first known duplexes built in the community. Photo courtesy of Chatham-Kent Municipal Heritage Registry.
Municipal officials are looking for the public’s say on protecting historic properties across Chatham-Kent.
An online survey has been launched to provide input on a draft heritage policy, which was developed in collaboration with CK’s Municipal Heritage Committee and input from the community from a previous survey conducted in the fall of 2024.
According to Mayor Darrin Canniff, the new policy will enhance the way decisions are made about which heritage buildings are significant enough to conserve for future generations, and how to manage potential changes to heritage buildings.
“Chatham-Kent features an amazing diversity of interesting and unique heritage buildings that remind us of our history and reflect our identity as a community.” Canniff said in a news release.
“The goal of this survey is to ask the community ‘Did we get the draft policy right? Did we miss anything?” added Gabriel Clarke, Manager of Growth & Sustainability. “This is a rare opportunity to update a policy that will have a major impact on the future of Chatham-Kent’s heritage buildings, so it’s really important we hear from our residents.”
The draft policy, a summary of the draft policy, and the survey itself can be found on the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent website with submissions being accepted through July 31.