Grimsby Council Discusses Heritage Register Replacement Before 2027 Deadline

Grimsby council and its Heritage Advisory Committee discussed how to replace the municipal heritage register before its protections expire on Jan. 1, 2027. Staff said "more than 480 properties are expected to remain on the register and will be removed on January 1st, 2027," after which those properties "will no longer have any protections or even recognition of their heritage value," creating a gap if an important building faces demolition before designation can be considered. Council also approved the designation of 92 Main Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Topics Discussed

HERITAGE REGISTER DEADLINE

The town's heritage register is set to lose its legal effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Staff said more than 480 properties are still expected to be on the register at that point.

Bianca told council that once those properties are removed, "these properties will no longer have any protections or even recognition of their heritage value." She said that creates a problem when "a property may be important from a heritage perspective but has not yet been formally designated."

Staff said the town has already consulted more than 200 property owners, started the designation process for 63 properties and completed 53 designations.

PROPOSED HERITAGE INVENTORY AND DEMOLITION REVIEWS

Council discussed creating a heritage inventory to replace the expiring register as a way to identify properties that may warrant review if demolition is proposed.

Staff stressed that inclusion on the inventory would not automatically mean designation. As one speaker put it, "So just because they're on the inventory doesn't mean they're being designated. It just means that if a demolition permit comes in for the building, the town can issue a notice of intention to designate, which would put the demolition permit on hold while council can look and see, do we actually want to designate this building?"

The proposed process would allow staff to react when a demolition application is filed. One speaker said, "If a demo permit comes in for any of them, issue the notice of intention to designate because it doesn't mean they're being designated. It's still coming back to council. It just gives us a chance to react."

Bianca described that authority as limited and case-specific: "There's no need to issue the NOID. So we're only issuing the NOID if it's an emergency… it's basically just a risk assessment tool."

Another staff explanation framed the change as a safeguard before a building is lost: "It just gives us a second thought before we lose an important building because we know once they're gone, they're gone."

Councillor Nick DiFlavio questioned whether the approach amounted to a broad pre-emptive designation strategy. He asked, "we have what 480 homes on the list… Is this a blanket intent to designate for all of those homes and in advance? Is that legal?"

PRIORITY HERITAGE AREAS

The discussion pointed to likely priority areas for future heritage work, including Grimsby Beach, downtown, Main Street, mature neighbourhoods and individual landmark properties, though council did not finalize a ranked list at this meeting.

The John Street property was also discussed. Staff said conversations with the owner are underway. One speaker said, "I have spoken with the property owner so we're kind of in the typical designation process with them," adding that the owner had been told "a research report is underway."

DESIGNATION OF 92 MAIN STREET EAST

Council approved the designation of 92 Main Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Staff member Mike said, "Based on the assessment of cultural heritage value or interest, staff recommend that the property at 92 Main Street East be designated under part four of the Ontario Heritage Act. Staff have concluded that the property has met six out of nine prescribed criteria."

The formal motion approved by council stated that report HR 2607 be received, that 92 Main Street East "be designated under part 4, section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act" and that "a notice of intention to designate be issued in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act."

PROVINCIAL AND PROPERTY-OWNER CONCERNS

Mayor Jeff Jordan said council raised the issue with the province directly. "We made it really important to the minister that Grimsby is really focused on heritage," he said. "Heritage is one of most important things in our municipality."

Jordan said the town wants to preserve historically significant homes and does not want "the province to lessen the rules regarding preservation of heritage properties."

Motions

Passed: - Heritage Inventory Resolution — File HR 2612: Council approved creation of a municipal heritage inventory. - Heritage Designation Report — 92 Main Street East, File HR 2607: Council approved designation of the property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. - AMO Delegation: Received.

Deferred/Rejected: - No deferred or rejected motions were identified in the supplied notes.

Attendees

The supplied notes and quote list identify:

• Mayor Jeff Jordan
• Councillor Nick DiFlavio

Other councillors on council include:

• Reg Freake
• Don Howe
• Jennifer Korstanje
• Lianne Vardy
• Jacob Baradziej
• Veronica Charrois
• Delight Davoli