Heritage District Study
The purpose of the study is to determine whether or not there is merit and support for district designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Background information on Burlington’s study, as well as general information about district designation under the Ontario Heritage Act is available.
Please contact Alana Mullaly in the planning department regarding any questions or comments that you may have. By telephone at 905-335-7600 ext. 7870 or by e-mail to heritage@burlington.ca
1. Heritage Conservation District Designation
The Ontario Heritage Act enables municipalities to designate properties of cultural heritage value or interest. Designation can apply to individual properties (under Part IV) or to a whole neighbourhood or district (under Part V). Burlington’s study pertains to district designation under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Cultural heritage resources are built and natural features that may have historic, architectural, archaeological, scenic, or natural significance and that have been modified by human activities and are considered to be of value to the community. Conservation involves identifying heritage resources; interpreting their significance; protection through physical and legal means; and using cultural heritage resources in responsible and sustainable ways that serve both individual needs and community interests.
a) Designation under Part V – Districts
In many areas of Ontario, the built heritage extends beyond the individual buildings to include the spaces between the buildings, the surrounding natural and man-made landscape, roads, footpaths, fences, lighting, street furniture (i.e. benches, waste receptacles) and other features which collectively contribute to the area's unique character.
A municipal council can designate a heritage conservation district with a by-law. Typically, a municipality will prepare and adopt a heritage conservation district plan to accompany the designating by-law. The plan is intended to assist property owners and the municipality with the care and protection of the heritage character of the district. The heritage conservation district plan typically outlines guidelines for the alteration of properties within the district. A municipal council, in consultation with the community, has the ability to tailor the district plan and guidelines to the unique features and character of the respective district to ensure that the plan reflects the community’s vision for the district over the long-term.
2. Burlington’s Heritage Conservation District Study
The City of Burlington initiated a study of the “Old Burlington Village Area” in 2003 [By-Law 75-2002]. Council has retained a consultant to undertake a study of this area [Map]. The study includes a review of the area’s existing heritage resources, as well as an assessment of the area’s character with a view to determine whether or not the area should be considered by council for heritage conservation under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act [Terms of Reference]. Copies of the consultants’ study are available and can be obtained from the planning department counter on the 2nd floor of City Hall.
a) Study Process
Study Process and Timing
b) Public Consultation
Public consultation is central to a municipal heritage conservation district study and to any district designation that may result from such study. The City of Burlington is committed to broad based consultation and has, to this end, initiated a range of consultation measures to ensure that community members have access to accurate information about heritage conservation district designation and access to a public forum to engage in meaningful dialogue. Staff have established a volunteer advisory committee to assist us in directing the public consultation component of the study.
i) Public Process Advisory Committee (PPAC)
The committee will provide input on the approach taken to public consultation related to this study. Members of PPAC will be asked to review the proposed public consultation work plan, including the number and timing of public meetings, meeting agendas and formats, and communication tools such as study update newsletters and, if appropriate, questionnaires.
As citizens and/or business owners within the study area, members are also stakeholders in the process and outcome of the study, however their participation is sought in order to assist staff with our approach to consultation.
PPAC Members: Silvia Jones, Mark Ginocchio, Bill Pittman, Mark Henderson, Ross Gosling, Richard Bachmann, Bob Wingfield, Brian Dean, Gillian Collins and Ramon Villafranca
ii) Public meetings
To date, four public information sessions have been held:
At Council's meeting on April 25, Council approved staff's proposed communications plan (Report PL 47/05). Public consultation will continue with Council's initiation of Phase 2.
iii) Study Update Newsletter
3. Learn More - Useful Links
Burlington Heritage Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC): /English/Heritage-Burlington-LACAC.html