Heritage Sites

A heritage designation protects your property from demolition or redevelopment that could diminish its cultural significance. By designating your property, you contribute to the preservation of the town’s heritage, ensuring the history of your property endures for future generations.

This recognition strengthens the town’s identity, deepens connections to its history, and fosters a stronger sense of community. Keeping the Town’s history alive through its physical, lived-in spaces is far more impactful than relying solely on old photographs and stories.

The criteria for heritage designations sites includes three unique areas:

This section provides a summary of the Ontario Heritage Toolkit webpage, which outlines the heritage designation process.

1. Identifying the property as a candidate for designation

Municipal heritage committees, local community initiatives, or property owners identify properties with cultural heritage value or significance as candidates for designation.

2. Researching and evaluating the property

A thorough assessment, including site visits, is conducted to determine whether the property meets the criteria outlined in the “What are the Criteria?” section. Town staff will compile an information report detailing the property's historical and architectural significance, along with supporting statements and descriptions. This report is presented to Council, which decides whether to proceed with the designation process or not.

3. Serving a "Notice of Intention to Designate”

The Town issues a Notice of Intention to Designate, which includes a physical description of the property, a statement of its cultural heritage value, and a detailed outline of its heritage attributes.

If Council decides to move forward with the designation, a notice is served to the property owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust and is published on the Town of Pelham website.

Public objections to the application can be submitted within 30 days of the notice being sent, and they will be considered by Council. If an objection is made, another public hearing must be held, and a decision on whether to proceed or withdraw must be made within 90 days of the notice.

There are some exceptions where a notice isn’t necessary. These can be seen in section 2.3.2. of the Ontario Heritage Tool Kit.

4. Passing and Registering the Heritage Designation By-law

Following the objection period, Council may proceed with passing the heritage designation by-law. This official document must include a physical description of the property, a statement outlining its cultural heritage value, and a detailed description of its heritage attributes.

The by-law must be enacted within 120 days of the notice, even if an objection is made. The only exceptions to this deadline are in cases of emergency or when the property owner and the Town mutually agree to an extension.

5. Providing notice of by-law

The Town formally serves notice of the heritage designation by-law’s passing to the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust and publishes it on the Town’s website. A 30-day objection period follows, allowing for any appeals.

If an appeal is filed, the Ontario Land Tribunal conducts a hearing to determine whether to dismiss the appeal, make an amendment to the by-law, or direct Council to repeal it.

6. Listing the property on the municipal register

If no appeals are submitted, the by-law is officially registered, and the property is added to the municipal register of heritage properties. The listing includes key details such as owner information, legal description, property features, a statement of cultural heritage value, and a description of heritage attributes.

7. Listing the property on the provincial register

The property will be listed on the Ontario Heritage Trust register.

For a more comprehensive overview, you can access the full webpage here:

https://www.ontario.ca/document/designating-heritage-properties/2-designation-process 

• Will I have to leave my property exactly how it is?
  • No. You can update and modify your property as long as the changes do not affect its designated heritage attributes. Installing modern conveniences, performing routine maintenance, and renovating interior or exterior spaces are all allowed without municipal approval, provided heritage elements remain intact. If you plan to alter the appearance, materials, or configuration of a designated heritage attribute, you will need to obtain a heritage permit.

• Can I sell the property? Will property value decrease from a heritage designation?
  • Yes, you can sell your property. A study in Ontario have shown that heritage designation does not negatively impact property values and, in some cases, can even enhance them.

• Will my insurance premiums go up?
  • Heritage designation itself does not raise insurance premiums, provided regular maintenance continues. Insurance companies may adjust rates for older properties due to factors like outdated wiring or aging heating systems, but designation alone does not result in higher premiums.

• If a protected element is damaged, how does it need to be restored?
  • If a protected element is damaged due to fire or accident, restoration to its previous condition or appearance is not required.

• Will it cost more money to maintain a heritage property?
  • No, owners are not required to make extra expenditures solely due to the designation.

• Does a heritage designation restrict the uses on a property?
  • No, a heritage designation does not impose restrictions on how a property can be used. Permitted uses are determined by zoning by-laws, not by the heritage designation.

• If the property owner would like a heritage designation removed from their property, can that be done?
  • Yes. Property owners may apply to Council to request the removal of a heritage designation. For more information, contact planning-info@pelham.ca or call (905)-980-6663.

• Does the heritage property have to be a house?
  • No, factories, monuments, barns, cemeteries, bridges, gardens, parks, churches, trees, historic sites and more can also be designated.

• Can the Town designate a property without the owner's consent?
  • The Town of Pelham Council prefers not to designate properties without agreement from the property owner. However, both the Town and the Province have the authority to designate a property without the owner's consent under the Ontario Heritage Act.