Heritage Conservation District Study

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Heritage Conservation District directly speaks to the Community Strategic Plan's goal of: "Preserving our past, while forging our future."

The Amherstburg Historic Conservation District Study area reflects the historic commercial and residential core of the original Town.


Amherstburg has historically been defined by the Detroit River - its location upon that waterway - and very close proximity to Lake Erie. This maritime context led to the establishment of Fort Amherstburg, later Fort Malden, which gave rise to the Town. The fort dominated the town physically, economically, and culturally. The establishment of the fort in the late 1700s and the subsequent layout of the Town of Amherstburg in close proximity supported the community with its soldier population and the shipbuilding activity that occurred in the fort’s associated Navy Yard.

Amherstburg was the leading town in Essex County and Southwest Ontario, being a thriving commercial, trade, and population centre. The town was well connected with transportation links, with the two main roads in western Ontario emanating from the town. Ships provided direct service to Montreal and service to Detroit and other Great Lake cities. Additionally, the Town was a point on the Sauk trail, an ancient path system used by Indigenous peoples, and an important fur trading route. After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, immigration by fleeing slaves accelerated, with Amherstburg becoming an important destination and settlement area.

While Amherstburg gained railway service in 1872, Windsor overtook it in the early 1880s with improved rail service and the town began to lose its status as the principal town in Essex County. However, the town continued to be an important regional commercial centre and industrial town. The town was the headquarters of river dredging crews in the early 1900s as well as home to new industries like the Brunner Mond soda ash facility. The late 1800s and early 1900s also saw the town gain status as a summer resort with the development of Bois Blanc Island and resort hotels. The Town continued to evolve economically and physically as a result of all of these developments, albeit in a less significant way than in the nineteenth century.

EXPLORE Amherstburg's Designated Heritage Buildings, click here.


Phase 1 of 2 is complete. The Town has adopted the HCD Study.

Phase 1 was inclusive of an analysis of the initial study area and a recommendation to the Town as to the appropriate boundary for implementing an HCD Plan. On June 25th, 2024 Town Council adopted the study. Click the image below to read the study, it is also available in the documents section to the right.

Amherstburg HCD Study

Passing of Study Area By-law

Please note that on July 8, 2024 the Council of the Town of Amherstburg adopted By-law 2024-050, a by-law to designate a Heritage Conservation District Study Area within a defined area in the Town of Amherstburg in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, section 40 (1).

The study area by-law stabilizes this area of the Town with regards to the potential removal or demolition of built heritage assets until such time as an HCD Plan is adopted by Town Council or the lapsing of one year from the date of the adoption of the by-law.

The HCD Study Area By-law prohibits the erection, demolition, or removal of buildings or structures located within the HCD Study Area. The intent of an HCD is to protect existing areas that have cultural heritage value and to guide future development so that they do not have a negative impact on the identified character of the area.

By-law 2024-50 Study Area Map

That being said, it is important that the Town balance the need to protect the area being studied while still providing a way for developments to move forward. The by-law includes some exemptions in order to achieve these goals.


Exemption

Rationale

A change to the interior of such legally existing buildings or structures;

HCD’s do not regulate interior alterations and restrictions on interior alterations are not appropriate to be included in the by-law.

The repair of a building or structure lawfully existing on the day of passing of this By-law;

Property owners need the ability to continue to maintain and repair buildings and structures. The proposed by-law would allow for repairs to take place.

A change to the façade of such legally existing buildings or structures where that façade does not address a public street or highway;

Alterations to facades that do not address the public right of way will not have an impact on the character of an area or neighbourhood, or negatively impact a potential HCD.

The erection of a legally conforming accessory building or structure;

This exemption will allow for the erection of accessory structures such as detached garages that adhere to the regulations and policies in the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or any other applicable municipal by-law.

The erection of a legally conforming secondary dwelling unit;

This exemption will allow for the erection of secondary dwelling units, sometimes referred to as ADU’s, which adhere to the regulations and policies in the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or any other applicable municipal by-law. Legally conforming secondary dwelling units are not permitted in the front yard.

A development on a lot associated with an open building permit which has been issued prior to the passage of this By-law;

Developments that have been issued a permit from the Building Department will be able to continue without needing the endorsement of the Heritage Committee.

A development on a lot associated with a Site Plan Control application which has been deemed complete, or registered on title, within the previous three years prior to the passage of this By-law;

Recent development proposals that have gone through the Site Plan Control process will be able to continue without needing the endorsement of the Heritage Committee.

The erection, demolition or removal of buildings or structures within the heritage conservations district study area that has been endorsed by the Municipal Heritage Committee

This exemption would allow for proposed developments to work with the Heritage Committee to ensure that the proposed development is sympathetic to the character of the study area prior to the completion of the HCD Plan.


Heritage Conservation District directly speaks to the Community Strategic Plan's goal of: "Preserving our past, while forging our future."

The Amherstburg Historic Conservation District Study area reflects the historic commercial and residential core of the original Town.


Amherstburg has historically been defined by the Detroit River - its location upon that waterway - and very close proximity to Lake Erie. This maritime context led to the establishment of Fort Amherstburg, later Fort Malden, which gave rise to the Town. The fort dominated the town physically, economically, and culturally. The establishment of the fort in the late 1700s and the subsequent layout of the Town of Amherstburg in close proximity supported the community with its soldier population and the shipbuilding activity that occurred in the fort’s associated Navy Yard.

Amherstburg was the leading town in Essex County and Southwest Ontario, being a thriving commercial, trade, and population centre. The town was well connected with transportation links, with the two main roads in western Ontario emanating from the town. Ships provided direct service to Montreal and service to Detroit and other Great Lake cities. Additionally, the Town was a point on the Sauk trail, an ancient path system used by Indigenous peoples, and an important fur trading route. After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, immigration by fleeing slaves accelerated, with Amherstburg becoming an important destination and settlement area.

While Amherstburg gained railway service in 1872, Windsor overtook it in the early 1880s with improved rail service and the town began to lose its status as the principal town in Essex County. However, the town continued to be an important regional commercial centre and industrial town. The town was the headquarters of river dredging crews in the early 1900s as well as home to new industries like the Brunner Mond soda ash facility. The late 1800s and early 1900s also saw the town gain status as a summer resort with the development of Bois Blanc Island and resort hotels. The Town continued to evolve economically and physically as a result of all of these developments, albeit in a less significant way than in the nineteenth century.

EXPLORE Amherstburg's Designated Heritage Buildings, click here.


Phase 1 of 2 is complete. The Town has adopted the HCD Study.

Phase 1 was inclusive of an analysis of the initial study area and a recommendation to the Town as to the appropriate boundary for implementing an HCD Plan. On June 25th, 2024 Town Council adopted the study. Click the image below to read the study, it is also available in the documents section to the right.

Amherstburg HCD Study

Passing of Study Area By-law

Please note that on July 8, 2024 the Council of the Town of Amherstburg adopted By-law 2024-050, a by-law to designate a Heritage Conservation District Study Area within a defined area in the Town of Amherstburg in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, section 40 (1).

The study area by-law stabilizes this area of the Town with regards to the potential removal or demolition of built heritage assets until such time as an HCD Plan is adopted by Town Council or the lapsing of one year from the date of the adoption of the by-law.

The HCD Study Area By-law prohibits the erection, demolition, or removal of buildings or structures located within the HCD Study Area. The intent of an HCD is to protect existing areas that have cultural heritage value and to guide future development so that they do not have a negative impact on the identified character of the area.

By-law 2024-50 Study Area Map

That being said, it is important that the Town balance the need to protect the area being studied while still providing a way for developments to move forward. The by-law includes some exemptions in order to achieve these goals.


Exemption

Rationale

A change to the interior of such legally existing buildings or structures;

HCD’s do not regulate interior alterations and restrictions on interior alterations are not appropriate to be included in the by-law.

The repair of a building or structure lawfully existing on the day of passing of this By-law;

Property owners need the ability to continue to maintain and repair buildings and structures. The proposed by-law would allow for repairs to take place.

A change to the façade of such legally existing buildings or structures where that façade does not address a public street or highway;

Alterations to facades that do not address the public right of way will not have an impact on the character of an area or neighbourhood, or negatively impact a potential HCD.

The erection of a legally conforming accessory building or structure;

This exemption will allow for the erection of accessory structures such as detached garages that adhere to the regulations and policies in the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or any other applicable municipal by-law.

The erection of a legally conforming secondary dwelling unit;

This exemption will allow for the erection of secondary dwelling units, sometimes referred to as ADU’s, which adhere to the regulations and policies in the Official Plan, the Zoning By-law, or any other applicable municipal by-law. Legally conforming secondary dwelling units are not permitted in the front yard.

A development on a lot associated with an open building permit which has been issued prior to the passage of this By-law;

Developments that have been issued a permit from the Building Department will be able to continue without needing the endorsement of the Heritage Committee.

A development on a lot associated with a Site Plan Control application which has been deemed complete, or registered on title, within the previous three years prior to the passage of this By-law;

Recent development proposals that have gone through the Site Plan Control process will be able to continue without needing the endorsement of the Heritage Committee.

The erection, demolition or removal of buildings or structures within the heritage conservations district study area that has been endorsed by the Municipal Heritage Committee

This exemption would allow for proposed developments to work with the Heritage Committee to ensure that the proposed development is sympathetic to the character of the study area prior to the completion of the HCD Plan.


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Heritage Conservation District Study Area Map

8 months

This map shows the Study Area outlined in red.  The points represent the properties that are on the Municipal Heritage Register, either as a Designated Property (red) or a Property of Interest (orange), as well as Contributing Properties within the HCD highlighted in yellow.

Go to Map
Page last updated: 25 Jul 2024, 04:45 PM