HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-175 - HPA 2009-V-014 - 179 Queen St S - proposed demolition of 1.5 Storey Frame HouseREPORT
REPORT TO:
Heritage Kitchener Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
December 1, 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: November 19, 2009
REPORT NO.: DTS-09-175
SUBJECT:
HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION HPA-2009-V-014
179 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF A 1 1/2-STOREY FRAME
HOUSE
OMMENDATION:
REC
That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application
HPA-2009-V-014be approved to permit the demolition of a 1 ½ storey frame house at the
property municipally addressed 179 Queen Street South in accordance with the
information submitted with the application and subject to the following conditions:
i) that photo documentation of the house 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.
ii) that heritage planning staff be present during the demolition so that any
additional information revealed at the time of demolition can be properly
documented.
BACKGROUND:
The Development and Technical Services Department is in receipt of Heritage Permit Application
HPA-2009-V-014. The applicant is seeking Council’s permission to demolish the existing 1 ½
storey frame house on the property municipally addressed 179 Queen Street South.
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Location map
Aerial map showing existing building at 179 Queen Street South
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Existing structure in relationship to the Sandhills Residential Retirement Community
REPORT:
The subject property is located on the east side of Queen Street South, between Church Street and
St. George Street in the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District, and is subject to designation
under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Heritage Permit Application: Demolition Request
The applicant is seeking permission to demolish the 1 1/2-storey frame structure and to replace the
building with landscaping in front of the Sandhills Residential Retirement Community.
Existing front elevation of building along Queen Street South
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Left elevation
Rear elevation
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View from rear yard looking north toward 149 Queen Street South
Current Conditions:
The house has been vacant since the spring of 2009. An inspection by City Building staff was
undertaken in September 2009 and it was determined that the building was generally in fair condition
with some deterioration. Most interior finishes have been removed or damaged. Some mildew was
observed and it was suggested that this was due to the fact that the structure is no longer being
heated. The exterior is completely covered in vinyl siding and the windows are not original to the
building.
The subject building is a small, simple structure which has undergone alteration, and in contrast to
189 Queen Street South located immediately adjacent (and known as the Schmalz House), it does
not make a significant contribution to the character of the Queen Street South streetscape.
Since 1999 the consolidation and demolition of several buildings along Queen Street South and St.
George Street has taken place to accommodate the construction of a 58 unit apartment known as
the Sandhills Residential Retirement Community. The existing apartment represents the first of an
anticipated two-phased development. The long term vision is to build a low-rise development along
the Queen Street frontage with a high rise in behind, and see 149 and 189 Queen Street South
retained as ‘bookends’ to the future development. Though the applicant does not intend to proceed
with phase two of the redevelopment at this point in time, they do wish to proceed with the demolition
of 179 Queen Street South because of its deteriorating condition.
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Elevation showing proposed phase two development and 189 Queen Street South
Upon completion of the demolition of 179 Queen Street South, the land will be landscaped with
planting beds, sod, and additional trees to enhance the Sandhills development and the Queen Street
South streetscape.
History
Heritage planning staff have investigated the history of 179 Queen Street South. According to the
Progress in Berlin section in the Berliner Journal, staff have been able to determine that the frame
house was moved to its current location and remodelled in 1902. Though the house pre-dates 1902,
no information could be found as to the exact age of the structure. We have also not been able to
determine the location of the house prior to being moved to its present location.
Of the former owners, of particular interest was Mrs. Hugo Kranz, who resided in the house from
1902 until approximately 1915. Catherine Kranz was the widow of Hugo Kranz, a prominent Berlin
resident. There is a possibility that Hugo Kranz also lived in the house for a very short time prior to
his death.
Hugo Kranz joined his father's general store business on King Street East in 1858, and operated it
after his father's death in 1875 until 1893. He became not only a founding member, director, and
president of the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company, but also played a significant role in the
development of Berlin over the years. His accomplishments and affiliations include the following:
- High school board member for thirty years (twenty as secretary-treasurer);
- Secretary of the fire department;
- Town clerk from 1859 to 1867;
- Justice of the Peace;
- Reeve in 1869-70;
- Mayor of Berlin from 1874 to 1878;
- Member Board of Trade (president in 1890); and
- Federal Member of Parliament under the Conservative banner from 1878 to 1887.
Hugo Kranz died on June 1, 1902
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According to the Vernon’s Directory of 1897-99, Hugo Kranz’s residence was listed as 36 King Street
East. Then, at the time of the 1901 census, Hugo Kranz and his wife were listed as lodgers at the
Walper Hotel as of March 31, 1901. Later, in the Vernon’s 1901-1903 Directory, Hugo Kranz and
several other names are listed as residing at 63 Queen Street. Of note, in that same directory there
are many names listed on Queen St. between King Street and Courland Avenue with no street
numbers associated with them. It is within this period the house was moved to its current site and
perhaps numbering had not yet been addressed. As 1902 was also the year of Kranz’s death, it was
initially concluded that his widow moved into the house after his death. However an obituary for Hugo
Kranz was found indicating that his funeral procession left from the residence on Queen Street.
Based on this information, if he lived in the house at all in this location, it would have been for less
than six months.
Upon reviewing the merits of this application, Heritage Planning staff note the following:
the historical integrity of a structure is compromised when it is moved, as this structure has
been;
the current vinyl-clad structure is not identified as a Group ‘A’ building and does not enhance
or otherwise visually contribute to the Queen Street South streetscape;
with the proposed landscaping, the current Sandhills Residential Retirement Community and
the Queen Street South streetscape will be enhanced;
although there appears to be indirect ties between the house and Hugo Kranz, staff was not
able to be determine with certainty that Hugo Kranz lived in the house; and if he had, based
on the information collected, it would have been for a very short time (less than a six months)
prior to his death.
the primary interest with heritage district designation is the protection and enhancement of
the cultural heritage attributes of the district, including maintaining and enhancing streetscape
and neighbourhood character as seen from the public realm. In this regard, the demolition of
this structure will not impair or negatively impact the significance of the Victoria Park Heritage
Conservation District or Queen Street South streetscape.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
CONCLUSION:
The proposed demolition will not impair the heritage character of the Victoria Park Heritage
Conservation District. Accordingly, staff recommends approval of HPA-2009-V-014.
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-014
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