A Piece of Heritage

Over the years Markham has become a safe haven for Heritage Homes. In a town increasingly blanketed with housing developments and subdivisions, the Markham Heritage Society was able to preserve some of our heritage by keeping a lot of homes from being demolished.
While many heritage homes are scattered all over Markham, one pocket was uniquely created for that purpose. Heritage Estates, which is located off 16th Ave just west of Markham Rd. has become a sanctuary of last resort for threatened historic houses and is very unique in North America. Created by the Town of Markham, the neighbourhood includes 38 homes and has room for 5 more. Among these are a number of homes built by the Berczy Settlers, their descendents and some of the Pennsylvania German Settlers attracted to Markham by the existing German settlement.

The lots in the town owned subdivision are sold to owners of heritage buildings at below market value with the caveat that the heritage properties are relocated to the site and restored. The savings on the price of the building lot is designed to offset the cost of relocating the structure to the subdivision. The sale of the lots is also conditional on the completion of period landscaping as part of the restoration to insure that the buildings sit on those lots are keeping with the historic nature of the building.
For more heritage homes locations visit the following website: http://www.historictours.ca/default.asp


Did you know? Heritage property owners get tax relief
A number of Ontario municipalities have initiated programs to provide tax relief, grants and loans to heritage property owners. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, municipalities can not only pass bylaws to formally designate properties of cultural heritage value or interest, but they also have the authority to offer financial relief to designated heritage property owners such as Heritage Property Tax Reduction Program, Heritage Loan Program, Commercial Façade Improvement Grant and Commercial Signage Replacement Grant.
Note that programs vary from one municipality to another and may exist in one, while not in another. If more authoritative information is required, reference should be made to the relevant legislation or to the municipal office in which the property is located. In all cases however, to be eligible for the programs the property must be designated under Part IV (individual property designations) or Part V (heritage conservation districts) of the Ontario Heritage Act.
For eligibility check with the town of Markham: http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Heritage/

Alon Hillel
Sales Representative
www.GetBenczik.com