The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is inviting residents to participate in an upcoming Public Information Centre to learn about and provide feedback on three key heritage initiatives: the review and expansion of the Queen-Picton Heritage Conservation District Study (HCD Study), the Heritage Tax Rebate Program, and the Town’s Cultural Asset Mapping project.
Strengthening heritage conservation is an important objective of Council’s Strategic Plan, supporting responsible growth management and the preservation of the community’s unique character.
The HCD Study aims to define how the expanded District’s cultural heritage value will be protected by establishing a framework for conserving, managing, and reviewing heritage attributes. It includes policies, guidelines, and procedures under the Ontario Heritage Act that will guide decisions on alterations, new construction, and demolitions and support consistent decision-making by Town Staff and Council.
The Heritage Tax Rebate Program provides financial incentives to owners of designated heritage properties to encourage conservation and ongoing stewardship of built heritage resources in the Town.
The Cultural Asset Mapping project will initiate the Town’s Arts and Culture Master Plan by identifying, documenting, and recognizing cultural resources across Niagara-on-the-Lake.
To support these initiatives, the Town, in partnership with its consultant Cultural Spaces, will host a Public Information Centre with the following details:
- Date: Thursday, December 4
- Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Simpson Room, NOTL Community Centre (14 Anderson Lane)
- RSVP: Not required
The session will begin with a brief presentation by the consulting team introducing the Queen-Picton Heritage Conservation District Study. Afterward, attendees will be invited to speak directly with Town Staff and consultants at themed tables focused on:
- HCD Study
- Character Areas
- Contributing and Non-Contributing Properties
- Policies and Guidelines
- Heritage Tax Rebate Program
- Cultural Asset Mapping
Each table will include guiding questions to prompt discussion. Feedback gathered at the session will help inform the next phases of all three heritage-related projects.
For more information about this project, please visit the Town’s website.
Quotes:
“Preserving the unique heritage and character of our Town is a responsibility we all share. The Heritage Conservation District Plan gives us the tools to ensure that growth is thoughtfully managed and that Niagara-on-the-Lake’s distinct identity is protected for future generations. Community input is essential to this work, and we look forward to hearing from residents as we move this objective of Council’s Strategic Plan forward.” – Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa
“This engagement session is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Heritage Conservation District Plan and to speak directly with the Staff and experts who are shaping it. Their feedback will help us refine the policies and guidelines that support responsible development, heritage conservation, and informed decision-making across the organization. Thank you to Heritage Staff for their hard work on this project and for their continued dedication to preserving our community’s heritage.”– CAO Nick Ruller
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Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Corporate Communications Lead
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com