Toolkit segment: Your…

Toolkit segment: Your Community, Your Heritage, Your committee which describes the role of an MHC and its interactions with the municipal council:

Sec 1.1 and 1.2 is the list of issues that the MHC should be consulted about. There is ample mention about designated properties and the need to consult the MHC about demolition or altering of their heritage attributes.

The one thing that I think should be added to the list of issues that MHC should be consulted about is something like:
"Applications for new development or alteration of a property in close proximity to a designated heritage property should be assessed to ensure that the proposed changes do not harm any heritage attributes of a designated property".

My rationale for this addition is to create a tool that could be used to control such things as:
1. blocking public view of a heritage building designated as a landmark
2. creating a usage that would disrupt ambiance (e.g. a municipal works yard placed beside a cemetery)
3. safeguarding a fragile heritage structure from damage due to construction vibration
4. preserving the atmosphere of a heritage streetscape by preventing disruptive development such as a gas station or drive through food vendor.
5. better control on appropriate infill in a conservation district

Including this in the toolkit would bring it into better conformity with the most recent Provincial Policy Statement:

2.6 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
2.6.1 Significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved.
2.6.2 Development and site alteration shall not be permitted on lands containing archaeological resources or areas of archaeological potential unless significant archaeological resources have been conserved.
2.6.3 Planning authorities shall not permit development and site alteration on adjacent lands to protected heritage property except where the proposed development and site alteration has been evaluated and it has been demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the protected heritage property will be conserved.
2.6.4 Planning authorities should consider and promote archaeological management plans and cultural plans in conserving cultural heritage and archaeological resources.
2.6.5 Planning authorities shall engage with Indigenous communities and consider their interests when identifying, protecting and managing cultural heritage and archaeological resources

Definitions:
Adjacent lands: means d) for the purposes of policy 2.6.3, those lands contiguous to a protected heritage property or as otherwise defined in the municipal official plan. (in Markham, the Official Plan defines adjacent lands as being within 60m of a heritage resource.

Here is some background on the PPS and how municipalities are required to comply with it
The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) is a consolidated statement of the government’s policies on land use planning. It gives provincial policy direction on key land use planning issues that affect communities, such as:
• efficient use and management of land and infrastructure
• the provision of sufficient housing to meet changing needs, including affordable housing
• the protection of the environment and resources including farmland, natural resources (for example, wetlands and woodlands) and water
• opportunities for economic development and job creation
• the appropriate transportation, water, sewer and other infrastructure needed to accommodate current and future needs
• the protection of people, property and community resources by directing development away from natural or human-made hazards, such as flood prone areas
The PPS is issued under section 3 of the Planning Act and according to the act all decisions affecting planning matters shall be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement.
Municipalities are the primary decision-makers for local communities. They implement provincial policies through municipal official plans and planning related decisions.