Guide to Preparing a Conservation Plan

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of a Conservation Plan is to: 

• Identify the conservation principles appropriate for the type of cultural heritage resource/attributes being conserved;
• Provide detailed documentation of the resource and its heritage attributes; 
• Assess the current conditions and deficiencies; and,
• Recommend conservation measures and interventions in the short, medium and long term to ensure preservation of the property’s cultural heritage significance.

2.0 Conservation Plan Requirements

A Conservation Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

• Present owner contact information for property proposed for development and/or alteration. 
• Identification of all cultural heritage resource(s) and a clear statement of their cultural heritage value and interest, including a bullet point list of their heritage attributes. 
• An assessment of the current condition of the cultural heritage resources and their heritage attributes. The Plan shall identify the physical condition and integrity of the cultural heritage resources and their heritage attributes, with a view toward making recommendations regarding appropriate repair and maintenance, in keeping with good conservation practice.
• Identification of the short, medium- and long-term vision for the conservation of the heritage resources, and of the specific conservation measures to be undertaken in the short, medium, and long-term. Such measures shall describe the documentation, stabilization, repair, monitoring and maintenance strategies required to be undertaken for each phase and shall reference the qualifications for anyone responsible for undertaking such work. This section may include, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Short-Term Conservation Work
    • Documentation (through detailed description and photographs) of heritage attributes proposed to be demolished, removed, salvaged or otherwise irreversibly damaged. 
    • Description and specifications for work required to be undertaken to conserve heritage attributes in need of immediate repair and stabilization to prevent further deterioration, damage and the potential loss of such attributes. 
    • Monitoring strategy to protect the property from vandalism or fire (e.g. methodology for monitoring; frequency of monitoring; and process to address issues that arise through monitoring). 
  • Medium -Term Conservation Work
    • Description and specifications for work required to be undertaken to heritage attributes as part of the proposed development and/or rehabilitation (to include demolition, removal and salvage of heritage attributes; the stabilization, repair and cleaning of heritage attributes; and the reconstruction or replacement of heritage attributes). Such work may be divided into phases.
  • Long -Term Conservation Work 
    • Identification of a monitoring program addressing appropriate measures for the ongoing maintenance of the heritage resources and attributes, post development/rehabilitation. o Provide a recommended schedule for conservation work, inspections, monitoring, maintenances and phases (short, medium, and long-term). 
• The qualifications and background of the person(s) completing the Conservation Plan shall be included in the report. The author(s) must demonstrate a level of professional understanding and competence in the field of heritage conservation. The report will also include a reference for any literature cited, and a list of people contacted during the study and referenced in the report.

3.0 Approval Process

A hard copy of the draft Conservation Plan and one electronic pdf format shall be provided to Cultural Heritage Planning staff for review. The Conservation Plan may accompany a Heritage Permit application and be reviewed by the Heritage Permit Review Subcommittee, and/or be reviewed by the Policy and Design Subcommittee as part of a Planning Act application. The Conservation Plan will be finalized to the satisfaction and approval of the Director of Planning and Chief Planner.