be preparing an Archaeological Management Plan in
consultation with local Indigenous communities and licensed archaeologists. This
management plan will have contingency policies which will address how to deal with
archaeological resources in emergency situations. Proposed policies regarding
archaeology can be found on page 7 of Attachment A.
As a result of the transition of all planning responsibilities from the Region of Waterloo to
the City of Kitchener effective January 1, 2025, the City now implements both the Region
of Waterloo Official Plan and Kitchener Official Plan. This section proposed to also
consolidate relevant regional policies into this section of the Kitchener 2051 Official Plan.
Cultural Heritage Landscapes Î Implementation Project & Draft Policies
The March 2025 Heritage Kitchener member survey responses recommended that the
City adopt CHL heritage conservation guidelines, collaborate with other public bodies that
own CHLs, and provide more public education (e.g., signs, tours, workshops, etc.). With
respect to the topic of other types of policies, the survey responses recommended the
need for complete Planning Act application requirements, clear definitions, and
implementation guidelines for CHL conservation. Feedback also raised questions about
how to conserve agricultural/rural CHLs and made it clear that more research and work is
needed on this topic; however, this additional work is out of scope for the current CHL
Implementation project.
Since the project launch in March 2025, Heritage Planning staff have actively researched
Official Plans across Ontario and beyond to identity best practices for CHL conservation.
This information was used to review existing CHL policies, and draft new CHL policies.
These draft new policies are available in Attachment B to this report.
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Our engagement initiated with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six
Nations of the Grand River and our conversations with them are ongoing as part of this
project and beyond.
th
A public open house was held on September 15between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. with 22
attendees at the Rockway Golf Course. Attendees were asked to respond to four
questions:
- What is important and/or valued by residents and the broader public?
- What does conservation look like to you?
- What level of protection and management would you support? and
- What is important to you from an intangible perspective?
th
Walkshops tours in four specific neighbourhood CHLs, were held on September 16
thrd
(Caryndale), September 17 (QueenÓs Boulevard), September 23 (Pandora), and
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September 24 (Rockway). Heritage Planning staff will share an oral summary of what we
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heard at the public open house and walkshops at the October 7 Heritage Kitchener
committee meeting.
Feedback on the project is also being collected through the CityÓs Engage Kitchener page
thth
between September 15 and October 8. All feedback received will be considered in the
final draft CHL policies.
Staff have been undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing CHL policies
applicable on all CHLs across the City, including heritage corridors. Draft CHL general
policies have been attached with this report (Attachment B) for Heritage KitchenerÓs
feedback and review. In terms of next steps, the final draft CHL policies will be shared as
part of the broader Kitchener 2051, the CityÓs new Official Plan, project later this fall.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Building a Connected City Together: Focuses on neighbourhoods;
housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around easily, sustainably and
safely to the places and spaces that matter.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget Î The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget Î The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Î This report has been posted to the CityÓs website with the agenda in advance of
the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
CONSULT Î Heritage Kitchener was initially consulted using a survey to seek feedback
regarding the Kitchener 2051 project, the CityÓs new Official Plan, as it pertains to policies
for Cultural Heritage Resources and the Cultural Heritage Landscape Implementation
project as it relates to policies regarding Cultural Heritage Landscapes. Heritage Kitchener
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is now being asked to review and comment on the draft policies for both Cultural Heritage
Resources and Cultural Heritage Landscapes.
Early engagement initiated with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six
Nations of the Grand River and is ongoing.
For the Cultural Heritage Landscapes Implementation project, an initial open house was
th
held on September 15 to share information about the project. Additionally, four
neighbourhood walkshops were held one each in the Pandora, Caryndale, QueenÓs
Boulevard, and Rockway neighbourhoods to better understand the cultural heritage
attributes and have conversations with interested community members. The CityÓs Engage
Kitchener webpage The CityÓs Engage Kitchener webpage was updated to include the
information shared at the open house and walkshops along with three online activities to
seek feedback from the public.
COLLABORATE Î Kitchener 2051 includes a robust 4-phase community engagement
process that builds on the Strategic Plan. Collaboration on Kitchener 2051 continues to
occur regularly with the Community Working Group (CWG). The CWG includes a diverse
group of individuals that represent the demographics of Kitchener (and the Kitchener of
tomorrow). The CWG is learning about what the city needs to consider through a new Official
Plan and collaborating with staff and consultants to meaningfully shape all aspects of the
plan. Additionally, conversations with First Nations have and continues to occur throughout
the timeline of Kitchener 2051. KitchenerÓs advisory committees, including Heritage
Kitchener, have and continue to occur at key milestones.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Heritage Kitchener Committee Î 2025 Work Plan (DSD-2025-072)
Building a Connected City Together: New Official Plan Launch (DSD-2024-077)
Regional Official Plan, 2015
City of Kitchener Official Plan, 2014
KitchenerÓs Cultural Heritage Landscape Study (CSD-14-110)
Planning Act
REVIEWED BY: Sandro Bassanese, Manager of Site Plan
Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy & Research
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Î Kitchener 2051 - Draft Cultural Heritage Resource Policies
Attachment B Î Kitchener 2051- Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
9ƇňƂƇŵêň϶cđŵijƂêĩđ϶϶
Our cultural heritage resources are a representation of our collective past and are an
integral part of our community. They provide for opportunities to expand our understanding
of dierent cultural perspectives and previous events, foster a holistic identity, and create a
distinct sense of place. They can provide an avenue to advance Truth and Reconciliation
eorts by increasing awareness of and celebrating indigenous communities. Through the
adaptive reuse of heritage resources, our environmental objectives can be advanced by
conserving embodied carbon, reducing material consumption, and diverting waste from
land ǎ lls. Economically our heritage resources are capable of stimulating commercial and
tourism activities or creating specialized industries. As such, the conservation of our
cultural heritage resources is an essential part of our planning and decision-making
processes and is integrated within the dierent policies and focus areas of this Oicial
Plan. This means protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the resources within our city for
current and future generations.
Our city continues to grow and change, and the needs of our community are ever evolving.
The purpose of the following policies is to appropriately manage our cultural heritage
resources alongside such growth and change, balancing the needs. Our cultural heritage
resources are a non-renewable resource, and their conservation is an important shared
responsibility.
General Policies
1) The City will conserve cultural heritage resources, which include but are not limited
to:
a) Properties designated under Part IV (individual properties) and V (heritage
conservation districts) of the Ontario Heritage Act;
b) Archaeological Resources;
c) Cemeteries and burial grounds of cultural heritage signi ǎ cance;
d) Non-designated properties of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal
Heritage Register;
e) Cultural Heritage Landscapes;
f) Heritage conservation districts;
g) Heritage Corridors;
h) Properties identi ǎ ed on inventories from dierent orders of government;
i) Properties on the Kitchener Inventory of Historic Buildings, until such time as they
are re-evaluated; and
j) Intangible cultural heritage.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
2) The City acknowledges that not all cultural heritage resources have been identi ǎ ed.
Conservation may be required should a property be identi ǎ ed as potentially having
cultural heritage value or interest. having cultural heritage value or interest.
3) To conserve, protect, and maintain cultural heritage resources, the City will use a
range of measures and tools. These include but are not limited to:
a) By-laws to designate cultural heritage resources, heritage conservation districts,
and cultural heritage landscapes of cultural heritage value or interest;
b) Heritage permits and conditions of approval for heritage permits;
c) Restrictive covenants and heritage easement agreements;
d)Zoning by-laws, site plan control, demolition control, holding provisions, conditions
of approval for applications submitted under the Planning Act, and provisions within
subdivision agreements;
e) Property Standards By-laws, tree by-laws, and sign by-laws; and
f) Community improvement plans and ǎ nancial incentives.
4) The City will engage with Indigenous Communities and respect their interests when
identifying, protecting, and managing cultural heritage and archaeological resources.
5) The City will, in collaboration with Indigenous Communities, create opportunities to
increase awareness, understanding and commemoration of the enduring presence,
history, accomplishments, knowledge, and distinct worldviews of local Indigenous
communities.
6) The City will use cultural heritage resources in placemaking and place keeping to
further advance cultural, economic, environmental, social and architectural bene ǎ ts to
enrich our communities, including Indigenous communities.
7) The City will make decisions with respect to cultural heritage resources that are
consistent with all applicable legislation as well as with the ¡êŵńŹϼ9êŏêċêϼ¨ƂêŏċêŵċŹϼ
êŏċϼ\]ƇijċđňijŏđŹϼĨŗŵϼƂİđϼ9ŗŏŹđŵƚêƂijŗŏϼŗĨϼcijŹƂŗŵijąϼ¡ňêąđŹϼijŏϼ9êŏêċê or any predecessor
thereof and other recognized best practices.
8) The City will utilize all opportunities and tools available to enhance public knowledge,
appreciation and stewardship of cultural heritage resources, including intangible
cultural heritage. This may include but is not limited to the development of:
a) Interactive heritage sites and trails
b) Interpretive plaques and/or signage
c) Public archives
d) Award programs
e) Educational and outreach programs
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
9) The City will prepare a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. It will provide a
comprehensive strategy for the identi ǎ cation, conservation, and management of
cultural heritage resources within the City. Applications which involve cultural
heritage resources will comply with the policies of the Cultural Heritage Management
Plan.
10) The City will prepare Conservation Plans for City-owned cultural heritage resources.
The Conservation Plans will include Emergency Management Protocols and lists of pre-
quali ǎ ed consultants for emergency situations aecting City-owned cultural heritage
resources.
11)Designated heritage properties will be protected against deterioration and/or
demolition by neglect through heritage property standards, by-laws, and other tools
available to the City.
12) The City may oer ǎ nancial incentives to assist with the conservation, restoration, and
rehabilitation of cultural heritage resources. Such incentives will be implemented in
accordance with Council approved operating guidelines.
Development with Heritage Resources
1) All development permitted by the land use designations and other policies of this Plan
will conserve cultural heritage resources.
2) The conservation of cultural heritage resources will be a requirement and/or
condition in the processing and approval of planning applications for any property with
or adjacent to a cultural heritage resource. Such applications will:
a. Follow best heritage practices and national and provincial heritage conservation
standards, guidelines, and principles;
b. Be integral to the design of the development, redevelopment, or site alteration in a
manner that conserves, maintains, or enhances the integrity of the cultural
heritage resource and avoids the creation of adverse impacts to the cultural
heritage resource; and
c. Integrate any protected heritage property in a way that recognizes and conserves
its associated heritage attributes and tangible and/or intangible value in a
respectful, sympathetic, and prominent manner to the satisfaction of the City.
3) Financial securities may be required as part of a development application or heritage
permit application, to ensure the conservation of a cultural heritage resource both
during and after the development process. The securities may include the cost of short,
medium, and long-term conservation measures and will be based o a cost estimate to
the 9ijƂƢЪŹ satisfaction.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
4) Applications for development of a property with a cultural heritage resource,
potential cultural heritage resource, adjacent to an identi ǎ ed cultural heritage
resource, or as otherwise identi ǎ ed by the City will require heritage studies or heritage
related studies, to the satisfaction of the City.
5) The requirement to prepare heritage studies or heritage related studies may also apply
to previously unknown or unidenti ǎ ed cultural heritage resources that are discovered
during the pre-consultation, application, or construction stage.
6) The contents of required heritage studies and heritage-related studies must satisfy the
requirements of Terms of Reference provided by the City. The contents of the Terms of
Reference may be scoped or revisedto the satisfaction of the City.
7) The City may require that the conclusions and recommendations of approved heritage
studies and heritage-related studies be incorporated into the plans, design, or
conditions for approval of applications for a related development application.
8) All heritage studies and heritage-related studies are to be prepared by or in conjunction
with a quali ǎ ed professional in accordance with the minimum requirements as
provided in a City Terms of Reference document. The City may require that a peer
review of submitted heritage studies and heritage-related studies be completed.
9) Development which involves cultural heritage resources will explore energy retro ǎ ts
and climate mitigation opportunities while maintain i ng enhancing heritage integrity.
10) Development and public and private works projects should integrate appropriate forms
of commemoration or other programming to expand cultural, educational, and
recreational opportunities and increase public awareness, understanding, and
êŲŲŵđąijêƂijŗŏ϶ŗĨ϶Ƃİđ϶ąijƂƢЪŹ϶İijŹƂŗŵƢϼ϶°İđ϶ąŗŎŎđŎŗŵêƂijŗŏ϶êŲŲŵŗêąİ϶Ɯijňň϶ăđ϶ŹƇŲŲŗŵƂđċ϶ăƢ϶ê϶
Commemoration Plan.
11) Where Heritage Permit Applications are required, supporting material will be submitted
in accordance with the 9ijƂƢЪŹ Heritage Permit Application submission requirements
and guidelines.
Design with Heritage Resources
1) Development will conserve,respect, and wherever possible, enhance cultural
heritage resources through its design. This may include, but is not limited to:
a) Incorporating built-form transition to existing cultural heritage resources on-site
and adjacent buildings
b) Incorporating built-form placement, scale, and massing compatible with existing
on-site or adjacent cultural heritage resources.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
c) Including appropriate building massing setbacks and stepbacks. Appropriate
stepbacks are required to ensure continued visibility and prominence of the cultural
heritage resource.
d) Proposing appropriate materials and sympathetic architectural details and
e) Ensuring continued conservation of cultural heritage value integrity.
2) Cultural heritage resources that are underutilized or vacant should be adaptively re-
used. Any development integrating existing cultural heritage resources will
incorporate and enhance the cultural heritage value of the existing cultural heritage
resource in a sensitive and sustainable manner. This can be achieved by:
a)Maintaining the prominence of the existing cultural heritage resource;
b) Proposing uses for the new development and existing cultural heritage resources
that require minimal intervention;
c) Including design interventions that extend the life of existing cultural heritage
resources; and
d) Implementing appropriate alterations, including but not limited to drainage and
lighting, to ensure the long-term maintenance of cultural heritage resources.
3) Development will be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the
integrity and cultural heritage value of the existing cultural heritage resource will be
conserved.
4) Commemoration features should be designed to re Ǐ ect the signi ǎ cance of the cultural
heritage resource, be visible from the public realm, be legible, reuse salvaged
material, and should not block the sightlines to or alter heritage attributes which are
being conserved.
5) Development will conserve the whole or the majority of cultural heritage resources.
Development that proposes the retention of a singular façade, where the entire existing
resource is visible from the public realm, is discouraged.
6) Development that includes cultural heritage resources will use lighting as a tool to
conserve and enhance the existing resource. As such, the City may request a Lighting
Plan.
Demolition
1. There will be a presumption against demolition of cultural heritage resources for any
development, unless a situation has occurred where demolition may be necessary
such as partial destruction due to a catastrophic event or severe structural instability.
2. Where demolition or partial demolition of a cultural heritage resource is proposed as
part of a development, a Life Cycle Assessment which considers embodied carbon
emissions may be required.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
3. Where demolition or partial demolition of a cultural heritage resource is proposed as
part of a development, a Salvage and Reuse Plan may be required. The salvage of
material will comply with Waste to Resources policies.
4. Where buildings material have been identi ǎ ed as a heritage attribute for salvage and
reuse, deconstruction will be used as the method of disassembling the cultural heritage
resource in order to conserve the salvaged materials
5. Where demolition of a listed, non-designated cultural heritage resource is proposed,
a written notice of intention to demolish will be provided to the City a minimum of 60-
days in advance. Supporting information may be required for a complete notice of
intention, including but not limited to:
a) Heritage studies and heritage-related studies;
b) Archival documentation and photographs;
c) Cost estimates; and
d) Architectural measured drawings and plans
2) Where demolition of a listed, non-designated cultural heritage resource is proposed
and a complete written notice of intention to demolish has been provided, the
signi ǎ cance of the cultural heritage resource will be evaluated and designation may
be pursued.
3) Where demolition or partial demolition of a cultural heritage resource is approved as
part of a development, the City may require all or any part of the demolished cultural
heritage resource be given to the City for re-use, archival, display, or commemorative
purposes, at no costs to the City.
4) Where demolition or partial demolition of a cultural heritage resource is approved as
part of a development, the City may require thorough archival documentation
including:
a) Architectural measured drawings;
b) Photographs including 360-photography models; and
c) Maps and other available material related to the cultural heritage resource in its
surrounding context
5) Where demolition or partial demolition of a cultural heritage resource is approved as
part of a development, a building permit for a replacement building will be obtained
prior to the demolition or deconstruction work.
6) Where demolition of a cultural heritage resource is approved as part of a
development, commemoration will be required. The commemoration approach will be
supported by a Commemoration Plan.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Resources Policies
Cultural Heritage Landscape
\[Policies are currently being developed and will be included at a later date\].
Archaeology
1) Where a development may cause an impact to archaeological resources or areas of
archaeological potential, an archaeological assessment will be required. The
archaeological assessment will be prepared by a quali ǎ ed archaeologist with a
license in good standing, in accordance with Provincial standards and guidelines, and
in consultation with Indigenous Communities.
2) Development will only be permitted on lands containing archaeological resources if
the archaeological resources have been conserved in accordance with the
recommendations of the approved archaeological assessment and in consultation with
Indigenous Communities.
3) Archaeological resources will be conserved in situ wherever possible. Where
conservation in situ occurs, only development which maintain the integrity of the site
will be permitted. The extent of the archaeological site should be designated in
accordance with the recommendation of the archaeological assessment.
4) Removal of archaeological resources from a site will be conducted by or in
conjunction with a quali ǎ ed archaeologist with a license in good standing, and in
accordance with the recommendations of the approved archaeological assessment
and applicable legislation, prior to site grading or any other construction activities.
5) The City will maintain current archaeological resource site data and locations. These
site data and locations will be used for the purpose of heritage conservation planning
and development review and will be updated as new archaeological resources are
identi ǎ ed.
6) The City will keep con ǎ dential the existence and location of archaeological resources
to protect against vandalism, disturbance, and the inappropriate removal of resources.
7) The City will prepare an Archaeological Management Plan, in consultation with local
Indigenous Communities and licensed archaeologists. T he Management Plan will
provide detailed information on the variables used to determine areas of archaeological
potential, de ǎ ne the archaeological review process, and include implementation
guidelines and a contingency plan for emergency situations when archaeological
resources are accidentally discovered or are under imminent threat.
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Signi ǎ cant Cultural Heritage Landscapes
1) The City will identify signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes on Map 9 of this Plan.
2) Development within a heritage conservation district must comply with the policies and
guidelines found within the respective heritage conservation district plan. Where there
is a con Ǐ ict between the policies of this Plan and a heritage conservation district plan,
in accordance with Ontario Heritage Act s. 42 and s. 68(3), the heritage conservation
district plan policies and guidelines will prevail.
3) Heritage corridors are also shown as an overlay designation on top of a particular class
of street on the street network or multi-use pathway on the multi-use pathway network
shown on Map 11.
4) The City will prepare and update an Implementation Guideline for Signi ǎ cant Cultural
Heritage Landscape Conservation. This guideline will outline the framework for
identifying, conserving, and protecting signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes,
including Signi ǎ cant Cultural Heritage Landscapes of Regional interest. A future
update to this implementation guideline may include re ǎ nement of the criteria for the
identi ǎ cation and evaluation of residential neighborhoods.
5) The City will cooperate with Indigenous communities, neighbouring municipalities,
other orders of government, the Grand River Conservation Authority, and the private
sector in protecting and managing signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes that cross
municipal and/or jurisdictional boundaries.
6) The City shall engage early with Indigenous communities and ensure their interests are
considered when identifying, protecting and managing signi ǎ cant cultural heritage
landscapes.
7) The City will develop and implement proactive strategies for conserving signi ǎ cant
cultural heritage landscapes.
8) In addition to CHR policy 3, the City may use a variety of tools to ensure signi ǎ cant
cultural heritage landscapes are conserved, which may include, but are not limited to
designation under Part IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act, establishment of Heritage
Character Areas, development and implementation of heritage conservation design
policies and guidelines, and any other tools as deemed necessary.
9) The City will prepare Conservation Guidelines for older residential neighbourhoods as
de ǎ ned and identi ǎ ed in Kitchener's Cultural Heritage Landscape Study, 2014, and any
subsequent city-initiated studies completed to further identify, manage and protect
signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes.
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
10) The City recognizes the Grand River as a Canadian Heritage River and will engage with
First Nations, the Region and the Grand River Conservation Authority in eorts to
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recreational, scenic and ecological features.
11) A Cultural Heritage Landscape Study will be prepared for additional areas of the City,
including but not limited to:
a) the Bridgeport area on both sides of the Grand River;
b) the Breithaupt Park Area;
c) the Freeport area;
d) cultural heritage landscapes associated with the Grand River Corridor;
e) agricultural areas of the city; and,
f) other signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes of value or interest that have not
been identi ǎ ed.
12) Development in or adjacent to a signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscape will support,
maintain and enhance the overall heritage attributes of the signi ǎ cant cultural
heritage landscape further de ǎ ŏđċ϶ijŏ϶Ƃİđ϶9ijƂƢЪŹ϶ͮͬͭͰ϶9ijƂƢ϶ŗĨ϶uijƂąİđŏđŵ϶9ƇňƂƇŵêň϶
Heritage Landscapes Study and any subsequent studies completed that established or
re ǎ ned signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes within the City.
13) The City will prevent the loss of any signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes or
portions of the cultural heritage landscape. Where new private development or public
work is undertaken in the vicinity of a lost site of cultural heritage value or interest, a
commemoration approach will be required and supported by a Commemoration Plan,
including sites where: signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscape features such as rivers,
streams and shorelines, have disappeared from the cityscape.
14) In cases where an existing street or multi-use pathway has an overlay designation of
Heritage Corridor, alterations to the heritage attributes including but not limited to as
widening the carriage way or changing the surface treatment will be discouraged, and
where required, will be subject to heritage studies.
15) The City will avoid or mitigate negative adverse impacts to heritage attributes that may
result from maintenance required to ensure safety and ongoing operation of any
municipal services located within the heritage corridor.
16) Streets identi ǎ ed as having potential cultural heritage value or interest to be considered
a heritage corridor include: Huron Road between Homer Watson Boulevard and Mill
Park Drive; Pinnacle Drive between the northerly leg of New Dundee Road and Pine Hill
Place; Old Chicopee Trail between Fairway Road and Daimler Drive; and, Patricia
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
17) Notwithstanding the requirements of the land use designations and the policies in this
Plan, certain signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes within the City are subject to
more detailed and speci ǎ c policies. These speci ǎ c policies are intended to recognize
signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes within the City where special conditions,
other than those speci ǎ ed in the land use designations, will also apply. The following
are signi ǎ cant cultural heritage landscapes, including heritage corridors, where
speci ǎ c policies apply.
a) Stauer Drive
It is intended that Stauer Drive will be closed to vehicular traic and incorporated
as part of the multi-use pathway network. The use of Stauer Drive as an emergency
access to 500 Stauer Drive will be permitted.
b) Tilt Drive
The City is encouraged to maintain and conserve existing trees and hedgerows
within the existing right-of-way in accordance with the approved Heritage Corridor
Enhancement Plan.
c) Dodge Drive
Dodge Drive will continue to serve as a local road/access for existing residential lots
and any in ǎ ll lots created through the consent process. Other than in ǎ ll lots, new
development will not be permitted to have direct vehicular access to Dodge Drive
unless access to New Dundee Road is prohibited for those lands fronting New
Dundee Road and located between the west and east legs of Dodge Drive.
d) Mill Park Drive and Old Mill Road
Mill Park Drive from Huron Road to Old Mill Road and Old Mill Road from Mill Park
Drive to Doon Valley Drive. Despite the overlay designation as a Heritage Corridor,
this Plan recognizes the Minor Neighbourhood Collector Street function of Mill Park
Drive and Old Mill Road.
e) Pioneer Tower Road
Notwithstanding Policy 14, widening of the carriage way, changes to the surface
treatment and other alterations may be permitted to Pioneer Tower Road between
Marquette Drive and the western terminus of Pioneer Tower Road.
f) Huron Road
Huron Road will continue to serve as an arterial street. The City is strongly
encouraged to maintain the alignment and topography of Huron Road in recognition
of the historical signi ǎ cance of the street. Notwithstanding Policy 14, widening of
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
the carriage-way, changes to the surface treatment, and other alterations may be
permitted to Huron Road between Trussler Road and Fischer Hallman Road.
g) Lower Doon Cultural Heritage Landscape
i. The cultural heritage resources and heritage attributes identi ǎ ed in the
Lower Doon Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and shown on Map 1 and
Map 2 of the Lower Doon Cultural Heritage Landscape Report will be
conserved.
ii. The City will require the submission of a Heritage Impact Assessment
and/or a Heritage Conservation Plan for development, redevelopment,
demolition, and site alteration for designated properties within or adjacent to
the Cultural Heritage Landscape, where it has been determined that this
may result in a signi ǎ cant negative impact on a cultural heritage resource or
heritage attribute of the Cultural Heritage Landscape as deemed
appropriate by the City's Director of Development Approvals and Housing.
iii. The Heritage Impact Assessment shall be completed in accordance with
the City of Kitchener Heritage Impact Assessment Terms of Reference, or a
Scoped Heritage Impact Assessment Terms of Reference which will be
provided by the City's Heritage Planning sta and will recommend an
appropriate conservation strategy for the cultural heritage resource or
heritage attribute. The Heritage Conservation Plan shall be completed in
accordance with the City of Kitchener Conservation Plan Terms of
Reference and will recommend appropriate conservation measures and
work for the cultural heritage resource or heritage attribute.
iv. The City may require the submission of additional documents and/or studies
as deemed appropriate by the City's Heritage Planning sta.
v. The City will ensure that new developments are designed and planned to
ensure that views and vistas of Kitchener's signi ǎ cant cultural heritage
resources are created, maintained, and /or enhanced where appropriate, as
referenced in the Lower Doon Cultural Heritage Landscape Report (ASI
Heritage, September 2023).
vi. Any new development that may be proposed within any part of the Lower
Doon Cultural Heritage Landscape identi ǎ ed as exhibiting archaeological
potential (as shown on Map 3 of the Lower Doon Cultural Heritage
Landscape Report) that will result in subsurface impacts must be preceded
by Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment. Any such assessment(s) must be
conducted in accordance with the 2011 Standards and Guidelines for
Consultant Archaeologists (Ministry of Tourism and Culture 2011).
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
vii. New development and alterations on properties within and adjacent to the
Cultural Heritage Landscape must be compatible with and complementary
to the Cultural Heritage Landscape's cultural heritage value and heritage
attributes.
viii. Demolition or removal of heritage attributes within the Lower Doon Cultural
Heritage Landscape is not permitted.
ix. The City acknowledges that accessibility requirements are an important
consideration for public and private properties and that a balance must be
found between meeting accessibility requirements and conserving cultural
heritage resources and heritage attributes in order to achieve solutions
that meet the needs of both, as much as is feasible.
h) Cedar Hill and Schneider Creek Neighbourhood Cultural Heritage Landscape
i. The Cedar Hill and Schneider Creek Neighbourhood contains several Priority
Locations at gateway locations which facilitate views into and out of the
neighbourhoods, accentuating the unique topography of Cedar Hill
interfacing with existing low density residential uses on local streets. They
include:
a) The intersection of Charles Street East and Cedar Street looking to the
southwest;
b) The intersection of Courtland Avenue East and Cedar Street looking to
the northeast;
c) The intersection of Courtland Avenue East and Madison Avenue North
looking to the northeast;
d) The intersection of Courtland Avenue East and Peter Street looking to the
northeast;
e) The intersection of Charles Street East and Eby Street looking to the
southwest;
f) The intersection of Benton Street at St. George Street looking to the
southeast; and,
g) The intersection of Benton Street at Church Street looking to the
southeast.
Corner properties framing the above referenced intersections are identi ǎ ed
as being Property of Speci ǎ c Cultural Heritage Landscape Interest. In these
locations, consideration will be giving to transition of built form to protect
and enhance views of the hill and the local streetscape features
characteristic of this neighbourhood. New development and/or
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Kitchener 2051 (New Oicial Plan) Draft Cultural Heritage Landscape Policies
redevelopment should appropriately frame the intersection, especially
where a building of cultural heritage interest is located at the corner.
ii) The view atop Cedar Hill from Cedar Street looking to the southwest is a
unique view from the Cedar Hill Schneider Creek Neigbourhood of the City
and of the countryside beyond. Properties contained within Cedar Hill
viewshed are identi ǎ ed as being Property of Speci ǎ c Cultural Heritage
Landscape Interest. The City will regulate building height, setbacks and built
form along Cedar Street and along Courtland Avenue East to protect and
enhance this view. The City will also encourage and support enhancements
to the public realm in the location atop of Cedar Hill to contribute and
enhance the pedestrian experience and enjoyment of the view.
iii) The principal facades of buildings and park frontages will be encouraged to
locate and orient themselves at the termination of a street or view corridor or
at a street intersection, in order to support and enhance the signi ǎ cance of
the Priority Location or the view or vista.
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