The Village of Holden, located an hour southeast of Edmonton on Highway 14 with a population of 400, is developing a Municipal Heritage Management Plan. In 2011 the Village completed a combined Municipal Heritage Survey and Inventory but decided that before proceeding with the designation of Municipal Historic Resources it would be best to have a “recipe” for establishing a successful local heritage conservation program.
Throughout 2012, Village staff and the Holden Heritage Resources Committee will be working with a heritage consultant to develop a plan appropriate to the Village’s needs and objectives. Elements of the plan will include:
- a template bylaw for Municipal Historic Resource designations;
- a policy outlining the designation process and eligibility requirements;
- a terms of reference for the Holden Heritage Resources Committee (i.e. vision, mission);
- a procedure for reviewing requests to alter Municipal Historic Resources;
- a review of potential incentives (monetary and non-monetary) that the Village may offer to owners of Municipal Historic Resources; and
- an assessment of other municipal planning documents to see how heritage might be integrated with land-use and Village programs and services.
Over the course of this project, the greater community will also be engaged. Feedback from residents will be imperative for ensuring that the Heritage Management Plan appropriately serves the interests of residents and thereby conserves the valued places that make Holden a unique community.
Stay tuned throughout the year for updates on this project!
Written by: Brenda Manweiler, Municipal Heritage Services Officer
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It’s just great to hear what is happening in Holden! I also enjoyed their presentation at the October Heritage Conference. Please keep more stories like this about historical places in rural Alberta coming.
Jane Ross, Resident in Camrose County.
Hi Jane, We certainly will continue to post these types of stories. Thank you for letting us know that you enjoy them! Cheers, Brenda