No decision yet on downtown heritage designation By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Downtown Oakville business owners implored Town council just before the holidays not to do anything that would hurt local entrepreneurs, as plans to establish a Downtown Oakville Heritage District move forward. Business representatives brought concerns to Oakville's Planning and Development Council, where public input was heard along with an update on what creation of a heritage district would mean for the downtown core. No decision has yet been made. The proposal will be before the Heritage Oakville Municipal Advisory Committee Jan. 22 with Town staff bringing final recommendations to Planning and Development Council Feb. 4. The proposed district is bounded somewhat erratically by Robinson Street to the south, Dunn Street to the east, slightly west of Navy Street to and just north of Randall Street. In a presentation to council, Town Heritage Planner Susan Schappert discussed the proposed district's guidelines, which govern everything from alterations and additions, to heritage and non-heritage buildings and demolition and removal of buildings and structures in the district. "Section 4 of the plan, the guidelines to manage change to a property, emphasize the premise of heritage conservation, which is not to prevent change, but to manage it," said Schappert. A previous study stated there are 59 inventoried properties or parcels of land with 81 buildings or structures While protecting heritage buildings from any kind of destructive modification is important, Schappert said, non-heritage buildings in the district must also adhere to certain guidelines. They are, for example, encouraged to have exterior additions at the rear or on an inconspicuous side of the structure, and be limited in size and scale to complement the existing building and neighbouring properties. Schappert said it is important to include non-heritage properties, as changes to these structures can affect the heritage fabric around them. Options regarding demolition of structures in the district would be limited. "The draft plan does state the demolition of buildings that have been identified as heritage buildings will not be permitted except in extenSee Final page 10 9 · Wednesday, January 9, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO DOWNTOWN: The clock in Towne Square in downtown Oakville where council is investigating a heritage designation. We have, for the tenth year in a row been awarded the First Place Diamond Award by the Oakville Beaver in the categories of Incorporation Services, Tax Planning and Preparation Services and Business Advisory Services. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TEN YEARS IN A ROW TAX PREPARATION SERVICES with street addresses in the proposed district. Of the 59 properties, 75 per cent are of cultural value as well as 79 per cent of the 81 buildings or structures. In terms of alterations for heritage properties, the guidelines state the preferred goal is to repair heritage fabric rather than replace it. When repair is impossible, the guidelines may call for similar materials or designs to be used in the replacement effort. On additions to heritage buildings, the guidelines provide direction on the most suitable location, proportion, height and composition. If You Earn In Excess Of $20,000 Per Year And Are Not Incorporated, You Are paying Too Much Income Tax. CALL THE TAX ADVISORY NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX PLANNING SITUATION AT 905-469-8777 THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SAVE THROUGH INCORPORATION.... 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