On June 23, 2020, Council initiated a Heritage Conservation District Study for the Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow neighbourhood in Lindsay. This page is intended to provide information about the ongoing study process and on heritage conservation districts in general. It will be updated throughout the study to reflect its current stage.
Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) are areas protected by a by-law passed under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. HCDs are usually groups of buildings or structures, such as neighbourhoods, which have a unique historic character. District designations are put in place to help conserve and enhance historic areas, guide future development so that it has a positive impact on local areas, and help maintain a sense of place and pride in our unique neighbourhoods and communities in Kawartha Lakes.
There are two steps required to designate an HCD in Ontario. The first is a heritage conservation district study which examines the history of the area and its buildings and structures. The study makes recommendations as to whether the area should be designated as a district and what its boundaries should be. The study usually takes about a year from the time it is initiated by Council. If the study recommends designating the area as a district, the second step is a heritage conservation district plan. The plan is developed, in consultation with the local community, and includes design guidelines, policies for growth and development, and recommendations about heritage permits.
The Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow area is currently undergoing the plan phase. The Old Mill Heritage Conservation District Study was endorsed by Council in July 2022.
The second public meeting for the plan will be held at the Victoria Park Armoury (210 Kent Street West) on April 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm and will include an update on the current status of the project and discussion regarding the plan's development. A virtual meeting will also be held for those who are unable to attend in person on May 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Advanced registration is required to attend the virtual meeting. Both meetings will cover the same content.
Steps to Designate an HCD
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Initial Identification
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| An area is identified as a potential heritage conservation district by staff, members of the community, or the Municipal Heritage Committee. Preliminary research is conducted to determine if the area has potential for designation, such as identifying if the area has a concentration of historic properties or buildings with specific architectural interest. |
Municipal Heritage Committee Recommendation
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| The Municipal Heritage Committee makes a recommendation to Council to begin an HCD study in a defined geographic area. |
Council Approval
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| Council approves the MHC recommendation and directs staff to begin the HCD study. |
HCD Study Phase (9-12 months)
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| The HCD study begins. The identified study area is examined for its architectural, historical, and contextual merit. Researchers look for important historical stories, architecture, and development patterns that define the local area. Boundaries for a potential HCD are identified which may or may not be the same as the study area depending on the findings of the visual property surveys and research. |
Public Consultation (throughout Study Phase)
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| At the beginning of the study phase, notices are circulated and property owners in the area are notified. Public meetings and surveys are held to solicit input and involve the local community. Community members are invited to provide input and information to staff to help with the study. |
Study Complete
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| The study is completed and presented to Council. It makes recommendations about whether the study area should be designated, what features are important, and what the boundaries should be. Based on the recommendations in the study, Council may choose to proceed with a district plan using the boundaries recommended by the study. |
Plan Phase (6-9 months)
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| The plan phase begins. An overall plan is created which will direct future growth and development in the area. It includes overall policy statements an design guidelines for construction. |
Public Consultation (throughout Plan Phase)
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| At the beginning of the plan phase, public notices are circulated and property owners in the area are notified. Public meetings are held to solicit input and involve the local community. Community members are asked to think about how they want to see their community evolve to help develop the plan. A draft plan is presented to the community for input. |
Plan Complete and Designation
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| The plan is complete and presented to Council for approval. Council passes a by-law to designate the district. Notices are circulated to the Ontario Heritage Trust and property owners. The area is now designated as a district. Development and growth in the area are guided by the district plan. |
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Plan Area
The Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow plan area is a primarily residential neighbourhood to the east of downtown Lindsay and west of the Scugog River which contains a wide variety of historic residential properties.
Plan Area FAQs
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Why was this area chosen as a potential HCD?
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The area was chosen for an HCD study because it was requested by members of the local neighbourhood. Staff received the request and undertook some preliminary research to see if the area was suitable for a study. Staff found that the area is one of the oldest residential areas of Lindsay and has a large concentration of historic properties which make it suitable for a study and potentially future designation as an HCD. It is also the location of the original mill site and settlement in the town.
Staff presented the recommendation that a study be undertaken to the Municipal Heritage Committee and Council and the recommendation was approved. The study was undertaken between June 2020 and May 2022.
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How were the boundaries for the plan area determined?
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The boundaries for the plan were determined through the Old Mill Heritage Conservation District study. The study, which had a larger geographic boundary, found that this area had a high concentration of historic residential properties which merited specific protections and guidelines through a heritage conservation district plan.
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Why is the area now called Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow?
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| In the study, the area was known as Old Mill but, at the request of many property owners and residents, the name was changed to Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow to reflect the historic name of a portion of this neighbourhood which was known as Pumpkin Hollow as well as to recognize the historic mill in Old Mill Park which is a defining feature of the area. |
What is included in a heritage conservation district plan?
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A heritage conservation district plan is a document which helps to guide future growth in an area which has been identified as having heritage value. A heritage conservation district plan generally includes the following guidelines:
- Design guidelines for new and infill developments
- Guidelines and alternatives for alterations to existing properties
- Guidelines regarding when a heritage permit is and is not required for development
- High level policy goals for the area
The intent of the plan is to ensure that the heritage values and attributes of an area are preserved while still allowing for property owners to make changes to their property and for new, compatible development to occur.
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Engagement and Community Meetings
Public engagement is an important part of the designation of a heritage conservation district because it help answers questions you might have about district designation and allows you to identify and protect the things about your neighbourhood that are important to your community. You are encouraged to get involved in the plan process, especially if you live in the Old Mill area. We want to know how you want your community to develop and what aspects of the area are important to you.
Community Meetings
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We will be conducting community meetings throughout the plan process. All residents, property owners, and business owners are invited to attend and participate in community meetings to ask questions and provide feedback on the plan. Community meetings are your opportunity to help shape the future development of your neighbourhood. Information about the time, date, and location of public meetings will be posted here as they are scheduled.
Materials, including video recordings, from the community meetings will be posted on Jump In for you to access throughout the study process.
The second public meeting for the project will be held at the Victoria Park Armoury (210 Kent Street West) on September 15, 2022 at 7:30 pm and will include an update on the current status of the project and discussion regarding the plan's development. A virtual meeting will also be held for those who are unable to attend in person on May 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Advanced registration is required to attend the virtual meeting. Both meetings will cover the same content.
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Jump In and Surveys
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We are using our Jump In platform to undertake surveys and gather information which will inform the development of the HCD study. You are invited to participate in our surveys and provide information on the history of your property or the area at any time throughout the study process. Information about local properties and the neighbourhood helps provide a fuller picture of the history of the area.
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Contact Us
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Questions or concerns regarding the Old Mill-Pumpkin Hollow HCD Plan and requests for copies of meeting and other material can be directed to Emily Turner, Economic Development Officer - Heritage Planning by email or phone (705-324-9411 ext.1366).
The HCD plan is located in both Ward 5 - Councillor Eric Smeaton and Ward 7 - Councillor Charlie McDonald. Visit our Contact a Council Member page for direct Council contact information and detailed ward boundaries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the advantages of being part of a Heritage Conservation District?
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| Being in a heritage conservation district will ensure that changes to your neighbourhood or local area are guided by defined planning processes and design guidelines which help maintain the character that makes them attractive and enjoyable to live and work in. As neighbourhoods grow and develop, the heritage conservation district plan guides new development to ensure compatibility with the existing, mature neighbourhood. Property owners in HCDs may also be eligible to apply for financial incentive programs offered by the municipality through its Community Improvement Plan aimed at assisting heritage property owners with restoration projects. |
How will being in a district affect my ability to make changes to my property?
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Heritage conservation district designations are intended to promote and guide positive change within a district as opposed to preventing it. You will be allowed to make changes to your property. Once an area is designated as a district, property owners are required to apply for a heritage permit prior to making additions or alterations or undertaking demolition. Changes to the interior of a property and routine maintenance, such as painting, do not require a heritage permit.
The types of changes that require a permit as identified in the heritage conservation district plan. Guidelines to help property owners are also outlined in the plan. Residents, property owners, and businesses in the district area will have the opportunity to provide input on these guidelines during the development of the HCD plan.
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Is there a cost to a heritage permit and how long will it take?
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| There is no cost for a heritage permit. If you also require a building permit, depending on the scope of the project, the regular building permit fees will apply. Most heritage permits take approximately three to five business day to process from when a complete application is received. The review process may take longer for more complex projects, such as the construction of a new addition. |
Do I need to apply for a heritage permit while the plan development is underway?
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| No, you do not require a heritage permit to make changes to your property while the plan development is underway. You will only need to apply for a heritage permit after the area is designated and the heritage conservation district plan is in place. You will still be required to apply for building permits and/or planning approvals (as applicable) during the study process. |
Will being in a heritage conservation district affect the use of my property?
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| District designation does not affect the use of your property. You may be required to apply for a heritage permit if a change of use results in physical changes to the exterior of your property. If you are changing the use of the property, you may be require a zoning change, in which case the City's regular planning processes will apply. |
Will I have to make changes to my property if the neighbourhood is designated?
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| No, you are not required to make changes or restore your property to its historic appearance if your neighbourhood is designated as a heritage conservation district. If you do wish to make changes, you will be required to apply for a heritage permit to ensure that the changes you would like to make are compatible with the design guidelines for the district. |
Will being part of a heritage conservation district affect my property value?
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| Property values are determined by many factors, but being part of a heritage conservation district in itself will not decrease the value of your property. Recent studies have shown that property values for properties within a heritage conservation district are generally similar to or higher than comparable properties which are not part of a district. Your MPAC assessment does not take designation into account. |
Will being part of a heritage conservation district affect my insurance premiums?
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| The provincial Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and the Insurance Bureau of Canada have confirmed that your insurance premiums should not go up as a result of heritage designation. You are encouraged to shop around for insurance and an insurance provider that suits your needs. You or your insurer can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada with questions regarding heritage designation and insurance. |
Where can I find more information about heritage conservation districts in Ontario?
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| Additional information regarding the designation of heritage conservation districts in Ontario can be found on the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries website. Their publication on heritage conservation districts as part of the Ontario Heritage Toolkit provides a thorough overview of the designation process. |
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