Cookstown heritage designation means changes for residents

Residents attend a heritage meeting in Cookstown, Ont. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2015. (Brandon Rowe/ CTV Barrie)

The Village of Cookstown has been designated a heritage location by the Town of Innisfil, a move that means a lot of changes for homeowners and businesses.

To preserve historic sites, a bylaw was passed in 2015 by Innisfil town council to designate Cookstown a heritage district.

tammy chambers

"The district isn't trying to freeze any development, but it is trying to guide that development so the historical buildings aren't torn down, but are adapted to more modern purposes,” says Roger Johnson of the town’s heritage committee.

A meeting was held to explain what this designations means for more than 220 properties in the area.

"We're so proud of our home, but also this streetscape and Cookstown itself. It's really a jewel,” says homeowner Bruce Chambers.

Many residents were enthused about the possibilities, while others are concerned what this means for them.

"It's not just the house, it's every single house within the area that now has to get a historic permit, and if the town doesn't like what it is your purposing they can refuse you," says real estate agent Lavanna Zrnoh.

Changes to the inside of heritage buildings are allowed, but permission from the town is needed to do anything to the facade.

For residents who had any plans to change or upgrade their historic site, the chamber of commerce has set aside money for consultations with an architect. Residents will still need to go through the permit process to ensure upgrades aren't affecting the land or any neighboring heritage buildings.