Heritage Home Questions & Answers
QUESTIONS:
Is my property designated or listed?
What does "designation" not do?
What is the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (LACAC)?
What changes require Committee Approval?
Where can I pick-up an application or receive more information?
ANSWERS:
A:Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act gives a property special legal status. This legal status is designed to protect cultural heritage resources located on the property. Although designation status is registered on the title of the property and requires certain actions on the part of a property owner, the owner retains control of the property. Any new owner of a designated property must advise the Clerk within 30 days of the change in ownership.
Is my property designated or listed?
A:Approximately 620 older properties (land and structures) in the City of Kingston are designated as heritage properties under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Listed properties have architectural or historical significance, but are not protected by legal status.
If you are unsure of the status of your property or would like additional information on designating your property, contact the Heritage Planner at 613-542-4291, extension 3180.
What does "designation" not do?
A:
- Designation does not prohibit or negatively affect the sale of a designated property. Some studies have even shown that designation actually positively affects resale value.
- Designation does not oblige the owner to restore and maintain the building beyond what is expected of any property owner.
- Designation does not affect the zoned use of the property.
- Designation does not prohibit the development or alteration of the property, but approval from the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (LACAC) is required if exterior changes to the property are contemplated.
- Designation does not permit public access to your property.
What is the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (LACAC)?
A:The Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (LACAC), also known as KMHC, is an advisory body to City Council in all matters pertaining to Part IV and Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The function of the committee is to advise council on local heritage matters and to assist the council in carrying out its heritage conservation program.
KMHC makes recommendations regarding applications for new designated properties, alterations to designated properties, loans, grants and the development of an inventory of designated and listed properties. KMHC also serves as an advocate for architectural conservation by working closely with City Council and other municipal departments regarding heritage issues.
All members are volunteers from the community and meet on the first Monday of each month; should this be a holiday, KMHC will meet on the second Monday of the month.
What changes require Committee Approval?
A:You will be required to go before the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (LACAC) committee with any and all plans to make an alteration or renovation to the exterior of a designated property. You are also required to attend the Committee for any new construction within a Heritage District.
A designated property's external elements include, but are not limited to, a building's roof, porch, steps, windows, trim, the re- pointing of masonry, major landscaping, and painting the exterior where the colour scheme will differ from the original colour and could potentially impact the streetscape.
Owners of listed properties are encouraged to take their plans of alteration or renovation to the Committee for free advice and assistance and to take advantage of the Committee's resources that may otherwise not be available.
The owner of a designated property must also seek KMHC approval to demolish any part of a formally designated property.
A:YES! We recommend you contact the City's Heritage Planner or the KMHC Committee Clerk to make arrangements to set up a pre-consultation meeting. Pre-consultation is free and both City staff and KMHC are very willing to discuss your proposed renovations, provide advice and help where they can.
Also, should you choose to pre-consult, you are likely to develop a better application. Thus, the entire process will be easier for you and the Committee.
Even if you are only thinking about making alterations or renovations to your heritage property, an appointment can offer you excellent advice, not only as it pertains to the application process, but to the architectural and historic preservation of your property.
A:Recommendations by KMHC must be confirmed by the Council of the City of Kingston.
Approximately two weeks after the Committee meeting, KMHC will make its initial recommendation regarding the application to City Council.
Following the Council meeting, the Council Support Office will confirm Council's decision and forward it to the applicant in writing.
The Building Division will only process a building permit application after Council approves your application to alter or renovate a designated heritage property.
Heritage renovation application Step-by-Step Overview
- Confirm the status of your property. Is the property designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act or is it a listed heritage property?
- If your property is a designated heritage property, you are required to submit an application to the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) prior to any renovations or alterations.
- If your property is listed because it has architectural or historic significance, owners are encouraged to discuss any renovations or alterations with LACAC members or the City's Heritage Planner. Both can provide invaluable advice.
- Contact the City's Heritage Clerk for an appointment to pre-consult with LACAC or to receive an application form for your renovations or alterations.
- During your pre-consultation appointment, you will discuss the nature and extent of your renovations or alterations. You should present any plans, photographs or sketches at this meeting. There, you will be informed of any documents necessary to process your application.
- Return your completed application form to the Heritage Clerk or the Heritage Planner.
- Your application will be added to the agenda of the next regular meeting of LACAC. You or your appointed agent must attend the meeting.
- At the meeting, you will discuss your application with LACAC members. If the application is incomplete, you may be asked to provide an amended copy at the next meeting. LACAC will forward its recommendation to City Council.
- At the next City Council meeting your application is either approved, not approved or deferred. The Council Support office will send you a written notice of Council's decision.
- The application process will take 3-6 weeks.
- The Building Division can now process a building permit application based on completed construction documents.
Where can I pick-up an application or receive more information?
A:Applications are available either at the Culture and Heritage Division Office at the British Whig Building or online.
You may also visit the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee Web site.
For more information on this committee or to obtain an application, contact:
- The Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee or to obtain a Heritage Permit application contact Heritage and Urban Design, Planning & Development, 613-546-4291, ext. 3180.
For any inquiries about the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee, please contact:
- Powley, Clerk's Department, 613-546-4291, ext. 1204, spowley@cityofkingston.ca
