The St. Catharines Heritage Advisory Committee advises City Council and staff on measures to protect and enhance heritage resources based on heritage conservation best practices and methods. The Heritage Advisory Committee has created a brochure for citizens to learn more about the work they do to promote heritage in the community.
Responsibilities
The committee fulfills many roles and responsibilities, including:
- Conducting research for heritage designations, inventories and plaques
- Consulting with property owners and stakeholders, and making recommendations on heritage designations and repeals of designation
- Developing 'how-to' guides for heritage homes and building owners
- Planning and organizing heritage designation and plaque ceremonies
- Promoting efforts through media outlets and liaisons
- Working with staff to prepare designation packages for Council
- Working with other heritage organizations and providing public outreach and education
- Developing projects that celebrate built heritage
- Creating education programs to foster a better understanding of heritage, the importance of heritage preservation and reuse
Meetings
The committee meets monthly or at the Chair's discretion. Meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Burgoyne Woods Room at City Hall. View our committee meeting calendar for upcoming meeting dates.
Some meetings may involve site visits to properties that are the subject of heritage designations, Designated Property Grant applications or other matters. Members should expect involvement beyond the regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
Agendas and minutes
View the SCHAC's meeting agendas and meeting minutes.
Committee members
- Gail Benjafield
- John Crawley
- Lorraine Giroux (Vice-chair)
- Mark Hoerdt
- Andrew Humeniuk
- Brian Narhi (Chair)
- Justin Nicholls
- Robert Speck
- Holly Washuta
- James Neilson, Heritage Planner (staff liaison)
The membership term for the committee lasts for the term duration of City Council or as determined by Council.
Eligibility
You are eligible to be appointed to the committee if you:
- Are an eligible voter in St. Catharines or Niagara Region; and
- Have a demonstrated connection or knowledge on St. Catharines heritage; or
- Have previous experience interpreting heritage district guidelines or plans; or
- Have a demonstrated interest in heritage matters through membership in local or provincial heritage organizations; and
- Have heritage skills and experience in the following fields, including but not limited to:
- Architecture and design
- Heritage related research
- Historical public outreach and education
- History and genealogy
- Planning and geography
- Restoration, conservation and construction
Preference will be given to St. Catharines residents. Members of the St. Catharines Heritage Permit Advisory Committee may also serve on the committee.
Operational structure
The committee reports to the Cultural Sustainability Committee. The Chair is also a member of the Cultural Sustainability Committee.
Administrative support is provided by the City's Planning and Building Services department, which assigns a secretary to the committee. A representative from the department (who may be the secretary) also serves as an advisor to the committee and provides professional support, technical advice, research, budget preparation and control.
Sub-committees may be established to help in facilitating and focusing the committee's mandate on matters such as:
- Designations and plaque unveiling ceremonies
- Heritage districts
- Public outreach and education
- Research and inventory