Heritage Register Project

• A statutory requirement under the Ontario Heritage Act.
• Heritage Registers:
  • Must include all designated properties, including properties individually designated under Part IV of the Act and properties designated as part of a Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Act; and
  • May include non-designated, listed properties believed to be of cultural heritage value or interest (known as “listed” properties).
• Council approval and consultation with the Brantford Heritage Committee is required to add or remove listed properties from the Register.

Including listed properties on the Heritage Register serves to:

• Identify and monitor the cultural heritage resources that are valued by a community;
• Ensure these heritage resources receive special attention in the development review process and are provided with interim protection from demolition; and
• Provide accessible and comprehensive information for these heritage resources that can be used by developers, planners, community groups, tourism associations, educators, municipal staff, and the public.

• Research, screening, and evaluation are conducted to identify and recommend properties in Brantford that are strong candidates for inclusion on the Heritage Register.
• The City notifies owners of properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register.
• Property owners are invited to a Public Information Centre to learn more information about having a property listed on the Heritage Register and to discuss questions or concerns.
• City staff work to resolve any issues raised by property owners.
• Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register will be presented to the Brantford Heritage Committee and Council for consideration.
• Council will make a decision on whether to include the recommended properties as listed properties on the City’s Heritage Register.
• Council must notify property owners within 30 days of listing a property on the Register.
• A property owner may object to Council’s decision at any time.
• Council, in consultation with the Heritage Committee, will consider the objection and may decide to keep the property listed on the Register or to remove it.
• A notice will be provided to the property owner within 90 days of Council’s decision on the objection.

Properties were assessed against Brantford-specific Evaluation Criteria that was based on Ontario Regulation 9/06 of the Ontario Heritage Act. These criteria are summarized as follows:

• Design/Physical Criteria:
  • The property has an early date of construction for the City or within a City Area
  • The property is a rare/vanishing type through the City or within a City Area
  • The property has a rare, representative, or unique architectural style or design
• Historical/Associative Criteria:
  • The property is associated with an organization
  • The property is associated with an architect
  • The property is associated with a notable person or event
• Contextual Criteria:
  • The property is located at an intersection and designed for its corner lotThe property is a corner commercial property in a primarily residential neighbourhood
  • The property is associated with a specific type of development within an area

Properties were also assessed for their Material Integrity (Exceptional, Sufficient, or Low), or the degree to which significant physical characteristics have been retained.

Designated Property

• • A designated property is regulated by a municipal by-law registered on title.
• • The City has up to 90 days to review a demolition permit and make a decision to approve, approve with conditions, or refuse the demolition permit (subject to property owner appeal).
• • A heritage permit is required for alterations or renovations that may affect the designated property’s heritage attributes.

Listed Property (Non-designated)

• • No legal documents are registered on the title of a listed property.
• • The City has up to 60 days to review a demolition permit and consider options for conservation. If a decision is not made within 60 days, the demolition permit is approved.
• • A heritage permit is not required for any alterations or renovations to a listed property.