Overview

-- The purpose of these Design Guidelines is to serve as a reference for anyone contemplating alterations or new development within the Downtown Collingwood Heritage Conservation District. They are not intended to be restrictive, but to clarify and illustrate, in a useful way, the recognizable heritage characteristics found in the District.

-- The real guidelines are provided by the existing heritage buildings themselves, and the real test of a new building is whether or not it shows “good architectural manners” towards its heritage neighbours. Wherever possible, we have used the buildings of Collingwood to illustrate these Design Guidelines. There are darts among the laurels in the illustrations and their captions. The authors ask that their critical notes not be taken harshly, as their intent is not to spread blame over the past, but to offer guidance for the future.

-- The District Plan examines the past but faces the future. It recognizes that change must and will come in a living and evolving Town. The objective of these Guidelines is not to prevent change, but to ensure that change is complementary to the heritage character of the District, and enhances its architectural and economic value.

-- The Design Guidelines are divided into the following sections:

Townscapes
Existing Heritage Buildings
Existing Non-Heritage Buildings
New Development
Opportunity Areas
Construction Materials Checklist

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