HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2005-12-06
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
DECEMBER 6 2005
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m.
Present: K. Kirby - Co-Chair
Ms. D. Kuehl, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. J. Armstrong and Messrs. J. Countryman, Z. Janecki,
M. Stranz and J. Law.
Staff: L. Bensason, Heritage Planner
S. Barber, Assistant Heritage Planner
S. Rice, Zoning Officer
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. APPOINTMENT OF CO-CHAIR
Mr. C. Goodeve opened the floor for nominations. Messrs. K. Kirby and Z. Janecki were
nominated and agreed to stand for appointment. As no further nominations were forthcoming, a
vote was conducted with Mr. K. Kirby being elected Co-Chair.
On motion by Mr. J. Law -
it was resolved:
"That Mr. K. Kirby be appointed citizen Co-Chair of Heritage Kitchener for a term to
expire November 30,2006."
Mr. Kirby then assumed the Chair.
2. DTS-05-202 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2005-IV- 017
- 410 KING STREET WEST
- RECONSTRUCTION OF 1911 BUILDING PHASE PORTICO
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-
05-202, dated November 22, 2005 regarding the repair and replacement of the western most
portico and concrete steps at 410 King Street West (Kaufman Lofts).
Ms. S. Rice gave a presentation displaying photographs of the western most portico of the
1911 building phase of 410 King Street West and pointed out where the repairs are needed.
She advised that the applicants will use an EIFS treatment to repair the portico to match the
existing building material. She stated staff's preference is for repair work to preserve and
maintain the existing structure; however, for this application that is not a feasible long-term
solution. She added that staff are of the opinion that the proposal to rebuild/replace portions of
the portico, is in keeping with acceptable conservation principles and standards; as such, staff
are recommending approval of this permit application.
In response to questions, Mr. Andrew Smith, Andrin Homes, advised that a coating will be
applied to the portico's concrete steps to decrease the possibility of future weather damage. He
stated that the existing pillars will be repaired and retained.
At the request of Ms. J. Armstrong, it was agreed to amend the staff recommendation in report
DTS-05-202 to include a provision that the EIFS treatment be applied in such a manner so that
it does not adversely affect the original building fabric.
On motion by Ms. J. Armstrong -
it was resolved:
"That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application
HPA 2005-IV-017 (410 King Street West) be aooroved to permit the removal and
replacement of portions of the western most portico fronting King Street on the 1911
building phase, as well as repair the portico's concrete steps, subject to the EIFS
treatment being applied in such a manner that it would not adversely affect the
original existing building fabric, as displayed in documentation attached as Appendix 'B'
to Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-05-202."
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3. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2005-IV- 018
- 787 KING STREET WEST (KCI)
- INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND HEADS IN FRONT FOYER
The Committee was in receipt of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2005-IV-018, dated
November 15, 2005 concerning the installation of a sprinkler system and heads in the front
foyer of 787 King Street West [Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational Institute (KCI)]. In
addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of conceptual drawings of the three proposed
options for the installation of the sprinkler system and heads; and was also in receipt of By-Law
80-57, which designated a section of the front foyer at KCI under Part IV of the Ontario
Heritage Act.
Mr. L. Bensason presented the three options for the installation, advising that the Designating
By-Law outlines that the designated area is composed of "that area in the foyer of the King
Street entrance situated in between the two pillars upon which the school's Role of Honour
listing the names of the war dead now stands". He noted that the two pillars mentioned in the
by-law no longer exist and that staff is uncertain that the current location of the Role of Honour
is the same as that indicated in the Designating By-law.
Mr. Dale Wideman, Waterloo Region District School Board, advised that the wood backing, to
which the Role of Honour is fastened was installed in 1966, which indicates that the current
location of the Role is the same as when the designation was applied in 1980.
Mr. Bensason advised that the Walter Fedy Partnership will present the three options to the
School Board for consideration and at this time staff are not aware if any of the options meet
the School Board's requirements. He stated that Option 1 is staff's preferred option as it is least
intrusive. He added that Option 3 calls for the installation of an eight inch bulkhead, which
would take away from the historic fabric of the foyer; as such, in staff's opinion it is the least
desirable option.
In response to questions, Mr. D. Wideman advised that the sprinkler heads can be painted so
they will appear to blend into the walls. He stated that Option 1 calls for the installation of a
sprinkler head directly above the Role of Honour. He advised that the School Board is investing
$9M dollars to refurbish KCI, and as a condition of the building permit a sprinkler system is
required throughout the building. Mr. Wideman stated that the School Board had hoped that a
building permit would be issued prior to Christmas to allow enough time to complete the
installation of the sprinkler system during KCI's summer break.
Mr. J. Law suggested that given the heritage significance of KCI the Committee should
investigate the possibility of amending the current heritage designation to apply to the building
in its entirety. He was advised that to accomplish that, the original designation would need to be
repealed and a new designation would be required. Mr. L. Bensason noted that the applicants
are hoping to proceed with the renovations as soon as possible and pursuing a new
designation would delay their project significantly.
Mr. Tim Schaner, The Walter Fedy Partnership, advised that the design of the sprinkler system
will be done expeditiously and noted that they can return to a future meeting of Heritage
Kitchener to present the proposed design, which would include the School Board's preferred
option.
Mr. D. Wideman requested that the Committee defer consideration of the Heritage Permit
Application until February 2006, to allow for the presentation of the sprinkler system design. He
stated that they would like to commence with the installation of the sprinkler system in the other
areas of the building and requested that a building permit be issued to allow that work to
proceed in those areas under the assurance that no work will be undertaken in the front foyer
until the Heritage Permit Application is approved. The members agreed that it would be
acceptable for work to commence in the sections of KCI not referenced in the Designating By-
law. Staff noted that Council only has ninety days to consider a Heritage Permit Application
from the date it is filed; otherwise, the application is automatically deemed approved. Deferral
of consideration until February 2006 is beyond the ninety day timeframe and consequently, if it
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3. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2005-IV- 018 (CONT'D)
is the Committee's desire to have this matter deferred, then the Committee would need to
recommend to Council that the Heritage Permit Application time limit for consideration be
extended.
On motion by Mr. Z. Janecki, an extension to the time limit for Heritage Permit Application HPA
2005-V-018 until February 28, 2006 was brought forward for consideration. At the request of
Ms. D. Kuehl, it was agreed to amend the motion so that the time limit for Council's
consideration of the Heritage Permit Application be extended to March 31, 2006 to allow time
for the applicant to present detailed design drawings at the February 7, 2006 meeting of
Heritage Kitchener.
Mr. D. Wideman requested that the Committee consider amending the existing Designating By-
law to clarify the exact area intended to be covered by the designation. He added that the
School Board has always recognized the historical significance of this building and that the
clarification is requested to ensure that the renovations in the front foyer do not interfere with
other items of heritage value. Mr. Kirby suggested that consideration be given to clarifying the
areas of heritage significance at KCI at a future meeting of Heritage Kitchener.
On motion by Mr. Z. Janecki -
it was resolved:
"That pursuant to Section 33(5) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the time limit for
consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2005-V-018 (787 King Street West,
Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational Institute) be extended to March 31,
2006 to permit the applicant time to present detailed design drawings at the February
7,2006 Heritage Kitchener meeting."
4. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2005-V- 019
- 541 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
- VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSTRUCTION DISTRICT
- RELOCATION OF EXISTING GARAGE ON SIDE YARD TO REAR YARD
The Committee was in receipt of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2005-V-019, dated
November 24, 2005 regarding the relocation from the side yard to the rear yard of a garage at
541 Queen Street South, located within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District.
Mr. L. Bensason advised that the applicant had initially submitted a request to demolish the
garage and was instructed that he had missed the deadline to have his request considered at
the December Heritage Kitchener meeting. Mr. Bensason stated that the applicant then
proposed to relocate the garage from the side yard to the rear yard as an alternative to
demolition. He added that the applicant has indicated that he will use a crane to lift the garage
into the rear yard. Mr. Bensason noted that there are very few examples of detached garages
within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District and pointed out that someone went to
great lengths to construct the garage to be in keeping with the historic style of the District.
Mr. Hank Young, applicant, advised that he is requesting approval to relocate the garage to
facilitate additional parking spaces at the side and rear yards of 541 Queen Street South. He
stated that the proposed relocation would still allow the garage to be functional.
Ms. S. Rice advised that dependant upon the use of the garage as a commercial or residential
building, its set-back may need to be greater than what is being proposed. She added that a
site plan and/or minor variance application may be required.
Mr. L. Bensason suggested that the Committee defer consideration of the Heritage Permit
Application until the January 3, 2006 meeting of Heritage Kitchener to allow additional
information to be provided regarding the possible requirements of a site plan and/or minor
variance application.
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4. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2005-V-019 (CONT'D)
Mr. H. Young advised that he does not wish to spend $900. on a site plan application without
knowing if the Committee is going to approve his Heritage Permit Application and requested
comments from the members.
Ms. J. Armstrong advised that she would prefer that if the garage is relocated that it remain
facing Queen Street which would be in keeping with the style of the Heritage Conservation
District.
On motion by Mr. J. Law -
it was resolved:
"That consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2005-V-019 541 Queen Street
South, be deferred and referred to the Januarv 3 2006 meetinc of Heritace
Kitchener to allow time for additional information to be provided regarding the possible
requirement of a site plan and/or minor variance application."
5. CENTRE BLOCK - CRPS-05-177 - FORSYTH BUILDING INTERIM MEASURES
- DTS-05-199 - ADDITIONS TO THE HERITAGE INVENTORY
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-177, dated
November 23, 2005 concerning the costs associated with implementing interim measures to
prevent further deterioration of the Forsyth Building. In addition, the Committee was in receipt
of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-05-199, dated November 22,
2005 regarding the addition of properties located within the Centre Block to the City's Heritage
Inventory. Further, the Committee was in receipt this date of excerpts from the November 28,
2005 Council minutes where the above mentioned reports were considered by Council.
Mr. L. Bensason stated that this item was listed on the agenda as a means of providing the
Committee with an update and to address any possible questions that members may have
concerning the November 28, 2005 Council meeting. He reviewed the recommendations
contained in the staff reports and advised that Council approved an expenditure of $30,000. for
the implementation of interim measures to prevent the further deterioration of the Forsyth
Building. He added that Council agreed to defer consideration of the remaining staff
recommendations to February 2006, pending the receipt of an Environmental Assessment
report on the Centre Block.
Mr. K. Kirby stated that he and the other members of Heritage Kitchener, who attended the
November 28, 2005 Council meeting, informed Council that when this matter returns in
February 2006 they will be requesting that all of the buildings of heritage significance located
within the Centre Block be added to the City's Heritage Inventory.
Mr. J. Law questioned how the Committee would be able to instruct a property owner that their
property should be designated when the City is free to remove properties from the Heritage
Inventory at any time. Mr. Law added that Council should have instructed the Centre Block
Planning Committee to incorporate the Centre Block buildings indicated as having Heritage
significance into any plans for that area. He suggested that the Committee should go before
Council in January to request Council immediately re-affirm the inclusion of those Centre Block
properties currently listed on the Heritage Inventory.
Mr. K. Kirby advised that the reason behind going before Council in February is to press the
issue of re-affirming and adding the Centre Block properties of Heritage significance to the
City's Heritage Inventory. He stated that Council's deferral to February 2006 provides the
Committee time to consult the property owners and see if they would approve of having their
properties added to the Inventory. He noted that if the property owners are supportive then their
endorsement can be presented to Council as a means of influencing their addition to the
Inventory.
Mr. L. Bensason stated that staff's recommendation to have Council re-affirm those properties
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5. CENTRE BLOCK - CRPS-05-177 - FORSYTH BUILDING INTERIM MEASURES (CONT'D)
already listed on the City's Heritage Inventory stems from a Provincial Policy Statement that
amended the Planning Act to provide a level of protection to those properties listed on a
Municipal Heritage Inventory. He advised that previously there were no official procedures in
place to add a property to the Heritage Inventory and typically, a member of Heritage Kitchener
would recommend a property to be added and if the Committee agreed, staff would be directed
to list that property on the Inventory. He pointed out that given the significance of the changes
to the Planning Act it is now important to develop a process for adding properties to the
Inventory that includes participation by both the property owners and Council. He expressed
concern that if a Planning Act issue were to arise and go before the Ontario Municipal Board
(OMB) it would be important to demonstrate that evidence was provided to both the property
owners and Council as to the merits of the listed property. He added that this would indicate to
the OMB that a degree of due diligence was implemented prior to the property being added to
the Inventory.
Mr. Z. Janecki suggested that staff be directed to send correspondence to the owners of the
private properties of heritage significance located within the Centre Block informing them that
their property is being proposed to be added to the City's Heritage Inventory and request that
they provide comments within 30 days of receiving said correspondence. Ms. E. Gallaher
expressed the opinion that it is important the City-owned properties in the Centre Block be
added to the Heritage Inventory first as it shows that the City is leading by example. She
suggested that at the January 3, 2006 meeting of Heritage Kitchener the Committee consider
recommending to Council that the City-owned buildings of heritage significance within the
Centre Block be added to the Heritage Inventory. She was advised that such recommendation
would not be considered as a decision has already been made to defer consideration of adding
any Centre Block properties until February 2006.
Some members expressed a desire that the previous process of adding properties to the City's
Heritage Inventory be maintained and were advised that given the new protections attributed to
the properties listed on the Heritage Inventory it is important that both the public and Council be
involved in the process of adding properties.
Mr. J. Law advised that in his opinion Council's continual deferral of consideration to maintain
the Forsyth Building and preserve the heritage properties located within the Centre Block is a
sign that those buildings will not be retained. He stated that consequently he is tendering his
resignation from Heritage Kitchener.
Ms. J. Armstrong advised that in February 2006 Council should be requested to invest a greater
amount of funds into maintaining the Forsyth Building. Mr. Z. Janecki advised that within 24
hours of Council approving the $30,000. allocation towards interim measures, City staff were
repairing the Forsyth Building. He stated that since that time he has gone on a site visit to the
Forsyth Building with Facilities Management staff, noting that the allocated monies should be
enough to undertake the repairs to prevent any further deterioration. Ms. D. Kuehl suggested
that if Council decides to preserve the Forsyth Building that staff should be directed to
investigate the possibility of receiving Federal and/or Provincial funding to assist with its long-
term maintenance.
6. HERITAGE WEEK 2006 - REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Committee was in receipt of excerpts from the Heritage Canada Foundation website, dated
November 8, 2005 regarding the theme for Heritage Day 2006.
Ms. D. Kuehl advised that the theme selected for Heritage Day 2006 is "Our Cultural Heritage
Places". She requested that the members provide her with feedback as to the places in
Kitchener they consider to be a "Cultural Heritage Place". She noted that she will e-mail all
members a sign-up sheet for volunteers to work at the Committee's Heritage Day Showcase
Booth on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at the Fairview Park Mall.
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7. REMAINDER OF DECEMBER 6 2005 AGENDA
Due to time constraints, the following items listed on the agenda this date were not considered:
· Work Programs Revisited;
· Heritage Inventory Review - Update;
· Design Brief for Adaptive Re-Use - Request for Feedback; and,
· Presentation - United States Heritage Districts (Z.Janecki).
8. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator
