PRESERVING HISTORY ONE STEP AT A TIME
Vaughan mayor talks about the process of heritage conservation
Heritage homes provide neighbourhoods with character. Municipalities have the power to preserve heritage buildings or entire areas. We asked Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua about the designation process.
The cost of a heritage structure is not the only thing that makes them difficult to invest in. How are you working to meet those challenges? Constructing and renovating within a Heritage Conservation District does require more creativity and effort but the intent of the policies is to anticipate and encourage change yet guide it in a way that is sympathetic to the individual property and overall character of the district. Most often, the interiors of buildings are not governed by any historical protection, but rather the focus is on the exterior of the building and its relationship to the streetscape and district.
How do you balance between preserving history and practicality? Heritage Conservation Districts are not meant to be museums. They are designed to incorporate change and adapt throughout the years. The Thornhill Vaughan Heritage Conservation District Plan itself notes: “It is not the purpose of heritage conservation district designation to make the district a static place where change is prohibited. Rather, the purpose is to guide change so that it contributes to the district’s architectural and historic character.”
There’s a fair amount of risk in that old buildings often have structural issues. What should people know when considering a heritage home? The fact these homes have been standing for more than 100 or 150 years proves they have strong bones, but there is a need to repair and renovate these homes. Continual minor preventative maintenance, such as painting and cleaning, will prevent the need for more invasive maintenance later on. Furthermore, homeowners who appreciate a historical home still desire the modernday luxuries of a dishwasher, central air, and stone countertops.
Still, many would-be buyers fear getting snagged in red tape. Cultural Heritage staff understand renovating a heritage home may be an intimidating endeavour so they’re available to answer questions. Our four heritage conservation districts, Maple, Thornhill, Kleinburg and Woodbridge, are desirable places to live with a unique history and character. For residents who are willing to put in the extra time to maintain one of these homes, it’s certainly worth the effort.