Hi all, Since our Centre Plan community walks had to be cancelled due to covid, the non-profit I work with (Walk n Roll Hfx) is now working on virtual walk stops-by-email (and facebook) instead. Not as fun, but hopefully better than nothing :) I'm including the first walk stop here. I was thinking to send each stop out to this (BNRA) list - we'll probably do 2-3 a week for the month of December, and after that the consultation period for the Centre Plan is over! However if you think that'll to be too much, please let me know. If hear back from you folks that you don't want me to send each stop to the BNRA list, I can send you our e-newsletter sign-up link instead. Anyhow here's the first stop on our virtual walking tour :) We welcome you to submit photos and/or ideas for future "stops"! *Walk n’ Roll Centre Plan Virtual Walks Stop #1: Landmark Buildings* Hello!Today’s virtual walk stop concerns: LANDMARK BUILDINGS This photo was submitted by Kat.It’s of the United Memorial Church on Young St in the north end. Did you know that under the draft Centre Plan Package B, it is designated a *Landmark Building*? Read on to find out what this means.... United Memorial Church.jpg * * * * * What is a Landmark Building?* There are many treasured institutional buildings in Halifax that are not registered heritage properties. The Centre Plan’s Landmark Buildings designation aims to give property owners incentives to preserve significant buildings within an “institutional” zone, outside of the heritage system. _Examples of Landmark Buildings on the draft list_: - The Maritime Conservatory (Chebucto & St. Matthias - Halifax) - St. Thomas Aquinas Church (Oxford & Jubilee - Halifax) - St. Andrew’s Church (near Brightwood golf course - Dartmouth) - St. James (Alderney and Portland – Dartmouth). *How does the Landmark Building designation incentivize preservation?* In the past, if property owners of institutional buildings wanted to redevelop, they'd have to apply for a re-zoning or plan amendment.Once re-zoned, the original building could be torn down and replaced with commercial/residential. This process is somewhat onerous. Under the draft Centre Plan, owners of buildings designated as “Landmark Buildings” can be granted permission to add commercial and/or residential uses to the building /without/ having to apply re-zoning, as long as they keep the original building envelope intact. In short: if the building’s exterior is preserved, more flexibility of use is permitted on the inside, making it easier and more appealing for property owners to preserve and renovate. /Note 1: Most Landmark Buildings are zoned “Institutional” in the Plan (churches, schools, etc). This tool is not being applied to private commercial or residential buildings since it wouldn’t add any additional preservation incentives./ /Note 2: The Landmark Building designation does not guarantee a building will be preserved – it simply provides incentives to the property owner.Heritage Designation is still considered the strongest preservation tool./ *WHAT DO YOU THINK?DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?* -Do you want to know if a property is included on the Landmark Buildings list?Ask us! -Do you have suggestions for additional properties to include? -Do you have ideas for how the wording of this draft bylaw could be improved? *__* *WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE DRAFT PLAN SAY?* Click here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vzC-9FUIdzRTM7uUM0tWopogeXNu8-X1MKAbiHNWldc/edit?usp=sharing> to see the draft text & comment. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vzC-9FUIdzRTM7uUM0tWopogeXNu8-X1MKAbiHN… *HOW CAN I SEE ALL THE PROPOSED LANDMARK BUILDINGS?* The proposed Landmark Buildings are shown on a map that forms part of the draft bylaw. You can browse a PDF of the map here <https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/1041/widgets/5965/documents/28201>. https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/1041/widgets/5965/documents/28201 If you’re wondering about a specific building, you can also email us at centreplanwalks(a)gmail.com. *More info from the Centre Plan folks:* Landmark Building Fact Sheet <https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/1041/widgets/5965/documents/28134> (PDF) https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/1041/widgets/5965/documents/28134