Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan Update

The Thornhill Heritage Conservation District was established by By-law 306-88, culminating a process that began in 1983 with By-law 198-83, by which Council declared its intent to conduct a study for future designation of a Heritage Conservation District in Thornhill. The consultant for the Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan was Phillip H. Carter, who concurrently prepared the study and plan for the Thornhill-Markham Heritage Conservation District. The Thornhill Heritage Conservation Districts were among the first in the province. The two municipalities acted together in recognition of the historic unity of the village.

In 2006, the City of Vaughan Council determined that after 20 years it was time to review and renew the Thornhill Vaughan Heritage Conservation District, and they again retained Phillip H. Carter as their consultant. The Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan was adopted in 2007 as Part Five of the Ontario Heritage Act. The study and plan provide data to support the designation of the Heritage Conservation District, and it established policies and guidelines for the preservation and enhancement of the heritage resources and character within the District. 

Since then, there have been changes in the District: new people, new buildings, and new changes in the Official Plan. Recognized as a tourist destination, local business hub and home to many, today the THCD Plan requires another update. The City of Vaughan is seeking ways to continue protecting properties and landscapes determined to be of cultural heritage value or interest, and the study will update the current planning framework, review applicable policies and amend existing cultural heritage assets within the study area.

Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Area Map

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The process of updating the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan has three main phases:

1. Review the plan’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT):  Q2 2025
2. Prepare the Study Report outlining the proposed updated plan: Q2 – Q4 2025
3. Finalize and present the updated plan: Q2 2026

The Stantec team, with the support of City Staff had conducted a site survey to review relevant historical material, and compilation of past and present planning applications within the THCD. Information including building heights, cladding, architectural style, age, and setback were digitally recorded during the site survey to identify patterns in the THCD which were then compiled into mapping, graphs, and written descriptions. 

Following this, a review of existing municipal policies and land uses, development patterns, landscaping, and infrastructure were completed. This information was presented at the Public Information Centre #1and to Heritage Vaughan.  The final updated Plan is currently underway and will be presented at Public Information Centre #2 in Q1 2026 followed by final presentation and approval at Council in Q2 2026. 

There will be further opportunities to have your say - and to provide input that will help shape the recommendations of the updated plan - at subsequent meetings in the near future. Check back again for details about these opportunities.

The City of Vaughan values the opinions of its residents and is committed to consulting with the community to obtain strategic advice and input into the Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan Update. The City has committed to the two-phase timeline for completing this very important project. 

You are encouraged to participate, and provide comments on the content of each phase of the proposed Plan Update.  Please compile your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback and email them to the project address at THCD-update@vaughan.ca. Your input will be collected and discussed at each public open house to be scheduled for the duration of this project. Check back on this page often for additional information and scheduling of this public open house online session.