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Heritage Planning Advisory Committee - September 13, 2007 Minutes   |
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Room 110, Regional Administration Building,
150 Frederick St, Kitchener, Ontario
Present were: Councillor Jean Haalboom (Chair), Patricia Wagner, Harriet Schaefer, Liz Heinrichs, Jody Decker, Ron Hackett, Wendy Wright Cascaden, Connie Davison
Staff: Lucille Bish, Mai Al Nabhan
Regrets: Kathryn McGarry, Tom Hardacre, Karen Hammond
DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT
None Declared
MINUTES
MOVED by Jody Decker
SECONDED by Harriet Schaefer
THAT the minutes of the Heritage Planning Advisory Committee meeting of June 14, 2007 be approved.
CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING
a) Election of HPAC Vice Chair
Councillor Jean Haalboom called for nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Liz Heinrichs nominated Patricia Wagner for the position, no other nominations were declared. Patricia Wagner will be the HPAC Vice Chair to the end of 2008.
INITIATIVES
Prioritize new initiatives for HPAC
Mai Al Nabhan presented proposed initiatives for the remainder of 2007, and for 2008. Committee members were invited to rank these initiatives according to priority. Three initiatives were selected to be carried out for the remainder of 2007 and four initiatives to start next year, in 2008. HPAC members self-selected initiatives to work on as best suited to their interest. These initiatives are listed below according to year and priority.
Initiatives for 2007:
Create a website dedicated to heritage as part of the Regional website.
This website will be designed to provide comprehensive information and links to related heritage information. The website would provide interactive tools to locate designated heritage buildings and conservation districts and to obtain building type, name of city/township, year and reasons for designation, under which part of the Ontario Heritage it was designated, year of construction, and a photo for designated properties. In addition, the website could provide links to most heritage sources available on Local, Provincial, National levels as well as some important international links.
Sub-Committee: Ron Hackett, Wendy Wright Cascaden, Connie Davison, and Liz Heinrichs
Historic Interpretive Signs for 3 or more top historic bridges.
Continue the work on preparing historic interpretive signs for the rest of the top ten historic bridges in Waterloo Region. The remaining top bridges are: Main Street Bridge, Bridgeport Bridge, West Montrose Covered Bridge, Mennonite Bridge, Park Hill Road Bridge and Blackbridge Road Bridge.
Sub-Committee: Patricia Wagner, Harriet Schaefer, Liz Heinrichs and Ron Hackett.
Collaborate with School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, to get students involved in documenting, protecting and promoting heritage buildings and heritage landscapes.
Sub-Committee: Jody Decker
Initiatives for 2008:
Add 10 identified Sites of Regional Heritage Significance (SRHS) to the Region’s Inventory of Heritage Resources.
Regional council has previously approved criteria for Sites of Regional Heritage Significance, and HPAC members assessed 10 initial sites. Under this initiative, 10 additional sites would be selected and assessed.
Sub-Committee: Harriet Schaefer and Wendy Wright Cascaden
Explore new educational programs for students to highlight recognition and conservation of heritage resources in Waterloo Region.
A pilot project targeting young students to be designed and based on the success of many initiatives around the world.
Sub-Committee: Connie Davison
Seminar series – Education – The Value of Heritage Preservation.
A series of 4 seminars will be designed to deliver the message of the importance of preserving heritage buildings, structures and neighborhoods. Topics will range from technical subjects such as how to repair historic windows and doors to the meaning of designation and how it will improve property value.
Sub-Committee: Connie Davison
Workshop on the Ontario Building Code as it relates to the conservation of heritage buildings.
Sub-Committee: Councillor Jean Haalboom
b) Mill Creek Bridge Historic Interpretive Sign Unveiling
Mai Al Nabhan reported to the committee on the progress of the arrangements for the ceremony which will take place on October 17, 2007 at Soper Park in Cambridge. It will be followed by a reception at McDougall Cottage in Cambridge.
INFORMATION/UPDATES
a) Doors Open Waterloo Region
A list of sites participating in Doors Open Waterloo Region was distributed to HPAC members. Councillor Haalboom thanked Committee members who helped in the preparation for the event.
b) Historic Places Initiative Project, Heritage Resource Centre (HRC), University of Waterloo, June & August Progress Reports
Mai Al Nabhan presented HRC’s Historic Places Initiative Project progress reports for June and August, 2007. The August report is the final report for the second phase of the project. In this phase a total of 27 files were drafted, 11 files were approved and entered into the Historic Places portal and 16 files are waiting for Municipal approval.
Councillor Jean Haalboom informed the Committee that these sites are not yet accessible on the portal. Councillor Haalboom also reported that she expressed her concerns to Robert Shipley, Chair of Heritage Resource Centre, he investigated the problem and reported back that all approved sites were entered the provincial Register but due to a technical problem they have not been submitted to the National Register. Both HRC staff and Regional staff will follow up.
c) Alternatives Journal
Mai Al Nabhan reported to Committee members that copies of the Alternatives Journal, Heritage Issue, were distributed along with a cover letter to council members, Home Builder Associations, construction industry, Heritage Committees, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, Real Estate Board and brokerages and politicians according to HPAC recommendation in their regular meeting of December 14, 2006.
d) Landmarks, Not Landfill, City of Toronto
Councillor Haalboom updated the committee members that the City of Toronto has adopted the Region of Waterloo’s Resolution in support of Heritage Canada Foundation initiative Landmarks, Not landfill on June 19, 20 and 22, 2007.
e) Highland Road & Queen Street Improvements
Lucille Bish updated the Committee on the progress of the project. A copy of HPAC memo dated July 16, 2007 to Rob Horne, commenting on the project was distributed. Councillor Haalboom thanked the sub committee, Wendy Wright Cascaden and Karen Hammond for visiting the site, reviewing related documents, attending the Public Information Centre and providing comments on behalf of HPAC.
f) Blackbridge Road Bridge, Mattamy Subdivision, North Hespeler, Cambridge
Lucille Bish updated the Committee on the progress of the project. A copy of HPAC memo dated June 28, 2007 to Rob Horne, was distributed. The memo was prepared by Regional staff and presented HPAC resolution dated June 14, 2007 with background information.
g) Bridgeport Bridge & Bridge Street Improvement
Councillor Haalboom informed the Committee members of a Public Information Meeting at the Regional Council Chamber on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 in regard to the Bridgeport Bridge and Bridge Street Improvement project. Councillor Haalboom invited committee members to appear before council to support the rehabilitation of the bridge. Liz Heinrichs volunteered to appear. A copy of HPAC memo dated July 5, 2007 to the Commissioner of Planning and Project Team including HPAC recommendations on the project was distributed.
h) Letter from the Minister of Finance. RE: tax incentive for the rehabilitation of heritage properties
The letter was in reply to the Region of Waterloo’s request/resolution that the Federal Government establish tax incentives programs to encourage private sector investment in the rehabilitation of historic places. A copy of the letter was distributed to Committee members. Councillor Haalboom commentated that the 2007 Budget provided only $5 Million over two years for the establishment of a new entity, Canada’s National Trust that will protect lands, buildings and national treasures. Lucille Bish noted that even though the letter is a reply to the Region of Waterloo Resolution, dated January 17, 2007, it in fact does not clearly address the Region’s resolution. Councillor Haalboom asked HPAC members to advise on the next step Committee should take to follow up with the letter.
i) 2007 Award Winners – Heritage Canada Foundation
A copy of Heritage Canada Foundation winners list for 2007 was distributed.
j) Ontario Heritage Trust, Heritage Community Recognition Program 2007
A sub committee of Patricia Wagner and Wendy Wright Cascaden nominated Elizabeth (Liz) Heinrichs for the Ontario Heritage Trust award. A copy of the nomination letter was distributed. Liz Heinrichs thanked all HPAC members for their trust and appreciation.
k) Article, Historic bridge remains in limbo, New Hamburg Independent
The article was published on August 29, 2007 and discussed if the bridge should stay or go. Councillor Haalboom invited Committee members to think of ways to protect the bridge and contact trail groups in attempt to make use of it. Ron Hackett noted that he is already working on that task and in the case that funds are secured in the new budget the Township of Wellesley will be happy to restore the bridge.
l) Report CA-07-009, 2007-2010 Regional Strategic Planning Update
Lucille Bish reported that the report summarizes mission, values and focus areas; that the Regional Council has been engaged in the Strategic Planning Process; and that broad base input was obtained from staff, students and the public at large. Arts, culture and heritage was moved from focus area 4 ‘Human services’ to focus area 2 ‘Growth Management’ based on HPAC suggestions. Councillor Jean Haalboom thanked Ron Hackett for appearing before Council in this regard. A copy of the report was distributed to Committee members.
OTHER BUSINESS
a) Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, suggestions for future heritage plaques
Mai Al Nabhan reported to Committee members that the Directors from the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation in their regular meeting dated June 26, 2007, suggested providing HPAC with possible future locations for heritage plaques. Committee members showed an interest in the suggestion. After deliberation, the Committee agreed on inviting a representative of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation to attend next regular HPAC meeting to discuss possible means of collaboration.
b) Committee Membership
Lucille Bish reported that Liz Heinrichs and Kathryn McGarry are coming to the end of their term at the end of 2007. Both Councillor Haalboom and Lucille Bish thanked them for their great contribution and commitments to the Committee. Committee members discussed putting an ad in the Record calling for new members. Lucille Bish reported that by the end of 2007 HPAC will have three vacancies; she invited HPAC members to suggest potential new members.
c) The Heritage Canada Foundation’s 2007 Annual Conference
Councillor Haalboom reported that she is going to attend the Heritage Canada Foundation’s 2007 Annual Conference to be held in Edmonton, Alberta on October 12, 2007. In response to the Foundation’s call for resolutions to be considered at the Annual General Meeting, it was
MOVED by Ron Hackett
SECONDED by Jody Decker
THAT Regional staff draft a resolution(s) addressing the need for Federal tax incentives programs to encourage private sector investment in the rehabilitation of historic places. The resolution(s) will be presented at the Heritage Canada Foundation’s Annual Conference by Councillor Jean Haalboom.
CARRIED
NEXT MEETING
October 17, 2007
ADJOURN
MOVED by Ron Hackett
SECONDED by Patricia Wagner
THAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE CHAIR, Jean Haalboom, Councillor
MINUTES PREPARED BY, Mai Al Nabhan, Cultural Heritage Principal Planner
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