HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2007-02-06
HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
FEBRUARY 6. 2007
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Councillor J. Gazzola - Chair
Ms. L. Brohman, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. S. Lauber, and Messrs. J. Ariens, K. Kirby, I. Mota,
and L. Robertson.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrator Officer
A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range Planning
L. Bensason, Heritage Planner
S. Rice, Development Administrator
S. Barber, Assistant Heritage Planner
L. Papke, Administration Clerk
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
Prior to commencement all members were circulated Committee binders, containing information on:
staff resources; Committee structure, mandate and reporting; Terms of Reference and meeting and
delegation guidelines; Advisory Committee - Roles, Responsibilities & Relationships presentation;
Ontario Heritage Act (Parts IV & V) and Regulations; Standards & Guidelines for the Conservation of
Historic Places; Provincial Policy Statement 2005 - Cultural Heritage policies; Cultural Heritage
Resource Evaluation form; Listing Properties on the Heritage Register presentation and properties
indexes; and, Heritage Conservation District Plans. Members were requested to bring their
Committee binders to all future meetings as it contains important reference material.
1. PRESENTATION - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROLES, RESPONSIBiliTIES AND
RELATIONSHIPS
Ms. C. Ladd gave a presentation on the roles, responsibilities and relationships of advisory
committees within the Corporate structure, as included in the Committee binders. Areas
covered included: committee direction; purpose; responsibilities; reporting relationships;
relationship with Council; Kitchener's Healthy Community Plan (HCP); and the future of
advisory committees. Members were advised that Council endorsed the HCP in 2006 which
outlines six areas of focus for the City of Kitchener during the next four years, these being:
quality of life; leadership and community engagement; diversity; development; dynamic
Downtown; and, environment. It was pointed out that advisory committees and their members
will be involved in reviewing this document and provide input which mayor may not alter the
focus and/or structure of some advisory committees in the coming years.
In closing, Ms. C. Ladd thanked the members for volunteering their time and expertise. She
advised that community engagement and leadership is very important to the Corporation, and
staff is available to support the Committee's efforts and highly values any input given.
2. COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION / ORIENTATION
Mr. L. Bensason gave a presentation entitled 'Heritage Planning Introductory Session', as
included in the Committee binders. Areas covered included: Cultural Heritage Resources, built
heritage and cultural heritage landscapes; Conservation - identification, interpretation,
protection and use; Support for Heritage Conservation; and, an overview of the City's Heritage
Conservation Districts. He pointed out that the purpose of this presentation was to provide a
background of the Committee's specific functions and outline what the members should
consider when reviewing matters that come before Heritage Kitchener.
3. ELECTION OF CO-CHAIR
Councillor J. Gazzola opened the floor for nominations. Mr. J. Ariens nominated Mr. K. Kirby
who agreed to stand for appointment. No further nominations were forthcoming.
On motion by Mr. J. Ariens -
it was resolved:
"That Mr. Kerry Kirby be appointed Co-Chair of Heritage Kitchener for a term expiring
November 30, 2008."
Councillor J. Gazzola then left the meeting and Mr. K. Kirby assumed the Chair.
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FEBRUARY 6. 2007
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4. DTS-07-015 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2006-V-018
- 400 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
- PROPOSED ADDITION TO EXISTING BUILDING
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report
DTS-07-015 , dated January 22,2007 regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA 2006-V-018,
proposing the construction of a rear addition at 400 Queen Street South, Kitchener, which is
located within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District (HCD).
Mr. L. Bensason advised that the applicant has proposed to construct a one and three storey
addition to the west side of the existing building. He stated that the additions would match the
original building in architectural design, height and materials. Mr. Bensason advised that in
addition to the HPA, the proposed addition is subject to site plan and zone change
applications. He then stressed that the members should focus on the potential heritage
implications of the proposed addition and not the Planning Act related issues. He noted that
the recommendation in report DTS-07 -015 needs to be amended to read Section 42, as
opposed to Section 34 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Mr. Ron March, Architect, reviewed the plans for the proposed addition and stated that in his
opinion the proposed design is consistent with the heritage character of the HCD. He noted
that the original design of 400 Queen Street South was approved by the City's Local
Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (L.A.C.A.C), which was the predecessor of
Heritage Kitchener.
Ms. Therese Beaupre addressed the Committee on behalf of her mother who owns a property
on Hilda Place, which backs onto the subject property and on behalf of over 70 local area
residents who oppose the proposed addition. She outlined that if constructed the proposed
addition would come within 10 feet of her mother's property. She stated that given its elevated
position and close proximity, the proposed addition to 400 Queen Street South would
negatively impact the Hilda Place 'Worker Style Berlin Vernacular Streetscape' and would
significantly alter the character of the Heritage Conservation District. She then proposed an
alternate design that would relocate the addition to the Queen Street South side of the subject
property, as opposed to abutting the rear of the properties along Hilda Place.
Ms. S. Rice advised that the location of the proposed addition meets all of the City's
requirements regarding its setback from neighbouring properties, as well as height restrictions.
She added that the proposed addition also meets the objectives of the Queen Street South
Mixed Use Transportation Corridor.
In response to questions, Mr. R. March advised that when 400 Queen Street South was
originally built it was done with the intention of constructing a future addition, adding that the
current one-story section at the rear of the building was built to accommodate an additional
two stories. He stated that in his opinion the proposed addition is the most practical and
affordable means for the owner to develop this building. He noted that he has reviewed the
proposed redesign referred to by Ms. Beaupre and unfortunately it would prevent access to
the building's main entrance for the 10 month construction period, as well as compromise the
property's street entrance. He stated that originally the building was designed to have its street
entrance off of Hilda Place; however, based on feedback from area residents the original
design was amended so that the property's street entrance would front onto Queen Street
South. He noted that only a small portion of the one-story addition comes within ten feet of the
Hilda Place property lines. He added that while the one-story addition should never cast a
shadow over its neighbouring properties, the three-storey addition might cast a small shadow
during certain times of the day.
Mr. K. Kirby suggested that as this is the first meeting of the newly appointed Committee it
would be best to defer consideration of the subject HPA to the March 6, 2007 Heritage
Kitchener meeting, to allow the new members time to become better acclimated with the
criteria for evaluating H PAs.
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4. DTS-07-015 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2006-V-018
- 400 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
- PROPOSED ADDITION TO EXISTING BUILDING (CONT'D)
On motion by Ms. L. Brohman -
it was resolved:
"That consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2006-V-018 (400 Queen Street
South) be deferred and referred to the March 6, 2007 meeting of Heritage
Kitchener, to provide additional time to review this application."
5. HPA 2006-V-014 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION
- 35 ST. CLAIR AVENUE
- EXTENSION TO FORMAL CONSIDERATION TIMEFRAME
Ms. S. Barber advised that in October 2006 the timeframe for formal consideration of Heritage
Permit Application HPA 2006-V-014 (35 St. Clair Avenue) was extended to the end of
February 2007. She stated that the owner has recently requested that the timeframe for formal
consideration be extended once again, this time to the end of June 2007.
On motion by Mr. J. Ariens -
it was resolved:
"That pursuant to Section 42(4) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the time limit for formal
consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2006-V-014 (35 St. Clair Avenue) be
extended to June 30, 2007 to provide additional time for the applicant and City staff to
resolve issues related to the application."
6. 2007 HERITAGE SHOWCASE - REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Ms. S. Barber advised that Heritage Kitchener has been registered to have a booth at the 2007
Heritage Showcase to be held at the Cambridge Centre on Saturday, February 17, 2007. She
stated that this event is put on concurrent with Heritage Day and provides an opportunity for
local heritage groups and committees from across Waterloo Region to come together to
celebrate / educate the public about local heritage. Ms. Barber stated that booths are to be set
up between 7:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. on February 17, 2007 and are on display until 5:00 p.m.
that day. She then requested volunteers to work at the Committee's Heritage Day Showcase
Booth.
Mr. K. Kirby advised that working at the Committee's Showcase Booth entails answering
questions from the public as to the functions and purpose of Heritage Kitchener. He then
suggested that any members interested in volunteering should contact Ms. Barber directly and
provide her with an estimated amount of time that they are willing to commit to working at the
Committee's Showcase Booth.
7. MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER - APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. L. Bensason gave a presentation as to the procedure for listing properties of cultural
heritage significance or interest on the City's Municipal Heritage Register, as included in the
Committee binders. He stated that recent amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act and the
Planning Act have reaffirmed the need for the City to re-evaluate the way it identifies
properties of cultural heritage significance or interest. He outlined that individual municipalities
can decide on the best approach for listing properties on their Municipal Heritage Register and
that the Province only requires a sufficient description be provided to identify non-designated
properties. He added that Provincial guidelines encourage completing a surveyor recording
forms that use some preliminary evaluation criteria such as, design or physical value, historical
or associate value, and contextual value, in an effort to evaluate properties in a consistent and
objective manner. Mr. Bensason outlined the 4 step process, recently approved by Council,
for listing properties on the Municipal Heritage Register. He stated that the next step is the
establishment of a Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation Subcommittee, made up of 3 to 5
members of Heritage Kitchener and 2 members of staff. He added that the Subcommittee
would meet every 2 months to review completed Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation forms
and short-list the properties it believes should be listed on the Register. He noted that
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7. MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER - APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE (CONT'D)
Heritage Kitchener would then consider the recommendations of the Subcommittee and solicit
comments from the individual property owners prior to making a formal recommendation to
Council to add a property to the Municipal Heritage Register.
Mr. K. Kirby suggested that the number of Heritage Kitchener members on the Subcommittee
be increased from 5 to 6. He noted that in the past he has found it easier to conduct these
types of property evaluations when working with a partner and that raising the membership to
6 would allow for 3 teams of 2. Mr. Kirby added that given the substantial number of
properties requiring an evaluation this increase should expedite the overall evaluation process.
Mr. C. Goodeve expressed concern with the number of members of the Subcommittee
exceeding that of quorum for Heritage Kitchener; which has a set quorum of 5 members. He
stated that this could present the appearance that a decision to recommend the addition of a
property to the Municipal Heritage Register has been made without the benefit of this decision
occurring at a public meeting. As such, property owners may feel that they were not given a
fair opportunity to voice their opinions as a majority of Committee members would have
already made their decisions prior to the property owners being afforded a chance to address
Heritage Kitchener. Further, if the membership of the Subcommittee were to exceed that of
quorum, this could potentially marginalize the non-Subcommittee members as their positions
could be easily overruled by that of the Subcommittee.
Several members suggested that 2 Subcommittees could be formed each consisting of 4
Committee members and 2 members of staff. Each Subcommittee could then be assigned a
different set of priority sites for evaluation. The Committee then agreed to defer this matter
back to staff to provide a report to a future meeting of Heritage Kitchener as to the format /
structure of the Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation Subcommittee.
8. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator
