St. Catharines Heritage Committee

Committee Type

Advisory committee or task force

Purpose

The St Catharines Heritage District Committee (formerly Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee) was established by the City of St. Catharines in 1976 to advise Council on city-wide heritage matters pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act.

Download the Heritage Committee Complete Terms of Reference.

Vision

The vision of the committee is to advise Council on measures to protect and enhance heritage resources based on applicable legislation, policies and regulations as well as conventionally accepted conservation methods and practices.

Goals

The St. Catharines Heritage Committee's (SCHC) main duty is to advise and assist Council on heritage-related matters specific to individual property designation and heritage district designation required by the Ontario Heritage Act as well as changes to designated properties. Related activities include:  

• Surveys, inventories and researches properties and areas that may deserve recognition.
• Focuses its efforts toward designating the most important heritage resources in the community and assists owners and neighbourhood groups seeking designation for their properties and neighbourhoods.
• Recognizes the stewardship efforts of designated property owners by hosting a ceremony for them and presenting them with a bronze plaque for their building.
• Stays current on heritage conservation practice for ways to promote heritage to the community.
• Helps property owners find viable, economical, maintenance and alteration solutions that are sympathetic to their building.
• Provides council with reliable advice on all heritage matters (e.g. adaptive re-use options for vacant buildings)

Membership

Membership is open to anyone who resides, and is an eligible voter, in the City of St. Catharines.

Voting Membership

Voting membership consists of 13 volunteer members from the community and one councillor.

Membership Responsibility

Members shall observe all corporate policies of the City of St. Catharines with respect to the Code of Conduct and Harassment policies and make every effort to attend all meetings.

Membership Term

Members are appointed for the term of Council (four years).

Membership List

Evan Acs
John Bacher
Gail Benjafield
Janet Curtis
Kirsten Ernesaks
Heather Foss
Dennis Gannon
John C. Haynes
Calvin L. Jessome
Chris Loat
Marty Mako
Robin McPherson (Co-Chair)
Brian K. Narhi (Co-Chair)

Coun. Mathew Siscoe

Department of Planning Services (1) representative

Meeting Schedule & Location(s)

The Committee meets the second Thursday of every month at City Hall.