ERIN – Council here has approved a new program and policy to recognize the “historical significance” of properties in town.
At an Aug. 29 meeting councillors discussed overall cost, plaque placement guidelines and the program itself.
“This is a plaque of pride as opposed to a designation,” stated councillor Jamie Cheyne, a member of the town’s heritage committee.
The idea was first discussed in late 2023 and early 2024 when the Town of Erin heritage committee (TEHC) developed the program, officials stated.
Then, at a March 28 meeting, council directed staff to prepare a report on the program.
The purpose is to recognize the historical significance of properties, increase public awareness of the community’s heritage and enable landowners to showcase their property’s unique character, officials say.
“The real premise of it was to showcase the historical buildings we have,” said Cheyne. “We’re hoping (to include buildings over) 100 years (old).”
Town officials noted the program is separate from the designation process under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The 1990 act empowers a municipality with the legal ability and jurisdiction to determine if a heritage property will be preserved.
Properties do not need to be listed on the town’s heritage register to apply for the new town plaque program and each application will be considered by the TEHC based on the property’s history of ownership.
Unlike the heritage designation process, which is concerned with a property’s design, physical, historical and contextual value, the new program’s eligibility criteria is limited to a property’s history.
“People have been asking about this for years,” Cheyne told council.
The application calls for the address of the subject property, rationale for the request and the name and contact information of the current owner and applicant.
Town officials noted the application, if known, should also include:
- name of the property owner to be designated on the plaque;
- date (year) the property was developed;
- occupation of the designated owner; and
- the source of information provided.
Applicants are advised to contact the Wellington County Museum and Archives to access their resources or for assistance in researching their property.
Each application comes with a non-refundable fee of $125, to “ensure the program is cost neutral,” stated officials.
“You have to install it (plaque) on the first level and it has to be installed on the original structure,” noted deputy clerk Justin Grainger.
Information regarding the installation can be found on the application form.
“Putting it front and center on your house is great in theory. If it’s in town it should … be visible from the sidewalk,” Cheyne added.
The plaques will be 12 inches high and 18 inches wide, with black text (in a standard font and format) and a white background, with black outer edges.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to start the new program.
“We hope it works well and I think we’ll have some uptake in this pretty quick,” said Cheyne.
The policy is set to be reviewed every two years by the TEHC.
