Municipal Heritage Register Review

To ask questions and/or provide input, contact:

Tolek Makarewicz, Senior Policy Planner
tmakarewicz@georgina.ca
Cellular: 905-955-9423 | 905-476-4301, ext. 2297

To be put on a project mailing list to receive email updates and notifications, contact:

Anna Geniole, Planning Clerk
ageniole@georgina.ca
905-476-4301, ext. 2250

The consultant retained to complete the review is Giaimo + Associates Architects Inc., a consulting firm specializing in architecture and heritage preservation.

Council has directed that an ad hoc working group be established to assist Town staff and the Heritage Consultant in obtaining any necessary background information and historical/local context as part of the Town’s review and update of the Municipal Heritage Register.

The first Working Group meeting was held on July 16, 2024, at the Civic Centre. During the meeting, the Working Group reviewed a short list of properties and areas for which the Heritage Consultant required additional background information. Where available, information and/or direction was provided by the Working Group Members to the Heritage Consultant to supplement their research.

The Working Group is comprised of the following six (6) members:

• Allan Morton
• Deirdre Lawrence
• Karen Wolfe
• Paul Brady
• Terry Russell

Ad Hoc Working Group Terms of Reference

During the weeks of September 9th and 16th, 2024, staff hosted a Public Open House. The Open House was held in the form of one-on-one virtual and in-person meetings between staff and residents.  The meetings included a brief presentation by staff followed by an opportunity for residents to ask questions and discuss the project.  In total, 20 meetings were held with residents looking to learn more about the project. 

In accordance with Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, the province initially imposed a deadline of Jan. 1, 2025 on municipalities to complete this review and have a new Heritage Register approved by Council. This deadline has since been extended to Jan.1, 2027.  Staff anticipate to complete this project sometime in the latter part of 2025. 

• Ontario Heritage Act
• O. Reg. 9/06: Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
• Ontario Heritage Trust
• Heritage Tools for Landowners, Municipalities and Communities
• Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report 

• Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report - Draft (Oct. 2, 2024)

Municipal Heritage Register

• Georgina Heritage Register (May 22, 2024)

Open House

• Heritage Register Review Open House Presentation

• Oct. 9, 2024 - Municipal Heritage Register Review - Draft CHER - DS-2024-0057.pdf 
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Attachment 1 - Public Comments Received.pdf
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Attachment 2 - Map Showing Listed Property Owner Position on Designation.pdf
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Attachment 3 - Section 8.8 of OP.pdf
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Attachment 4 - Jackson's Point Marine Railway.pdf
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Attachment 5 - Draft Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report.pdf
• Aug. 14, 2024 - Briefing Note - Municipal Heritage Register Review Update 
• May 8, 2024 - Briefing Note – Municipal Heritage Register Update (May 8, 2024)
• Sept. 27, 2023 - Staff Report No. DS-2023-0074 – Response to various heritage-related matters and implications of Bill 23 – Ontario Heritage Act

A heritage register includes a list of properties within a municipality that have been identified as having potential cultural heritage significance (Listed properties), and those which have been confirmed to have cultural heritage value or interest and are protected through a designation bylaw (Designated properties).

A Designated property is recognized by the Town and the province as a property of cultural heritage significance. Designation gives special legal status through the enactment of a designation bylaw under Sections IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act to protect the property's heritage attributes and its cultural heritage significance over time. Designation bylaw is registered on title of the subject property.

Listed (but not Designated) properties:

• Identified as containing some heritage significance.
• A Heritage Assessment has not been completed.
• Demolitions are subject to a 60-day notice to Council.

Designated properties:

• A Heritage Assessment has been completed.
• Cultural heritage value and interest has been determined and is identified in a designation bylaw registered on title.
• Alteration, additions and demolitions are subject to Council approval.

Properties can be designated to protect the following:

• Buildings and structures (e.g. houses and commercial buildings).
• Archaeological sites and ruins.
• Cultural heritage landscapes (e.g. parks and open space, gardens and natural landscapes).
• Cemeteries, monuments and infrastructure (e.g. bridges and walkways).

A heritage designation does not:

• Restrict the use of a property (under zoning).
• Prevent the redevelopment or alteration of a property.
• Generally include interior spaces, unless they are significant or rare.
• Impose restrictions, special obligations or additional expenses beyond those expected of a property owner.
• Restrict the choice of paint colours or the introduction of modern home elements.
• Require an owner to restore lost or damaged heritage features of a property.
• Does not permit public access to the property.

A heritage designation does:

• Provide clarity on the cultural importance of a given property, serving as a formal public recognition that a property has heritage value and is desirable to be protected.
• Give a property special legal status that is designed to protect cultural heritage resources located on the property.
• Require the owner to obtain approval from Council for any exterior alterations or additions. Interior alterations can be made without approval unless they impact an identified heritage attribute (this is rare).
• May require the owner to receive approval from Council for the demolition or removal of a building or structure on a designated property.