Nearly every week, a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake asks how they can designate their property. While in past articles this columnist has spoken to the desirability of designation, we have never actually taken a look at the process of evaluating a property vis-à-vis designation.

Let’s begin by stating that a building does not have to be “old” in order to be designated. In fact, any property constructed prior to 40 years ago (1985) can qualify for a Part IV — a single property — heritage designation in the province of Ontario.

However, in order to do so, the property must meet at least two of the nine threshold criteria defined in Regulation 9/06 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

These criteria fall within three general categories. The first category considers the design and/or physical value of the property, the second category addresses the property’s historical and/or associative value, and the third category examines the contextual value — that is the property’s relationship(s) to its setting and its meaning to the community.

Realistically, looking at the process of evaluating your property’s heritage value needs to begin by understanding the criteria upon which it will be judged.

So, let’s do a quick and dirty examination of the criteria captured within each category.

The first criterion reads: “The property is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method.”

The parameters of “rare” can be local, regional, provincial or national, while “unique” is one-of-a-kind (only survivor or a prototype). A “representative” property can be loosely considered as one of a similar group of visually (e.g. Georgian) and/or functionally related buildings (workers cottages etc.).

Finally, the term “early” has nothing to do with historical age, but rather, the date of its design and construction considered within the local popular period of its style, type, expression, et al.

A “style” — within the legislation — can be considered shared characteristics that constitute the visual presentation of a building or landscape typical of a defined group, time or place.

The term “type” speaks generally to properties serving the public — such as hospitals, parks, schools, courthouses, etc.

Interestingly, the legislation separates “type” from “expression” with the latter term relating to buildings, monuments and heritage landscapes which speak to a way of life, belief and tradition — like churches, for example.

The next criterion is: “The property displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit.”

Broadly speaking, “craftsmanship” relates to the quality of execution or technical skill displayed in the worked materials and/or construction of the property, whereas “artistic merit” considers the property through the screen of the creative process and its value as a work of art either in today’s context or at the time of its creation.

We can understand the term “high degree” to mean craftsmanship or artistic merit at a quality or intensity well above the norm.

The final criterion in this category asks if: “The property demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.”

Here, the word “achievement” may be interpreted as innovation(s) or breakthroughs in the techniques of construction, the materials incorporated in the build, in the design, in the forms, etc., considered within the local historical context.

Let’s now skip to the third category, contextual value, and look at the criteria by which a property is adjudged to contribute to the character of its setting and add depth to its importance to the community.

These criteria begin with: “The property is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area.”

An area — or neighbourhood — needs to have a definable character. That character may be reflected in buildings of one or more relatable architectural styles, building forms that establish a group relationship, a series of properties that together establish a sympathetic streetscape rhythm from one to the next and so on.

In short, a combination of elements, which could include natural and landscaped features, open spaces, buildings and physical installations that together provide an area with a distinctive sense of identity.     

Sometimes the easiest way to determine the importance of a property to the character of its area is to consider what would happen to that character if the property were to be demolished or significantly modified.

The following criterion asks if: “The property is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings.”

A “physical” link is a material connection between the property and neighbouring properties.

A “functional” link is when a property fulfills a particular purpose within the area.

A “visual” link is established when a property possesses at least one (preferably more) feature which is reflected within the broader setting.  

A “historical” link refers to the property having one or more connections to the historical context of the area.

The last criterion asks whether “the property is a landmark” — that is to say, is visually prominent within its context which is generally recognized as being important and meaningful to the community.

Next week, we will delve into the second category and the resources available to help in the process of designation.          

Brian Marshall is a NOTL realtor, author and expert consultant on architectural design, restoration and heritage.