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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage - 2008-03-04HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 4, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER Heritage Kitchener met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. K. Kirby - Co-Chair Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. L. Brohman, Ms. S. Lauber, Ms. E. Brown, Ms. E. Gallaher, and Messrs. J. Ariens, T. Benedict, L. Robertson, L Mota, and G. Zeilstra. Staff: L. Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning M. Wade, Heritage Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. 393-411 QUEEN STREET SOUTH tBARRA CASTLE) UPDATE Mr. L. Bensason advised that City staff, the Electrical Safety Authority and Kitchener Fire Department officials recently undertook a site visit of 393-411 Queen Street South (Barra Castle), noting that unfortunately the property owner was unable to attend. He stated that staff are now more clear on how a Direct Detect system can be installed in the building. He outlined that the $3,000. needed to purchase the system would be funded through the Planning Division's Heritage Budget and added that the Fire Department has agreed to waive their monitoring fee. He noted that the installation cannot proceed until the owner has formally consented to the location of the new electrical panel required to run the Direct Detect system; and, has filed a request for service with Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro to provide power to the new panel. Mr. Bensason commented that staff are continuing to work with all parties involved and anticipate receiving a response from the property owner within the next few days. 2. DTS-0$-03$ -DESIGNATION OF 70 KING STREET EAST UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT Messrs. J. Ariens, L. Robertson and K. Kirby declared pecuniary interests as the property owner is a client of their respective employers; and accordingly, those members did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter. Resultant to Mr. K. Kirby's declaration of a pecuniary interest, Councillor J. Gazzola assumed the Chair. The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-08-039, dated March 4, 2008 regarding the designation of 70 King Street East (former Toronto Dominion Bank) under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Mr. L. Bensason advised that staff are of the opinion that the former Toronto Dominion Bank building located at 70 King Street East is an excellent example of modern movement architecture and meets the criteria for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and Ontario Regulation 9/06 with regard to cultural heritage value or interest. He then reviewed the Statement of Significance and List of Heritage Attributes, as attached to Report DTS-08-039. He stated that designation of properties provides a process for ensuring that their cultural heritage value is conserved over time, which includes consideration of the impact of alterations to the building's architectural integrity. He advised that in this regard, staff have been made aware of plans to alter 70 King Street East to accommodate its use as a restaurant. He outlined that the conceptual plans provided to staff illustrate the use of brick to redefine the entrance on King Street and a new entrance on Frederick Street; thereby resulting in the total elimination of the character defining metal `fins' on King Street and in part on Frederick Street. Mr. Bensason expressed concerns that these and other alterations may irreparably alter the architectural significance of the building. He noted that while the property owner, the Cora Group Inc., have agreed to meet with staff to discuss the alterations; staff are of the opinion that Council should have an opportunity to determine if this property merits designation in advance of the issuance of a building permit for alterations which may affect the significance of the building. He added that without designation, the City would not have the legal authority to decide whether alterations made to identified heritage attributes are appropriate. He noted that if Council decides to designate the building, the owner has a right to appeal the designation to the Conservation Review Board. Mr. L. Bensason requested that should Council decide not to pursue designation, the property be listed on the Municipal Heritage Register as anon-designated property of cultural heritage HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 4.200$ -10 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-0$-03$ -DESIGNATION OF 70 KING STREET EAST UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT tCONT'D) value or interest. He outlined that listing the property would not provide protection against inappropriate alterations, but would provide the City with 60 days to process a demolition application under the Building Code instead of only 20 days. He noted that this would give Council sufficient time to reconsider designating the property in response to an application for demolition. Mr. Paul McCormick, the Cora Group Inc., advised that this building has been vacant for a majority of the last 10 years, noting that the University of Waterloo used it temporarily during that time period. He stated that the deal between his company and the restaurant has yet to be finalized and expressed concerns that should anything be put in place to potentially impede their plans, the restaurant may back out of the deal. He added that in his company's view this building has produced negative revenues for the last 10 years and now has a major chain restaurant as a potential tenant, who he noted would also be beneficial for the City's Downtown. He commented that this building currently has a number of roof leaks and while they can continue to repair those leaks, eventually the roof would need to be replaced. He added that said replacement would only be feasible if the building had a tenant through which they could recover some of the costs. Mr. McCormick stated that the Cora Group has acted in good faith by circulating the conceptual plans to the City and have expressed a desire to work with staff to find an amicable solution. He noted that accordingly, they would prefer that the building not be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Cora Group has been very up-front about the proposed alterations, particularly their circulation of the conceptual plans which have yet to become a public document. He noted that staff have no concerns with the building's potential tenant, just with their proposed design plans. He added that staff are scheduled to meet with representatives from the Cora Group and their tenant on March 7, 2008 to discuss if an alternative design could be accommodated that would meet their needs and be complimentary to the architectural significance of the building. He stated that at this time only the exterior attributes have been identified and included in the Statement of Significance, adding that the owner's permission would be required to examine the interior of the building. Several members remarked that while the proposed restaurant might be advantages for the City's Downtown, 70 King Street East may not be a suitable location. In addition, concerns were expressed with the restaurant's proposal to alter the building as a means of marketing their brand. Members commented that the restaurant might only be in business for a limited amount of time, but could do irrevocable damage to the architectural integrity and heritage significance of the building. Following further discussion, the Committee agreed that 70 King Street East is a unique building of architectural and cultural heritage value, noting that the proposed alterations would appear to be unsympathetic to its defining heritage attributes. It was noted that any recommendation arising from the Committee regarding this matter would be considered at the March 17, 2008 Council meeting. On motion by Ms. E. Gallaher - it was resolved: "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property known as 70 King Street East (former Toronto Dominion Bank), as being of cultural heritage value or interest, with the following heritage attributes: The property municipally addressed as 70 King Street East was built in 1959 as a Toronto Dominion Bank, by the bank's in-house architect Bruce Etherington. It occupies a very prominent location within Downtown Kitchener and has been identified as one of the best examples of modern movement architecture in Waterloo Region. The building is of such exceptional significance, that it was specifically highlighted as a particularly excellent example of High Modernism in the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Catalogue publication Images of Progress 1946-1996 Modern Architecture in Waterloo Region; as being a unique and spirited work from the post-War period that should be a priority for HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 4, 200$ -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-0$-03$ -DESIGNATION OF 70 KING STREET EAST UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT tCONT'D) preservation. In addition, the building was recommended as a priority for preservation by the jurors of the Kitchener City Hall competition in 1990; and, Part of the architectural significance of the building relates to how it expresses both Solidify and Mofion. Solidify, through its extensive use of limestone and unique inflection of the facades and roofline, suggesting that the building was almost carved out of a solid block of stone; and Mofion, through a series of uninterrupted tapering metal ailerons (or metal fins) which wrap around both the Frederick and King Street elevations. Of interest is how the King and Frederick Street elevations inflect toward their midpoints, and how the cornice line on the same elevations repeat the pattern of movement by rising at the street corner. The long series of narrow steel sash windows interrupted by steel panels and running almost two storeys high, are shielded by tapering metal ailerons. The fins are reminiscent of the tail light fins of vehicles from the same era, and exude a unique sense of rhythm and motion in their repetition and banner-like form. Yet the large expanse of limestone facing the building and its marble base provides for a sense of solidity that is traditionally expected of financial institutions. The straight and squared pattern of the limestone wall provides a canvas that contrasts with the angles seen in the building plan, roofline, door openings and window fin detail. The result and effect is a building that appears to be carved out of stone, in metamorphosis; and is reflective of the dawn of the modernist spirit in architectural expression in the City of Kitchener; and further, That the designation makes reference to the following specific features of 70 King Street East, being: • irregular building plan including inflections on both the South (King Street) and East (Frederick Street) elevations; • marble faced base at grade; • marble faced window sills; • terrazzo steps and landing of the west entrance on the South (King Street) elevation; • all window openings and windows including steel sash and panels; • tapered green enamelled steel ailerons (fins) on the South (King Street) and East (Frederick Street) elevations; • light toned limestone faced walls in straight geometric pattern; • all door openings including angled openings on the South (King Street) elevation; and, • cornice, parapet wall, roof and tapered roofline. NOTE: the following motion is to be considered only if Clause 1 above is not ratified by Council. That the property known as 70 King Street East (former Toronto Dominion Bank) be listed as anon-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register." Mr. K. Kirby then re-assumed the Chair. 3. MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER -FIELD SURVEY TEAMS AND EVALUATION SUB- COMMITTEE SELECTION The Committee was in receipt this date of a revised schedule and asign-up sheet for the Municipal Heritage Register Field Survey Teams and Evaluation Sub-Committee. Ms. M. Wade provided a brief overview of what would be covered at the Municipal Heritage Register training session scheduled for March 18, 2008. She advised that Part One of the training session would be a discussion of the members' assignments and a review of `priority properties'. She stated that Part Two would deal with how members of both the Field Survey Teams and the Evaluation Sub-Committee are to approach the evaluation of properties. She noted that members who attended last year's training session are welcome to attend this year's session, but may wish to leave after the first part of the meeting. HERITAGE KITCHENER MARCH 4, 200$ -12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER -FIELD SURVEY TEAMS AND EVALUATION SUB- COMMITTEE SELECTION tCONT'D) Following a discussion regarding the process that would be used to add properties to the Municipal Heritage Register, several members raised concerns as to the status of previously evaluated properties. Mr. L. Bensason advised that draft statements of significance have been prepared for some of those properties; however, the property owners have yet to be notified. He then stressed the importance of ensuring that property owners are well advised of the City's interest in listing their property prior to this Committee considering the addition of that property to the Municipal Heritage Register. He added that if a property owner is not provided with all necessary information it is possible that they may misconstrue what it means to have their property listed on the Register. He noted that as the last time a property was added to the Register was in 2006; once evaluations have re-commenced, staff foresee bringing 2 to 3 non- controversial properties forward as a means of re-introducing this process to Council. At the request of the Committee, Mr. L. Bensason agreed to circulate a list outlining the status of each `priority property' that has been, or is scheduled to be evaluated. He noted that the members should treat the information contained therein as confidential, given that the property owners have yet to be notified. 4. DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES PRESENTATION -UPDATE Mr. K. Kirby advised that the presentation updating the Committee on the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines has been scheduled for the April 1, 2008 Heritage Kitchener meeting. 5. 200$ HERITAGE SHOWCASE DISPLAY On behalf of the Committee, Mr. K. Kirby thanked all of those members who assisted with the Heritage Kitchener display at the 2008 Heritage Showcase; specifically thanking Ms. S. Lauber and Ms. L. Brohman for their work in creating the display. Mr. J. Ariens suggested that the 2009 display could include the use of a small television, which could show the various designated properties located throughout the City of Kitchener. 6. INCORPORATION OF SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATED HERITAGE PROPERTIES WITHIN MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 665 (PROPERTY STANDARDS FOR MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY) In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason advised that staff anticipate presenting the draft by- law amendments for the incorporation of specific maintenance standards for designated heritage properties within Municipal Code Chapter 665 (Property Standards for Maintenance and Occupancy) at the March 31, 2008 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator