Heritage Resource Policy
AGENDA ITEM: 6.2
GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
Policy Update
At the September 12th 2016 Regular Council meeting, Administration presented a
request on behalf of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to join the Heritage
Corporation as a permanent voting member.
To add the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to the Banff Heritage Corporation
text changes are required to the Heritage Resources Policy C23.
Administration would like to take the opportunity presented by the request of the
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to conduct a more comprehensive policy
update to ensure the policy:
•
•
•
Demonstrates best practices in conservation and heritage management,
Reflects more recent changes to federal and provincial government standards; and,
Incorporates direction from the Banff Heritage Corporation.
Key Considerations
1.
2.
3.
Definitions and Terminology
Consolidation of the Banff Heritage Register
Financial Incentives
Conservation Management
Heritage conservation practice has shifted over the past fifteen years. The changes can
be summarized as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A general push away from the protection of the physical fabric to a more universal emphasis on the
intellectual and social aspects (meaning) of historic places;
Moving away from the protection of monoliths and a shift towards seeking places that are symbolic
in and illustrative of unique traditions, movements and themes;
Conservation mandates that place greater emphasis on cultural diversity and how varying cultural
perspectives may be reflected in a single heritage site both concurrently and as witnessed over time;
and,
Small democratic changes where more inclusive practices and values are incorporated into the
protection and management of heritage sites.
1. Definitions
“Appendix A” of the existing Heritage Resource Policy C23, contains a list of
definitions for heritage planning. The definitions are used frequently as a
reference point to make recommendations to council, place as conditions to
development permits and as a reference point for protection of heritage
resources.
Planning and Development recommends the list of definitions expand to
include :
•
•
•
•
cultural landscapes
cultural practice
heritage value
municipal inventory
1. Definitions
Heritage Value means the aesthetic, architectural, cultural, environmental, historic, and/or
spiritual importance associated with heritage sites. The heritage value of a historic place is
embodied in its character-defining elements: materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses
and cultural associations or meanings.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aesthetic Value
Architectural/Design Value
Cultural Value
Environmental/Scientific Value
Historic Value
Spiritual Value
2. Banff Municipal Registry
What is the Banff Register?
Town of Banff Registry of Recognized Heritage Resources
– a voluntary list of “A”, “B” “C” and “D” resources. The
registry is used for research and awarding of
conservation incentives.
In accordance with provincial legislation, listing
properties on the “register” has no impact on
redevelopment opportunities. The register rather,
provides independent information to the Planning
Department regarding what is considered a “heritage
site” for situations where the property owner wishes to
apply for financial incentives, and/or restore an old
building.
The Banff Register
2. Banff Municipal Inventory
Banff Heritage Inventory
The Banff Heritage Inventory is proposed to be a
simplified map of heritage sites in the town boundary
which contribute to Banff’s cultural landscape and
local thematic framework.
Planning and Development are proposing to simplify
and consolidate the existing municipal registry by:
Proposed: Municipal Heritage Inventory
• removing duplicate terminology,
• updating the policy to include procedures for
local heritage sites,
• work with the Heritage Corporation to remove
the majority of the properties with a “C’” or
“D” ranking; and,
• re-classify heritage sites identified as Class
“A” and Class “B” as “contributing properties”
in accordance with current provincial
standards.
3. Financial Incentives
Assessment
Criteria
Value
Visibility
Thematic Priority
Areas
Association with
Place
Integrity
Proposed Use
Specific Significance Criteria
Aesthetic
Architectural
Cultural
Environmental / Scientific
Historic
Spiritual/Symbolic
Landmark Site
Streetscape / Urban Form
Publically Accessible
Institutional Development
Local Intellectual and Cultural Life
People and Environment
Changing Economies
Sacred Space
Inclusion and Reconciliation
Banff Architectural Tradition
National Park Traditions
Local Cultural Practices
Character-Defining Elements
Site and Environment
Landscape
Private Residence
Residence (Use Transition)
Institutional
Commercial
Infrastructure / Built Environment
Yes
No
Points Total
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
6
6
5
5
1
1
2
5
5
5
Total (max 100):
Recommendation
That Governance and Finance Committee direct administration to:
1. Review the proposed draft Culture and Heritage Management Policy for discussion
purposes prior to being presented to Council for approval at a future meeting.
2. Direct administration to conduct public consultation on draft Culture and Heritage
Management Policy;
3. Direct administration to return with a report outlining the feedback received and
a final draft of the Culture and Heritage Management Policy.