HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-161 - HPA 2009-V-013 - 279 Queen St S - Proposed Demolition of Parking GarageREPORT
REPORT TO:
Heritage Kitchener Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
November 3, 2009
SUBMITTED BY:
Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning
PREPARED BY:
Yvonne Westerveld Cardoso, Heritage Planning Technician
(519-741-3400 ex. 3176)
WARD INVOLVED:
Ward 6
DATE OF REPORT: October 20, 2009
REPORT NO.: DTS-09-161
SUBJECT:
HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA-2009-V-013
279 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF FIVE-BAY PARKING
GARAGE
OMMENDATION:
REC
That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application
HPA-2009-V-013be approved to permit the demolition of a five-bay parking garage at the
property municipally addressed 279 Queen Street South in accordance with the
information submitted with the application and subject to the following condition:
i) that photo documentation of the garage be undertaken in accordance with
the City’s Photo Documentation and Recording Guidelines, and submitted
to heritage planning staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
BACKGROUND:
The Development and Technical Services Department is in receipt of Heritage Permit
Application HPA-2009-V-013. The applicant is seeking Council’s permission to demolish the
existing five-bay parking garage on the property municipally addressed 279 Queen Street
South.
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Garage
proposed for
demolition
Location map
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Aerialmap showing existing buildings at 279 Queen Street South
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Existing front elevation of office building along Queen Street South
Existing front elevation with limited view of garage in rear
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REPORT:
The subject property is located on the east side of Queen Street South, just north of Courtland
Avenue East in the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District, and is subject to designation
under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The subject property contains two buildings; a 2-storey office building and a five-bay parking
garage. The main office building consists of a 2-storey 1955 addition to the front of a former
Georgian house and has been recognized as an important example of modern architecture in
Kitchener. A building permit for the construction of the garage was issued in 1953, and so it is
assumed that the construction took place shortly thereafter. There are no similarities in design
between the garage and the modern detailing of the addition that has made the primary structure of
this property notable.
Heritage Permit Application: Demolition Request
The businesses currently occupying the building on this property would like to provide clients with
more open area parking than is currently provided on the site. The location of the existing garage
limits the configuration of parking and thus limits the total number of parking spaces available. In
addition, due to deterioration of the garage, the five parking spaces inside the garage are not often
used, as the doors do not open easily. Also, the garage is often inaccessible in winter due to issues
of snow clearing or the doors freezing shut.
The applicant is seeking permission to demolish the garage to allow for more readily usable
parking on the site.
Various views of the parking garage
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Upon reviewing the merits of this application, Heritage Planning staff note the following:
The existing garage is constructed of concrete masonry units and not in a material or
design in keeping with either the original structure or the modern addition.
The primary interest with heritage district designation is the protection and enhancement
of the cultural heritage values of the district, including maintaining streetscape and
neighbourhood character as seen from the public realm. In this regard, the existing
garage is not easily visible from the street, and its demolition will not impair or negatively
impact the significance of the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
CONCLUSION:
The proposed alterations will not detract from the Part V designation. Accordingly, staff
recommends approval of HPA-2009-V-013.
REVIEWED BY:
Leon Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services Department
List of Attachments - HPA-2009-V-013
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