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!