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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-030 - 2009 Heritage Progress ReportREPORT REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener DATE OF MEETING: February 2, 2010 SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning (519-741-2319) PREPARED BY: Michelle Wade, Heritage Planner (519-741-2839) WARD(S) INVOLVED: DATE OF REPORT: January 20, 2010 REPORT NO.: DTS-10-030 SUBJECT: 2009 HERITAGE PROGRESS REPORT For information. BACKGROUND: In October 2006, Council received and adopted “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener, 2007-2027” as the community’s vision for the next 20 years. The plan provided a unified strategic approach to key areas essential to the health and vitality of the City. The plan articulated priorities identified in consultation with the community and provided recommendations for action over four years (2007-2010). Compass Kitchener identified the review of the City’s Advisory Committees as one priority. In 2008, Council received Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-08-021 “2008 Review of Advisory Committees” and endorsed a number of recommendations, including the recommendation to report to Council on the progress of the Committee at the end of each year. Staff have prepared a report on the progress of both Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning initiatives. The report is being presented to Council during the month of February in recognition of Heritage Day (February 15, 2010). REPORT: Heritage Kitchener advises Council on heritage related matters and contributes to the protection and identification of heritage resources for the enjoyment of the citizens of Kitchener by encouraging conservation and raising public awareness. Specific responsibilities include: advising Council on matters pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act such as individual designations and heritage conservation district designations; reviewing and advising Council on properties of cultural heritage value or interest; and, promoting public awareness of heritage conservation through annual events such as Doors Open and Heritage Showcase. Heritage Kitchener, in conjunction with Heritage Planning staff, developed a Committee work plan for 2009 and 2010. The Heritage Kitchener work plan for 2009 and 2010 includes four general categories: ì ó ï 1. Municipal Heritage Register - identify properties of cultural heritage value or interest; 2. Ontario Heritage Act – manage alterations to designated properties; 3. Heritage Awareness – promote heritage awareness; and, 4. Advisory Committee Review – commit to the ongoing review of Heritage Kitchener. Staff also developed a Heritage Planning work plan for 2009 and 2010. The Heritage Planning work plan was reviewed by Heritage Kitchener in order to understand the relationship between Committee and Staff roles and responsibilities. The Heritage Planning work plan for 2009 and 2010 includes eight general categories: 1. Municipal Heritage Register - identify properties of cultural heritage value or interest; 2. Ontario Heritage Act – manage alterations to designated properties; 3. Heritage Awareness Programs – promote heritage awareness; 4. Advisory Committee Review – commit to the ongoing review of Heritage Kitchener; 5. Financial Incentive Programs – administer the Grant and Tax Refund Programs; 6. Major Projects – manage and/or participate in major projects related to heritage resources; 7. Planning Act Applications (Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Plans) – review and recommend approval of completed studies associated with Heritage Permit applications and/or Planning Act applications; and, 8. Other. A full description of each category, including background information, work plan priority, and 2009 achievements is attached as Appendix A. The following table lists each of the general categories identified in the Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning work plans for 2009 and 2010 along with a bullet point summary of the 2009 achievements. 2009 and 2010 Work Plan Categories 2009 Achievements Municipal Heritage Register 130 properties evaluated for listing as non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register; Of the 130 properties evaluated, 47 properties were recommended for listing as non-designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register; and, Of the 47 properties recommended for listing, Council resolved to list 45 properties as non- designated property of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. Ontario Heritage Act Council approved a by-law to delegate certain authority of Council to approve alterations to designated property under Part IV and Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act; 17 Heritage Permit Applications (HPA) were received; Of the 17 HPAs, 11 were received after the delegated by-law was approved; and, ì ó î Of these 11 HPAs, 8 were able to be processed through delegated approval. Heritage Awareness Programs Heritage Kitchener and Heritage Planning staff participated in the Waterloo Region Heritage Foundation’s annual Heritage Showcase event; Heritage Planning staff participated in the dedication ceremony of the Canada Cordage Jute processing machine at the original site of the Doon Twines Mill Complex in the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District; The St. Mary’s Heritage Conservation District Interpretive Area was designed and built in time th for a November 11 dedication and Remembrance Day ceremony; Heritage Planning staff assisted with the article “Heritage conservation through continuous care”, which was published in the March/April issue of Your Kitchener; Heritage Planning staff participated in a panel discussion and spoke at three public lectures; and, Heritage Planning staff participated in critiques of an Urban Design Course project at the University of Waterloo. Advisory Committee Review 2009 and 2010 Heritage Kitchener Work Plan developed and approved. Financial Incentive Programs 12 Designated Heritage Property Grant Program applications were received equating to $28, 208 in grant funding; 10 applications completed the conservation work resulting in the expenditure of $19,961 in grant funding; Total owner investment equalled $121,424; and, 4 Designated Heritage Property Tax Refund applications were received and all applications were eligible to receive the tax refund. Major Projects 34 properties were 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; Heritage Planning staff participated in the Ontario Municipal Board pre-hearing conferences associated with the appeal submitted in opposition to the designation of the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District; ì ó í A draft of Phases I and II of the Homer Watson House & Gallery Master Plan was completed in December 2009; Heritage Planning staff participated in the review of cultural heritage resource policies with the Region of Waterloo’s proposed new Regional Official Plan; and, Heritage Planning staff participated in the Four Churches Project. Planning Act Applications Heritage Planning staff were involved in the review of approximately 15 Planning Act applications that required the submission of a Heritage Impact Assessment and 4 Planning Act applications that required the submission of a Conservation Plan. Other Heritage Planning staff were involved with the implementation of various Heritage Design Guidelines within new subdivisions; Heritage Planning staff provided comments on various Environmental Assessment projects; Heritage Planning staff were involved with the Bridgeport Bridge restoration; Heritage Planning staff participated in the Façade Grant Program review process; Heritage Planning staff participated on the study team working on the Betzner Barn Scenic Lookout in Pioneer Tower West; and, Heritage Planning staff participated in the Industrial Artifacts Program Review. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. REVIEWED BY: Leon Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range and Policy Planning ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager Development and Technical Services Department Appendix A ì ó ì ì ó ë ì ó ê ì ó é ì ó è ì ó ç ì ó ïð ì ó ïï ì ó ïî ì ó ïí ì ó ïì ì ó ïë ì ó ïê ì ó ïé ì ó ïè ì ó ïç ì ó îð ì ó îï ì ó îî ì ó îí ì ó îì