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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage - 2010-03-02HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 2. 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Heritage Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:02 p. m. Present: Mr. K. Kirby -Chair Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. E. Gallaher, Ms. L. Brohman and Messrs. J. Ariens, Z. Janecki, L. Robertson, J. Rice and I. Mota. Staff: L. Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range Policy Planning M. Wade, Heritage Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIAI - 31- 43 DAVID STREET (25 JOSEPH STREET Mr. L. Robertson declared a conflict of interest as he is employed by a firm involved with this project; and accordingly, he did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter. The Committee considered Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) 31- 43 David Street (25 Joseph Street), dated February 9, 2010, prepared by The Landplan Collaborative Ltd. Mr. L. Bensason reviewed the history of the Committee's involvement thus far in the proposed re- development of this site and requested feedback from the members to assist staff in their consideration of the HIA. He noted that the Committee would have a further opportunity to comment on the proposed re-development as a Heritage Permit Application is anticipated to come forward at the April 6, 2010 Heritage Kitchener meeting. Mr. Owen Scott, The Landscape Collaborative Ltd, presented the HIA for 31- 43 David Street (25 Joseph Street). He advised that it was submitted in conjunction with the demolition and re- development of four 4-unit buildings municipally addressed 31, 35, 39 and 43 David Street. He stated that though municipally addressed as David Street for the purpose of mail delivery and emergency services, the four buildings are legally part of the same property as 25 Joseph Street (former Victoria Public School); which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. He advised that the proposed new building would have approximately the same footprint as two of the David Street buildings, leaving space for a future similar structure to the east. In the interim, the newly created open space to the east will provide a green space for residents. He indicated that the heritage attributes of 25 Joseph Street and of the adjacent Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District would not be adversely affected by the proposed re-development. He stated that the new building is intended to be sympathetic to the surrounding neighbourhood, ensuring the least amount of impact on the heritage resources. Questions were raised regarding the appropriateness of the mansard roof proposed for the new building and Mr. Scott advised that the design of the roof was chosen to reduce the building's height and best reflect the look of the former Victoria Public School. He added that maintenance and snow concerns would not increase due to the roof being flat. In response to further questions, He commented that the details of the proposed building would be reminiscent of the adjacent former Victoria Public School to maintain harmonization, without being an exact copy. Mr. Scott agreed to consider enhancing the ground floor entrances proposed for the new building as a means of improving the articulation of the David Street fapade. DELEGATION - HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA), THE LANG TANNING CO. - 189-204 JOSEPH STREET / 14 LINDEN AVENUE The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Mr. John MacDonald and Margaret Santos, dated March 2, 2010 regarding their opposition to the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) developed for the former Lang Tanning Co. Site 'B', which was discussed at the February 2, 2010 Heritage Kitchener meeting. Mr. MacDonald reviewed the circulated correspondence, outlining his opposition to the HIA prepared for the Lang Tannery Site 'B'. He expressed frustration as a neighbouring property owner in not being able to provide input into the process of evaluating the merits of the subject HIA. He noted his concerns with the information put forward by the proponent in the HIA and asked that Heritage Kitchener reconsider its support for the proposed demolition of the HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MARCH 2. 2010 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DELEGATION - HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA), THE LANG TANNING CO. - 189-204 JOSEPH STREET / 14 LINDEN AVENUE (CONT'D) structures contained on Site 'B'. In addition, he suggested that Heritage Kitchener recommend listing the Lang Tannery site on the Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) as anon-designated property of cultural heritage significance. Mr. L. Bensason advised that the Provincial Policy Statement 2005, issued under the Planning Act, sets out planning policies regarding the conservation and protection of cultural heritage resources. In accordance with those policies, the City can require that an HIA be prepared for the purpose of guiding municipal planning authorities in their decision-making regarding a proposed development that affects cultural heritage resources. He added that staff reviews the HIA to determine whether all requirements have been met and to evaluate the preferred option(s). He stated that while the Director of Planning has final approval authority over HIAs, at times they are circulated to Heritage Kitchener for information and discussion. He noted that the Committee does not make a recommendation, but rather provides comments and feedback to assist staff in facilitating its recommendation. He commented that neither City Council nor the public are typically involved in this process. In response to questions, Mr. Bensason advised that Mr. MacDonald has spoken with the General Manager of the Development & Technical Services Department regarding his concerns with the subject HIA. He added that, as recommended in the HIA, the designation of the smokestack and Site 'A' under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act will be considered by the City, and that staff had discussed pursuing designation following the completion of the development of Sites 'A' and 'B'. Mr. MacDonald reiterated his request for the Committee to reconsider its support for the Lang Tannery Site 'B' HIA and noted that a copy of his correspondence has been provided to the City's Director of Planning. Mr. J. MacDonald left the meeting at this time Following further discussion regarding the proposed re-development of the former Lang Tanning Co. Site 'B', some members commented that they did not realize that the February 2, 2010 meeting was their only opportunity to provide feedback on the subject HIA. Mr. L. Robertson expressed concerns regarding the proposed demolition of the three buildings located on Site 'B', as referenced by Mr. MacDonald. Several members indicated that they were aware of the proposal to demolish the buildings, save for the smokestack, on Site 'B'. Regarding the request made by Mr. MacDonald for the Committee to reconsider its support, Mr. K. Kirby indicated that as the Committee does not make formal recommendations on HIAs, the concerns raised by Mr. MacDonald would be referred to staff. Mr. Bensason clarified that the HIA in question was submitted as a condition of the processing of a Site Plan application, which is not subject to public circulation or comment. He added that as a courtesy, Mr. MacDonald was given a copy of the information provided to Heritage Kitchener. He noted that staff would examine the documents provided by Mr. MacDonald when undertaking their evaluation of the subject HIA. 2010 HERITAGE SHOWCASE UPDATE On behalf of the Committee, Mr. K. Kirby thanked Ms. Wade and all of the members who took part in the 2010 Heritage Showcase. MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER -LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST Ms. M. Wade provided an update as to the process of listing non-designated properties of cultural heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register (MHR). She advised that staff anticipate bringing 30 properties before the Committee and Council prior to June 2010. She added that property inspections and the Evaluation Sub-committee would continue over the summer, with those subsequent properties being brought forward sometime after the fall 2010 Municipal Election. HERITAGE KITCHENER MINUTES MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER -LISTING OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF NON-DESIGNATED PROPERTY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST (CONT'D) In response to questions, Ms. Wade advised that those properties identified as being potentially impacted by the implementation of the Mixed Use Corridors would be brought before this Committee as that project moves forward. Staff agreed to investigate the impact of the potential "lame duck" status of Council on the addition of properties to the MHR. COMPASS KITCHENER ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKSHOP The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Compass Kitchener inviting all members of the City's advisory committees to participate in the 2010 Who Are You Kitchener 2 World-Cafe Style Community Workshop on March 6, 2010 from 9-11:00 a. m., at Kitchener City Hall. Mr. K. Kirby noted that anyone wishing to attend needs to RSVP by March 3, 2010. Mr. Kirby and Mr. Z. Janecki volunteered to take part in the Workshop. PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT THE POSITIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEES OF THE CITIES OF BRANTFORD AND STRATFORD Mr. Z. Janecki proposed that the Committee send correspondence to the Municipal Heritage Committees of the Cities of Brantford and Stratford in support of their opposition to the demolition of buildings within those municipalities. He was advised that in accordance with Heritage Kitchener's reporting structure, if the Committee wished to pursue this proposal it would need to make a recommendation to Council requesting that they issue the subject correspondence. Several members spoke to the role of Heritage Kitchener as an advisory committee to Council, indicating that it was not this Committee's place to become involved in matters pertaining to other municipalities. It was suggested that if any members wished to write letters of support, they should do so as private citizens. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:26 p. m. Dianna Saunderson Colin Goodeve Administrative Clerk Committee Administrator