The next stage of the Heritage Conservation District process was the subject of another public open house last week.
Approximately 25 people attended last Thursday night’s open house in the downstairs community room at the Libro Centre. Dan Currie and Nick Bogaert from the consulting firm MHBC Planning Inc. were on hand as were members of the Town of Amherstburg’s planning department.
Bogaert stated they are in the second phase of the project, noting the Heritage Conservation District (HCD) study area bylaw was passed by town council July 8, 2024.
“From that, we’ve worked on the district plan,” said Bogaert.
There were initially two areas considered for an HCD but that has been reduced to one. The current area mainly concentrates on the downtown core, going as far as North St. to the north, Park St. to the south, the Detroit River to the west and Wolfe St. to the east.
The plan would see policies and guidelines implemented, Bogaert explained, though not every alteration to a home in the district would need a permit. Back porches, painting and replacing a roof with similar materials are among the possible exemptions, though a permit would be free.
Bogaert added the purpose of the plan is to “guide the changes” that could occur in an HCD.
“It is not to freeze development or make the area stay the way it is today,” said Bogaert.
Properties in the proposed HCD would be designated “contributing” or “non-contributing” properties with the former being homes and buildings that directly contribute to the character of the district.
“The HCD and the plan that implements it is to preserve the characteristics of a neighbourhood,” said Currie.
Among the questions was one over letting a “contributing” property delapidate and eventually be damaged due to neglect, with Currie stating property standards bylaw don’t allow that. He indicated the Ontario Heritage Act would also give additional powers to a municipality to possibly apply penalties in that case.
“The tool is the property standards bylaw,” noted Chris Aspila, the town’s manager of planning services.
Concerns over a clause in the bylaw over powerwashing were raised, with Currie stating the objective is not to prevent cleaning of a home but rather using tools such as powerwashers to alter the appearance of a home or damage portions of it.
Questions were also raised over possible financial assistance to owners of heritage properties or those that were considered “contributing” properties with grants and tax relief being suggested as possible solutions.
How the process would work for possible resale of homes or how work could be undertaken was another point with Currie stating the intent is to have a heritage permit and building permit issued at one.
“These processes have to be harmonized. The goal is that all moves forward at once,” said Currie.
More information on the HCD and the latest stage of the process can be found at www.talktheburg.ca/heritage.
Second open house held for proposed Heritage Conservation District
By Ron Giofu
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