Grimsby’s Heritage Advisory Committee met April 14, 2026 to review end-of-term results and decide several heritage files, including a designation at 101 Main Street East, a new delegation bylaw intended to speed up minor heritage permits, and support for extending the province’s January 1, 2027 heritage register deadline. Staff reported the committee completed 49 Part IV designations this term, held more than 500 consultations with property owners, and “completed over 135 archaeological assessments to date since that time.”

Topics Discussed

Heritage Committee Accomplishments

Staff presented end-of-term metrics including 49 properties through the Part IV designation process and more than 500 consultations with owners. The committee also discussed the volume of archaeological work completed during the term, with staff stating: “We’ve completed over 135 archaeological assessments to date since that time.”

Several members framed the work as urgent because heritage loss is permanent. One speaker said, “Heritage really matters… it’s something once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Mayor Jordan argued the municipality has demonstrated results: “I think we’ve certainly proven as a municipality that heritage is working in Grimsby and the provincial government’s well aware of that.”

Councillor DeFabio thanked staff and local partners by name, including planning staff and the Grimsby Historical Archive.

101 Main Street East Designation and Garage Demolition

The committee approved demolition of a garage at 101 Main Street East while recommending the main house for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Staff told the committee the property owners attended the meeting: “I was just informed that the property owners are here today… if you have any questions… you’re welcome to come up.” The owners asked that interior elements be included as protected attributes. Staff reported: “The property owners noted their desire to have the interior fixtures within the dwelling be considered as protected attributes within the bylaw. The property owners consented to interior fixtures being included within this report for the committee to consider their inclusion within the designation.”

A property owner said the home retains unusual integrity: “One of the things that’s been commented about by many people… is the fact that it preserves a considerable amount of originality.” Another speaker added: “It’s becoming rarer and rarer to find these homes with such extensive originality incorporated within to this day.”

The garage demolition approval included conditions such as documentation and salvage, and direction to reuse heritage elements where possible.

Delegation Bylaw for Streamlined Heritage Permits

The committee approved Bylaw 2618, delegating certain routine heritage permit decisions from council to the Director of Planning and Development, using a prescriptive list to define “minor” permits.

Committee member Brian argued for a clearer bright-line approach: “My recommendation… would be if we have a prescriptive list for minors… And then major is just everything else. And there’s no… gray area between those ends.”

The intent, as discussed, is to reduce the number of minor items requiring full committee and council consideration.

Provincial Heritage Register Deadline Extension

The committee endorsed the Town of Lincoln’s request to extend the provincial deadline of January 1, 2027 for completing municipal heritage register work. Staff emphasized the remaining workload: “there’s still hundreds of properties in the town that have yet to be evaluated.”

Mayor Jordan said the province already knows Grimsby’s approach is working: “We push it to them and tell them that it’s one of our most important attributes in the town. So it’s an easy victory for them… to just extend it.”

The committee also discussed whether to send an additional Grimsby-specific letter. Brian supported endorsement but suggested adding a separate municipal letter for impact: “I think it makes sense to endorse the letter… [and] write our own letter or… put one a motion forward for the town council to send a letter.”

John Street Heritage Property and Bill 98 Concerns

The committee voted to explore designation for 3 John Street and the broader John Street area ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline, in the context of a proposal to lift and relocate a municipally registered heritage house.

Staff also discussed the implications of Bill 98 and potential limits on municipal tools such as site plan control, while noting an alternative lever remains for designated properties: “designated properties have the heritage permit. So we can use the heritage permit to guide and manage change.”

Motions

• Approved: End-of-term accomplishments report (moved by Mayor Jordan, seconded by Councillor Christie)
• Approved: Demolition of garage at 101 Main Street East with conditions (File HR2605)
• Approved: Heritage designation recommendation for 101 Main Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
• Approved: Delegation Bylaw 2618 for streamlined heritage permit processes (File HR2606)
• Approved: Endorsement of Town of Lincoln’s request to extend the provincial heritage register deadline
• Approved: Motion to explore heritage designation for 3 John Street and John Street area before January 1, 2027 deadline
• Received: Planning and Development Services Annual Report for 2025

Attendees

• Mayor Jordan
• Councillor Christie
• Councillor DeFabio
• Councillor Costangi
• Councillor Cristani
• Committee Chair Sarah
• Committee member Brian
• Committee member Amy
• Staff: Bianca, Michael, Garrett (planning staff)