Fredericton plans to create a formal process for property owners to remove their heritage preservation status. Currently, city bylaws only allow properties to join the list. You cannot remove a property once it receives this designation.

According to a report from CBC News, the city wants to fix this gap in its rules. If you own a heritage property, these potential changes directly impact your options.

Aligning City and Provincial Rules

Councilor Jason LeJeune raised the issue at a committee meeting in July. He asked city staff to prepare a report with recommendations. The provincial Heritage Conservation Act allows the removal of properties from a heritage preservation area. The city currently lacks a process to handle these requests.

“Really it is just a governance issue for me,” LeJeune said. “If someone had called to inquire to the city about the possibility of doing it, they would have had the right to do it and we did not have a process.”

LeJeune noted no specific properties prompted this discussion. He simply believes the city needs a clear process.

The Saint Anne Point Heritage Area

The Saint Anne Point Heritage Preservation Area includes Waterloo Row, University Avenue, and several nearby streets. Any alterations, demolitions, or new builds within this zone require approval from the preservation review board of the city.

The city added approximately 50 properties to this area in 1984. None of them have ever lost their heritage status. Since 1997, the city added nine individual heritage properties outside that main concentration.

Staff Warn Against Removals

City heritage officer Laura Acton presented a staff report to the Economic Vitality and Growth Planning Committee. She warned that adding a removal process increases administrative demands on staff. This diverts time and resources away from other heritage program work.

Acton also stated that city staff do not recommend removing individual properties.

“The Heritage Preservation Area conserves a collection of heritage resources and the character of the area as a whole,” Acton wrote. She added that incremental removals diminish the continuity and integrity of the area.

If the city approves the change, Acton suggests a 2500 dollar application fee for any removal requests. Property owners will also need to provide a heritage value assessment prepared by a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current rule for heritage properties in Fredericton?

Properties can only join the heritage preservation area. The city has no process to remove them.

Why is the city changing this rule?

The provincial Heritage Conservation Act allows removals. City councilor Jason LeJeune wants the city to align with provincial rules and establish a formal process for property owners.

How much will it cost to remove a heritage designation?

City staff recommend a 2500 dollar application fee. Property owners will also need to pay for a professional heritage value assessment.