KNHCD Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Vaughan Official Plan and the Cultural Heritage Landscape Inventory and Policy Study quote the Ontario Heritage Policy Review, 1990: 18-19, where the definition of “heritage” is defined as “all that our society values and that survives as the living context — both natural and human — from which we derive sustenance, coherence and meaning in our individual and collective lives.”

Heritage Conservation Districts are defined geographic areas made up of natural landscapes and man-made landmarks and buildings that feature a very specific aspect of local history to a sense of place, extending beyond the setting alone. They are protected by individual municipal by-laws passed by Council under the Ontario Heritage Act. The districts are put in place to conserve and enhance the special character of historic areas and neighbourhoods. The City of Vaughan has four designated Heritage Conservation Districts: Kleinburg-Nashville, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge.

A Heritage Conservation District Plan is a document that aims to establish guidelines and enforce policies designed for the preservation and enhancement of the heritage resources and character of an area.

Heritage Conservation District Plans provide consideration guidelines to the municipality and its residents for the conservation, preservations, restoration and renovation of important historical, architectural and landscape elements in the district. The plan provides guidelines and parameters for design of new development and redevelopment that preserves and enhances the district’s heritage character.

According to the City of Vaughan Official Plan, a Cultural Heritage Landscape is a defined geographical area of heritage significance which has been altered by human activities and is considered to be of cultural heritage value or interest.

Cultural Heritage Landscapes involve a grouping of individual heritage features, such as structures, spaces, archaeological sites and natural elements. Together, they form a type of heritage significance that is distinctive from the building alone.

The City of Vaughan keeps an evolving inventory formally known as the Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value. This inventory keeps track of the status of individual properties as well as groupings of properties within a Heritage Conservation District. Find out if your property is considered a heritage resource.

Individual Designation – Individual properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act are protected for specific unique attributes falling under the categories of architectural, cultural and/or contextual value. Also known as “Part Four Designated”, these properties have individual site-specific by-laws that outline the detailed cultural heritage value or interest of the property as well as the applicable heritage attributes.

Heritage Conservation District Designation – Heritage Conservation Districts are neighbourhoods that are protected by a municipal by-law passed by Council under Part Five of the Ontario Heritage Act. They are put in place to conserve and enhance the special character of historic areas and neighbourhoods.

Listed Properties – These are protected sites defined by Section 27, Part Four of the Ontario Heritage Act as having potential cultural heritage value or interest but are not yet designated. The protection extends to the entire site boundary, but only covers protection against alteration or demolition of the built structures.

Properties of Interest – This is an additional list created by City staff to identify properties of potential cultural heritage value to be evaluated for eventual inclusion on the register – but are presently not protected.

Properties that are not designated or listed under the Ontario Heritage Act are also important in honouring Vaughan’s heritage. Future developments on or beside a property that is not protected under the Ontario Heritage Act are still subject to Council’s approval.

A Cultural Heritage Character Area is an area of heritage value that may not qualify for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act but deserve special conservation efforts. It can include farmsteads (e.g. farmhouse, barn and fields), old industrial landscapes (e.g. mill complex and watercourse, grain elevator and rail corridor) and other similar heritage areas or properties.

Having a Heritage Conservation District has a number of benefits, including:

• ensuring that changes in the community are guided by a clear planning and permit application process with area-specific guidelines that protect and conserve the community’s special and distinct cultural heritage resources.
• ensuring that demolitions, alterations and new construction are subject to Heritage Conservation District guidelines and must consider and preserve the character.
• encouraging better design to create a sense of cohesion through use of guidelines that apply to all properties within the Heritage Conservation District.
• generating the potential for tourism.
• enhancing community identity, pride and involvement.

Heritage Conservation Districts support changes that enhance a neighbourhood's unique character. Property owners within these areas are required to receive a heritage permit for additions, alterations or demolition on their property. Guidelines for managing changes are established and updated by the community through the planning process.

 
Changes to the interior or minor changes to the exterior that are not visible from the street, and routine maintenance like painting, will likely not require a heritage permit or any involvement from the City.

Designation of a heritage property does not:

• obligate the owner to restore and maintain the building beyond what is expected of any property owner.
• affect the permitted uses of the property (defined by local zoning).
• prohibit the development or alteration of the property, but approval from the City is required if the contemplated exterior alterations are irreversible.
• permit public access to an otherwise private property.

General maintenance does not typically require heritage permits. Property owners within a Heritage Conservation District are provided with guidelines in the Heritage Conservation District Plan that are in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood.

No, designation does not affect the use of a property. If an owner would like to change the use of a property, an application is required under the Planning Act. If a change of use requires alterations to the building, the alterations may require heritage clearance approval under the Ontario Heritage Act.

No, property owners are not required to restore their designated property to its original appearance. Property owners are encouraged to rehabilitate their property by preserving and conserving its significant features. Regular maintenance is encouraged so that major rehabilitation projects can be avoided. Guidelines for managing changes within the are established and updated by the community during the planning process. Generally, heritage permits are only required for proposed changes that will be irreversible in nature.

Property values are determined by many factors. Recent studies indicate that property values are most often similar or higher in Heritage Conservation Districts when compared to similar properties in non-designated areas and can reduce the time a property is on the market even during times when the market is slower.

The Provincial Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and the Insurance Bureau of Canada have both confirmed that insurance premiums should not go up as a result of heritage designation. Heritage property owners are encouraged to find the right insurance provider and should contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada if their insurer has questions regarding designation. It is up to the discretion of property owners to add additional coverage, such as “replacement cost” coverage, for important features of the property in case of damage. This can be done whether or not the property is designated.

Owners are not obligated to replicate or rebuild any lost heritage attributes in the event of a designated building being destroyed.