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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2001-03-09HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 9, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER Heritage Kitchener met this date, chaired by Councillor M. Galloway, commencing at 12:00 noon, with the following members present: Ms. G. Engel, Ms. C. Martindale, Ms. P. Wagner and Messrs. P. Bufe, B. Scott , W. Stauch and J. Clinckett. Regrets:Mr. R. Green Others Present:Ms. C. Ladd, Ms. D. Gilchrist and Messrs. B. Stanley, L. Masseo, and G. Nixon. 1 .MINUTES With respect to the discussion in the Minutes from the meeting of February 9, 2001, pertaining to the Pequegnat Clock Company, Ms. Wagner advised that in a photograph of the old Kitchener City Hall she had noted that the Pequegnat Clock Company had been located at the corner of Duke and Frederick Streets, numbered 53-61 Frederick Street. Mr. G. Nixon advised that he owns a book on the Pequegnat Clock Company and offered to let the Committee view it. 2. WYLDWOOD PLAN OF SUBDIVISION – UPPER DOON HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT – MODIFICATION TO SUBDIVISION CONDITIONS The Committee was in receipt of a Business and Planning Services Department report, dated February 27, 2001, with respect to modifications to Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-95018, affecting lands within the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District. It was noted that the matter of the proposed visual easement, as required in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District and the request of Monarch Construction to alter the width of a portion of the easement from the 50 feet as stipulated in the policies in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan, had been discussed at this Committee’s two previous regular meetings and at a special meeting held on February 6, 2001. The Business and Planning Services staff report, dated February 27, 2001, addresses two proposed changes to the subdivision agreement: the first relates to Monarch Construction’s request to change the configuration of the visual easement from a straight line barrier having a consistent width of 50 feet, to a scallop design which would increase the buffer width at the boundary line of proposed lots 5, 6, and 7, fronting onto Ayres Court, to 75 feet in width and reduces the buffer width at the mid-point of each lot to a minimum of 30 feet. The second issue addressed in this staff report deals with those lots on Buerkle Court located within the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District plan. The report advises that the previously proposed ten lots, with 50-foot frontages, on this Court will be reduced to 9 lots having 60 foot frontages, and the configuration of the cul-de-sac will be changed in order to provide deeper lots. The purpose of the deeper lots is to provide sufficient room for a 50-foot wide visual easement along the lot lines adjacent to 37 Oregon Drive, owned by Paul and Shirley Nequest. Ms. C. Ladd advised that staff had nothing further to add to the staff report, and are prepared to answer any questions the Committee might have. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nequest were in attendance but did not address the Committee. Mr. G. Scheels, Green Scheels Pidgeon, appeared as a delegation representing Monarch Construction. He displayed plans of the area of Ayres Court and Buerkle Court and explained the proposed visual easement for both areas, advising that the landscape plan for the visual easement has been reviewed by City staff. Councillor Galloway advised that he thought the landscape plan to be well constructed but raised his concern about the right-of-way for the Nequest’s property. Mr. Scheels responded that Monarch will be adding lands to the Nequest property and relocating their driveway, which will provide them access from their property to a public right-of-way. The detailed design for the relocated driveway will be done after the snow is gone and Monarch will work through the details of the driveway with the Nequest’s. Ms. C. Martindale questioned the nature of the visual easement and Mr. Scheels responded that it will consist of deciduous and coniferous trees which will be more dense at the narrowest points in the buffer, and there will also be a berm. HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 9, 2001- 18 -CITY OF KITCHENER 2. WYLDWOOD PLAN OF SUBDIVISION – UPPER DOON HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT – MODIFICATION TO SUBDIVISION CONDITIONS (CONT’D) Mr. R. Haalboom appeared as a delegation, providing the members of the Committee with copies of his written submission dated March 8, 2001, and again advised the Committee that the Nequest’s have a right-of-way over the land in front of their property, and the impression given by Mr. Scheels is that Monarch is giving something to the Nequest’s. With respect to the subdivision design, including the visual easement, Mr. Haalboom stated that the City planners have minimized the place of the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan and that the 50 foot visual easement cannot be changed without an amendment to the by-law which adopts the Heritage Conservation District. He pointed out the District Plan allows for 10 new lots in the District and Monarch proposes a total of 23 lots, some being whole lots and others only parts of lots, actually located within the boundary of the District. Referring to a plan included in his written submission, Mr. Haalboom pointed out that Monarch is proposing to locate a water retention pond within the District which is not provided for in the District Plan. It was his opinion that the overflow from the pond is aimed directly at the Nequest’s property and the two properties adjacent to it. Mr. Haalboom stated the plan of subdivision has been based on incorrect information, and must fit in with the policies of the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan. He requested that Heritage Kitchener not endorse the staff report dated February 27, 2001. Ms. C. Ladd explained to the Committee that approval of the Heritage Impact Assessment did not legally change the boundary of the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District; the City interpreted the policies of the District Plan not to apply to the lots on Buerkle Court. Staff have reviewed all relevant material and there was never any indication that the visual easement would be less than 50 feet wide. Today the developer is asking for permission to reduce the width of the visual easement. Mr. L. Masseo offered some clarification to the situation, advising that the by-law to adopt the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District approved the District boundaries but not the District Plan. However, one must have regard to the policies in the District Plan. Further, he advised that the District Plan was written at the same time as a secondary plan for this area; the secondary plan stating that the boundary will be established in concert with the plan of subdivision. The triangular area in the District, the area of the lots on Buerkle Court, had originally been intended for ten large lots on private services. Since that time, servicing requirements have changed. When the Wyldwoods Plan of Subdivision was designed, it made sense to create the landscaped buffer at the rear of the lots on Ayres Court, being an extension of Oregon Drive, placing the landscape buffer between the lots which will become part of the Village and the rest of the subdivision. Mr. P. Bufe stated that there was no discussion at this Committee that the District boundary was changed, and this Committee did not realize the lots on Buerkle Court were in the District and should meet the requirements of the District Plan policies. Councillor Galloway stated he thought the policies in the District Plan to be guidelines and not absolutes. A few members of the Committee questioned the purpose of pursuing future Heritage Conservation District plans, if the City does not abide by the policies in these plans. Mr. P. Bufe stated that this Committee’s recommendation should be to uphold the District Plan Policies. Council will decide if it wishes to accept this Committee’s advice. Mr. B. Stanley stated that the Buerkle Court lots were discussed with this Committee, were shown on the Plan of Subdivision and the Heritage Impact Assessment, which were also discussed with this Committee. Mr. J. Clinckett stated that this Committee does not have the authority to make decisions but is here to advise Council. The Committee then discussed whether it thought the District Plan Policies should be altered, with respect to the visual easement. On motion by Mr. J. Clinckett – it was resolved: 2. WYLDWOOD PLAN OF SUBDIVISION – UPPER DOON HERITAGE CONSERVATION HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 9, 2001- 19 -CITY OF KITCHENER DISTRICT – MODIFICATION TO SUBDIVISION CONDITIONS (CONT’D) “That Council not accede to the request of Monarch Construction to reduce the width of the visual easement, to be located in Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-95018, from the 50 foot width contained in the policies of the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan, and as approved in the Wyldwoods Neighbourhood Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared by Nicholas Hill, Architect/Planner and Green Scheels Pidgeon Planning Consultants, dated November 1996 and revised June 1997.” Mr. B. Scott questioned whether there is still an Alteration Application under the Ontario Heritage Act for this property. Ms. Ladd advised that there is no Alteration Application for this property before the Committee at this time. She further advised that staff had to determine the right mechanism to deal with the change proposed for the visual easement; which is being done through proposed changes to the Subdivision Agreement. These proposed changes are before this Committee today so that it can provide advice to Council. The Committee then discussed whether they would advise Council that the lots proposed for Buerkle Court do not comply with the District Policies. On motion by Mr. P. Bufe – it was resolved: “That Council be advised that it is the opinion of Heritage Kitchener that those lots and parts of lots on proposed Buerkle Court, Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-95018, which are within the boundary of the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District, do not comply with the policies contained in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan.” 3. 111 PINNACLE DRIVE – DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION Following discussion of this application at the last regular meeting Mr. Bufe advised that he has completed a title search of the property and has discovered that the applicant is not the property owner. Ms. C. Ladd advised that the applicant has the written authorization of the owner to make this application. Following questions from the Committee, Ms. Ladd advised that the zoning permits single family dwellings, duplexes and accessory uses, and staff are quite aware of the student housing problem in this area. 4. 253 QUEEN STREET SOUTH – VICTORIA PARK AREA HERITAGE PARK CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN – APPLICATION FOR MINOR VARIANCE Mr. B. Scott advised that the owner has received approval of an Application for Minor Variance to construct an addition to Foti Gallery at 253 Queen Street South. He advised that an Alteration Application will come before this Committee at a future meeting. 5. 393 TILT DRIVE – STAUFFER LOG HOUSE – APPLICATION FOR CONSENT Mr. L. Masseo reminded the Committee that, as a condition of draft approval for the surrounding subdivision, a Heritage Impact Assessment was undertaken in this area. As a result of the Heritage Impact Assessment it was determined that a large lot would be created to provide an appropriate setting for the Stauffer Log House located at 393 Tilt Drive, which is being accomplished through this Application for Consent. Mr. P. Bufe questioned whether the property should be designated and Ms. L. Marshall reminded the Committee that there will be a Heritage Easement Agreement for the property, which this Committee has already reviewed and endorsed. 6. 25 JOSEPH STREET – VICTORIA SCHOOL – FLOWER BOXES Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, General Manager of Kitchener Housing, appeared as a delegation with respect to the installation of flower boxes on the ledges at the front entrance to the former 6. 25 JOSEPH STREET – VICTORIA SCHOOL – FLOWER BOXES (CONT’D) HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 9, 2001- 20 -CITY OF KITCHENER Victoria School. Mr. B. Scott gave a PowerPoint presentation showing photographs of the location of the flower boxes on ledges adjacent to the front stairs to the building. Ms. Kwiatkowski advised that this front step area of the property became the social area, where people gathered, and this caused accidents. A safety meeting was held and a decision made to try and prevent people from sitting on the ledges. These flower boxes were attached to the ledges with lag bolts and silicon was used to prevent damage to the ledges. Mr. W. Stauch noted that when the building was used as a school, flower boxes were located on these ledges. Mr. Scott pointed out that the Alteration Application process allows this Committee to review the technical details of an alteration proposal. He suggested that there is a possibility for water to pool under the planters. He stated that it is quite an invasive procedure to go through the concrete. Mr. J. Clinckett suggested installation of 2” concrete discs under the flower boxes to allow air to flow. Ms. Kwiatkowski advised that it is part of their regular maintenance program to look after these ledges along with the stairs. She agreed that when the weather gets warmer the flower boxes will be removed, the state of the ledges will be determined, and the best method of installation for the flower boxes will be determined. Mr. Scott requested that information on the technical details of the re-installation of the flower boxes be provided to Heritage Kitchener at that time, and Ms. Kwiatkowski agreed. Mr. Scott then commenced discussion on the installation of fiber optics at this property. Ms. Kwiatkowski advised that Kitchener Housing has not yet agreed to the installation of fiber optics and has consequently not made application for it at this time. 7. WALTER BEAN GRAND RIVER TRAIL – REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HISTORIC RESEARCH The Committee Administrator advised that this item has been withdrawn from the agenda. Mr. W. Stauch advised that a variety of heritage groups are providing heritage information for kiosks along the trail. 8. PIONEER TOWER WEST HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Ms. P. Wagner advised that a Steering Committee meeting was held two weeks ago where the Draft Heritage Conservation District Plan was presented. She advised that two of that area’s developers were in attendance at the meeting and raised concerns about restrictions in the Draft Plan. Mr. Bensason will be taking these concerns into consideration and will try to accommodate them into the plan. 9. EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES Mr. G. Nixon was in attendance to request the participation of Heritage Kitchener members in the Mill Race Earth Day Project on Friday, April 20, 2001. The project will involve planting at the Mill Race, and local residents and members of the Regional Heritage Advisory Committee will be assisting with the planting. The members were advised to wear sturdy footwear and to bring rain gear for this event. They were also requested to advise Mr. T. Boutilier if they wish to participate. The members were also asked to participate in cleaning up one of the City’s scenic roads. The Committee agreed to discuss this project at the April meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator