Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Kitchener - 2007-10-02HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m. Present: Councillor J. Gazzola -Chair Ms. L. Brohman, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. S. Lauber, and Messrs. J. Ariens, T. Benedict and G. Zeilstra. Staff: A. Pinard, Manager, Long Range Planning L. Bensason, Heritage Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2007-IV-009 - 307 QUEEN STREET SOUTH (BREAD AND ROSES) - REQUEST FOR EXTENSION TO THE TIMEFRAME FOR FORMAL CONSIDERATION The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. S. Barber, dated October 2, 2007 regarding a request for an extension to the timeframe for formal consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-IV-009. Mr. L. Bensason stated that since the September 2007 Heritage Kitchener meeting a site visit of 307 Queen Street South (Bread & Roses) was undertaken and at that time he was advised by the Applicant that the complete replacement of all window systems as originally proposed would cost an estimated $600,000. He added that accordingly, the Applicant is requesting that the timeframe for consideration of HPA 2007-IV-009 be extended until January 31, 2008 to allow time for the examination of possible alternatives. On motion by Ms. L. Brohman - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 33(5) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the time limit for formal consideration of Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-IV-009 (307 Queen Street South) be extended to January 31, 2008 to provide additional time for the Applicant to examine possible alternatives to replacing all of the building's window systems." 2. DTS-07-151 -DESIGNATION OF THE CIVIC CENTRE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (HCD) - ADOPTION OF THE CIVIC CENTRE HCD PLAN UNDER THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07- 151, dated September 18, 2007 recommending the preparation of a by-law to designate part of the Civic Centre Neighbourhood as a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, and to adopt the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District (CCHCD) Plan, dated August 2007, as Council's intent with respect to the conservation of the Civic Centre Neighbourhood area. Mr. L. Bensason, along with the consulting team of Mr. K. Buck, Stantec Consulting; Mr. R. Coombs, Nexus Architects; and Ms. S. Baker, Ecoplans, presented the proposed CCHCD and the accompanying HCD Plan, as outlined in the staff report. In response to questions, the consulting team advised that heritage conservation districts are focused on the preservation of a collective area to help retain the key functional and visual attributes that convey or have a connection to the history of the area in which they are located. Further, policies and guidelines are put in place to provide direction about the kinds of alterations, additions or new construction that would be considered appropriate and sensitive to the heritage attributes and details of the District and are based on good conservation practices. Mr. Bensason stated that heritage alteration permits are required for major alterations and additions that are visible from the street or other public spaces such as laneways and parks, as well as for new construction and demolition. Additionally, changes made to the Ontario Heritage Act in 2005 now mandate that municipal public infrastructure improvements or changes should not have a negative impact on the heritage characteristics of a heritage district. In this regard, Ms. Baker reviewed Sections 3.3.6 (Public Realm Policies) and 7.3 (Public Realm Streetscape Design Guidelines) of the CCHCD Plan which contain HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 2007 - 30 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-07-151 -DESIGNATION OF THE CIVIC CENTRE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (HCD) - ADOPTION OF THE CIVIC CENTRE HCD PLAN UNDER THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT tCON'T) specific policies, guidelines and recommendations regarding street trees, lighting, boulevards, signage and other such infrastructure. Mr. Coombs outlined that as part of the work undertaken in preparing the CCHCD Study, properties located within the proposed heritage conservation district boundary were assigned a ranking from A to D to assist in the architectural assessment and the management of the heritage permit approval process. Group A properties are considered to be of major heritage significance. Group B properties are of importance. Group C properties are of value as part of the streetscape environment, and Group D properties are of no heritage significance. He stated that Table 5.1 in the CCHCD Plan (Recommended Heritage Alteration Permit Requirements) considers the ranking of properties in identifying the type of projects and work that require heritage permit approval and uses shading to distinguish between projects /work where consideration should be given to delegating approval authority to City staff. Mr. Bensason noted that staff will be bringing a report forward in the near future regarding the delegation of approval authority for select heritage permit applications. Mr. Richard Brown, Resident, expressed concern regarding the potential future uses of the lands abutting the District and the impact of the proposed Victoria Street Mixed Use Transportation Corridor. He was advised that the planning issues related to the Mixed Use Corridor will be considered as part of a separate planning process that is anticipated to commence in early 2008. Several members expressed support for the CCHCD Plan and noted the importance of having all related heritage signage installed as soon as possible after the designation receives approval. Mr. Bensason advised that with regards to the installation of heritage signage, an HCD account has been established and in the near future staff will be consulting with all of the Committee's HCD representatives to determine the various priority projects in each of the City's HCDs. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested that over the coming year the Committee could develop work plans for each HCD as an additional means of identifying priority projects. He added that the City's Communications Division could potentially develop advertising to educate HCD property owners as to their responsibilities related to owning a designated heritage property. 3. DTS-07-139 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2007-V-005 - 541 QUEEN STREET SOUTH - PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO FRONT PORCH The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-139, dated August 20, 2007 regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-V-005, which proposes alterations to the front porch of 541 Queen Street South. Additionally, the Committee was in receipt this date of revised scale design drawings of the proposed front porch alterations. Mr. L. Bensason gave a brief overview of what has occurred to date with regard to HPA 2007- V-005 and advised that based on the revised design drawings staff are in support of the proposed alterations. In response to questions, Dr. Paul Christopher, Applicant, advised that the design drawings now include a wheelchair access ramp, which he stated would only be partially visible from Queen Street. In addition, he suggested that the City provide property owners with a copy of the District Plan, noting that it could help to ensure that all proposed alterations are sympathetic to the overall heritage character of the District. On motion by Ms. E. Gallaher - it was resolved: HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 2007 - 31 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-07-139 - HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2007-V-005 - 541 QUEEN STREET SOUTH - PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO FRONT PORCH tCONT'D) "That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-V-005 (541 Queen Street South) be approved to permit the alteration of the front porch of the existing building, in accordance with the design drawings considered at the October 2, 2007 Heritage Kitchener meeting." 4. DTS-07-092 - 72 VICTORIA STREET SOUTH UPDATE - WITHDRAWAL OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DESIGNATE The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-092, dated May 20, 2007 regarding the withdrawal of the Notice of Intention to designate 72 Victoria Street South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. L. Bensason advised that over the past 3 years, the City has been working cooperatively with the owner of 72 Victoria Street South to address issues associated with meeting the eligibility criteria for a heritage tax refund; however, the owner has not accepted the terms and conditions imposed by the City in the preservation and maintenance agreement. He stated that with the appeal of the heritage designation of the subject property still outstanding, staff are recommending withdrawal of the Notice of Intention. He noted that the withdrawal is not based on the property lacking merit or not meeting the criteria for designation, but rather on an assessment that the owner may not have fully understood the requirements associated with becoming eligible for a heritage tax refund when they initially agreed to the designation. Mr. Bensason stated that in recognition that 72 Victoria Street South continues to be of cultural heritage value or interest, staff are proposing that proceedings be initiated to consider listing it on the Municipal Heritage Register, as anon-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest. He noted that as the staff report was originally intended to be considered in June 2007, its recommendation should be changed to read that further information would be provided at the January 2008 Heritage Kitchener meeting, as opposed to October 2007. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised that discussions still need to be held between the owners and staff to determine if the heritage features associated with the property when it is added to the Heritage Register would include both internal and external attributes. He pointed out that the owners have been made aware that listing on the Heritage Register does not preclude the possibility of this property being designated sometime in the future. On motion by Ms. E. Gallaher - it was resolved: "That the notice of intent to designate 72 Victoria Street South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, be withdrawn, as outlined in Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-092; and further, That staff be directed to initiate proceedings to list 72 Victoria Street South as a non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register, and report back to Heritage Kitchener by January 2008." 5. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2007-V-007 - 24 DILL STREET Mr. L. Bensason advised that Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-V-007 (24 Dill Street) was previously considered at the September 2007 Heritage Kitchener meeting, at which time the Committee recommended approval of the demolition of the existing rear addition and the construction of a new foundation pad; but deferred consideration of the construction of the remainder of the new addition until detailed drawings and elevations were submitted. He stated that plans were received yesterday, which still require additional information as to the type of siding proposed to be installed, colour and fenestration detail. He noted that under normal circumstances it would be too late to consider those plans at this time. However, given the Committee has previous knowledge of this property and that a delay of a month would have significant implications given the time of year; he suggested that the Committee recommend approval, subject to the exterior design details, including cladding and fenestration design and materials, being considered and approved by the City's Heritage Planner. HERITAGE KITCHENER OCTOBER 2, 2007 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2007-V-007 - 24 DILL STREET tCONT'D) On motion by Ms. L. Brohman - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA 2007-V-007 (24 Dill Street) be approved, subject to the exterior design details of the proposed addition including cladding and fenestration design and materials being considered and approved by the City's Heritage Planner." 6. PRESENTATION -ANTICIPATED HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION - 300 JOSEPH SCHOERG CRESCENT Mr. J. Ariens declared a conflict of interest as his wife is the owner of 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent, which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and subject to a Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement. Mr. J. Ariens then gave a presentation requesting the Committee's feedback regarding a proposal to build a fieldstone fence and install a flagstone walkway around the house located at 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent; and, to add additional parking spaces on the property in the vicinity of the drive shed, as well the re-cladding and construction of a rear deck on the drive shed. Mr. Ariens advised that the fieldstone fence would provide delineation between his property and the adjacent public open space. He stated that it is their intent to convert the drive shed into a bed and breakfast, which would require the creation of additional parking spaces. He added that the proposed rear deck on the drive shed would provide a proper fire exist for that building and would only be partially visible from the adjacent public areas. Mr. L. Bensason advised that all elevations of the drive shed are covered by the Conservation Easement Agreement and accordingly all proposed alterations would need to be considered as part of a heritage permit application. He noted that zoning regulations with relation to the proposed additional parking spaces would need to be resolved prior to the construction of the fieldstone fence, as its alignment might need to be altered based on the location of the additional parking spaces. Mr. Bensason stated that the existing deck on the rear of the house was attached to a new addition and is easily distinguishable from the original building material. However, the drive shed deck is being proposed to be directly attached to an original building and as such, over time both the drive shed deck and the fieldstone fence could potentially give a false sense of being an original component of the property. Ms. E. Gallaher expressed concern regarding the construction of the fieldstone fence, noting that it would not be consistent with what would be found on a traditional Mennonite homestead. She suggested that as opposed to converting the drive shed into a bed and breakfast, in her opinion it would be preferable to have it act as a functioning barn. At the request of the Committee, Mr. Bensason agreed to arrange a site visit of 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent prior to the Committee's consideration of the anticipated Heritage Permit Application. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION - DELEGATION OF HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION APPROVAL AUTHORITY Due to time constraints this item was deferred and referred to the November 5, 2007 Heritage Kitchener meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator