HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN

Transcription

1 HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2012 The meeting of the Heritage Development Board was held in the 10 th Floor Boardroom of City Hall, commencing at 5:30 pm. IN ATTENDANCE: Leona Laracey, Chair Colin Waldschutz, 1 st Vice Chair Richard Gradon Gordon Hewitt Heather Urquhart Alex Pesold Elizabeth McGahan Councillor Donnie Snook Jim Bezanson, Secretary/Heritage Development Officer Jill Flecknell, Recording Secretary REGRETS: Jacqueline Hamilton, Deputy Planning Commissioner Jeff Gauley, Secretary/Heritage Officer Patrick McCaffrey, 2 nd Vice Chair ITEM 1.0 AGENDA The Following item was added for discussion under Business Arising: 3.1 Update of Grant Policy The Following items were added for discussion under Other Business: 7.1 Saint John Transit Uptown Bus Shelters 7.2 Nova Scotia Heritage Trust Meeting 7.3 Board Initiatives MOVED by Elizabeth McGahan, SECONDED by Richard Gradon, to approve the agenda as amended..

2 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 ITEM 2.0 MINUTES ITEM 2.1 MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 29 TH, 2012 MEETING MOVED by Colin Waldschutz, SECONDED by Gordon Hewitt, to approve the February 29 th, 2012 minutes as amended.. ITEM 2.2 MINUTES OF THE MARCH 14 TH, 2012 MEETING MOVED by Alex Pesold, SECONDED by Donnie Snook, to approve the March 14 th, 2012 minutes as presented.. ITEM 2.3 MINUTES OF THE MARCH 28 TH, 2012 MEETING MOVED by Alex Pesold, SECONDED by Elizabeth McGahan, to approve the March 28 th, 2012 minutes as presented.. ITEM 3.0 BUSINESS ARISING ITEM 3.1 UPDATE OF GRANT POLICY Chair Leona Laracey thanked Board members for providing their input and suggestions to her regarding the Heritage Grant Program. Ms. Laracey indicated that she had compiled the recommendations and position of the Board into a letter to Council which was included in the Council packet for the April 10 th meeting. However, discussions concerning the Heritage Grants Program were deferred at the April 10 th Council meeting, due to time constraints; it will appear on the next agenda. Leona explained that Donnie Snook requested a meeting with Planning Commissioner Ken Forrest on behalf of the Board to follow up with him after the March 26 th Common Council Meeting. Mr. Snook explained that it had taken longer than anticipated to arrange a meeting with Mr. Forrest to further discuss Heritage Grants policy, but that a meeting had been scheduled for April 12 th with the City Manager s office. Donnie Snook advised the Board on the proposed contingency plan also known as Plan D Budget, put forth by the City Manager at the April 10 th Council meeting. He explained that the Plan D budget involves further cuts to the Heritage Grants Program. Mr. Snook added that the proposed cuts listed in Plan D are very high level and discussion would be required prior to its implementation should pension reforms not be accepted. Mr. Snook agreed and said that by the end of April we should know if the first stage, of the three staged Plan D, to cut 2 million dollars is necessary, the remaining stages would be an additional 4 million. Board members expressed their concerns that the Heritage Grants Program has already suffered significant funding reductions and should not have to see the grants program

3 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 completely eliminated. Leona Laracey added that the grants program is an incentive to heritage property owners to fulfill the added processes required of the Heritage Conservation Areas. She added that the Heritage Program creates additional revenue for the City, as there is steady growth and increases in property assessments in the Heritage Conservation Areas, thus contributing to the City s tax base. ITEM 4.0 INTRODUCTION OF APPLICANTS/GUESTS There were no guests present. ITEM 5.0 CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS AND GRANTS Chair, Leona Laracey requested that items 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 be moved to the beginning of the meeting. (Jim Bezanson declared conflict of interest and left the room for items 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4) ITEM 5.2A APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT JIM BEZANSON, 189 PRINCESS STREET Leona Laracey advised that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to rehabilitate the façades, including associated window and masonry repair work and painting A Conservation Plan [2011] has been prepared for the building, located in the Princess Street Heritage Conservation Area. She recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established. MOVED by Colin Waldschutz, SECONDED by Heather Urquhart, to table a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant of 20% of costs for wood trim and siding repairs/replacement and painting and for 40% of costs for window and masonry repairs, up to a maximum of $10,000.00, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established. ITEM 5.3A APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT JIM BEZANSON, 191 PRINCESS STREET Leona Laracey advised that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to rehabilitate the facades, including windows repairs and foundation repointing, and reroofing and painting. A Conservation Plan [2011] has been prepared for the building, located in the Princess Street Heritage Conservation Area. She recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established. MOVED by Richard Gradon, SECONDED by Heather Urquhart, to table a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant of 20% of costs for wood trim and siding repairs/replacement, reroofing (turret) and painting and for 40% of costs for window and masonry repairs, up to a maximum of $10,000.00, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established.

4 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 ITEM 5.4A APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT JIM BEZANSON, 114 WENTWORTH STREET Leona Laracey advised that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to install new windows and a garage door, repair existing windows, repoint/repair masonry/flashings, repair/upgrade/replace metal and wood fire escape stair components and paint. A Conservation Plan [2011] has been prepared for the building, located in the Orange Street Heritage Conservation Area. She recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established. MOVED by Heather Urquhart, SECONDED by Richard Gradon, to table a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant of 20% of costs for wood trim and siding repairs/replacement, new windows/door, decks/stairs upgrades and painting and for 40% of costs for window and masonry repairs, up to a maximum of $10,000.00, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established. (Jim Bezanson returned to the meeting) ITEM 5.1A APPLICATION FOR HERITAGE PERMIT GREGORY PATERSON, 127 KING STREET EAST Jim Bezanson advised the application is to construct a wood fence to enclose the rear (north) yard of the property. He recommended approval. ITEM 5.1B DRAFT CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS GREGORY PATERSON, 127 KING STREET EAST MOVED by Elizabeth McGahan, SECONDED by Richard Gradon, to approve the following: Construct a new 7 ft. (2.1 m) high cedar fence, complete with capped 6x6 (150 m x 150 m) cedar posts, 1 x 4 vertical boarding and 2 x 2 (50 m x 50 m) pickets, at 5 in. on centre in the upper portion, along the property lines to enclose the rear (north) yard of the property - see attached sketches; This work is to be carried out under the following conditions: 1. The proposed work shall be carried out using traditional detailing and materials as required under Section 8 of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas Bylaw and to the satisfaction of the Heritage Development Officer; 2. The Buildings & Inspection Services Department be contacted for necessary permits; 3. No work shall commence until the expiry of a fifteen-day appeal period pursuant to Section 15(2) of the Act, and providing no appeal is filed with the Provincial Appeal Board on or before April 26, 2012;.

5 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 ITEM 5.1C APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT GREGORY PATERSON, 127 KING STREET EAST Jim Bezanson advised the Board that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to repair wood siding/trim and paint and to construct a new fence. A Conservation Plan [2011] has been prepared for the building, located in the King Street East Heritage Conservation Area. He recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established. MOVED by Colin Waldschutz, SECONDED by Heather Urquhart, to table a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant of 20% of costs for wood trim and siding repairs/replacement, painting and fence construction, up to a maximum of $4,000.00, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established.. ITEM 5.5A APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT SAM MACKAY, CANTERBURY STREET Jim Bezanson advised that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to install new gooseneck lighting at the storefront cornice. A Conservation Plan [2009] is in place for the building, located in the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area. He recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established. MOVED by Heather Urquhart, SECONDED by Richard Gradon, to table a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant of 20% of costs, up to a maximum of $1,000.00, for the installation of new gooseneck lighting at the storefront cornice, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established. ITEM 5.6A APPLICATION FOR HERITAGE PERMIT CROSS-FIT SAINT JOHN INC., 36 WATER STREET Jim Bezanson advised the application is to change the colors which were approved last year to paint the storefront. He recommended approval. ITEM 5.6B DRAFT CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS CROSS-FIT SAINT JOHN INC., 36 WATER STREET MOVED by Alex Pesold, SECONDED by Gord Hewitt to approve the following: Remove paint from the granite base and windows of the storefront, using gentlest means possible without causing damage to the stone or glass. DO NOT SANDBLAST. Appropriate removal media include: Peel Away/Peel and Strip (available through Bird Stairs); or Circa 1871 chemical paint remover (or equal heavy duty paint stripper).

6 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 (Followed by appropriate wash down to neutralize chemicals, taking precautions to avoid environmental contamination) Remove loose and deteriorated paint from existing metal components of the storefront using a braided wire cup-wheel on a mini-grinder; Remove loose and deteriorated paint from wood components of the storefront, using hand scrapers or infrared heat guns. DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME of propane torch (flame may wick into building with disastrous results); Repair and/or replace, as necessary, any deteriorated wood or metal components of doors, windows, sills and brick moulding, with new metal or wood components that match the profiles and detailing of the original components; Remove old and deteriorated putty; replace any cracked, broken, or missing glass and reputty; Scrub all surfaces to be painted with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate); rinse thoroughly with clean water; allow surfaces to dry completely prior to painting (typically 3 days); Prime all wood and metal components in preparation for painting for painting the following historic colours: Para CH228 Loucks Farm: doors, window sashes, metal infill arches, column bases/capitals; Para CH230 Fort Rouge: Column Shafts and door trim; Para CH229 Coin Silver: Column panels, highlights and flutes *Note: Precautions or measures (such as tarp-in and heating) need to be taken to ensure that paint is applied at ambient temperature of at least 5 degrees C. This work to be carried out under the following conditions: 1. The proposed work to be carried out using traditional detailing and materials as required under Section 8 of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas By-law; 2. The Buildings & Inspections Services Department be contacted for necessary permits, and 3. No work shall commence until expiry of a fifteen-day appeal period pursuant to Section 15(2) of the Act, and providing no appeal is filed with the Provincial Appeal Board on or before April 26, ITEM 5.6C APPLICATION FOR A HERITAGE REHABILITATION GRANT CROSS-FIT SAINT JOHN INC., 36 WATER STREET Jim Bezanson advised that the application is for a Heritage Rehabilitation Grant to remove paint from storefront windows and base, prepare the storefront components for painting followed by application of five historic colors. He recommended tabling the grant until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policy has been established.

7 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 MOVED by Gord Hewitt, SECONDED by Colin Waldschutz, to table a Heritage Preservation Grant of 20% of costs for paint removal, repairs, paint preparation and painting work, up to $150.00, until the 2012 Heritage Grants program funding policies have been established. ITEM 6.0 REPORTS There were no reports. ITEM 7.0 OTHER BUSINESS ITEM 7.1 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT UPTOWN BUS SHELTERS Donnie Snook explained to the Board that as a member of the Saint John Transit Commission he has the opportunity to provide input on the proposed bus shelters to be replaced in the Uptown. Mr. Snook explained that the Saint John Transit Commission is proposing to replace the Loyalist Burial Grounds shelter specifically as its current design a safety concern. He added that they are also proposing to replace the shelter in front of City Hall as it is unsalvageable and that the design presented had a more standardized appearance. Leona Laracey explained that General Manager, Frank McCarey of Saint John Transit made a presentation to the Board two years ago requesting the Board s input on the design of bus shelters around the heritage areas. Staff had responded to that request and prepared a presentation to the Saint John Transit Commission with design ideas. The Board expressed concerns that the bus shelters in the Uptown area should have a unique appearance, have character defining design and also be in keeping with the surrounding heritage areas. Staff explained that none of the current shelters, with the exception of the Royal Bank location, are in the geographic area defined by the Heritage Conservation Area By-law; however it has been past practice for the Heritage Development Board to provide input with regards to design issues. Jim Bezanson advised Mr. Snook that the current shelter designs were the result of a design competition hosted several years ago, of which Comeau MacKenzie Architecture won, so it should be noted that there was a public interest taken and effort expended. Donnie Snook requested that staff provide him with the presentation and input to reply to the Saint John Transit Commission and that perhaps Jim Bezanson could contact Mr. McCarey to arrange a discussion. ITEM 7.2 NOVA SCOTIA HERITAGE TRUST SYMPOSIUM Leona Laracey advised that correspondence was received from recent heritage award winner, Lori Nason of Cranberry Stained Glass in Nova Scotia. Ms. Nason is a member of Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and wished to extend an invitation to any Heritage Development Board members interested in attending the Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, May 12th, in Halifax, NS. Jim Lindner will be giving a presentation entitled When Digital Does Not Work-An Exploration of Heritage Conservation in the Analog World. Mr. Lindner s presentation will also include a focus on the restoration of Places of Worship, which Board members felt was quite relevant to the City of Saint John. Tickets for the event are $110 per person which includes the dinner and symposium, which will

8 Heritage Development Board Minutes April 11, 2012 take place at the Lord Nelson Hotel in downtown Halifax. Ms. Laracey requested any Board members interested in attending, contact her to make arrangements; she added that travel costs would most likely be the responsibility of the individual due to budget constraints. Elizabeth McGahan requested, that Leona contact Jim Lindner to see what is involved in having him make a presentation in Saint John, she added and Board members agreed that there is certainly an inventory of vacant sacred places in the City. ITEM 7.3 BOARD INITIATIVES Leona Laracey updated the Board that she had received correspondence from Board members with their suggestions for potential projects. The Board discussed the following ideas: Education through heritage awareness initiatives such as the development of a PowerPoint slideshow that can be used for various public events such as the heritage fair or school visits. Present to the Real Estate Board, to communicate with real estate agents the benefits of owning a heritage property and dispel the myths. Board members discussed the potential for proposing a heritage education component be instituted for those seeking their real estate agent licence. Board members discussed the importance of updating the website as well as establishing a presence through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The Board discussed other ideas such as developing a geocaching application, walking tours, bus tours and targeting strategic points of heritage values in the City. Leona Laracey requested that Board members consider other projects and compile suggestions for the next regular meeting, where the Board will prioritize potential projects and then arrange to present them to Planning Commissioner, Ken Forrest. ITEM 8.0 NEXT MEETING The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for April 25 th, ITEM 9.0 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Jim Bezanson, Heritage Development Officer Jacqueline Hamilton, Deputy Planning Commissioner JBz: JF