Entire neighbourhood could be designated as a heritage district in Mississauga

An entire neighbourhood could become a heritage district in Mississauga.

The City of Mississauga is considering a plan to designate the Streetsville Heritage Conservation District. The plan will be discussed a the city’s Heritage Advisory Committee on Nov. 26.

The move would help protect heritage properties but it could also stifle development.

Ontario’s More Homes Built Faster Act, implemented in 2023, brought an expiry date to the Heritage Register. Non-designated properties are automatically removed from the Heritage Register if a municipality does not pass a designation bylaw within two years of the act or repeals a designation bylaw.

“Since Heritage ‘listing’ will no longer be available to currently ‘listed’ properties in 2027, it is imperative that Streetsville be protected as a Heritage Conservation District,” a report to the committee states.

Over 120 properties in Streetsville have had some measure of recognition/protection, known as a “heritage listing” since the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the report states.

In 2023, the city hired consultants to determine if Streetsville merits designation under the act.

The consultants found part of Streetsville, approximately 200 properties, meets the now more stringent criteria to be a Heritage Conservation District.

A survey of the community found more than 80 per cent of respondents support the designation, according to the report.

The goal of the conservation district is to “maintain, conserve, and enhance the Village-like character of the District,” according to the Streetsville Heritage Conservation District Plan.

Heritage attributes of buildings would be conserved, and alterations, new construction or demolitions would need to conform to the policies and guidelines of the Streetsville Heritage Conservation District Plan. Property owners would need to go through the Heritage Permit Application process under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The report states that district designation would help “manage change.”

“The purpose of an HCD (Heritage Conservation District) is not to freeze property in time or stop development,” the report states. “The purpose of an HCD is to ensure that development does not negatively impact the character of the area.”

New construction is permitted, provided it is compatible with the heritage character and conforms to the policies in the plan. New building heights, massing, setback, scale, roof pitches and exterior materials would have to conform.

Queen Street in Streetsville is seen around 1900. Photo: Streetsville Historical Society

There are concerns about designating Streetsville as a Heritage Conservation District.

Three residents submitted letters to the committee with concerns.

“There is so much to be celebrated in Streetsville in terms of its history, however, we have many questions and concerns about how this will happen,” residents Roger Wainwright and Linda Lee said. “From what we are reading of the proposed plan, it would seem that it will be residents who will be paying for the maintenance of the “historic district” while also paying extremely high property taxes.”

“It is such an infringement of personal property rights,” said Zhiqiang Cao and family.

Another resident said the change would “add far more complexity to future updates/upgrades, not to mention potential challenges with resale given the restricted status.”

More Homes Mississauga is “deeply concerned” about the project, Kelly Singh, acting executive director of the organization told INsauga.com in an email.

“Put bluntly, this is a covert effort by the City of Mississauga to circumvent its provincial and federal housing commitments,” Singh said.

There are requirements to build housing near Major Transit Station Areas, which includes Streetsville, she said.

“Today, Streetsville is one of the most expensive, and lowest-density communities in Mississauga. This effort by the City will essentially lock down any opportunity for housing to be built there,” she said.

For more information see the committee meeting agenda and reports here.

Lead photo of Queen Street in Streetsville: Google Maps