HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Incentive Program Policy Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Heritage Incentive Program Policy
1. OBJECTIVE:
To encourage owners of registered municipal heritage properties to upgrade their
properties in a manner that is consistent with the heritage value of the property as stated
in the statement of significance for the property and the associated character defining
elements.
2. AVAILABLE INCENTIVE:
The incentive shall be 50% of the cost of the repairs or renovations up to a maximum of
$12,000 per property. In the case of roof replacement and/or repair, the maximum grant
shall be 30% of the cost up to a maximum of $6,000. In exceptional circumstances, the
Committee may award a higher percentage of cost-sharing, as outlined in 4(c)
3. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
All owners of municipally registered heritage properties and all owners of properties
located within municipal heritage conservation districts, except:
a) Government owned properties, except where the property is leased to a registered
non-profit society which is partially or totally responsible for building
maintenance;
b) Properties within a heritage conservation district that were built in 1940 or later.
4. CRITERIA:
a) All work done must be approved under the Heritage Property Bylaw or, in the
case of properties within the Heritage Conservation District, the Heritage
Conservation District Bylaw. All work must comply with the Building Bylaw
and the Land Use Bylaw.
b) Work funded under the program should be carried out on the exterior of the
property and shall include but not be limited to windows, doors, cladding, roofing,
and steps. Landscaping, fencing, and driveway paving are not eligible under any
circumstances.
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CBRM Heritage Incentive Program Policy
c) Work that is necessary to ensure the long term viability of a structure (for
example, repairs to the foundation, repairs to beams or trusses, or repairs to
address significant stormwater infiltration problems) may be considered by the
committee for funding assistance at levels higher than the normal amounts in
exceptional circumstances. In these cases assistance may be provided for work in
the structure's interior if necessary.
d) Architectural, engineering and other consulting fees are eligible for funding;
consultants may have to supply proof of professional qualifications to the HIP
Committee.
e) When an application is being considered priority shall be given to projects that
significantly enhance the heritage value of the property. An example would be
the removal of windows that are inconsistent with the original windows and
replacing them with ones that more closely resemble the originals.
f) When considering an application priority shall be given to projects that are
unlikely to proceed without CBRM assistance. Where a property is owned by a
non—profit organization, the availability of funds from other sources (such as
federal government programs) shall be a consideration.
g) Only one project may be approved per property in any given fiscal year.
Properties which have received grants in one fiscal year may apply in subsequent
years but priority shall be given to first time applicants.
h) Use of original materials (such as brick or wood) shall normally be required for
exterior cladding and corner boards although exceptions may be made where a
substitute material is used that very closely resembles the original in appearance.
Under no circumstances shall an incentive grant be provided to assist with the
cost of replacing or installing vinyl or metal siding on a building originally clad in
wood or brick.
5. APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
a) Applicants must submit an application to the CBRM Heritage Officer.
Applications will be reviewed and approved by the Heritage Incentive Program
(HIP) Committee, which is comprised of the Heritage Officer, one other CBRM
employee or Heritage Advisory Committee member, and an architect licensed to
practice in Nova Scotia. Any applicants whose projects do not meet the criteria
will be informed of the reason why their projects are not acceptable and will be
given an opportunity to revise and resubmit their applications.
b) All decisions of the HIP Committee shall be final.
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CBRM Heritage Incentive Program Policy
6. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS:
Funds will be disbursed only after completion of the work and inspection of same by the
Heritage Officer. Proof of payment in the form of paid invoices, cancelled cheques, or
credit card receipts must be submitted prior to the disbursement of any funds. CBRM
will not reimburse any portion of the harmonized sales tax.
7. GRANT DISCLOSURE:
A list of grant recipients, including the type of grant and funding amount shall be
published on CBRM's website annually, within 90 days of each fiscal year end.
Approved by Council: January 15, 2019
Amended: January 21, 2020
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