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Jay Contracting 905-616-3150 Phoenix Renovations a 905-808-7820 Star Finish Carpentry 905-339-8248 Vanden Noort Home Improvements 905-842-2868 HOME RENOVATIONS Ruby Renovations 905-691-0124 www.rubyrenovations.com PAINTING Allen's & Sons Construction Ltd. 416-873-8857 Ely Building Contractors/Painters 416-399-6075 Halton Painting & Decorating 905-339-0952 Inter-Can r Painting Inc. 905-469-0092 Let's Remodel 905-208-8335 www.letsremodel.ca Paint All 905-822-9338 Richard Professional Painting 647-449-1775 Royal Decorating 905-827-5584 Taylor Contracting 905-822-4685 PAVING C. Valley Paving 905-637-0155 ext. 301 REUPHOLSTERY Ray's Upholstery 416-318-3152 WINDOWS/EAVES Soften That Spot 905-338-8942 It's all about protection Help the Oakville Blades Continued from page 1 BEAT CANCER! Support Cancer Research Support Youth Development Support Your Community! Get your 2012 Oakville Blades Jr. A Hockey Raffle Tickets TODAY! Pin i k In I Th T e Rin i k Game Jan. 27/ 7/2012 See full Home Improvements section in The Oakville Beaver every Thursday erty within that district and if you are putting an addition on it, you would still require a permit, which is there to ensure the character of the area is maintained. "This would be no different in the downtown core. Right now, you have individually-designated properties covered by a permit process. If there was a district created, properties within that district would be covered by a set of guidelines." Hannah said public consultation has only just begun with a kickoff meeting, held in November 2011, attracting many interested and concerned stakeholders. Mailing lists have been created to keep these stakeholders informed and workshops have been planned for the new year to bring residents together in smaller groups to talk about the study and their concerns. "For the first meeting, we heard mostly concerns and that wasn't unexpected," said Hannah. "I think there are other people out there who are probably supportive of looking at a district for all or part of the core and we will hear from them as the study goes on." Hannah is hopeful the completed study will come before council for a decision before next summer. Harry Barrett of the Oakville Historical Society (OHS) said the downtown Oakville area needs to be made into a heritage conservation district to ensure its unique character cannot be negatively altered. "Obviously, it will make an excellent heritage district. I think 14 or 15 of the buildings there are designated heritage buildings," he said. "Right now somebody could come in and, other than those 14 or 15 buildings, tear everything down and start over again and put anything in there. That's a danger. That has always been a danger. There has to be more to life than the all mighty dollar." Barrett said people get the wrong impression when it comes to heritage designation. "Just look around and see what we've done in the last 10 years. Take a look at how buildings have been put up and changed," said Barrett. "As long as these changes are compatible with the heritage district, it's fine. It only affects the exterior of the buildings anyhow. They can do whatever they want inside." Barrett said he owns property in the area and is not concerned. Other stakeholders are more wary. The Downtown BIA has refrained from taking an official position, stating it needs more information. Meetings between the Town and the Downtown BIA are planned for the new year. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce also said more information is necessary. "We need to understand the implications of it because we're not clear on exactly what it means and we want to understand those implications before we take a formal position," said John Sawyer, Oakville Chamber of Commerce president. "We are concerned about costs and red tape and unintended consequences. We did do a business survey not too long ago and it was clear there were concerns about red tape and we would hate to see another layer on top of what exists. The other thing is that given the current economic climate, is this the time to be imposing more costs on business and the community because there will be a cost to this?"