FAQs

The City of Burlington is reviewing the potential heritage designation of 27 properties in Burlington. They are:

1. 482 Elizabeth St., Laing-Speers House, former Burlington Public Library
2. 451 Nelson Ave., Thomas Rogers House
3. 518 Hager Ave., Calvary Baptist Church Manse
4. 562 Maple Ave., Robert Lindley House
5. 458 Elizabeth St., John Taylor House
6. 490 Elizabeth St., Laing Fisher House
7. 2003 Lakeshore Rd., former Royal Bank
8. 390 John St., Shaver Building
9. 2437 Dundas St., Nelson United Church
10. 368 Brant St., Bell-Wiggins Boot and Shoe Store
11. 550 Hurd Ave., Hepton Weeks House
12. 2280 No. 2 Side Rd., Pitcher Homestead
13. 6414 Walkers Line, Donald McGregor Farmhouse
14. 367 Torrance St.
15. 1433 Baldwin St., Burlington Central High School
16. 380 Brant St., Hotel Raymond
17. 1134 Plains Rd. E., Davis Homestead
18. 513 Locust Ave., A Different Drummer Books
19. 242 Plains Rd. E., Roelfson House
20. 444 Plains Rd. E., John Horne House
21. 2022 Victoria Ave., Bell Orchards Farmhouse
22. 1421 Lakeshore Rd., Graham House
23. 5726 Cedar Springs Rd., Dakota School House
24. 451 Elizabeth St., Iron Duke building
25. 461 Elizabeth St., Knox Presbyterian Church
26. 472 Locust St., Paroisse St. Philippe
27. 2066 Kilbride St., Kilbride United Church

The Province’s Bill 23 amended the Ontario Heritage Act and the impact will affect any non-designated property. The City has until January 2025 to designate significant non-designated heritage properties.

Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, was passed in 2022 to facilitate the construction of 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2031.

Burlington is taking this opportunity to permanently protect significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes.

Any property that is removed may be looked at again in 2030.

A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act if it meets two or more criteria defined by the Province in Ontario Regulation 9/06.

This criterion determines whether the property is of cultural heritage value or interest. The types of criteria considered are design value or physical value, historical value or associative value and contextual value.

A property may be designated if it:

1.  is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method

2.  displays craftsmanship or artistic merit

3.  shows technical or scientific achievement

4.  has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community

5.  it has, or has the potential to have, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture

6.  reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community

7.  it is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area

8.  it is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings

9.  it is a landmark

It has the potential to increase your property value.

Studies have shown that heritage designation does not negatively impact price and may actually increase property values. For more information, see the 2023 McMaster University study, Investigating the Impact of Heritage Property Designation on Real Estate Value. 

Yes, the City of Burling offers the Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program as well as grants and loans through the Community Heritage Fund.

If you are the owner of a designated property owner, you need to:

• get a Heritage Permit application from the City if you would like to make any alterations or changes that may impact the designated heritage attributes or the features that designated your property as a heritage property.
• seek Council permission to demolish a designated structure.
• new owners of designated properties need to advise the City Clerk of the change of ownership within 30 days after becoming owner of the property.
• maintain your heritage property and its heritage features in a safe and secure condition.

Yes. You have 30 days after the City publishes the Notice of Intention to Designate (NOID). The NOID includes:

• a description of the property, 
• a Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest and 
• a description of heritage attributes (protected features). 

You, as the owner, or a third party, have 30 days after the date of publication to serve a notice of objection to the municipality.

The municipality, on receipt of your objection, must decide whether to withdraw the NOID or to pass a bylaw to designate. You then may appeal the designation bylaw to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) by serving their objection on the Tribunal and the municipality. 

There are many ways to be involved. 

There will be a public consultation session in Fall 2024. 

In the meantime, email heritage@burlington.ca with questions or comments. 

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