Heritage Register Project

Heritage Register Project

Heritage Register

The City of Brantford maintains a comprehensive Heritage Register in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Heritage Register includes the City’s designated heritage properties, as well as ‘listed’ properties – those that are not designated but have unique heritage value. The Heritage Register is an important tool consulted by the City of Brantford when reviewing development proposals and demolition applications which may impact heritage resources.

The Heritage Register Project

  • Part 1
    In 2017, the City of Brantford launched the Heritage Register Project which is focused on updating the Heritage Register by including listed properties. The City contracted Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI) to complete a review of the City’s existing Heritage Inventory archive which contains over 9,000 properties to identify which properties have heritage value and are strong candidates for listing on the Register. The final Recommendations Report for the Heritage Register Project identifies over 800 properties that are strong candidates, and are recommended, for inclusion on the Heritage Register as non-designated, listed properties. This Report was presented to Council in August 2020 and Council approved the inclusion of 98 priority properties on the Heritage Register as listed properties.
  • Part 2
    Council will consider the remaining properties that are recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register in phases over the next few years. Each phase will cover a specific area of the City and will include a public meeting with property owners. This phased approach will ensure there is appropriate notification and consultation with property owners before Council makes a decision on whether to include these properties as non-designated, listed properties on the Heritage Register.
    • Phase A
      As part of this phase of the project, properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register that are located in the West Brant, Downtown and Market Street South, Tutela Heights, and Gilkison Flats areas of the City (Area A) were considered for listing by the Brantford Heritage Committee and Council. After consulting with property owners and the Brantford Heritage Committee, Council made the decision to add properties identified in Phase A to the City’s Heritage Register on November 23, 2021.
    • Phase B
      As part of this phase of the project, properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register that are located in the Central Ward and East Ward South area of the city, south of Wellington Street, (Area B) were considered for listing by Brantford Heritage Committee and Council. After consulting with property owners and the Brantford Heritage Committee, Council made the decision to add properties identified in Phase B to the City’s Heritage Register on March 22, 2022.
    • Phase C
      As part of this phase of the project, properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register that are located in Eagle Place and the nearby area between Mohawk Lake and the Grand River (Area C) were considered for listing by Brantford Heritage Committee and Council. After consulting with property owners and the Brantford Heritage Committee, Council made the decision to add properties identified in Phase C to the City’s Heritage Register on April 26, 2022.

    • Phase D
      In Phase D, properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register are located in the Central Ward and East Ward North areas of the City; north of Wellington Street (Area D). These properties will be considered by Council in June 2022.

      Project Schedule – Phase D
      • Public Information Centre: May 9, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register as part of this phase of work have been identified. Owners of identified properties were notified by mail and invited to attend this virtual public meeting.
      • Presentation to the Brantford Heritage Committee: May 30, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register during Phase D were presented to the Brantford Heritage Committee for consideration and comment.
      • Presentation to Committee of the Whole – Planning and Administration: June 14, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register during Phase D will be presented to Council for consideration at the Committee of the Whole – Planning and Administration hybrid meeting.
      • Decision by Council: June 28, 2022
        Council will make a decision on whether to include the recommended Phase D properties as listed properties on the City’s Heritage Register. Owners of all properties approved for listing on the Register will be notified by mail.

    • Phase E
      Phase E of the Heritage Register Project will consider properties located in the north portion of North Ward and Terrace Hill areas of the City (Area E). These properties will be reviewed in summer 2022 and considered by Council in September 2022.

      Project Schedule – Phase E
      • Public Information Centre: June 20, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register as part of this phase of work have been identified. Owners of identified properties were notified by mail and invited to attend this virtual public meeting.
      • Presentation to the Brantford Heritage Committee: June 27, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register during Phase E will be presented to the Brantford Heritage Committee for consideration and comment.
      • Presentation to Combined Committee of the Whole – Operations & Planning and Administration: September 6, 2022
        Properties recommended for inclusion on the Heritage Register during Phase E will be presented to Council for consideration at the Combined Committee of the Whole – Operations & Planning and Administration hybrid meeting.
      • Decision by Council: September 20, 2022
        Council will make a decision on whether to include the recommended Phase E properties as listed properties on the City’s Heritage Register. Owners of all properties approved for listing on the Register will be notified by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Heritage Register?
  • 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.
What are the benefits of including non-designated, listed properties on the Heritage 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.
What is the process for listing non-designated properties on the Heritage Register?
  • 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.
How were properties evaluated as part of the Heritage Register Project?

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.
What is the difference between designated properties and listed properties?

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.
Does listing a property on the Heritage Register automatically result in its future designation?
No. Listing a property on the Heritage Register does not automatically result in future designation. The City of Brantford prioritizes properties for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act and historical practice has been to designate with the property owner’s consent.
What does listing on the Heritage Register mean for property owners?
Owners of non-designated, listed properties must provide the City of Brantford with 60 days notice of their intention to demolish a structure on the property.
Can non-designated properties that are listed on the Heritage Register be altered, renovated, or modified?
Yes. Property owners of non-designated listed properties can proceed with alteration, renovations, or modifications to the property - subject to standard regulations or requirements (building code, zoning, conservation authority regulations, etc.) that apply to all properties whether or not they are listed on the Heritage Register.
Does being listed on the Register affect property value?
Listing a property on the Heritage Register will not affect the property’s MPAC assessment and should not impact its real estate value.
Does being listed on the Register affect property insurance rates?
Listing a property on a Heritage Register does not affect the cost of property insurance. Older properties in general may have higher insurance rates, but listing a property would not change this.
What if I don’t want my property listed on the Heritage Register?
Council must notify property owners within 30 days of listing a property on the Register. A property owner may formally object to this 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 within 90 days of Council’s decision on the objection.

For more information please contact:

Patrick Vusir
Planner, Long Range Planning
Planning Services
People, Legislated Services and Planning
Tel: 519-759-4150 ext. 5698
Email: pvusir@brantford.ca