Heritage guidelines updated to support conservation in Old Oakville area

The Town of Oakville has approved updates to the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines, building on its longstanding commitment to preserving cultural and architectural heritage. These updates were developed through a comprehensive review and public engagement process to ensure that they are aligned with current best practices in heritage conservation and the town’s Official Plan. 

Originally designated in 1981, the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District (HCD) is one of Ontario’s earliest districts protected by the Ontario Heritage Act. This area extends south of Robinson Street to the lakefront from the Sixteen Mile Creek in the west to Allan Street in the east. 

The HCD has a range of historically significant buildings, including early “vernacular” homes, nineteenth-century lakeside cottages, and luxury houses and churches in architectural styles such as Georgian, Neo-Classical, Victorian, and Classical Revival. Vernacular architecture is a regional building style that uses local supplies and resources.

Updated guidelines

As part of the update, properties of cultural heritage value that were previously designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act were incorporated into the HCD. They include town-owned properties at 8 Navy Street and 110-114 King Street that form part of the Erchless Estate, and a portion of 144 Front Street at Lakeside Park that contains the Merrick Thomas House and the historic Post Office. The new guidelines also provide:

• Greater emphasis on conserving landscape and views
• Improved protection for mature trees
• More details on appropriate materials for additions to historic buildings
• More clarity and consistency on how the guidelines are used to manage change
• A stronger focus on appropriate scale, massing and design for new buildings
• Conforming guidelines for detached additional residential units
• Examples of “Good Neighbours”, which are non-historic properties that fit well into the HCD, to use for design inspiration

Background

• The Old Oakville HCD planning process began in 2021 and consisted of two major components: a District Study and a new District Plan and Guidelines  
• In February 2024, Council approved the District Study, which assessed the area’s cultural heritage value and created an up-to-date inventory of properties in the HCD
• On March 17, 2025, Council approved the HCD Plan and Guidelines to provide clarity on how change will be managed in the area
• An appeal period was in effect from March 18 to April 17, 2025, and with no appeals to the guidelines, the document is now approved

More details are available in the staff report of March 17, 2025 on the Meetings and Agendas page, and the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan Update page.

Quote

“The updated guidelines reaffirm the town’s commitment to preserving the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District’s unique history and architectural character. The updates reflect public input and align with best practices and the town’s Official Plan.”

– Mayor Rob Burton