Mixed reviews about Kincardine's proposed Heritage Conservation District plan

Kincardine’s proposed Heritage Conservation District (HCD) plan received mixed reviews when it was presented to council during the public meeting Sept. 13.

The plan outlines the proposed policies and guidelines intended for property owners, municipal staff, council and Heritage Kincardine to apply, to conserve the cultural heritage value of this particular district for future generations as the area continues to grow and evolve, said clerk Jennifer Lawrie, in presenting her report.

The affected district includes downtown Kincardine, from Durham Market Square to Lambton Street, as well as Princes Street to the east, and Harbour Street to the west.

“The plan aims to build on the long-standing pride of ownership and maintenance demonstrated by property owners throughout the HCD who have conserved the area’s heritage buildings and character for many generations,” said Lawrie.

She said the plan was prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. And a+Link Architecture Inc., with public input being a key component. Residents and business owners in the plan area, the community and local knowledge experts were consulted throughout the creation of the plan.

The public consultation involved the following: a public information centre from July 13 to Aug. 1, 2020, including a virtual open house; a public survey from July 13 to Aug. 8; and a second public information centre March 22, with the presentation of the draft plan and a discussion period.

Lawrie said that after collecting public input over a four-week comment period, the project team made some minor revisions and the draft plan was made available for review, Aug. 6, on the Kincardine municipal website, as well KincardineTalks.ca, and notice was provided through:
 

• Mail to the registered property owners in the proposed plan area
• Paid advertising and media releases to local newspapers
• Social media posts
• E-mails to interested groups, such as the Kincardine Business Improvement Area (BIA), Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce, Kincardine Arts Centre tenants, Heritage Kincardine, and the municipal arts, culture and heritage committee

The Sept. 13 meeting was the statutory public meeting for the proposed HCD plan, said Lawrie, allowing the presentation to council, with comments and questions. The final decision on the plan will be made at the Oct. 13 council meeting.

If approved, council will then have to pass a bylaw to designate the proposed HCD under Part 5 of the Ontario Heritage Act and adopt the plan. Notice will go out, and there is a 30-day appeal period as required by the Ontario Heritage Act, in which anyone who objects to the bylaw may appeal to the Local Planning Tribunal. If there are no appeals, the bylaw comes into force on the day following the last day of the appeal period. The clerk must then ensure that a copy of the bylaw is registered against the properties affected by the bylaw at the local land registry office.

Meaghan Rivard of Stantec presented the proposed HCD plan, outlining key policies for commercial properties and residential homes.

She said guidelines are intended to conserve the form of the commercial buildings, their defining features, historic building materials and architectural details, while for residential, the guidelines are intended to conserve the scale and rhythm of the residential streetscape, the landscaped setting of individual properties, the typical façade patterns and proportions of residential buildings, and the specific features and architectural details unique to each property.



The same goes for municipally-owned buildings in the HCD, such as the arts centre and the library.

The goal is to maintain the historic aspects and character of the area, which includes new buildings as well. New structures must maintain the façade composition characteristic of the surrounding area (e.g. commercial, residential), and be designed in a style that is contemporary but sympathetic to the character of the HCD.

The plan also includes guidelines for parks and open spaces, commemorative and interpretive elements, public art and murals.

For details about the HCD plan, view it on the Kincardine municipal website: www.kincardine.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?page=2&newsId=d6c95da3-e34a-49c8-bec4-1320ae894216.



Sylvia Leigh, chairperson of Heritage Kincardine said she hoped Rivard’s presentation had relieved concerns about this initiative to preserve and conserve the beauty of the downtown Kincardine commercial core and nearby residential area.

“It’s good to have it all laid out in a plan,” she said. “It saves on controversy later on. There’s lots of information in the plan on how to maintain heritage buildings. Our own home is 110 years old, and there are guidelines on how to restore it and preserve it.

“I can’t downplay the importance of architectural heritage tourism. There is a great economic advantage to this plan. We have two self-guided heritage tours, with brochures for people to pick up at the tourist booth. They are a hot ticket item, especially during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.”

Leigh said the HCD designation is an enhancement to these heritage properties for their owners and will stabilize real estate prices. “Heritage Kincardine is 100 per cent behind this.”



Dave Snider, who lives in the proposed HCD boundary, disagreed entirely, saying he is opposed to the HCD designation.

“I was never asked if I consented to this,” he said. “You’re imposing this on me and my neighbours, without any ability to opt-out.”

He said virtual consultation is not ideal. “Virtual presentations and the opportunity to submit written comment, is not sufficient engagement with the community to ensure the public’s concerns are heard. The HCD designation is too impactful on our community to forego substantial in-person dialogue.”

Snider said proponents of the HCD say that insurance costs should not go up, implying that designation, itself, does not place additional requirements on the insurer; and therefore, premiums should not increase.

“However, homeowners in existing HCDs across Ontario experience increased insurance premiums, difficulty obtaining insurance coverage, and/or additional burden is imposed on them because they must ‘shop around’ to find a new insurer that will not penalize them for living in an HCD,” he said.

He also noted that Heritage Kincardine had recently recognized this concern, urging council to support a Municipality of Clarington motion that called on the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Sport and Cultural Industries to engage with the finance minister and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to review requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act, regulations governing insurance providers, and the policies and practices, in order to better support, rather than penalize, owners of designated heritage properties.

Snider added that there are concerns the HCD will impose constraints on property owners, with respect to design, finances, and construction delays.

He also asked if the HCD is in concordance with the municipality’s Official Plan, and has a legal review been done to determine if there are any conflicts between the HCD and the Official Plan?

Snider asked council to defer any decision until it can fully engage with the public on this.



“Where do the BIA and the chamber sit on this issue?” asked councillor Dorne Fitzsimmons.

Lawrie said they have been consulted and support the study, with no objections, to date.

Councillor Bill Stewart asked about any conflict between the HCD and the Official Plan.

Rivard said she does not anticipate any such conflict.

Fitzsimmons said he looks at the HCD plan as protection for those heritage homes along Princes Street in Kincardine.

“With this plan, we’re protecting the integrity of the heritage of this area,” he said. “I’d hate to see homes along there turned into apartment buildings. It’s important that we continue to protect these properties and others in that area.”

He requested more information about Snider’s concerns, such as insurance for heritage homes.

Rivard said this has been a hot topic for a number of years.

“It’s not about plans and policies, it’s about insurance companies and old homes,” she said. “If your house is old, your premiums are going up. The Clarington motion calls on the province and insurance companies to review the difference between an old home and a heritage home. There is no correlation between heritage and insurance rates.”

Council accepted the report and urged people to make comments prior to the HCD plan coming back for approval Oct. 13.