Heritage Kitchener Meeting Review

Heritage Kitchener reviewed designs and heritage permit applications affecting Victoria Park, several designated and heritage-district homes, and a downtown commercial building. The committee received the Victoria Park shelter design report, approved or advanced heritage applications, and forwarded four notices of intention to designate properties to City Council. A proposed addition in the Civic Centre Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District ended in a 3–3 vote and will go to City Council on November 30, 2026. The committee also discussed advisory-committee training and public information.

Topics Discussed

VICTORIA PARK PICNIC SHELTER

The existing picnic shelter will be demolished and replaced with a 10-by-20-metre structure on the current basketball-court site. The basketball court will be relocated and upgraded under the Victoria Park Master Plan. The new shelter will include accessible pathways, standard and accessible picnic tables, and GFCI electrical outlets.

The committee reviewed a cedar-shake roof option costing about $390,000 and a Kitchener Standard Green metal-roof option costing about $360,000. Staff identified metal as the more durable and maintenance-efficient option, while the discussion also addressed cedar's relationship to the park's historic character. One committee member argued that "Cedar shake is the sort of appropriate choice and the sort of appropriate language for matching the rest of the buildings in the park," noting that the metal roof has more association with industrial uses and that cedar, despite higher costs and shorter lifespan, would be a beautiful addition to the prominent location. Tenders are expected in 2027. The report was received for information.

HERITAGE PERMITS FOR HOMES

The committee or delegated staff approved heritage work at several residential properties:

• 1 Prenant Avenue: An enclosed three-season sunroom will replace an interior side-yard porch. The work will not alter the front façade and must receive final heritage staff review before a building permit is issued.
• 50 Brookside Crescent: The owner may replace deteriorated cedar shingles with Hillcore CF stamped metal shingles in a weathered-wood finish. The owner said, "It was mostly a financial decision," citing roof estimates ranging from $36,000 to $100,000 and adding, "I think the days of the $5,000 roof are over." Photos and a physical sample of the existing shingles must be preserved on site.
• 116 College Street: Approval was granted for a front porch, a two-storey rear addition and a metal roof. The resolution stated that the changes would not adversely affect the property's cultural heritage value. Final drawings must receive heritage clearance before a building permit is issued.
• 29 Ellen Street West: Staff introduced an application for a rear addition, chimney removal and roof replacement. The supplied material did not identify a final decision on the application.

DOWNTOWN BUILDING AT 67 KING STREET EAST

The committee approved alterations to the designated commercial building at King and Benton streets. A redundant King Street doorway will be removed and replaced with a window. The Benton Street entrance will be replaced with a more secure, barrier-free entrance.

The owner agreed to store and label the removed doors, glass and other heritage elements. The applicant will also work with glazing contractors to match the existing glass rather than install "super clear, more modern style of glazing." Staff will confirm those commitments before final building-permit clearance.

HERITAGE DESIGNATIONS

The committee advanced notices of intention to designate four properties:

• 12 Wellington Street North — Report DSD-2026-372. The 1925 Italian Renaissance-style home was designed by William H. Schmaltz and retains a historically significant green metal tile roof.
• 160 Margaret Avenue — Report DSD-2026-374. The property was identified as a Gothic Revival example linked to the New Apostolic Church, Michael Krauss and architect Albert Carl Reer.
• 58 Louisa Street — Report DSD-2026-375. The Berlin vernacular and Queen Anne-influenced home includes distinctive turret glasswork.
• 86 Louisa Street — Report DSD-2026-373. The property is one of the earliest homes on that section of Louisa Street and is identified as an Italianate residence.

The notices are scheduled for consideration by City Council on November 30, 2026. Staff reported that 68 individual designations had been brought forward during the current term, with five more pending.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE AND TRANSITION

The committee reviewed the Advisory Committees of Council governance project. The project's second phase includes targeted consultation with current and newly appointed committee members, council members, staff and external groups, according to Yasina Torres.

The committee also discussed orientation and mentorship for new appointees, including instruction on the Ontario Heritage Act, committee procedures and council-chamber technology. Members supported plain-language public guides explaining how committees make decisions.

Findings are expected to return to members in spring 2027, with recommendations scheduled for council consideration in fall 2027. Council is expected to ratify the next Heritage Kitchener roster on November 23. The committee will not meet in December and is expected to resume in the new year after member training.

Motions

• Victoria Park Picnic Shelter Design Options — DSD-2026-386: Received for information; carried unanimously.
• 1 Prenant Avenue Heritage Permit — HPA-2026-IV-023; DSD-2026-375/376: Approved under delegated authority, subject to final heritage staff review.
• 50 Brookside Crescent Heritage Permit — HPA-2026-IV-033; DSD-2026-369: Approved under delegated authority, with preservation of photos and a physical sample of the existing shingles.
• 116 College Street Heritage Permit — HPA-2026-V-034; DSD-2026-370: Approved unanimously, subject to final heritage clearance.
• 67 King Street East Heritage Permit — HPA-2026-IV-036; DSD-2026-383: Approved unanimously, with conditions concerning storage of removed heritage elements and matching replacement glass.
• 12 Wellington Street North Notice of Intention to Designate — DSD-2026-372: Advanced to City Council.
• 160 Margaret Avenue Notice of Intention to Designate — DSD-2026-374: Carried unanimously; forwarded to City Council.
• 58 Louisa Street Notice of Intention to Designate — DSD-2026-375: Carried unanimously; forwarded to City Council.
• 86 Louisa Street Notice of Intention to Designate — DSD-2026-373: Carried unanimously; forwarded to City Council.
• Civic Centre Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District addition: A 3–3 vote did not provide unanimous committee support. The application will proceed to City Council for a decision on November 30, 2026.

Attendees

The supplied material does not include a complete attendance list or identify councillors by full name. Committee members identified in the discussion were:

• Grant
• Magda
• Preston
• Laura

List of councillors:

• Dave Schnider
• Stephanie Stretch
• Jason Deneault
• Bil Ioannidis
• Berry Vrbanovic
• Debbie Chapman
• Ayo Owodunni
• Margaret Johnston
• Paul Singh
• Christine Michaud
• Scott Davey