Town helps heritage property owners foot the bills by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Friday, June 10, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville's Planning and Development Council voted recently to look into continuing a grant program aimed a preserving the town's history. The Heritage Grant Program was a three-year pilot to provide funding for owners of properties designated under Part IV and Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. In each of three years, a grant of $80,000 was available for a range of restoration work determined by Town staff to be eligible. Over the three years, the program assisted 68 local restoration and conservation projects worth more than $1 million. Work was done at a total cost of $240,000, financed through the Town's Heritage Reserve Fund ($165,000) and the Town's operating budget ($75,000). Town staff calls the program a success, noting there were more than 40 inquiries about the pilot in its final year (2016) alone. The Town received 23 applications requesting a total $138,000 in funding for projects in 2016. Applications were received between January and March 21. The entire $80,000 available for 2016 was allotted, according to property and project. Recipients this year included Palermo United Church, which received $14,000 for the restoration of stained glass windows and basement repairs. "Overall feedback on the program has been very positive," said Susan Schappert, Town Heritage Planner, noting interest in the program exceeded expectations. "Most property owners are exceedingly happy to receive recognition they pay a premium to get appropriate work done for their heritage conservation and restoration projects. One thing we hear every year though is, `We wish there was more funding available.'" Continuation of program has been strongly endorsed by the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee and heritage planning staff. Schappert said it would require a commitment from the Oakville Budget Committee as the Town's Heritage Reserve Fund is not a sustainable source of funding. Ward 3 councillors Nicholas Hutchins and Dave Gittings said the program was a hit with many residents in their ward. Hutchins said he would not only support its continuation, but encourage his colleagues to provide the program with additional funding. "It is one of these situations where, with a little bit more money, we get a lot more bang for our buck," he said. "People are proud of their properties and are proud of heritage and do have to pay an excess fee to keep their properties up to heritage standards so I think it is only fair that we look at this." Ward 5 Town Councillor Marc Grant said some may see it as the Town giving a helping hand to wealthy residents. "I'm wondering how we would respond to the optics of this, that we are essentially subsidizing people, who have expensive properties and essentially subsidizing the fact that they are increasing their property value," said Grant. "We don't have a fund for people who may be at the poverty level who can't maintain their property." Schappert said the grant program reflects the importance Oakville places on its heritage and recognizes residents, who own heritage properties, are required by local bylaws to pay more to get special, historically appropriate materials when their dwellings require upkeep. Ward 2 Town and Regional Councillor Cathy Duddeck said it does not cater to the wealthy. "There were quite a few people on this grant program who are maybe not in poverty, but pretty close to it," she said. "They take exceptional pride in their property and cannot afford to put in the type of windows, and trims we expect them to do for a heritage property... They are basically preserving our heritage for generations to come. It is such a small thing for us to do in recognizing this." Oakville council voted to have staff report to Budget Committee on options and implications of an ongoing heritage grant program. Jet Peel - Facial of the Future Natural, Effective, Gentle & Painless · Removes Sun Damages & Pigmentations · Reduces Wrinkles & Rejuvenates · Deep Cleanses & Exfoliates 361 Cornwall Rd., Oakville www.beautyinstituteandspa.com 289.291.0168 DIRECTBUY MEMBERSHIP OFFERS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST INCREDIBLE SAVINGS! We combine unbeatable product knowledge, design know-how and customer support, product-savvy specialists, trusted designers and shopping consultants to deliver the right styles for the right price - Guaranteed! DirectBuy is a savings club that provides members a tremendous opportunity to save on merchandise they purchase through us. We now offer the DirectBuy Savings Guarantee! What are you waiting for? MISSISSAUGA Visit mississauga.directbuy.com Call (905) 608 9244 COME IN TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS!