Designation Criteria

Provincial legislation provides for LACAC's to assist municipal councils in determining the heritage value of properties being considered for designation. The following criteria have been established as guidelines toward the consideration of heritage properties in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa. A property will be considered worthy of designation in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa if its merit is validated in terms of its historic and/or architectural value.

The following criteria will be used in determining the historic and/or architectural value of a property being considered for designation.

The Historic Value

The Historic Value of a property, building or landscape, or a portion thereof, will be defined as at least two of the following criteria, or one of these criteria plus one of the criteria listed below under Architectural Value.

• It dates from an early period in the development of the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.
• It is a representative example of the work of a local, national or international architect, engineer, builder, designer, landscape architect, interior designer or sculptor.
• It is associated with a person who has made a historically significant contribution to the Township of Guelph/Eramosa’s development or has influenced the course of local, regional, provincial, national or international history.
• It is associated with a historically significant event.
• It illustrates the Township of Guelph/Eramosa’s agricultural, social, cultural, political, economic or technological history.

The Architectural Value

The Architectural Value of a building, property or landscape, or a portion thereof, will be defined as at least two of the following criteria, or one of these criteria plus one of the criteria listed above under Historic Value.

• It is a representative example of a method of construction now rarely used.
• It is a representative example of an architectural style or period of building.
• It is an outstanding example of interior and/or exterior architectural design.
• It makes an important contribution to the streetscape or landscape.
• It is generally recognized as an important Township of Guelph/Eramosa landmark.

The Designation Process

The process for designating a property usually begins when the owner applies to LACAC for designation. The LACAC and Township staff would then undertake the necessary research to determine the history of the property and identify the architectural and/or historical significance associated with the structure. If LACAC and Township Council approve the application a Notice of Intention to Designate is sent to the applicant and is published in the local newspaper. Should there be no objections from the public as a result of the publication of the Notice, a designating by-law is adopted by Township Council which is registered on the title of the property and which identifies the reasons for the designation and the elements of the building, structure or landscape which are covered by the designation. To acknowledge the designation, a plaque, supplied by the Township of Guelph/Eramosa LACAC, is placed on the building.

An owner is prohibited from altering any feature of the structure identified in the designating by-law without the written consent of Council, based on the advice of the LACAC. Designated property owners intending to undertake projects which affect elements covered by the designating by-law are advised to contact the LACAC Secretary so that the Guelph/Eramosa LACAC may review the work proposed and work with the owner towards maintaining the historical and architectural integrity of the property.