HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-138 - Municipal Heritage Register Update & L~ ~, ~
T~ E
Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Heritage Kitchener
Date of Meeting: September 2, 2008
Submitted By: Leon Bensason, Coordinator of Cultural Heritage Planning
X519-741-2306)
Prepared By: Michelle Wade, Heritage Planner (519-741-2839)
Ward(s~ Involved: Ward 1 & 4
Date of Report: August 13, 2008
Report No.: DTS-08-138
Subject: MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER UPDATE &
LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF
CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE
MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the following properties be listed on the
Municipal Heritage Register as non-designated properties of cultural heritage value or interest,
in accordance with the Statements of Significance attached as Appendix'A' to Development and
Technical Services Department report DTS-08-138:
7 Fischer Court; and,
6 Gordon Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
Changes made to the Ontario Heritage Act through the passage of Bill 60, now afford
municipalities the opportunity to list properties that have not been designated under the Act but
that the municipality believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal
Heritage Register. Further, the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS} issued under Section 3 of the
Ontario Planning Act, has been amended and expands the definition of "built heritage
resources" to include properties listed by local jurisdictions. Together, the amendments made to
the Ontario Heritage Act and the Provincial Policy Statement of the Planning Act, offer an
opportunity for the City of Kitchener to update the Heritage Kitchener Inventory of Historic
Buildings and strengthen efforts to conserve property identified as being of cultural heritage
value or interest to the municipality.
City Staff advised Council via DTS 05-213 (see Appendix `A') of the changes made to the
Ontario Heritage Act and the Provincial Policy Statement of the Planning Act, and
recommended that Council approve a process for listing non-designated property on the
Municipal Heritage Register. On January 30, 2006 Council resolved that it would proceed to list
City-owned non designated properties located within the Centre Block on the Municipal Heritage
Register, but deferred consideration of approving a process for listing privately owned non-
designated property, to allow an opportunity for public consultation.
City Staff advised Council via DTS-06-162 of the outcome of the public information meeting held
to present the legislative changes and the recommendations regarding a process for listing
privately owned non-designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register. On November 27,
2006 Council approved the process for listing non-designated property of cultural heritage value
or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register, as outlined in Staff Report DTS 05-213.
REPORT:
Since November 2006, City Staff have worked towards the implementation of the process for
listing privately-owned non-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the
Municipal Heritage Register. The process has ensured the thorough and objective evaluation of
each property, and an opportunity for public input and consultation.
The process involves the following four steps:
1. Initial evaluation by a recorder through completion of a survey form and taking
photographs only where properties are visible from the public realm}.
2. Short listing of properties following a review of the recorder's survey form and
photographs; undertaken by an evaluation sub committee comprised of City Staff and
Heritage Kitchener Committee members.
Heritage Planning staff prepare a `statement of significance' for each short-listed
properly and notify the property owner of the heritage interest in the property. Property
owners are invited to make comment and attend the Heritage Kitchener meeting where
their properly will be considered for possible listing on the Municipal Heritage Register.
3. The City's Heritage Kitchener Committee reviews the merits of the short listed
properties; considers the comments of the property owner cif made); and makes a
recommendation to City Council.
4. City Council makes a decision on whether or not to list the properties on the Municipal
Heritage Register as "non-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest."
Listing non-designated property on the Municipal Heritage Register is an important step in
identifying the City's cultural heritage resources. It does not impose restrictions or obligations
with regard to obtaining heritage approvals, meaning property owners do not require a heritage
permit or City approval to make alterations. Listing on the Municipal Heritage Register does
increase the amount of time the City has to process demolition applications pup to 60 days), and
does have implications in ensuring that the City is consistent with the Provincial Policy
Statement when processing Planning Act applications.
To date, Step 1 of the four step listing process has been completed for approximately 100
properties. Step 2 has been initiated for approximately 50 properties (short listing}; and City staff
are in the process of notifying property owners of the heritage interest.
The properties municipally addressed 7 Fischer Court and 6 Gordon Avenue have been
recommended by both the recorder and the evaluation sub-committee to be listed as non-
designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register.
The property owners have been formally notified of the heritage interest and invited to attend
the Heritage Kitchener meeting scheduled for September 2nd where their property will be
considered for listing on the Municipal Heritage Register. Heritage Planning staff understand
that both property owners are supportive of the recommendation.
Heritage Planning staff anticipate that approximately 20 additional properties will proceed to
Step 3 of the listing process and will be scheduled for consideration at the November 4th
Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
An information package has been mailed to the property owners. The information package
includes: a letter that describes the process and heritage interest; a copy of the Municipal
Heritage Register brochure; and, a copy of the Statement of Significance which describes the
historic place, identifies the key heritage values, and lists the principal heritage attributes. The
Statement of Significance also includes photographs of the property and a copy of the Cultural
Heritage Resource Evaluation Form, which was completed by the recorder and evaluation sub-
committee.
CONCLUSION:
Identifying specific local cultural heritage resources is a vital first step toward upholding the
City's responsibility to protect and conserve its heritage. The properties municipally addressed 7
Fischer Court and 6 Gordon Avenue have undergone thorough and objective evaluation. The
result is that both properties meet the City's criteria to list as non-designated property of cultural
heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. Accordingly, it is recommended
that 7 Fischer Court and 6 Gordon Avenue be listed as non-designated property of cultural
heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register.
Michelle Wade, BES
Heritage Planner
Leon Bensason, MCIP, RPP, CARP
Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning
Appendix `A': Statements of Significance