029-2015 - To Repeal By-law 35-2014 to Establish a Municipal Heritage Committee

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BY-LAW NUMBER 29-2015 SCHEDULE "A' HERITAGE COMMITTEE TOWN OF LAKESHORE MANDATE STATEMENT & TERMS OF REFERENCE Statement of Recognition: Our heritage of architecture, archeological, cemeteries, cultural and natural landscapes is an important and irreplaceable asset and resource. The conservation of these resources is fundamental to creating community pride and identity, and attracting new residents and tourism; all of which have important economic impacts on our community. In addition, the benefits from conservation of our heritage architecture and cultural/natural landscapes occur not only to the present generation but also to generations in the future. The immediacy of such conservation and heritage planning comes from the fact that heritage is a finite resource that needs to be conserved for future generations. Overview: In Ontario, the task of conserving this inheritance of historically and architecturally significant properties is primarily a municipal responsibility. The Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) provides a framework within which municipalities can act to ensure the conservation of properties of historical and/or architectural significance. Under Section 28 of the Ontario Heritage Act, a Council of a municipal Council may establish by by-law, a Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) composed of not fewer than five members. Under the Act, Council is also empowered to: • designate individual properties • designate districts or areas • issue or refuse to issue permits to alter or demolish a designated property • repeal designation by-laws • purchase or lease individually designated properties • expropriate designated properties • provide grants and loans to designated property owners • enter into easements and covenants with property owners • prosecute property owners for failure to comply with a Designation By-law MHC, as an advisory committee of Council, is representative of the community and, as such, is recognized as the legitimate vehicle for co-coordinating and conveying community concerns. It, therefore, plays an important role by enabling the community to participate more directly in the decision-making process. In general, the role of a MHC is a dual responsibility: • To the Municipality — to advise Council on heritage issues as defined by the statutory requirements of the Ontario Heritage Act, as noted above, and the requirements set out in the Heritage Section of the Official Plan as well as other assigned duties as defined by Council through this Mandate Statement & Terms Of Reference. • To the citizens of the Town of Lakeshore — to help ensure that plans for change and progress are developed in a manner that recognizes the historical continuity of the community.