Amherstburg looking for feedback on Heritage Conservation District study, 108 properties identified
The Town of Amherstburg is looking for public feedback on its Heritage Conservation District (HCD) study as officials explore ways to preserve its historic core.
The town said recent provincial legislative changes addressing affordable housing and intensification raise concerns about Amherstburg's character, believing without appropriate municipal policies, those changes could jeopardize cultural heritage and heritage properties.
“A lot of municipalities are feeling the pinch of Bill 23,” said Amherstburg’s Heritage Planner, Adam Coates. “Contextually, it's a big thing for Amherstburg. If Amherstburg’s identity is tied to its heritage, its culture and its sense of community, it's really important that it gets done and that it's done properly.”
Coates said there were 108 identified properties within the study area that includes the town’s core and a stretch along Dalhousie Street.
“Without the Heritage Conservation District, a lot of those properties are at risk of being lost,” Coates said. “It's really important that the Heritage Committee, the town, that when the HCD is done, there's some really objective things that are put into it so that everybody's on the same page about what the big picture is and what the future is for the town.”
He continued, “We see a lot of development of older buildings that people wanted to take that heritage aspect and lean into it and see the dividends that those pay in the end. And of course, that's what the town wants to see as well. So we've been very lucky that we've had a lot of interest in the town lately and we're hoping to continue to put some guardrails up so that we don't lose some of the very important heritage pieces as the as the town grows and develops.”
The River Bookshop in Amherstburg, Ont. is seen on April 15, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)Coun. Linden Crain told CTV News Windsor there is a high concentration of heritage properties in the downtown area and along Dalhousie Street that are important to protect, adding it’s also important to note that heritage designations don't stop development and that permit applications are free.
“It doesn’t stop development. It doesn't restrict what's going on in interior spaces inside the buildings. It really just provides a platform for people that own properties or properties that are of interest, to submit a heritage permit at no cost to the applicant and share what they're looking to do with the building to make sure that we protect our history,” he said.
When it comes to some people assuming the move will freeze development and force a heritage designation, Crain set record straight.
“It doesn't lower property values or anything like that. I would argue that it actually increases property values once we decide to designate an area as heritage to protect those buildings, so we want to make sure the public communication is quite clear,” he said.
“Bill 23, by January 2025, any properties that are not designated could be removed and actually demolished so we need to get this plan in place quickly,” he added. “We need to protect them.”
A consultant-led public open house took place Monday evening at the Libro Centre and residents can fill out a survey online to further provide input until May 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Bouchard scores late to lift Oilers over Canucks, tie series
After a final frame that saw the visiting Vancouver Canucks claw their way back and tie the game late, a point shot by Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard with 38 seconds left (until what seemed like certain overtime) iced the 3-2 victory for Edmonton to knot the series.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.