Summary

Heritage Kitchener reviewed multiple demolition and designation matters in March. The committee approved partial demolition of heritage buildings at 63 Courtland Avenue East to make way for stacked townhouses, while requiring extensive conservation measures for the remaining portions. The committee also advanced heritage designations for several properties including a brutalist parking garage, Art Deco storefronts, Catholic church buildings, post-war cooperative housing, and a downtown office tower.

Topics Discussed

63 COURTLAND AVENUE EAST DEMOLITION: The committee approved a notice of intention to demolish portions of three buildings at 63 Courtland Avenue East to facilitate redevelopment into stacked townhouses by developer Cano. The approval comes with extensive requirements including conservation plans, structural assessments, vibration monitoring, and salvage documentation. Staff recommended storing salvaged bricks on-site for use in restoring the conserved portion of Building 1. The developer indicated construction would begin in the fourth quarter of this year but declined to immediately designate the property as heritage, preferring to wait until after construction to "avoid duplicating processes." When asked about protection if development stalls, staff stated: "If for some reason there were going to be a delay and particularly a significant delay, we would potentially pursue designation and then implement our property standards bylaw for vacant buildings to ensure that the building and the heritage attributes are maintained at a minimum standard."

98 COLLEGE STREET CONVERSION: The committee approved a heritage permit to convert a circa 1905 Georgian-style home into 8 residential units in the Civic Center Neighborhood Heritage Conservation District. The approval includes a non-compliant exterior fire escape that violates district policies requiring enclosed stairways. Staff supported the open design because an enclosed version would have "greater impact" on the heritage building. Committee member Laura questioned the reversibility of anchoring the fire escape into historic brick, though the architect indicated columns would "minimally affect the anchoring through the heritage [fabric]." The conversion will add 8 new residential units where the building currently sits vacant.

DOWNTOWN HERITAGE DESIGNATIONS: The committee approved notices of intention to designate two downtown properties: a six-story brutalist parking garage at 33 Ontario Street North and Art Deco storefronts at 53-61 King Street East. The parking garage was described as "the first project in Kitchener's urban renewal plans of the late 1960s" and features "functional utilitarian design with an open air deck and an exterior helix exit ramp." The King Street property features an Art Deco-inspired facade from 1941 with historical ties to early "five and dime" stores including S.H. Knox Company, F.W. Woolworth Company, and founder Walter P. Zeller of Zellers Limited.

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC PROPERTIES: The committee approved heritage designations for two neighboring properties on Strain Street: St. John's Catholic Church at 85 Strain Street and St. John's Catholic School at 99 Strain Street. The church, built in 1937 in neo-gothic style, was described as "one of the first churches in the city" and originally held Sunday mass in the school's basement until construction was completed in 1938. The school, built in 1929 in collegiate Tudor style, was constructed "in response to the influx of new families and increased birth rates" in the post-war period. Staff noted that school boards are eligible for city heritage grant programs for restoration work, which could help address the "repair backlog a mile long."

POST-WAR HOUSING DESIGNATIONS: The committee approved designations for three properties representing Kitchener's post-war development: 265 Weber Street East (the first cooperative housing building in Kitchener), 141-149 Bordon Avenue North (structuralist-style housing), and 55 King Street West (a 12-story office tower). There was debate about the architectural classification of 55 King Street West, with one member suggesting it should be reconsidered as "late postmodernism" rather than contemporary style, citing clock tower features, segmental arches, and early 1990s construction. Staff agreed to review the classification. The building represents only half of the original vision, as "a second building had been planned to be built between Halls Lane and Charles Street with an 11-story glass atrium above Hall's Lane connecting the two."

Motions

Passed: - Notice of intention to demolish portions of 63 Courtland Avenue East (Buildings 1, 2, and 3) - Heritage permit approval for 98 College Street (conversion to 8 residential units with fire escape, window/door alterations, and rear dormer) - Notice of intention to designate 156 Benton Street - Notice of intention to designate 33 Ontario Street North (brutalist parking garage) - Notice of intention to designate 53-61 King Street East (Art Deco storefronts) - one opposed vote - Notice of intention to designate 85 Strain Street (St. John's Catholic Church) - Councilor Chapman abstained - Notice of intention to designate 99 Strain Street (St. John's Catholic School) - Councilor Chapman abstained - Notice of intention to designate 265 Weber Street East - Notice of intention to designate 141-149 Bordon Avenue North - Notice of intention to designate 55 King Street West

Deferred: - Notice of intention to designate 1254 Union Street (deferred to April meeting for continued discussions with owner's heritage consultant)

Attendees

• Councilor Chapman (declared pecuniary interest in items 4.7 and 4.8 due to living close to 85 and 99 Strain Street)
• Laura (committee member)
• Magda (committee member)
• Councilor Chop (abstained on 85 Strain Street vote)
• Victoria Grun (Heritage Planner)
• Michelle Drake (Senior Heritage Planner)