This proposal fundamentally…

This proposal fundamentally alters the purpose of the Heritage Register. In Barrie, it has been used to provide identification of heritage properties. This identification has been used to allow consideration of the impact of development on heritage properties. Listing properties on the Historic Register in Barrie has been voluntary, and owners have been assured that registering their property does not imply a requirement to designate.

The proposal converts the character of the Heritage Register to a list of properties proposed for designation, instead of a tool for intelligent planning of development in heritage areas. While listing on the Heritage Register has been free, the designation process requires considerable expense on the part of the proponent. The result will be to discourage listing of heritage properties on the register, greatly to limit the number of properties on the register, and thus to deprive municipalities of an important planning tool. It will facilitate development in heritage areas without consideration of the impact on the neighbourhood.

The soul of a municipality is manifested in its history and heritage areas; removing protection of most heritage properties will facilitate erosion of municipal character. This will be most unfortunate.