Should Cookstown become heritage district?

Simcoe.com February 5 2013

COOKSTOWN — Cookstown residents, landlords and business owners are being asked if the village core should be protected by becoming a Heritage Conservation District.

The Town of Innisfil is in the first phase of a study to determine the ideas is warranted, desirable and supported by the local community, a town media release states.

Residents are invited to share their thoughts and ideas at a public information session on Tuesday Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m., at the Cookstown Public Library, 20 Church St. in Cookstown. 

Representatives from the Town of Innisfil and MMM Group Ltd., a consultant hired by the town, will provide information about what a Heritage Conservation District is and gage community support of the project. 

“We’re hoping people will attend with lots of questions and ideas,” says Coun. Lynn Dollin.  “We encourage your input because we know that the Village of Cookstown is a special place and we want this to be a “made in Cookstown,” plan.”  

The town’s heritage committee first suggested creating a heritage district in March 2010. A designation under the Ontario Heritage Act would require the town to pass bylaws to protect buildings along County Road 89 and restrict the types of development allowed in the area.

Residents may also provide their ideas or input by sending written comments or questions, until Monday, April 1 by emailing: ecdo@innisfil.ca or by letter to Cookstown HCD Study c/o 2101 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil, Ontario  L9S 1A1. You can also call Don Eastwood, director of Development at 705-436-3740 Ext. 1501.

Visit www.innisfil.ca for background information and a copy of a presentation (available Feb. 20). 

A second Public Information Session, where MMM Group Ltd. will present their findings to residents, will take place on Tuesday, March 26.  The location will be announced at a later date.