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What effect will bring to the New Heritage District in Kitchener

kennielo

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Below is the news last week that Kitchener designated the Civic Centre area as a heritage conservation district. Does anyone know whether it will bring a positive effect to the neighborhood housing market? will it attract more people to live in the neighborhood? Will the housing price in the area go up, etc? thankskennie
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Civic Centre named heritage district








october 19, 2007 LIZ MONTEIRO

RECORD STAFF



KITCHENER

The city`s oldest neighbourhood could soon be a protected one.

Councillors agreed in principle this week to designate the Civic Centre area as a heritage conservation district. The move must be formally approved by council next Monday.

The area, bordered by Queen, Weber, Victoria and Lancaster streets, has 350 residential properties
.

The neighbourhood has cultural value because of the well-maintained, finely detailed buildings and houses built between 1880 and the First World War, said Leon Bensason, the city`s heritage planner.

"This is an opportunity to ensure our heritage gets preserved,`` Coun. Berry Vrbanovic said. "It`s a good idea because our architectural heritage is an important part of our community.``

The Civic Centre will be the city`s fourth heritage conservation district. The others are Upper Doon, Victoria Park and St. Mary`s.


The purpose of a heritage designation is to preserve an area`s architecture and streetscape, including grass boulevards and mature trees, as well as the links to history, Bensason said.

The Civic Centre neighbourhood was home to the industrial, civic and commercial elite of Berlin and later Kitchener.

The neighbourhood is also home to the city`s second oldest park, Hibner Park, which opened in 1894.

Civic Centre has appealing features such as globe-style lighting on Queen Street North and attic gable roofs and decorative trim on Victorian-era houses.

Two of its landmark buildings are St. Andrew`s Presbyterian and Zion United churches.

Property owners within a heritage district have to get approvals from Heritage Kitchener before making any changes that can be seen from the street.

Samuel Head of Dryden Smith Head Planning Consultants Ltd. in Kitchener said he represents about six property-owners who are against the Civic Centre designation.

The owners want to redevelop their properties without restrictions, Head said.

"Those people aren`t happy. They bought them for future development as an investment, not to live there.``

Head said the city seems to be working at cross-purposes.

It wants higher density near the downtown, he said, but is restricting the height of buildings within designated areas.

To date, the owners of 18 properties are listed as being against the heritage designation, Bensason said. The city has received letters from some landlords who own more than one house in the area.

Bensason said it`s a misconception to think a designated property cannot be altered.

"It just means when you make changes, those changes should not impact negatively on the attributes that make the Civic Centre significant."
 

housingrental

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My operating assumption is Waterloo core and surrounding area in relatvie price appreciaton will outperform Kitcheners over next 10 years be it wellington st. or in new heritage area on queen st. My understanding is that hertiage area tend to appreciate better - I`m not too found of that area lots of housing stock in surrounding area in brutal condition and poor quality renters.

If your looking for some cheaper detached non-studen residential rentals I`d try to make something happen privately on York, Esson, John, etc..

Anyone else from the area agree/disagree with me?
 

kennielo

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Thanks a lot, Adam...

looking forward to hearing from other`s opinion........
 
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