Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee

Mandate

The mandate of LACAC is to advise City Council on matters relating to Ottawa's Heritage (pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act), specifically on issues of built heritage, including cultural heritage landscapes. This would include identifying properties and areas in the City of Ottawa that may deserve protection; providing City Council with advice on applications to alter designated heritage properties and new construction in heritage districts; advising property owners on appropriate conservation and maintenance practices; promoting heritage conservation within the community and advocating on behalf of threatened heritage resources.

Responsibilities

The LACAC shall be responsible for:

  • acting as City Council's liaison on heritage matters under the Ontario Heritage Act and functioning as the municipal heritage committee under the terms of that Act;
  • recommending properties for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act;
  • advising City Council on the identification, evaluation and conservation of built heritage properties and areas;
  • advising City Council on current heritage conservation legislation as well as available funding sources;
  • assisting City Council in the preparation of municipal legislation and policies to conserve heritage properties and areas;
  • advising and assisting City Council in the preparation of criteria for programs of financial assistance for the restoration of built heritage properties;
  • implementing City Council-approved programs and activities to increase public awareness and knowledge of heritage conservation issues related to the built environment;
  • advocating on behalf of the preservation and conservation of threatened built heritage resources.

The LACAC may, from time to time, choose to establish sub-committees or task forces to deal with issues that relate directly to their mandate. These sub-committees could have responsibility for the following:

  • recommending properties or areas in the City of Ottawa which should be considered by the LACAC for heritage designation;
  • listing built heritage properties or areas for review and discussion by the LACAC;
  • researching properties being proposed for listing or designation as heritage properties or areas, public programs and other preservation-related issues;
  • providing for public awareness and promotion of issues relating to heritage properties or areas in cooperation with other heritage groups, as required;
  • arranging to erect plaques and/or markers on community sites of local interest;
  • providing for local community activities recognizing the efforts of citizens to protect, preserve or promote heritage properties;
  • providing comments to the main LACAC on major planning issues such as rezonings, etc. affecting built heritage resources;
  • such other duties relating to built heritage preservation issues as may otherwise be assigned to it by Council.

Organization

LACAC shall have a membership of 9-15 and shall include the following:

  • Up to 9-15 members at large (including those with expertise, interest and knowledge in history and/or architecture).
  • A minimum of one citizen appointment representing the rural community.

The LACAC shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

  • 1 Staff representative from the Planning Department, Heritage branch (non-voting)

All appointments to the LACAC shall be approved by both the Planning and Environment Committee and Ottawa City Council.

The process for choosing membership for the LACAC will follow the approved Appointments Policy.

Lead Department/Reporting Relationship

The lead department for LACAC shall be the Planning Department. The LACAC shall report through the Planning and Environment Committee to Ottawa City Council.

Workplans and Annual Reports

The Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee must report annually to City Council through the Planning and Environment Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on the Committee's workplan for the following year.

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Links

Advisory Committee Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

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