What designation is not:

Designation does not prohibit, restrict in any adverse way or affect the sale of the property. Designation does not oblige the owner to restore and maintain the building beyond what is expected of any property owner. Designation does not restrict the use of the property. Designation does not prohibit the development or alteration of the property, but approval from city Council is required if changes to the "designated" features of the property are contemplated.

Guidelines

Designation is not a scientific process requiring adherence to a fixed set of criteria. Rather, it is a recommendation to Council based on a collective assessment by the members of Heritage Belleville following a number of well-established characteristics. Some of these are:

• The age of the building
• The building exemplifies a particular building type, style or period
• The building is the work of a prominent early architect or builder
• The building played a role in an important historic event
• The building is associated with the life of a prominent member of the community;
• The building is unique
• The size of the building is not a factor in determining whether it should be designated.

In deciding whether or not a building should be designated, the Committee is guided by the criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest as set out in Ontario Regulation 9/06.

Important Links

Ontario Heritage Properties Database

Ontario Heritage Act

Ontario Heritage Trust

Heritage Canada

Canadian Heritage Department