Heritage Designation cause for concern...Elmira Independent

Heritage designation causes concern
Published - Sep 21st, 2009By Gail Martin Weekender Editor

A proposal to designate the West Montrose area as a Cultural Heritage Landscape is causing some concern among West Montrose residents.Approximately 150 residents came out to a meeting, sponsored by the West Montrose Residents’ Association (also known as BridgeKeepers) held on the covered bridge.They were there to hear professor Robert Shipley present the findings from his study that suggests that the West Montrose area would be an ideal Cultural Heritage Landscape.The meeting also involved the presentation of a short DVD, one that highlighted BridgeKeepers’ concerns about a large gravel pit proposed for the West Montrose area.The video was met with support, with prolonged clapping from the audience.However, while there was support for the opposition to the Capital Paving gravel pit, there were many who were concerned about the Cultural Heritage Landscape designation, and what restrictions it could place on their homes.Shipley told residents that his study, which included extensive interviews with area residents, as well as an interactive web site, showed that most residents think the West Montrose Covered Bridge, and the surrounding landscape, are “significant.” His recommendation, made to Woolwich council earlier this year, is to declare a large portion of the West Montrose area as a Cultural Heritage Landscape, and use a variety of controls, such as a Heritage District designation, to “manage change” in the area.It was this last part that seemed to cause residents the most concern.While Shipley suggested that the designation is “not to prevent change, but to give the community a means to manage change,” several residents were not convinced.Les Bauman asked if there would be restrictions on what kinds of trees and flowers he could plant on his property. Shipley said that while such a restriction is rare, it could happen, depending on what is agreed to in the designation.“Typically, it deals almost entirely with the visible part of the house,” said Shipley, who said there could be restrictions on facades, or where a skylight could be placed in a home.“I can’t believe that,” said Bauman.Shipley noted that there are restrictions placed on us in many different ways, including requirements to get building permits, or restrictions on speed on roads.“We live with restrictions,” said Shipley.It was also noted that the Heritage District may only deal with the older portion of the community, not necessarily the newer homes at the north end of the village.Council is expected to deal with Shipley’s report sometime this fall, after township staff has completed its review.