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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2005-02-01HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Councillor M. Galloway - Chair Mr. Z. Janecki Ms. L. Harris Ms. A. Moore Mr. J. Countryman Mr. G. Yeates Mr. J. Law Mr. M. Stranz Staff: Mr. L. Bensason, Heritage Planner Mr. C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator DTS-05-006 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2004-1V-012 - 410 KING STREET WEST (FORMER KAUFMAN FOOTWEAR FACTORY) - KAUFMAN LOFTS - ALTERATION TO 1920 BUILDING PHASE/VESTIBULE The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 05-006, dated January 18, 2005 concerning a revised Heritage Permit Application (HPA) 2004- IV-012, submitted for an alteration to the entrance/vestibule of 410 King Street West (Kaufman Lofts). Councillor M. Galloway advised that at the January 4, 2005 meeting of Heritage Kitchener, this application was deferred to allow the applicant time to modify their design. Mr. Bensason noted members of the Committee participated in a site inspection of the subject property. He stated the revised plans and specifications for the entrance/vestibule demonstrate a high regard for conservation practices, particularly considering the adaptive re-use nature of this project. He noted the original building features are either being retained or will be restored using like design and materials. He added staff are of the opinion that the revised HPA is appropriate and represents a significant improvement over the previous proposals. On motion by Mr. G. Yeates - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2004-1V-012 (410 King Street West) be approved to permit an alteration to the entrance/vestibule of the 1920 building phase of the former Kaufman Footwear Factory, as shown on the plans and described in the specifications submitted with the application, dated January 17, 2005." PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT The Committee was in receipt of a copy of a web page from the Ontario Ministry of Culture's website dated January 17, 2005, concerning proposed amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. The Committee was also in receipt this date of excerpts from Bill 60 (An Act to Amend the Ontario Heritage Act). Mr. L. Bensason advised Bill 60 has passed second reading by the Ontario Legislature and is expected to become law later this month. He stated the Bill presents significant positive and negative changes in legislation pertaining to heritage sites in the Province of Ontario. The proposed Act will give municipalities greater control over the potential demolition of Part IV and Part V heritage properties. He added the City would be empowered to propose guidelines for any part of a property in a designated Heritage Conservation District, including landscaping. Further, the amended Act will require a heritage designation to be registered on the title of all designated properties. Mr. Bensason advised that while a Heritage Conservation District Study Area By-law would now provide the same protection as if the subject properties were designated, once passed, the district study must be completed within one year or the study will be dismissed and cannot be reinitiated for 3 years. He noted staff could commence a district study without passing a by-law, thus circumventing the one-year time limit. Mr. Bensason further advised the proposed HERITAGE KITCHENER FEBRUARY 1, 2005 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT (CONT'D) amendments would give Heritage Conservation District guidelines precedence over any other City by-law, including zoning. He stated that under the new Act properties owned by the Province or a prescribed public body would be exempt from municipal controls and all heritage related appeals will now be filed with the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rather than the Conservation Review Board. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that members of the Conservation Review Board may take part in the OMB hearings to provide expert advice. He added he will prepare a report to Heritage Kitchener if Bill 60 is passed into law. HERITAGE INVENTORY WORK PLAN - REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTION CRITERIA The Committee was in receipt this date of the City's Heritage Inventory, Part IV Designation Criteria; Heritage Evaluation Criteria from the City of Markham; and a Heritage Designation Evaluation Manual from the City of Peterborough. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation Discussion Paper, 'Guidelines on Listing Heritage Resources', dated June 1, 1995. Mr. L. Bensason advised that at the previous meeting of Heritage Kitchener, the Committee proposed to undertake an examination of the Heritage Inventory and recommend properties found to be of heritage significance for designation. The Committee also had agreed to develop criteria to determine which properties would have priority status. Mr. Bensason proposed the establishment of a sub-committee to review the Heritage Inventory. Ms. A. Moore and Messrs. K. Kirby, M. Stranz, J. Countryman and Z. Janecki agreed to participate on the sub-committee. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that the sub-committee could examine and recommend properties that are not on the Inventory, but may be worthy of designation or are in areas under threat. He noted that it will be the role of the sub-committee to evaluate the significance of properties listed and determine if they should remain on the Inventory. VERBAL UPDATES RE: - SIMS ESTATE DESIGNATION - CIVIC CENTRE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT - ST. JEROMES (WLU RENOVATIONS) - 2005 HERITAGE SHOWCASE - DOON TRANSPORTATION STUDY - 381 PIONEER TOWER ROAD Mr. L. Bensason provided verbal updates regarding the following matters: Sims Estate Designation - Mr. L. Bensason stated the City will be writing to the property owners and their planning consultants to formally inquire as to the status of their proposal of an alternative to designation. He noted the letter will advise of the City's intention to designate the Sims Estate within a certain timeframe and if the City does not receive a response from the owners, staff will proceed with the designation process. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that on February 11, 2005 he will be attending a meeting at the Region of Waterloo to discuss Cultural Heritage Landscapes. He added this meeting might have an impact on the Sims Estate designation. As such, the letter will be sent to the owners of the Sims Estate after that meeting. Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District - Mr. L. Bensason advised he will be hosting a public meeting with the affected property owners in the Schneider Room at the Kitchener Public Library on Tuesday February 22, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., to discuss the process of designating the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District. He added he will also be soliciting volunteers for a Steering Committee to finalize the District's 'Terms of Reference' and participate with members of Heritage Kitchener in the consultant selection process. HERITAGE KITCHENER FEBRUARY 1, 2005 -8- CITY OF KITCHENER VERBAL UPDATES RE: - SIMS ESTATE DESIGNATION - CIVIC CENTRE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT - ST. JEROMES (WLU RENOVATIONS) - 2005 HERITAGE SHOWCASE - DOON TRANSPORTATION STUDY - 381 PIONEER TOWER ROAD (CONT'D) St. Jerome's (WLU Renovations) - Mr. L. Bensason advised he had a meeting with the architects who will be renovating St. Jerome's and examined their preliminary plans. He noted the replacement of the wooden window frames is proposed, which is a significant character change. He advised that the Committee can expect the submission of a Heritage Permit Application (HPA) regarding this property by the end of February 2005. Mr. Bensason requested two volunteers to work with him in reviewing the HPA and Mr. J. Law and Councillor M. Galloway agreed to assist. 2005 Heritage Showcase - The Committee was in receipt this date of a time sheet for Committee members to volunteer to staff Kitchener's Heritage Day display on February 12, 2005, at the Fairview Park Mall. Ms. L. Harris requested a minimum of two people to sign- up for each of the two-hour time periods. Doon Transportation Study - Mr. L. Bensason advised the Steering Committee for this matter met on January 12, 2005 and he anticipates the completion of the Study in the near future. He added that once the study has been finalized, the public consultation process will begin in which Heritage Kitchener members can participate. 381 Pioneer Tower Road - Mr. L. Bensason advised the property owners have appealed the Designation By-law for the subject property to the Conservation Review Board and the City will continue to negotiate with the owners to acquire the subject property. Mr. Bensason also noted Mr. J. Witmer, Chief Building Official, met with Kieswetter Demolition about retaining the remains of the Schoerg Bank Barn, and a further update will be provided regarding this matter at the next Heritage Kitchener meeting. 5. 2005 COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMS - COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES The Committee was in receipt of Council Policy 1-110 (Heritage Kitchener, Terms of Reference), which was distributed to aid the Committee in the development of its 2005 Work Programs. Councillor M. Galloway advised it is to the Committee's benefit to have its members identify what they believe the Committee's objectives should be for the coming year. He added that if a Committee member has a suggestion for a Committee Work Program, they should feel free to contact City staff or the Chairs to have it added as an agenda item. 6. 437 PIONEER TOWER ROAD - PROPOSED SITE APPLICATION Mr. L. Bensason advised the owners of 437 Pioneer Tower Road appeared at the January 4, 2005 meeting of Heritage Kitchener to request the Committee's approval for a possible land exchange. Mr. Bensason stated that earlier this date, he attended a meeting concerning the matter where he advised that due to the sensitive nature of the Pioneer Tower West Area, it would not be in the City's best interest to give up ownership of any property in that vicinity. Mr. L. Bensason displayed preliminary drawings submitted by the owners of 437 Pioneer Tower Road for a proposed restoration work project. Mr. Bensason stated that after examining the drawings he has identified some areas of concern. He advised the Committee had previously approved a Heritage Permit Application (HPA) for the restoration to the farmstead; however, some of the proposed work on the preliminary drawings is not in keeping with the design approved in the original HPA. Mr. Bensason noted that on the proposed design for the front elevation, the first floor windows are larger than the ones proposed for the second floor. He noted that while this is in keeping with the Georgian Mennonite tradition, it does not coincide with the original HPA. Mr. Bensason advised that the owners propose to build a wrap-around deck on the rear elevation; however, they want to install clear glass panels so the decking material does not impede their site line. He also raised concerns with the proposed installation of second storey windows on the rear elevation that HERITAGE KITCHENER FEBRUARY 1, 2005 -9- CITY OF KITCHENER 6. 437 PIONEER TOWER ROAD - PROPOSED SITE APPLICATION (CONT'D) would be shaped to match the pitch of the roof, and would not be in keeping with the Georgian Mennonite tradition. Mr. Bensason advised he anticipates receiving a Heritage Permit Application concerning these changes prior to the next meeting of Heritage Kitchener. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Edifice System, which is proposed to coat the exterior fa~;ade of the subject property, has been previously approved by the Committee for use on other designated properties. 7. REQUEST OF MS. ELIZABETH M. GALLAHER TO ASSIST IN COMMITTEE WORK The Committee was in receipt this date of an e-mail transmission sent by Mr. L. Bensason on January 28, 2005 to the Committee Chairs and City staff regarding a request by Ms. Elizabeth M. Gallaher to assist in updating the Heritage Inventory. Mr. L. Bensason advised that staff are of the opinion that to be eligible to volunteer to assist Heritage Kitchener, Ms. Gallaher must be appointed as a member of the Committee. The Committee agreed that Ms. Gallaher be informed that if she is interested in becoming a member of the Committee, she will need to complete an application for appointment and return it to the City Clerk's Office for processing. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator