Application Forms (Demolition Delay)

Overview of presrvation of historically significant structures bylaw

Purpose

The Preservation Bylaw is enacted for the purpose of preserving and protecting historic buildings that constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political, or social history of the Town and encouraging sustainability through the adaptive reuse of historic structures. Through this Bylaw, owners of historic buildings are encouraged to seek out alternative options that will preserve, rehabilitate, or restore such buildings, and residents of the Town are alerted to the impending demolition of significant buildings. By preserving and protecting significant buildings, this Bylaw promotes public welfare by making the Town a more attractive and desirable place in which to live, work, and visit.

To achieve these purposes the Historical Commission is authorized to allow or delay Demolition through the issuance of a Demolition Authorization or a Preservation Order.

bylaw scope

• Bylaw applies to any building that is 75 years or older.
• Bylaw is triggered when an  applicant is proposing demolition. For the purposes of this Bylaw, demolition is defined as:
  • Initiating the work of total destruction of an entire Building with the intent of completing the same; or
  • Any act of pulling down, destroying, removing, or razing 25% or more of the front, back, or side elevations of a Building, with the gross square footage of each elevation including wall area, roof area, and exposed foundation area calculated separately. 

procedure

1. Applicant submits an application (see above) outlining the scope of work and provides a historical narrative. Contact Town Staff in the Planning Department with questions on this step.
2. The Historical Commission or its designee(s) make a determination whether the building is historically significant
   • If building is not found to be historically significant, no further review is required and the demolition permit can be issued.
3. If the building is found to be significant, the Historical Commission then holds a Public Hearing to determine if the building should be Preferably Preserved, that is, whether a 12-month delay should be placed on the demolition of the Building.

• If the Historical Commission determines the building should not be preferably preserved, a Demolition Authorization is issued which allows for demolition.
• If the Historical Commission determines the building should be preferably preserved, a Preservation Order is issued an no demolition can take place for 12-months.

4. During the demolition delay period, the Historical Commission and Town Staff will work with the applicant to seek out alternatives to demolition, such as:

5. The applicant may apply to the Historical Commission for a reduction of the Demolition Delay period, which can be granted following review at a public hearing. 

• the incorporation of the building into the future development of the site,
• the adaptive re-use of the building,
• the use of financial incentives for the rehabilitation of the building,
• the relocation of the building to another site, and,
• with the owner's consent, the search for a new owner willing to purchase the building and preserve, restore, or rehabilitate it.