City explores heritage protections

CAMBRIDGE — The city wants to explore a few different ways it can add extra heritage protection to the historic riverfront of downtown Galt.

Only a handful of the properties that back onto Grand River are protected heritage buildings. At a Tuesday planning and development committee meeting, staff presented councillors with a few different ways it can protect the gaps along the river.

“If we are serious about protecting our heritage … we have to explore all of these other options,” Coun. Frank Monteiro said.

The rough boundary being examined by staff would include all 70 properties on both sides of the Grand River between Park Hill Road and Cedar Street. Right now there are 15 designated heritage properties and 16 properties listed on the heritage register.

Staff proposed the following options:

A heritage permit process could clearly define what alterations are allowed and also require council approval before an alteration is made to a designated heritage property.

A cultural heritage landscape designation is another possibility. Staff says that because there already are more than 30 properties that are either designated or listed, owners may see this kind of protection as redundant.

A heritage conservation district is the highest level of area protection offered in Ontario. Previously listed properties within the area’s boundaries will become designated.

The city could enhance its building revitalization program that offers interest-free loans and grants to property owners who want to improve the exteriors of buildings in all of the city’s core areas.

Area designations will require further studies and public consultation, so they can take time, Laura Walide, a heritage planner with the city said.

She noted that the city’s previous attempts to pursue area designations in Cambridge have resulted in compromise or weren’t completed because of concerns.

“This is not an overnight process. It does take time to get through these steps.”

Earlier this year, Galt residents balked at metal siding that appeared on the exterior of a building that backs onto the Grand. The building was not designated so the owner did not need city approval to make the change.

Committee asked staff to do further research on three options; heritage permits, a conservation district and building revitalization incentives.