Ottawa Heritage Committee Rejects 'Impossible Standard' for District Designation
Ottawa's built heritage committee has decisively rejected a motion that would have dramatically increased the requirements for neighborhoods to qualify as heritage conservation districts. The proposal, which committee members described as setting "an impossible standard," would have required 90% of buildings in a neighborhood to meet provincial heritage criteria.
Current Standards Versus Proposed Changes
The current threshold for heritage conservation district designation stands at 25% of properties needing to meet at least two of the province's nine criteria for heritage designation. These criteria encompass various elements including architectural design, historical significance, and contextual value within the community fabric.
Committee member Brian Bourns, a veteran consultant with Maclaren Municipal Consulting and former city councilor with 11 years of service, introduced the controversial motion during the February 10 committee session. Bourns argued that his proposal was intended to "tighten the boundaries" of heritage conservation districts and ensure only truly significant areas received designation.
Community Reaction and Debate
Jack Hanna, heritage chair of the Centretown Community Association, described Bourns' motion as "surreal" and noted that no one in the community had ever discussed increasing the threshold from the current 25% standard. Hanna emphasized that his organization has invested "literally hundreds of person hours" over half a decade developing a heritage proposal for Centretown West.
"The Centretown Community Association has discussed this at great length for half a decade," Hanna told the committee. "We're just finalizing our proposal, and in a couple of weeks we'll be presenting it to the city's heritage branch after this extensive period of work."
Specific Concerns About Current Designations
Bourns pointed to specific examples in Centretown that he believed demonstrated problems with the current system. He noted that a proposed designation for Centretown West between Kent Street and Bronson Avenue would include properties he considered to have "no heritage value," including:
- A funeral home parking lot
- A Beer Store location
- A Tim Hortons on Somerset Street
"Is all of that heritage? Is there an advantage to designating that large an area?" Bourns questioned during the committee session.
Expert Perspective on Non-Contributing Properties
Hanna countered that the city's heritage branch has extensive experience dealing with "non-contributing properties" like those mentioned by Bourns. He characterized the issue as "trivial" with resolutions that are "quick, easy and not at all burdensome" for property owners and the city alike.
The Centretown Community Association's extensive preparation for their heritage proposal has included:
- Numerous meetings and working groups
- Comprehensive walking tours of the area
- Detailed surveys assessing heritage merits block by block
The committee's rejection of the 90% threshold proposal maintains the status quo for heritage designation in Ottawa, allowing neighborhoods to pursue conservation district status under the existing 25% requirement that has guided previous designations throughout the city.
