What is the study area?

    The Waterdown Inventory study area includes the Waterdown Community Node Secondary Plan area and the historic boundaries of the Village of Waterdown, generally bounded by Mountain Brow Road, First Street, Parkside Drive and Hamilton Street.

    What was the project timeline?

    This project was launched in Spring 2018 with research and survey work completed that summer and fall. Meetings with key community stakeholders and groups were held during the spring and summer of 2019 and a community workshop was held in the fall of 2019. Staff took the feedback received to help inform the property evaluations and draft Register listings and is now engaging with property owners, the public and the Heritage Committee on those draft recommendations.

    How do you determine if a property has cultural heritage value or interest?

    The heritage value of each property was evaluated and classified based on its contribution to the character of the historic Village of Waterdown. 

    The classification scheme is based on provincial criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest (Ontario Regulation 9/06) and was designed to identify:

    • Properties that are historical, aesthetic or cultural landmarks of considerable heritage value (Significant Built Resources); and,
    • Properties whose heritage value lies primarily in the contribution they make to their historic context (Character-Defining Resources and Character-Supporting Resources).

    What is the Inventory?

    The Inventory is a compilation of over 25 years of data on buildings identified as having heritage value or interest. 

    There are no legal restrictions imposed on property through listing on the Inventory. Inventoried properties are not subject to Heritage Permits.

    There are over 6,700 addresses listed on the Inventory city-wide, and approximately 680 of those are in the Waterdown Inventory study area.

    What is the Municipal Heritage Register?

    The Municipal Heritage Register is an administrative record of properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and properties of heritage value or interest (non-designated).

    It requires consultation with our Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee and a Council resolution to include (or remove) a non-designated property on the Register.

    The Register provides short-term protection from demolition for non-designated properties by requiring an owner to give 60-days notice of their intention to demolish or remove a building or structure on the property. Non-designated registered properties are not subject to Heritage Permits.

    There are over 1,500 non-designated properties on the Register, 13 of which are in the Waterdown Inventory study area.

    What is heritage designation?

    A designated property is a significant heritage resource protected by a municipal by-law that identifies why the property has value and what features contribute to its value. Designation does not prevent change, but it allows the City to manage physical changes to a property through the Heritage Permit process. Designated properties are also eligible for City grants and loans to assist with their maintenance, restoration and adaptive reuse. 

    There are over 600 designated properties in the City of Hamilton. Waterdown has 121 designated properties, most of which are in the Mill Street Heritage Conservation District.