Ward Heritage Conservation District Plan

The Ward is a unique Guelph neighbourhood with a rich mix of history, culture, and community spaces that many people love and value.

We are developing a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) plan for the western part of Ward to help protect the buildings, spaces, and landscape features that matter most to the community, while supporting the neighbourhood’s continued growth and evolution.

How can I participate right now?

If you were not able to make the Open House on March 30, 2026, you can review the open house boards and info slides to learn more about the Ward HCD, draft policies and guidelines for contributing and non-contributing properties, and the City’s Heritage Permit Process.

Take the survey from March 31 to April 21 to share your feedback!

Where we are in the process

Since 2024, the City of Guelph has been working on a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study and Plan in the western part of the Ward. In Spring of 2025, City staff presented the first phase of the Ward West Heritage Conservation District project to City Council. This first phase, the Study, involved detailed research and community engagement to understand the objectives, heritage values and heritage attributes that the community feels are important for a potential Heritage Conservation District in this area of the Ward.

This engagement period helped identify the unique character and heritage value of the area and helped recommend a boundary for a potential Heritage Conservation District. Council approved the Study and the boundary, confirmed the District be named “The Ward Heritage Conservation District”, and directed staff to move forward with preparing the HCD Plan, which we are now working on.

The HCD Boundary 

The Ward Heritage Conservation District is located in the western part of the Ward and is generally bounded by the Speed and Eramosa Rivers to the west and south, and Morris Street to the east. The northern boundary follows Ferguson Street to Huron Street northwards including the 100 Steps and the railroad tracks. The HCD boundary is outlined on this map: 

Please note: This project began in an older version of our website. Some of the tools and information may appear different than originally designed.