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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 3, 2012 · 10 Downtown heritage plan full of uncertainty Continued from page 3 `Have other alternatives been considered besides a conservation district to enhance the vibrancy and commercial success of downtown Oakville?'" said Faye. "We heard a little about the implementation and we understand that is going to be considered in the Phase 2 report, which comes after council deals with the recommendation to move on with a heritage conservation district designation. The people I met with today feel very strongly this information has to be brought forward now, so they are fully informed as to the beautification strategy, what permits are required...." Faye said at the moment, he and the businesses he has been in contact with are firmly against the creation of the heritage district. Hannah said council would not approve a heritage district before the implementation strategy is developed -- and that council could cancel the heritage district study even if it had moved into Phase 2. Another concern centred on the impact on property values. Local Realtor Christopher Invidiata said he had information showing heritage designations decrease property values by 30-40 per cent. Hannah said information gathered by Town staff had found residential property values in "The biggest issue before any heritage districts to be largely unaffected. He said less evidence exists regarding com- business is uncertainty and I'm mercial property values in heritage districts, hearing a lot of uncertainty here. however, Town staff are looking into it. A business can't operate unless Another resident, who said he lives in a it knows the rules." heritage district, reported the creation of the district had no harm on his property value. John Sawyer, president "You wouldn't believe how many people say Oakville Chamber of Commerce to me, `I'd love to live down where you live, but I could never afford it.' So don't try to convince district was a done deal and the consultation is people here this is going to bring values down. just for show. It's keeping values up," he said. Oakville Chamber of Commerce President "Have a walk on the weekend down Navy John Sawyer also weighed in on the issue noting Street and along Front Street and see how many there was concern that businesses and residenpeople are drawn to downtown Oakville because tial properties just outside the proposed heritage of the heritage districts. They are beautiful... This district might also be negatively impacted or would be a plus for the commercial area." subject to certain guidelines. Other residents and business owners ques"The biggest issue before any business is tioned the creation of the heritage district when uncertainty and I'm hearing a lot of uncertainty so many buildings are already designated. here," said Sawyer. "A business can't operate These residents voiced concern it would only unless it knows the rules." add another layer of bureaucracy, making it One resident called for every property owner more difficult to alter a property. in downtown Oakville to be canvassed so they Another resident said it was unfair his home, could vote on whether a heritage district should built in the 1960s, would have to follow the be formed. guidelines of a heritage district. Hannah said the Town had mailed informaStill, others said they felt the creation of the tion to property owners in the downtown letting them know the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study was underway and inviting input. Geri Tino, of ATA Architects, noted while that input was important, it was not the only opinion worth listening to and hence the need to bring the issue before council so all of Oakville can weigh in on it. Hannah said during the creation of the Strategic Action Plan for downtown Oakville, questionnaires asked residents, `Would you support a heritage conservation district of the downtown core?' Hannah said a majority of those surveyed (60-70 per cent) said yes. Town staff and the consultants may revise the study based on community feedback before sending it to Heritage Oakville for input May 25. Phase one, along with Heritage Oakville's recommendation, will go before Planning and Development Council June 11 for a decision on whether to proceed with phase two. The first phase of the study can be viewed at www.oakville.ca/business/downtown-oakvilleheritage-conservation-district-study.html. David Lea can be reached at dlea@ oakvillebeaver.com and followed on Twitter at @ DavidLea6. 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