June 11, 2014
KITCHENER CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE STUDY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. What is a cultural heritage landscape (CHL)?
A cultural heritage landscape (CHL) is an area that reflects the interaction of people with the landscape over time, and which may include groupings of built heritage, landscape features and archaeological sites that together comprise a significant heritage form. Examples of possible cultural heritage landscapes include cemeteries, parks, large industrial complexes, historic neighbourhoods, rural farmsteads and scenic roadways, to name a few.
Q2. What is the purpose of the cultural heritage landscape study?
The purpose of the study is to identify, evaluate and document cultural heritage landscapes in the City of Kitchener. It will serve to provide a more complete picture of the cultural heritage resources in the city that are of value to the community and deserving of some form of conservation.
Q3. Why is the city undertaking this study?
Cultural heritage landscapes are considered to be a type of cultural heritage resource; the City has a responsibility to conserve cultural heritage resources that are of value to the community.
Provincial policy under the Planning Act requires that significant cultural heritage landscapes be conserved in making decisions on land use planning and development matters.
More recently, the new regional Official Plan directs area municipalities to identify and conserve cultural heritage landscapes.
The cultural heritage landscape study will serve to better position the city to meet our obligations under provincial, regional and local policy.
Q4. How did the city arrive at the list of candidate sites being evaluated?
The sites identified as candidates for evaluation were identified by heritage planning staff at the
City of Kitchener through a series of site visits and windshield surveys, and in considering known information regarding design, historic and/or contextual value. The consultants completing this study (The Landplan Collaborative Ltd.), then reviewed the list identified by city staff, conducted additional site visits and undertook further research to determine if each candidate cultural heritage landscape had merit for further evaluation. As a result of the consultant review, a few additional areas were identified as candidate sites. Public consultation and input will also feed into the identification and evaluation process as the study progresses.

June 11, 2014
Q5. How will the consultants determine if a candidate site qualifies to be identified as a cultural heritage landscape?
The consultants will follow the approach described in the regional implementation guidelines for cultural heritage landscape conservation, endorsed by regional council in August 2013. This approach considers how candidate cultural heritage landscapes relate to historical themes and associations that are important to the community, and considers the results of visual surveys, historical research, public feedback and consultation, and criteria including heritage value or interest, historical integrity, and indicators of community value.
Q6. How will the information from this study be used?
The study will catalogue all of the cultural heritage landscapes in the city; it will document the boundary limits of each area of interest and identify the features and attributes that contribute to making each area significant. This represents the first step in the conservation process (that being identification and evaluation).
In the short-term, the information from this study may be useful when considering and planning for future infrastructure improvements or when reviewing and making recommendations on comprehensive land use and development matters. Ultimately, the information from this study may result in the city initiating further study and review, including discussion with property owners and the public, on whether appropriate strategies are needed to conserve the significant values and attributes that relate to each cultural heritage landscape.
Q7. What type of strategies may be used to conserve the CHLs identified in this study?
Any strategy aimed at conserving the values and attributes associated with each cultural heritage landscape will need to be the subject of further consultation and possible study.
Regional Official Plan policy requires that cultural heritage landscapes be designated in the
Official Plan of the area municipality as a means of formally identifying the cultural heritage landscape as a cultural heritage resource. Other conservation strategies include, but are not limited to, “listing” the cultural heritage landscape on the Municipal Heritage Register; establishing design guidelines to assist in managing appropriate change and development; or, designation under the Ontario Heritage Act (e.g. a Heritage Conservation District).
Q8. How will this study impact me and my property?
It is important to note that this study will only result in establishing a list or inventory of cultural heritage landscapes in the city. Any future strategy the city may pursue which could impose certain regulations, such as those described in Q7 above, will involve further consultation with property owners and the public.

June 11, 2014
Q9. Is there a difference between a CHL and a Heritage Conservation District, and if I own property in a CHL am I going to be subject to a heritage designation?
A cultural heritage landscape can take many forms and a heritage conservation district is just one example of a CHL. This study will not impose a heritage designation or restrictions on your property. The purpose of this study is to take an inventory only. Any consideration of pursuing a heritage designation or other form of conservation would need to be the subject of another study or process, and would involve additional public and/or property owner consultation.
Q10. How can I be kept informed and provide input?
The city has created a webpage devoted to this study where you can access up to date information and where you will be able to provide your input and feedback
( www.kitchener.ca/chls ). The city is also hosting two public consultation meetings on June 11 th and September 11 th . You can also contact the study project manager, Leon Bensason, coordinator of cultural heritage planning at leon.bensason@kitchener.ca
or 519-741-2200 ext.7306.