The City of Kingston is using all measures possible to preserve the Old Sydenham Heritage Conservation District.

Yet the Village of Portsmouth in Kingston is facing the demolition of a landmark; the privatization of the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and a park; intensification, with at least three 25-storey residential towers on the grounds of Kingston Penitentiary; the construction of a new high-rise hotel; the widening of an existing road and the addition of new roads; a high-rise condo on the grounds of the Prison for Women...

The following City of Kingston document outlines the many reasons why Old Sydenham must be saved. Many of the reasons why Sydenham should be saved, also apply to the Village of Portsmouth.

The Old Sydenham Heritage Conservation District

a.) The district is a stable, pedestrian-focused historic neighbourhood of human scale which is a significant heritage resource to be conserved and protected from proposed changes that could undermine its heritage attributes, including:

• varied ages, styles and types of buildings;
• important civic buildings, including the courthouse and registry office, churches and a school,within a residential neighbourhood;
• landmark buildings that dominate the skyline;
• prominent buildings at street corners;
• protected views to the lake and parks;
• tree-lined streets and dominating rear yards;
• historic landscape elements 
• a generally high standard of care and maintenance for buildings and landscapes;
• physical evidence of historical associations with every stage of Kingston's history;
• proximity to the downtown major institutions (hospitals and a university) and the lake.

b.) The District is intended to remain a stable area that conserves its heritage resources.

(From: Page 153 - City of Kingston Official Plan  Amendments, Number 50.)

       (Old Sydenham is a designated Heritage Conservation District. The Government of Ontario will not permit the demolition of landmarks, construction of high-rise buildings that block important views, rampant intensification, etc. on properties that are listed on the Heritage Conservation
 District Registry. Why is the Village of Portsmouth not protected by the Province?-ASC, creator of this blog savecfbrockcliffe.)

Changes to the Marina at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour

543. Add new Section 3.9.B.1 to read:

Permitted use in the the Marina area include:

---existing docking or mooring facilities
---vehicular or boat storage area
---the display or retailing of marine supplies, products or provisions including food and sundries as well as accommodations and restaurants that compliment or support the marina use.
---Public access to some sections and waterfront areas of marina sites will be permitted, subject  to ensuring that public safety is addressed for both the marina operation and the public at large. (Emphasis mine-ASC, creator of this blog savecfbrockcliffe- Signs will be posted that say "No trespassing" and "private property". As long as Fisheries and Oceans Canada owns the land, the area is public property.)

(From: Page 91 - City of Kingston Official Plan Amendments, Number 50.)
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The pink-coloured area on this map includes the former Kingston Penitentiary and the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. This is  a "Heritage Corridor" where massive redevelopment will take place.

165. Add new Section 2.2.7. under new sub-heading "Centres and Corridors" to read::

"These will be areas where intensification will be focused, and where greater densities of residential and non-residential development will be permitted".
(From: Page 36 - City of Kingston Official Plan Amendments - Number 50.)