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DOWNTOWN PERTH HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (HCD)

What is a Heritage Conservation District (HCD)?

Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) form an integral part of our cultural heritage.  An HCD is an area of the municipality that is protected by a municipal by-law passed under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act by Town Council. HCDs are designated because the areas they protect are considered to be historically or culturally significant and require special care and attention in the planning process to ensure that they are conserved.

Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act enables a municipality to designate an area with a group of buildings and to manage and guide future change through the adoption of a District Plan. The Town of Perth presently has one Heritage Conservation District - The Downtown Perth Heritage Conservation District.

The purpose of declaring an area as a heritage conservation district is to conserve and enhance the character of the neighbourhood. A heritage conservation district plan guides physical change over time so that any change contributes to the district's historic character. The Plan sets out policy statements and guidelines to address such matters as public and private landscape, land use, additions and new construction, existing buildings, and lands adjacent to the district. As well, it addresses the types of work that either require a heritage permit or are minor in nature and are exempt from heritage review. The Plan also includes the process for heritage permit applications.

Heritage designations come in the form of a by-law, which is registered on the title of each property within the Heritage Conservation District.

For more infromation on how you can Make Heritage Work for You, please click here to access information regarding the workshop series hosted by The Town of Perth and The Municipal Heritage Advisory Panel in April, 2013.    

Heritage Grants
Along with the District designation comes the ability for the Town of Perth to provide grants to property owners of heritage buildings.  The Town of Perth has created a Heritage Building Restoration Grant to assist property owners within the District in maintaining the historic features of their properties.

Resources

Contact Us

For further questions about the HCD, please contact Karen Rennie, Heritage Manager/Curator at:

613-267-1947
krennie@perth.ca

80 Gore Street East
Perth, Ontario K7H 1H9


HERITAGE DESIGNATION AND ALTERATIONS

   

Heritage Designation:

  • RECOGNIZES the importance of a property to the local community
  • PROTECTS the property’s cultural heritage value
  • ENCOURAGES good stewardship and conservation
  • PROMOTES knowledge and understanding about the property.

Municipalities have a key role to play in conserving places that have cultural heritage value. 

Designation is:

A process under the Ontario Heritage Act that gives a property special status

 

  • Registered on property title
  • A means of recognizing cultural heritage value in our communities and preserving it for future generations
  • Recognized by a heritage plaque

Criteria for Designations:

 

  • Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
  • Design or Physical Value
  • Historical or Associated Value
  • Contextual Value
  • Heritage Attributes



The new heritage plaque is shown above.  This plaque is proudly attached to Municipally Designated Buildings
within the Town of Perth.  If you feel that your building warrants such a worthy designation, contact
Karen Rennie at 267-1947 for more details or view the Heritage Building Designation Guidebook and Application Form.   Attached is a list of all current Town of Perth Designated Historic Sites.

The Town also offers a
Community Grants Program and Heritage Property Restoration Grant.


Municipal Heritage Advisory Panel
The Town of Perth has established a Municipal Heritage Advisory Panel (MHAP).
The role of the Panel is advisory and consultative.  To apply to have your property reviewed for possible heritage designation please contact, Heritage Manager/Town of Perth at 613-267-1947.

When is a Heritage Alteration Permit Required?
You will be required to obtain approval from Council or designate if you want to undertake any work on a heritage property that will affect its architectural character.  Please note that building permits may be required.
Please use the Heritage Alteration Application to obtain approval.

Heritage Designation and Property Values: Is there an Effect?

Please click here for more information on becoming Perth Designated.

 

 

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