Heritage Kitchener

Committee Minutes

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 4:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Present:

• J. Haalboom, Chair
• Councillor D. Chapman, Member
• P. Ciuciura, Member
• L. Wilson, Member
• G. Eveleigh, Member
• M. Milosz, Member
• P. Arens, Member

Staff:

• G. Stevenson, Manager, Development Review
• S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan
• V. Grohn, Heritage Planner
• M. Blake, Committee Administrator

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1.

Commencement

The Heritage Kitchener Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:00 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Discussion Items

3.1

Heritage Helping Housing Building Grant, Architectural Conservancy Ontario

The Committee considered a presentation from the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO), recommending that the City of Kitchener endorse the proposal by the ACO for a $10 million per year Heritage Helping Housing (HHH) grant program, intended to support the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for housing purposes.

D. Schneider, Architectural Conservancy Ontario, provided an overview of the proposal, and responded to questions from the Committee. 

The Committee sought clarification on program eligibility, funding limits, administration, and next steps for program development.

D. Schneider noted that no comparable provincial heritage housing grant program currently exists and that eligibility and administrative details would require further development. It was noted the ACO is requesting the proposal be supported in principle, with funding to be requested for inclusion in the next provincial budget.

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would proceed to Council on April 13, 2026. 

Moved by Councillor D. Chapman

• it was resolved:

  "That the City of Kitchener endorse the proposal by Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) in principle, for a $10 million per year Heritage Helping Housing (HHH) grant program, intended to support the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for housing purposes; and further,

  That the Mayor be directed to write to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, and the Minister of Finance, urging the Province to include funding for the Heritage Helping Housing (HHH) program in the Provincial Budget."

  Carried

3.2

Heritage Permit Application, HPA-2026-V-006 - 11 Maynard Avenue, DSD-2026-122

The Committee considered the Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-122 dated March 6, 2026, recommending that Heritage Permit Application, HPA-2026-V-006, be approved to permit the demolition and reconstruction of a detached accessory building located at the property municipally addressed as 11 Maynard Avenue.

V. Grohn, Heritage Planner provided an overview of the report. S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

N. Ross was in attendance in support of the Heritage Permit application, and to respond to questions from the Committee.

In response to questions regarding a discrepancy in the exterior cladding listed, N. Ross noted cedar siding would be used on all visible elevations of the building. Hardie board cladding would be limited to portions of the structure not visible from the public realm, specifically on elevations abutting the neighbouring fence.

In response to questions regarding zoning compliance, V. Grohn confirmed that the proposal complies with all applicable zoning regulations for a detached accessory structure. The only outstanding approval required is the Heritage Permit for the construction of the new garage, as all other aspects of the proposal meet the relevant guidelines and requirements.

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would proceed to Council on April 13, 2026. 

Moved by L. Wilson

• it was resolved:

  "That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2026-V-006 to permit the demolition and reconstruction of a detached accessory building located at the property municipally addressed as 11 Maynard Avenue be approved in accordance with the supplementary information submitted with this application and subject to the following condition, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-122:

  1. 1. That final building permit drawings be reviewed and heritage clearance provided by Heritage Planning staff prior to the issuance of a building permit."
  Carried

3.3

Notice of Intention to Designate - 1254 Union Street, DSD-2026-129

The Committee considered the Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-129 dated March 12, 2026, recommending that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 1254 Union Street as being of cultural heritage value or interest.

V. Grohn, Heritage Planner provided an overview of the report. S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would proceed to Council on April 13, 2026. 

Moved by M. Milosz

• it was resolved:

  "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 1254 Union Street as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-129."

  Carried

3.4

Notice of Intention to Designate - 8-24 King Street East, DSD-2026-139

The Committee considered the Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-139 dated March 16, 2026, recommending that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 8-24 King Street East as being of cultural heritage value or interest.

V. Grohn, Heritage Planner provided an overview of the report. S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would proceed to Council on April 13, 2026. 

Moved by P. Arens

• it was resolved:

  "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 8-24 King Street East as being of cultural heritage value or interest, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-139."

  Carried

3.5

Status Updates - Bill 23 Municipal Heritage Register Review, DSD-2026-125

The Committee considered the Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-125 dated March 12, 2026, recommending that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest be recognized and designation be pursued for the following properties: 87 Margaret Avenue, 304 Louisa Street, 1970 Fischer Hallman Road, 29 Shanley Street and 285 Simeon Street.

V. Grohn, Heritage Planner provided an overview of the report. S. Bassanese, Manager, Site Plan and G. Stevenson, Director, Development and Housing Approvals were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would proceed to Council on April 13, 2026. 

Moved by L. Wilson

• it was resolved:

  "That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest be recognized and designation be pursued for the following properties, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2026-125:

  • • 87 Margaret Avenue
    • 304 Louisa Street
    • 1970 Fischer Hallman Road
    • 29 Shanley Street
    • 285 Simeon Street"

       

  Carried

4.

Information Items

4.1

Heritage Permit Applications Tracking Sheet

5.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator