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Heritage Revitalization Agreement Policy Refresh

*september 2023 UPDATE*

On September 11, 2023, Council removed the suspension on new Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) applications in Queen's Park.

In May 2022, Council endorsed pausing work on the HRA Policy Refresh program in response to significant staff resource challenges as well as backlog of projects that proceeded more slowly than usual during the pandemic. As a result, the broader community consultation scheduled as the next phase of the HRA Refresh program has not proceeded and the completion of the program overall has been delayed beyond its original 2022 timeline.

Further discussion with Council will occur in the coming months regarding how and when the review of the HRA policy will resume, in conjunction with the Infill Housing Program work, and work plans to align with the Council Strategic Priorities Plan 2023-2026.

What the Policy Refresh Entails

Following Council direction on June 21, 2021, the 2011 Heritage Revitalization Agreements (HRAs) Policy is being updated. This will streamline the policy and ensure alignment with the 2017 Official Community Plan (OCP) and Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area. 
 
The update, called a “refresh”, looks to simplify the process for small scale HRA applications by making it clear to both applicants and community members what is required for protection and restoration of heritage assets, as well as the development incentives available to property owners through the program. See the project’s goals listed below or click here to learn more about HRAs!

  • HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

    Residents will be given the opportunity to provide comments on the HRA Refresh program. Launch of further consultation would be announced on this project page and the City’s Be Heard New West website.

  • PROJECT SCOPE

    The focus of this development policy work will be those areas and building forms designated “Detached and Semi-Detached” and “Ground Oriented Infill” in the Official Community Plan (OCP). This includes houses, suites, laneway/carriage houses, small lots, duplexes, triplexes, and other infill in low density neighbourhoods such as Glenbrooke North, Sapperton, Queen’s Park, Moody Park, and the West End among others.
     
    These are the project types across the city for which there are the policy gaps but also great need. Such projects are often proposed on properties in the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area but not exclusively so. The policy gaps are also the same ones that Phase Two of the Infill Housing program would address in relation to non-heritage development proposals. Therefore, the two policy projects are being developed in a complementary way.
     
    All other types of HRA developments (such as: high-rise or commercial buildings) will continue to follow the current Development Application Review Process and 2011 policy. Click here for the guide to HRA applications.
     

  • WHAT THIS MEANS FOR APPLICANTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

    The proposed Refresh will allow City staff to better address those policy gaps and concerns raised by applicants and community members by providing clear direction in processing HRAs. 
     
    The new policy would:
    • Refine the development incentives available 
    • Outline requirements for heritage protection and restoration
    • Define the community benefits provided through an HRA 
    • Update the policy to today’s standards and priorities
    • Maintain the strong and long-standing policy framework that currently exists 
    • Build on lessons learned from close to 40 small-scale HRAs completed in the past ten years, and
    • Address the project goals (see section below).

  • PROJECT GOALS

    There are three main goals to this work:
    1. Increase clarity, certainty, and expectations for applicants and the community
      Increased clarity regarding project parameters such as density, number of units, and ownership model. This would ensure the community knows what to expect in their neighbourhood, and applicants know what type of development projects may be supported by the City.
       
    2. Provide equitable incentives and requirements city-wide
      Incentives offered through the updated HRA policy should provide equitable opportunities and requirements throughout the city. To achieve this, the new policy would situate the incentives and protection offered through the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area within the larger, city-wide context of heritage protection policy.
       
    3. Integrate with current City programs, policies, and Council priorities
      Other relevant City policies, such as increasing housing choice and improving energy efficiency of existing buildings, will shape the HRA policy to ensure alignment with Council priorities.

  • PROJECT TIMELINE

    Milestone: Program Launch and Work Plan
    Timeframe: August 30, 2021
    Information: Council Report
     
    Milestone: Research for Principles Development
    Timeframe: September-November 2021
    Information: Council Report
     
    Milestone: Community Consultation: Round 1
    Focus Groups (e.g. previous applicants) December – January 2022
    Information: Meeting minutes are available on the committee’s webpages
     
    In May 2022, Council endorsed pausing work on the HRA Refresh program in response to significant staff resource challenges. As a result, the broader community consultation scheduled as the next phase of the HRA Refresh program has not proceeded and the completion of the program overall has been delayed beyond its original timeline. 
     
    Further discussion with Council is expected regarding how and when the review of the HRA policy will resume, in conjunction with the Infill Housing Program work, and work plans to align with the Council Strategic Priorities Plan 2023-2026.

     

  • IMPLEMENTATION

    Upon Council’s endorsement of an updated policy, an implementation program would be prepared. Implementation could include:

    • Clarifying how the legal tools and processes work;
    • Developing the application procedures;
    • City internal, interdepartmental coordination of construction requirements;
    • Creation of public guides and resources, and educational outreach as required;
    • Updating of related documentation and policies.
     

  • REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

     

  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Does the Refresh affect current HRA applications?

    From June 2021 until September 11, 2023, the City was not accepting new HRA applications in the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area while the HRA Refresh work was undertaken. However, with the delay to the Refresh program, this suspension of new applications in Queen's Park has now been removed. New applications have continued to be accepted in other neighbourhoods. The results of the Refresh will not be applied retroactively to current projects, which will continue being reviewed under the original program they applied to.

    When will the HRA Refresh be completed?
    Council endorsed pausing the HRA Refresh program due to staffing challenges and a backlog of projects following the pandemic. A revised timeline and completion date for this work has not yet been set. We will update this page with more details following discussions with Council on the resumption of the work.    

    How can I add to the conversation about the HRA Refresh?
    Once a revised plan for how and when the HRA policy will be updated, opportunities to provide your comments and feedback will be communicated. Stay tuned for more details!