I  posted recently that Council would be considering a Planning recommendation to move properties from the inventory to our Heritage Register.   We did.  At our February 27^th meeting we  moved 17 properties to the Register; a couple recommended ones were deferred to allow for more discussion with the owners.  This is just a beginning.  There are about 500 more on the inventory to be investigated to determine if they should be added to the Register.  And, I am sure that several of the undesignated properties on the Registery should be designated so that work needs to be done.

At the 2/27 Council meeting two of the owners of properties moved to the Register made deputations to encourage Council to pursue a strategy of protecting heritage.  One person made it quite clear that adding buildings to the Register is not enough.  He talked about the need to consider and to protect the surrounding landscape.

This is a photo of one of the properties moved to the Register. 

There was also one deputation by a property owner who is not pleased with her property being added to the Register.  From her comments it was quite evident that she did not understand the implications; hence her property was deferred pending more communication.

I want to note that Council does have authority per the Heritage  Act to place properties on the Register without approval of owner.   To my mind, it is preferable that owners are supportive; hence I support giving owners adequate time and information to understand the issue.  Often property owners claim disapproval of the Register based on incomplete and/or faulty information.  I believe, however, that Council does have a responsibility to protect the built heritage as it enhances a sense of identity/place.  It is important to understand a community’s cultural heritage and history.  We need to create and maintain a diverse built environment.  Finally re-purposed heritage structures are a good indicator of a sustainable community.

Below I have provided definitions of a couple terms relevant to this issue.

The “inventory list” is just that:  list of buildings which have been identified by the Heritage Committee as possibly having value in terms of its architecture, its location and/or siting.   Being on the list has no significance in terms other than indicating that the building may have cultural value.

The “Register” includes buildings which are both designated and undesignated.  It is Council, on the advice of the Heritage Committee, who determines what is on the Register.

A building which is not designated but is on the Register is often referred to as a “Listed” property or as an undesignated building.  An owner of Listed property shall not demolish or remove the building unless the owner gives the Township Council at least 60 days written notice of intent to do so.  During the 60 days the Township can explore possible options and alternatives with the owner.  The properties we have just moved to the Register are not designated.

Designated properties on the Register are protected by a bylaw.