Why is the Town developing a Cultural Heritage Master Plan?

    The Town has fostered the conservation of its built heritage resources through the establishment of its Municipal Heritage Register, which includes 774 listed properties, 31 properties individually designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and 10 properties designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act within the Syndicate Housing Heritage Conservation District. Existing Official Plan policies and incentive programs contribute to the ongoing management of these resources.

     

    The Cultural Heritage Master Plan is intended to give the Town more tools (such as policies and strategies) to continually: 

    • Identify, protect and celebrate Halton Hills’ special places;
    • Manage cultural heritage resources, including, but not limited to, cultural heritage landscapes, properties designated under Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act, and non-designated properties that are listed on the Town’s Heritage Register.

    When will the Cultural Heritage Master Plan be complete?

    We anticipate that the Cultural Heritage Master Plan will be completed within two years. The project timeline is phased to allow for in-depth research, field visits, collection of public feedback and ongoing consultation with Town staff, advisory groups, and community stakeholders:

    • Phase 1 (June 2021-December 2021): Information collection, public engagement campaign & review of existing policy context/conditions.
    • Phase 2 (January 2022-May 2023): Preparation of the Cultural Heritage Master Plan, which will be presented to the Town Council for approval in Spring-Summer 2023.

    During this period, the Town and their consultants, ERA Architects, will host two Public Open House sessions (dates TBC) to seek broad community feedback on their work. 

    How can I participate in the Cultural Heritage Master Plan process?

    The Town and their consultants, ERA Architects, want to hear from you! The timeline for the initial public engagement process will run as follows:

    • August-October 2021: Let’s Talk Halton Hills Survey (please complete using the “Survey” tab, above)
    • September 2021: Targeted engagement with key community stakeholder groups, including representatives from Indigenous communities and rightsholder groups.
    • October 2021: Public Open House (date TBC)

    Another Public Open House will be held in late 2022 or early 2023 to present a draft of the Cultural Heritage Master Plan and give members of the community an opportunity to provide further feedback.

    Be sure to register on this page to participate in the survey and to be notified of upcoming events. You can also check back regularly to read bi-monthly project updates, frequently asked questions, and pose new questions to the project team. Thank you for participating!

    What is the difference between the Cultural Master Plan and the Cultural Heritage Master Plan?

    The Cultural Master Plan (CMP) was completed in 2013 and was a collaborative effort between the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable, cultural stakeholders and the Town of Halton Hills. The purpose of the plans is: 

    1. To identify and understand our cultural resources: where and what they are, and what they mean.

    2. To determine our cultural priorities, both long and short term.

    3. To tie cultural development to community building in concrete ways.

    4. To determine how to best manage our cultural resources, including optimal roles and partners.

    The Cultural Heritage Master Plan (CHMP) is intended to give the Town more tools (such as policies and strategies) to continually: 

    • Identify, protect and celebrate Halton Hills’ special places;
    • Manage cultural heritage resources, including, but not limited to, cultural heritage landscapes, properties designated under Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act, and non-designated properties that are listed on the Town’s Heritage Register.