HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage - 2009-10-06HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES
OCTOBER 6, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:04 p. m.
Present: Mr. K. Kirby -Chair
Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. A. Oja and Messrs. G. Zeilstra, L. Robertson, T.
Benedict, J. Ariens, Z. Janecki, and J. Rice.
Staff: L. Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range Planning
M. Wade, Heritage Planner
Y. Westerveld Cardoso, Heritage Planning Technician
D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. DTS-09-141 -HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA 2009-IV-011
- 300 JOSEPH SCHOERG CRESCENT
- ALTERATION TO CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE
Mr. J. Ariens declared a pecuniary interest as he is related to the owner of the subject property
and accordingly, he did not participate in any voting or deliberations regarding this matter.
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
141, dated September 23, 2009 regarding Heritage Permit Application HPA 2009-IV-011
recommending the planting and relocation of trees at 300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent. Ms. Y.
Westerveld Cardoso reviewed the report.
Questions were raised as to why this matter was not dealt with under delegated approval
authority. Ms. M. Wade advised that Heritage Permit Applications for properties, such as 300
Joseph Schoerg Crescent, designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act are not
permitted to be processed through delegated approval authority.
On motion by Mr. Z. Janecki -
it was resolved:
"That pursuant to Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application
HPA 2009-IV-011 (300 Joseph Schoerg Crescent), be approved to permit the planting
and relocation of trees in accordance with the plan and photographs submitted with the
application, as the attached to Development Technical Services report DTS-09-141."
2. DTS-09-143 -VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
- IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES OF VERY HIGH CULTURAL HERITAGE
VALUE OR INTEREST
Mr. J. Ariens declared a pecuniary interest as his business partner is the owner of 379 Queen
Street South and accordingly, he did not participate in any voting or deliberations regarding
that property.
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-09-
143, dated September 22, 2009 recommending the identification of 31 properties located within
the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District (HCD) as being of very high cultural heritage
value or interest, for the purpose of enforcement under Chapter 665 (Property Standards for
Maintenance and Occupancy) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. Ms. M. Wade reviewed
the report.
Questions were raised regarding the implications of a property being identified as being of very
high cultural heritage value or interest. Ms. Wade clarified that By-law 2008-124 amended
Chapter 665 to enable the City to enforce minimum acceptable standards for identified heritage
attributes of vacant designated heritage property, as necessary to prevent and protect against
deterioration. She advised that unlike the City's other HCDs, the Victoria Park HCD Plan does
not specifically included an evaluation system identifying Group `A' properties, or properties of
very high cultural heritage value or interest. Consequently, staff were directed to identify such
properties within that District to allow for the enforcement of the Property Standards By-law.
She noted that the provisions of By-law 2008-124 go beyond the minimum standards for
maintenance and occupancy which are applicable to all properties in the City, and impose
specific heritage property standards obligations.
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OCTOBER 6, 2009 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. DTS-09-143 -VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
- IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES OF VERY HIGH CULTURAL HERITAGE
VALUE OR INTEREST (CONT'D)
At the suggestion of Mr. K. Kirby, the Committee agreed to consider the identification of 379
Queen Street South separately to allow Mr. Ariens to participate in the Committee's
discussions on the remaining properties.
On motion by Ms. E. Gallaher -
it was resolved:
"That 379 Queen Street South (Buena Vista) be identified as a property of very high
cultural heritage value or interest within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District
for the purpose of enforcement under the Property Standards By-law."
Councillor J. Gazzola questioned if notification was provided to the owners of the subject
properties, and was advised that staff provided notice to each owner by registered mail
regarding the identification of their properties. Ms. Wade outlined that each property owner
was provided with a completed copy of the Cultural Heritage Resource Evaluation Form
pertaining to their property as well as a written description explaining how the property meets
the definition of a property of very high cultural heritage value or interest as defined in the
Property Standards By-law.
Mr. Joe Bullas, Bullas Glass Ltd. attended in opposition to the identification of 15 Joseph Street
as a property of very high cultural heritage value or interest. He commented that the building
should not be considered a Group `A' property as it is basically a warehouse, made of concrete
blocks which have been painted yellow. He noted that the building was designed in the 1950's
by his father who constructed the front fapade out of vitrolite, which is an opaque glass
cladding that is prone to breakage. He stated that while vitrolite adds to the art deco
architectural style of the building, it is no longer being manufactured. He expressed concerns
that should the vitrolite fall into disrepair, he would not be able to maintain that heritage
attribute of the building in accordance with the Property Standards By-law.
Ms. Wade advised that 15 Joseph Street meets four of the five criteria established for
identifying a property of very high cultural heritage value or interest. Regarding the
maintenance concerns, she stated that this identification does not impact the subject property's
existing designation under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, noting that the policies and
guidelines of the Victoria Park HCD Plan would continue to apply. Accordingly, a heritage
permit application would be required to address any repairs to the vitrolite should it begin to
deteriorate. Ms. Wade noted that staff would be willing to work with the applicant to find a
suitable replacement material to the vitrolite.
Mr. Ariens stated that the heritage property standards only apply should a property be deemed
to be vacant and should its heritage attributes not be maintained. He commented that based
on the photographs, it would appear that the building at 15 Joseph Street has been very well
maintained, adding that he would be surprised if the heritage property standards were applied
to that property.
On motion by Mr. J. Ariens -
it was resolved:
"That 15 Joseph Street (Bullas Glass Ltd.) be identified as a property of very high
cultural heritage value or interest within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District,
for the purpose of enforcement under the Property Standards By-law."
The Committee then considered the remaining 29 properties.
On motion by Mr. G. Zeilstra -
it was resolved:
"That the following properties be identified as properties of very high cultural heritage
value or interest within the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District for the purpose
of enforcement under the Property Standards By-law:
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OCTOBER 6, 2009 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. DTS-09-143 -VICTORIA PARK HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
- IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES OF VERY HIGH CULTURAL HERITAGE
VALUE OR INTEREST (CONT'D)
• 54 Benton Street (St. Matthew's Lutheran Church);
• 90 Benton Street (Benton Street Baptist Church);
• 11 Courtland Avenue East;
• 22-38 Courtland Avenue East (Nelson's Terrace);
• 25 Courtland Avenue East;
• 101 David Street;
• 107 David Street;
• 125 David Street;
• 133 David Street;
• 71 Heins Avenue;
• 15-17 Hilda Place;
• 5 Michael Street (Charles A. Ahrens Shoe Company);
• 1 Oak Street;
• 4 Park Street;
• 8 Park Street;
• 54 Park Street;
• 103 Queen Street South;
• 137 Queen Street South (St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church);
• 149 Queen Street South;
• 189 Queen Street South;
• 226 Queen Street South;
• 251 Queen Street South;
• 279 Queen Street South;
• 464-466 Queen Street South (Joseph Schneider Haus);
• 33 Roland Street;
• 37 Roland Street;
• 93 Water Street South;
• 109 Water Street South; and,
• 113 Water Street South."
3. UPDATE -REVIEWING THE PROCESS FOR LISTING NON-DESIGNATED
PROPERTIES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST ON THE
MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER
Ms. M. Wade gave an overview of the current four step process for listing non-designated
properties of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register (MHR),
which is comprised of: field evaluations, sub-committee meetings, consideration by Heritage
Kitchener and approval by Council. She stated that originally it was anticipated that 60 to 100
properties would be added annually to the MHR; however, since the process began in 2005
only 49 properties have been listed. She advised that staff intend to review the current
process, and bring forward their findings at the November 3, 2009 Heritage Kitchener meeting.
4. DTS-09-144 -DEFERRAL OF THE MIKE WAGNER HERITAGE AWARDS AND URBAN
DESIGN AWARDS TO OCTOBER 2011
The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department
report DTS-09-144, dated September 23, 2009, recommending the deferral of the Mike
Wagner Heritage Awards and Urban Design Awards to October 2011, to allow time for
Planning Staff to conduct a review of the award process, judging criteria, presentation format
and venue.
Ms. M. Wade reviewed the report and advised that staff have conducted a preliminary
comparative investigation of heritage conservation award programs offered by other
municipalities. She outlined that deferring the next scheduled presentation of the Mike Wagner
Heritage Awards from 2010 to 2011 would allow staff to undertake a review which would
examine the following:
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OCTOBER 6, 2009 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER
4. DTS-09-144 -DEFERRAL OF THE MIKE WAGNER HERITAGE AWARDS AND URBAN
DESIGN AWARDS TO OCTOBER 2011 (CONT'D)
• establishment of general and specific evaluation criteria for the Mike Wagner Heritage
Award program;
• review and update the Mike Wagner Heritage Award program categories;
• establish a new marketing approach;
• explore alternative venues for award presentation, other than Council meetings; and,
• liaise with Heritage Kitchener to gauge response to potential changes to the categories,
criteria and venue.
Ms. Wade noted that the recommendation contained in Report DTS-09-144 was endorsed at
the October 5, 2009 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting and would be
considered at the October 13, 2009 Council meeting.
Mr. L. Bensason advised that staff contacted Mrs. Pat Wagner and reviewed with her the
information contained in Report DTS-09-144. He stated that staff explained the rationale for
the proposed deferral of the presentation of the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards to October
2011, noting that Mrs. Wagner expressed no concerns or issues with the recommendation.
Several members expressed concerns with the recommendation to defer the presentation of
the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards to 2011, commenting that a deferral could put the award
program and budget allocation at risk. Members noted that they were not opposed to a
comprehensive review of the award program, but wanted the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards to
be presented in October 2010 as scheduled. It was suggested that staff could implement the
results of their review after the 2010 award presentation.
On motion by Mr. L. Robertson -
itwas resolved:
"That notwithstanding the recommendation contained in Development and Technical
Services Department report DTS-09-144 proposing the deferral of the Mike Wagner
Heritage Awards and the Urban Design Awards to October 2011, the presentation of the
Mike Wagner Heritage Awards should proceed as originally scheduled in 2010; and
further,
That Planning staff undertake a review of the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards, to include
consideration of award categories and evaluation criteria, following the presentation of
the awards in 2010."
5. UPDATE -CIVIC CENTRE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT APPEAL
The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. M. Wade, dated September 22,
2009 providing an update on the status of the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District
appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the memorandum and advised that at the pre-hearing held on
September 1, 2009, the OMB Chair strongly encouraged neighbourhood residents to discuss
their concerns regarding the proposed development at 30-40 Margaret Avenue with the
applicant and City staff. The applicant and staff met with the residents and a second pre-
hearing has been scheduled for October 9, 2009. He stated that staff would continue to
update Heritage Kitchener as this matter moves forward.
6. UPDATE - ST MARY'S HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
- PROGRESS OF VETERANS' GREEN PROJECT
Ms. Y. Westerveld Cardoso provided an update on the progress of the Veterans' Green Project
noting that the final design has now been chosen, a contractor has been hired to install the
walkways, and materials including the rock and plantings have been delivered. She stated that
weather permitting the majority of work should be completed in time for Remembrance Day.
She agreed to provide an additional update at the November 3, 2009 Heritage Kitchener
meeting.
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OCTOBER 6, 2009 - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER
7. COMPASS KITCHENER ANNUAL ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE GATHERING UPDATE
Mr. K. Kirby advised that he and Ms. Oja attended the annual All Advisory Committee
Gathering hosted by Compass Kitchener on Saturday, October 3, 2009. He stated that most
advisory committees had representatives in attendance who were asked to consider
opportunities for coordination and collaboration with other advisory committees by highlighting
identified priorities in their work plans and making note of any connections with other
committees who may have a similar focus. He then circulated to the Committee copies of a
survey developed by Environics Research Group on behalf of Compass Kitchener entitled
"Who are you Kitchener." He encouraged each member to fill out the survey, noting that it
shows the City as having six general segments of the population made up of people with
similar and related social values.
8. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator