Heritage

Policy 11.2.1. Heritage Conservation. 
Conserve historic places in a manner consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada under the guidance of registered heritage professionals of the BC Association of Heritage Professionals (BCAHP).  Work with consistent conservation documents and planning tools to make decisions about historic places and manage heritage projects including Heritage Reviews, Statements of Significance, Heritage Conservation Plans and Heritage Alteration Permits.

Policy 11.2.2. Heritage Review.
A Heritage Review, prepared by a Qualified Heritage Professional (BCAHP), providing information about the historical significance and architectural merit of a building or property is generally required when:

• The property is subject to a Heritage Revitalization Agreement; or
• The property is subject to a Heritage Conservation Covenant; or
• The property is subject to a Heritage Designation Bylaw; or
• The property is within the Heritage Conservation Area

A Heritage Review may not be required if the proposed development does not significantly affect the heritage attributes at the discretion of the Department Manager, Development Planning.

Policy 11.2.3. Identification and Evaluation of Kelowna Heritage Assets.
Use the Kelowna Heritage Register and the Heritage Conservation Areas Contributory Properties Schedule as the primary tools to identify heritage properties. Requests to consider a property’s justification for addition or removal from the above-mentioned lists, based on its heritage value, can be submitted to the City to be reviewed using a consistent evaluation criteria by a Qualified Heritage Professional (BCAHP).

The City will generally not support the removal of the heritage registered status or HCA contributory status for the purpose of facilitating demolition or major transformation. If a building is demolished or decommissioned, the listing on the Heritage Register may be maintained to recognize the heritage value of the site.

Policy 11.2.4. Kelowna Heritage Register Expansion.
Continue to maintain and update the Heritage Register in accordance with provisions of the Local Government Act and Heritage Conservation Act. Expand the Kelowna Heritage Register to include additional archaeological sites, landscapes, properties, structures and cemeteries. 

Policy 11.2.5. Legal Protection of Historic Places.
Prioritize and incentivize the legal protection of heritage assets including:

• A property listed on Kelowna’s Heritage Register
• A property that is deemed eligible for addition to the Heritage Register or HCA Contributory Schedule; or
• A Contributory Property in Kelowna’s Heritage Conservation Area

Using Local Government Act tools, including:

• Heritage Designation Bylaws;
• Heritage Revitalization Agreements; and
• Heritage Conservation Covenants.

Policy 11.2.6. Incentives for Heritage Conservation.
Provide incentives for proposals that involve conservation and legal protection of heritage assets (see Policy 11.2.5). The following incentives may be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• Additional permitted land uses;
• Small lot, non-standard and/or panhandle subdivision;
• Variances to the Zoning Bylaw;
• Increased density;
• Heritage financial supports.

The above incentives are special considerations for properties listed on the HCA Contributory Properties Schedule or on Kelowna’s Heritage Register. In the case of demolition or major transformation of these properties, these incentives will generally not be supported.

Policy 11.2.7. Retention of Historic Places.
Where legal protection is not possible or appropriate, incentivize, support and facilitate the retention of historic places in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, in which adaptive re-use and rehabilitation allow for contemporary, creative and innovative interventions and uses.

Policy 11.2.8. Heritage Retrofits. 
Explore opportunities to incentivize retrofits to heritage buildings that improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that do not negatively impact their exterior Character Defining Elements.  

Policy 11.2.9. Heritage Conservation and Climate.
Model and promote the conservation of existing buildings, infrastructure and landscapes as a crucial strategy to achieving a sustainable community and combating climate change. Acknowledging the increasingly stringent code and energy requirements that are impacting our ability to conserve existing buildings and materials - consider exploring and applying embodied carbon policies for existing buildings, a building relocation and salvage program, a circular economy strategy and deconstruction and material reuse policies and permits.

Policy 11.4.1. Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs).
Incentivize and prioritize the retention, maintenance and protection of the streetscapes, landscapes, cultural resources, properties, buildings and other contributory features, including character and sense-of-place, as per Kelowna's HCAs' Statement of Significance and Statement of Desired Future Character. 

Policy 11.4.2. HCA Guidelines.
Guide conservation and development in the Abbott Street and Marshall Street Heritage Conservation Areas using the HCA Conservation and Development Guidelines in OCP Chapter 23.

Policy 11.4.3. Historic Neighbourhoods Identification. 
Consider identifying additional historic Kelowna neighbourhoods, areas, districts, or clusters through the use of Historic Context Statements to raise public awareness, as possible additions to the Kelowna Heritage Register and to inform future area planning processes.