Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan Update

The Thornhill Heritage Conservation District was established by By-law 306-88, culminating a process that began in 1983 with By-law 198-83, by which Council declared its intent to conduct a study for future designation of a Heritage Conservation District in Thornhill. The consultant for the Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan was Phillip H. Carter, who concurrently prepared the study and plan for the Thornhill-Markham Heritage Conservation District. The Thornhill Heritage Conservation Districts were among the first in the province. The two municipalities acted together in recognition of the historic unity of the village.

In 2006, the City of Vaughan Council determined that after 20 years it was time to review and renew the Thornhill Vaughan Heritage Conservation District, and they again retained Phillip H. Carter as their consultant. The Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan was adopted in 2007 as Part Five of the Ontario Heritage Act. The study and plan provide data to support the designation of the Heritage Conservation District, and it established policies and guidelines for the preservation and enhancement of the heritage resources and character within the District. 

Since then, there have been changes in the District: new people, new buildings, and new changes in the Official Plan. Recognized as a tourist destination, local business hub and home to many, today the THCD Plan requires another update. The City of Vaughan is seeking ways to continue protecting properties and landscapes determined to be of cultural heritage value or interest, and the study will update the current planning framework, review applicable policies and amend existing cultural heritage assets within the study area.

Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Area Map

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The process of updating the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan has three main phases:

1. Review the plan’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT): June-December 2024
2. Prepare the Study Report outlining the proposed updated plan: Spring 2025
3. Finalize and present the updated plan: Fall 2025

The Stantec team, with the support of City Staff, are currently collecting data through completion of a pedestrian survey, review of relevant historical material, and compilation of past and present planning applications within the THCD. Information including building heights, cladding, architectural style, age, and setback are being digitally recorded during the pedestrian survey to identify patterns in the THCD which will be compiled into mapping, graphs, and written descriptions. The pedestrian survey will be completed in August 2024. Following this, a review of existing municipal policies and land uses, development patterns, landscaping, and infrastructure will be completed. This information will be presented at two Public Information Centres and to Heritage Vaughan and will be compiled into the final study report, which will be completed in Fall 2024.

There will be opportunities to have your say and provide input that will help shape the recommendations of the updated plan at each stage throughout the project. Check back often for details about each opportunity.

An online survey  will be open from February 12, 2025 to February 26, 2025 where you can share your thoughts and comments. Your input will assist with guiding the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Study and to provide direction that will be used in this phase of the work, the Plan Study phase.

There will be further opportunities to have your say - and to provide input that will help shape the recommendations of the updated plan - at subsequent meetings in the near future. Check back again for details about these opportunities.

The City of Vaughan values the opinions of its residents and is committed to consulting with the community to obtain strategic advice and input into the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan Update. The City has committed to the two-phase timeline for completing this very important project. The first phase (The Study) was approved in Spring 2024 following an extensive consultation bidding process that several qualified applicants. The draft Study is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2025.

The second phase will follow the comprehensive study of the challenges and opportunities within the area, and will be manifested in THCD Plan Update. As we will work towards the completion of the second phase, local residents will again be invited to share their thoughts and feedback by downloading and reviewing The Draft Plan Update document available in Summer 2025.

You are encouraged to participate, and provide comments on the content of the each phase of the proposed Plan Update.  Please compile your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback and email them to the project address at THCD-update@vaughan.ca. Your input will be collected and discussed at each public open house to be scheduled for the duration of this project. Check back on this page often for additional information and scheduling of this public open house online session.