The Municipality of Kincardine worked with Stantec Consulting Ltd (Stantec) and a+LiNK Architecture to explore a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) within Kincardine, the goal of which would be to provide policies and guidelines to manage change by designating the area under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. The HCD Plan would outline how alterations, additions, and new construction should occur in the area.

The Final Draft of the Heritage Conservation District Plan created through this work is available for review and provides insight into the history and architecture this area as well as guidance to property owners for building maintenance.

Here are some questions and answers about the HCD Plan.  

On October 13, 2021, Council deferred the decision to adopt a by-law to designate the area a Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act.

We'll be hosting an information session in the near future to help address common questions and concerns over the Kincardine Heritage Conservation District.

 What is a Heritage Conservation District? 
An HCD is an area that is protected by a municipal by-law passed by the Municipality of Kincardine under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. An HCD provides a framework for protecting and conserving heritage resources by creating policies and guidelines to manage change and new development within the district. 

HCDs are not intended to stop all change or “freeze” a place within a specific time period. Instead, they are an important community tool for balancing the ongoing needs for property maintenance and development while conserving the features that define the District’s history. Every HCD is unique and reflects the history and values of the community within which it is located.

 Where can I learn more? 
Are you interested in learning more about HCD’s? Here are some helpful links:

Kincardine Heritage Conservation District Plan Questions & Answers

Ontario Heritage Toolkit, Heritage Conservation Districts

List of Heritage Conservation Districts in Ontario

Identify, Protect, Promote: Strengthening Ontario's Heritage

Heritage Districts Work! Summary Report

Heritage Districts Work! More Stories of Success Report

Public Input

Public input was key to the HCD Plan. Residents and business owners in the plan area, the community and local knowledge experts were consulted throughout the duration of the plan.  

 

For more information about the project, visit KincardineTalks.ca/HCD or contact Jennifer Lawrie, Clerk at jlawrie@kincardine.ca or 519-396-3468 ext. 7111.

 

Public Information Centre #1 took place from Monday, July 13, 2020 to Saturday, August 1, 2020.  
 

Public Information Centre #2 took place online on March 22, 2021 at 7pm.

If you were unable to attend the Teams meeting, the slides can be found here.

 

The Statutory Public Meeting took place on September 13, 2021 at 5 p.m.

 

Print copies of the materials can also be requested from the Municipality by emailing clerk@kincardine.ca or by telephone at 519-396-3468 ext. 7111. 

The comments and suggestions we receive from the Public Information Centre(s) will help us in developing the HCD Plan’s policies and guidelines.

 Heritage Conservation District Study Phase

An HCD Study is the first stage of a two-phase process; it identifies elements of the community that define the historical and architectural character of the study area. The report recommends whether the study area, or parts of it, should be designated as an HCD. If the findings determine that the area has merit, Council may choose to proceed with the second Phase. This involves preparing a plan and guidelines to manage change in the area and adopting the municipal by-law associated with district designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

The Kincardine Heritage Conservation District (HCD) study was initiated by the Municipality of Kincardine in the summer of 2019 and Stantec Consulting Ltd. was retained to complete the project. The HCD study identified and evaluated heritage resources, including buildings, landscapes, and streetscapes in the following areas:

  • Princes Street (from Lambton Street south to 669 Princes Street); 
  • Durham Market North; 
  • Durham Market South; 
  • Queen Street (from Lambton to Durham Market South).

The goal of the study was to determine whether this area warrants designation as an HCD under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

At their December 16, 2019 meeting Council passed a resolution to recieve the Heritage Conservation District Study and to consider Phase II - The HCD Plan as part of the 2020 budget. 

Public input was key to the HCD study. Residents and business owners in the study area, the community and local knowledge experts were consulted throughout the duration of the study. 

Public Notice Information on the field work being completed during the week of September 9-13, 2019. (Note: Property Owners in the Study area will recieve copies of the notice by mail)

Public Information Centre #1 Wednesday October 2, 2019 Kincardine Centre for the Arts, 707 Queen Street, 6 - 8 p.m. Drop-in Session Display Boards

Public Information Centre #2 Monday November 18, 2019 Kincardine Library, 727 Queen Street, 6-8 p.m. Drop-in Session Display Boards

This public information centre focused on the Draft Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study Report, outlining the findings and recommendations of the consulting team. It was a chance for residents to provide input on the draft report, including proposed boundaries, statement of significance, heritage attributes and objectives of an HCD.

The Final Draft of the Heritage Conservation District Study, dated December 6, 2019, outlined the findings and recommendations of the consulting team is now available online. Council reviewed the study at the December 16, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting at the Municipal Administration Centre.

December 16, 2019 - At their December 16, 2019 meeting Council passed a resolution to receive the Heritage Conservation District Study and to consider Phase II - The HCD Plan as part of the 2020 budget.

aerial image

 Heritage Conservation District Boundary Map

Contact(s)