Response to Church Committee Concerns Regarding Proposed Heritage By-Law
In response to the statement released by the Church Committee representing St. Andrew’s Church (the Kirk), Gower Street Church and the Basilica Heritage Foundation, City Council offers some points of clarification to the public regarding the proposed Heritage By-Law. We recognize that these churches, along with the Anglican Cathedral, the convents and monasteries and other religious buildings form an important part of the historic fabric of downtown St. John’s and are set apart as the Ecclesiastical District National Historic Site of Canada.
The proposed St. John’s Heritage By-Law will provide better protection for built heritage, update our heritage standards, and maintain a focus on heritage preservation and protection. The By-Law and its public engagement process have not been rushed by Council, and the Committee’s statement is misleading to the public.
On April 5, 2021, Council voted for the new Heritage By-Law to be reviewed by the City’s Built Heritage Experts Panel and the public. Engagement opportunities were announced via a Public Service Announcement on April 8, and shared via social media, newspaper, the City’s Engage page, City website and emails to heritage groups in the community. Two virtual public meetings were held (April 28 and 29), with a third meeting taking place today (May 27) for the Battery neighbourhood. The complete timeline for public engagement is available at engagestjohns.ca.
The Church Committee’s release focuses on a 10-storey building, without context. For example, the proposed building at the rear of 68 Queen’s Road is approximately 10 stories tall if measured from Queen’s Road. At Harvey Road, which it would border, it would be approximately 5 stories, due to the large difference in elevation between the two roads. Along Queen’s Road, the developer has proposed a row of 3-storey townhouses.
The Committee takes issue with a proposed ‘modernist building’. However, they do not acknowledge that The Rooms sits directly across the street from this site at Harvey Road.
There seems to be some confusion among the Committee members regarding heritage standards. These standards have been in place since the 1980s and the proposed Heritage By-Law will make improvements to strengthen them.
For example, the City may allow taller buildings – this is not new, but it would usually require rezoning, which is a public process. The City may allow modern-style buildings – our current regulations give little direction to the building design, but the new By-Law has detailed direction. At present, heritage reports are not required, but they will be under this new, and improved By-Law.
For decades, Council has been able to exempt commercial buildings from the heritage standards. Under the By-Law, exemptions would still be possible, but the By-Law introduces detailed standards for commercial buildings in a heritage area - this is an improvement.
The Church Committee has expressed its concerns about being ignored – this is false as the city is in the middle of a public consultation and ongoing correspondence with the Committee has been a part of this process.
Any municipal by-law or regulation must protect the public good while fostering suitable private activities and developments. Under this By-Law, Council will consider the various aspects of development, and built heritage, as it encourages suitable economic activity and sensitive development.
Danny Breen
Mayor, City of St. John’s