A member of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario is happy to hear the City of Owen Sound is considering a tax rebate for heritage properties.
John Harrison — a member of Heritage Georgian Bluffs — says it will help preserve a part of the City’s history.
City Council still must decide whether to offer a 10 per cent or 40 per cent rebate on the municipal portion of the tax bill.
Harrison feels the City should keep the range and not limit the program.
That way, He says the City can establish categories because not every heritage property is the same.
Harrison says the tax rebate is a good partnership with the province since the government will rebate the same percentage of the education tax rate.
There are 23 properties in Owen Sound that would be eligible for a rebate.
Harrison says people shouldn’t feel it’s a beauty contest that characterizes a heritage property.
He says there is a system in place that recognizes the authenticity of the building and looks at its meaning to the community.
