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Downtown Heritage Conservation District

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Heritage building second storey facade

Project Overview

The City of Peterborough is considering creating a Heritage Conservation District to preserve the heritage features of the City’s historic downtown.

As the first step in the process, the City is doing a Heritage Conservation District Study for the downtown. Following the Study, a plan with guidelines for preserving the heritage features of the downtown would be created and go to City Council for its consideration for approval.

The Study will research and document the historic commercial core’s heritage character and assess its heritage resources. The information from the Study would be used to determine the suitability of a Heritage Conservation District designation for the area and other appropriate tools to preserve its heritage.

Historic areas or neighbourhoods form part of the city's evolution and identity. Their careful management and protection contribute to the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Before the area became known as Peterborough, it was called Nogojiwanong, which is Anishinaabemowin for “place at the end of the rapids.” Peterborough is the native territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg.

What is a Heritage Conservation District?

Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) are a tool under the Ontario Heritage Act that cities can use to guide change and growth in their historic neighbourhoods. While each HCD is unique, they share common characteristics that can include:

  • Groupings of historic sites, buildings, or structures
  • Visual consistency (building size, material, height etc.) signifies a time and place
  • Distinct characteristics that make it distinguishable from other areas

For an area to be designated as an HCD, the City must first undertake an HCD Study. An HCD Study is the research and evaluation phase that examines the history of buildings, public spaces, and the broader neighbourhood in relation to each other to determine if it meets the HCD criteria. The HCD Study includes:

  • A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies;
  • A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area;
  • An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.);
  • An evaluation of the area's overall historic character and significance.

Community input forms a vital piece of the HCD Study process to help understand the many layers of historic significance associated with places in the study area.

At the end of the HCD Study, City staff will present Council with recommendations on whether or not to proceed with the second phase of the HCD process, which involves preparing designation tools and developing a conservation plan for the area.

Public Consultation Meetings

The first public consultation meeting was held virtually on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The slides from this meeting can be viewed here.

The second public consultation meeting was held at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Feedback from this meeting can be submitted here and the slides can be viewed here.

Mapping Downtown Peterborough’s Heritage

The City of Peterborough has developed an online mapping application to gather community stories and identify what community members feel are important places in downtown Peterborough.

To add your stories to the City’s map, please visit Downtown Heritage Conservation District Stories.


Project Overview

The City of Peterborough is considering creating a Heritage Conservation District to preserve the heritage features of the City’s historic downtown.

As the first step in the process, the City is doing a Heritage Conservation District Study for the downtown. Following the Study, a plan with guidelines for preserving the heritage features of the downtown would be created and go to City Council for its consideration for approval.

The Study will research and document the historic commercial core’s heritage character and assess its heritage resources. The information from the Study would be used to determine the suitability of a Heritage Conservation District designation for the area and other appropriate tools to preserve its heritage.

Historic areas or neighbourhoods form part of the city's evolution and identity. Their careful management and protection contribute to the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Before the area became known as Peterborough, it was called Nogojiwanong, which is Anishinaabemowin for “place at the end of the rapids.” Peterborough is the native territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg.

What is a Heritage Conservation District?

Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) are a tool under the Ontario Heritage Act that cities can use to guide change and growth in their historic neighbourhoods. While each HCD is unique, they share common characteristics that can include:

  • Groupings of historic sites, buildings, or structures
  • Visual consistency (building size, material, height etc.) signifies a time and place
  • Distinct characteristics that make it distinguishable from other areas

For an area to be designated as an HCD, the City must first undertake an HCD Study. An HCD Study is the research and evaluation phase that examines the history of buildings, public spaces, and the broader neighbourhood in relation to each other to determine if it meets the HCD criteria. The HCD Study includes:

  • A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies;
  • A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area;
  • An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.);
  • An evaluation of the area's overall historic character and significance.

Community input forms a vital piece of the HCD Study process to help understand the many layers of historic significance associated with places in the study area.

At the end of the HCD Study, City staff will present Council with recommendations on whether or not to proceed with the second phase of the HCD process, which involves preparing designation tools and developing a conservation plan for the area.

Public Consultation Meetings

The first public consultation meeting was held virtually on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The slides from this meeting can be viewed here.

The second public consultation meeting was held at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Feedback from this meeting can be submitted here and the slides can be viewed here.

Mapping Downtown Peterborough’s Heritage

The City of Peterborough has developed an online mapping application to gather community stories and identify what community members feel are important places in downtown Peterborough.

To add your stories to the City’s map, please visit Downtown Heritage Conservation District Stories.


  • Heritage Conservation District Study for Downtown Peterborough - Meeting #2

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    Join us for an In-Person Public Meeting about the City of Peterborough's Downtown Heritage Conservation District Study!

    Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022

    Time: 6:30PM to 8:00 PM

    Location: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre - 140 Charlotte Street

    Masks are encouraged

    Background

    The City of Peterborough continues to advance its Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study for Downtown Peterborough, building on the input received from community members and stakeholders and extensive research and historical analysis to understand this area's unique heritage character.

    Heritage Conservation Districts are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and are a tool that cities use to guide change and growth in neighbourhoods. The study assesses the heritage merits of the city's downtown to determine the most appropriate tools to preserve heritage and the suitability of an HCD.

    The City of Peterborough, traditionally known as Nogojiwanong and located in the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg, is home to many historic resources, buildings and landscapes. The commercial core of the downtown encompasses Jackson Creek, a place associated with traditional Indigenous use as well as a long history of European settlement. These architectural, commercial and industrial historic resources form part of the city's evolution and identity.

    The HCD study includes:

    • A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies
    • A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area;
    • An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.)
    • An evaluation of the neighbourhood's overall historic character


  • Online Mapping Application

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    The City of Peterborough has developed an online mapping application to gather community stories and identify what community members feel are important places in downtown Peterborough.

    The mapping tool allows you to place pins on the map indicating:

    • What places are important to the stories of downtown Peterborough?
    • What buildings, built features, or places are important to the history of downtown Peterborough?

    When you submit a story you can also attach a picture representing the story or of the place.

    To add your stories to the City’s map, please visit Downtown Heritage Conservation District Stories.


  • Downtown Heritage Conservation District Study launches

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    Peterborough, ON – The City of Peterborough is considering creating a Heritage Conservation District to preserve the heritage features of the City’s historic downtown.

    As the first step in the process, the City is doing a Heritage Conservation District Study for the downtown. Following the Study, a plan with guidelines for preserving the heritage features of the downtown would be created and go to City Council for its consideration for approval.

    The Study will research and document the historic commercial core’s heritage character and assess its heritage resources. The information from the Study would be used to determine the suitability of a Heritage Conservation District designation for the area and other appropriate tools to preserve its heritage.

    Historic areas or neighbourhoods form part of the City's evolution and identity. Their careful management and protection contributes to the quality of life for everyone in the community.

    Heritage Conservation Districts are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and are a valuable tool for guiding change and managing growth in a way that is sensitive to an area’s heritage and history of development.

    The Heritage Conservation District Study includes:

    • A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies
    • A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area
    • An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.)
    • An evaluation of the downtown’s overall historic character

    The City will hold the first of two virtual public consultation meetings on April 6, 2022 to give an overview of the Heritage Conservation District Study process, present initial findings about the heritage survey and research work to date, and provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions and provide feedback.

    Learn more at https://www.connectptbo.ca/downtown-heritage

    Meeting Details:

    Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2022

    Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    Location: Online through Zoom

    Individuals who are interested in participating in the public meeting are asked to pre-register by visiting https://lura-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ipduuqpj8tHtWrzqpfq28xWEgkm2_YGluU

    You can also participate in the meeting by phone using the information below:

    +1 647 558 0588 Canada

    Meeting ID: 664 1228 4741

    Passcode: 74346055

    Before the area became known as Peterborough, it was called Nogojiwanong, which is the Anishinaabe word for “place at the end of the rapids.” Peterborough is the native territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg.

    EVOQ Strategies and LURA Consulting have been retained by the City to lead the process of research and public engagement for the Heritage Conservation District Study.

    If you require any assistance with registration or foresee any issues with your participation in the meeting, please contact the community engagement consultant by email at afurneaux@lura.ca or by phone at 289-768-5561 for support.

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Page last updated: 11 Jul 2022, 07:48 AM