If you love maps as much as I do then you’ll love this really cool mapping tool available on the City of Hamilton website. https://map.hamilton.ca/
The mapping tool gives you many options of different things you may want to map in the Hamilton area. I choose to map the Cultural Heritage Resources in the city. Ever wondered if your house is designated a Heritage house? Well if you live on St. Clair Ave. or in the Durand area of the city it’s likely your either a designated or a registered Heritage property.
Where are the Heritage Conservation Districts in Hamilton?
The City of Hamilton has seven Heritage Conservation Districts:
- Cross-Melville
- Durand-Markland
- Hamilton Beach
- MacNab-Charles
- Mill Street
- St. Clair Avenue
- St. Clair Boulevard
The criteria used to determine if a property is Designated as a Heritage property are as follows:
- The property has design value or physical value because it:
- is a rare, unique, representative, or early example of a style, type, expression, material, or construction method;
- displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit; or,
- demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.
- The property has historical value or associative value because it:
- has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization, or institution that is significant to a community;
- yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture; or,
- demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer, or theorist who is significant to a community.
- The property has contextual value because it:
- is important in defining, maintaining, or supporting the character of an area;
- is physically, functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings; or,
- is a landmark.
If your a homeowner of a Designated Heritage property or are looking at becoming a property owner of one of these homes, you may be wondering what your responsibilities are?
- Designation requires a property owner to seek approval to make any alterations or changes that may impact the designated heritage attributes or the Reasons for Designation.
- Designation requires the property owner to seek the permission of Council to demolish a designated structure.
- In the event of change of ownership, the new owner of a designated property must give notice of the change of ownership to the Clerk within 30 days after becoming owner of the property.
- Owners of designated properties shall maintain the heritage property and its heritage features in a safe and secure condition.
Common misconceptions about Heritage Designated Properties:
- Designation does not legally restrict the use of a property.
- Designation does not prohibit alterations or additions. Rather, designation ensures changes are appropriately managed through the Heritage Permit process to ensure the long-term protection of significant cultural heritage resources.
- Although designation is registered on title, it does not restrict the sale of property.
- Designation should not impact your insurance rates or coverage.
- Studies have shown that designation does not negatively impact price and may actually be correlated with increases in property values. (see Report PED20030)
- Designation does not require property owners to open their property to the public.
- Designation is not arbitrary or frivolous. Designation criteria are specific; the principle requirements are that a property possess design / physical, historical / associative and / or contextual value.
Within the City of Hamilton, there are approximately 281 individual properties designated and another 349 properties designated in the 7 Heritage Conservation Districts. The aim of the City of Hamilton in designating heritage properties is to:
- Recognize the importance of a property to the community;
- Identify and protect the property’s cultural heritage value;
- Encourage good stewardship and conservation; and,
- Promote knowledge and understanding about the property and the development of the community.
If you’d like more information on how to buy or sell a Heritage home contact me today!
Good information! Well written!
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