A councillor on the city's planning committee is concerned that a proposal by staff to soften a bylaw that requires property owners to heat vacant heritage buildings could be a move in the wrong direction.

"We really need to look at what we're doing in terms of protecting and preserving heritage buildings in the city, especially vacant ones," said Coun. Stephen Turner. "I don't think we've had a very good track record so far. So I'm a little apprehensive when it's suggested we should be reducing the restrictions."

Notice of the proposed change to the city's property standards bylaw is on the agenda of today's meeting of London's advisory committee of heritage (LACH). It's also expected to be on the agenda at a future community and protective services committee meeting.

Ward 11 Coun. Stephen Turner says London doesn't have the best track record when it comes to preserving vacant heritage buildings. (City of London)

Sect. 52 of the bylaw requires property owners to heat and ventilate heritage buildings — even vacant ones — to prevent moisture damage caused by changes in temperature and humidity.

The proposed change would instead require property owners to provide a report by "a team of professionals specializing in building science and heritage conservation" on the best way to provide heating and ventilation solutions to preserve the building.

A note coming to LACH by Orest Katolyk, the city's head of bylaw enforcement, says the change will allow staff to evaluate each building on a case-by-case basis "since there are so many variables which affect the performance of each interior space once a building is vacant and secured."

In November, city inspectors found that the Wright Lithographic building at 424 Wellington St. had no heating equipment inside. The building, owned by Farhi Holdings Corporation , is a heritage-designated structure that's been vacant for years.

In December, the city issued an order calling for the building's owner to install heating equipment. The company has appealed that order.

Turner says he's leery of any change that would scale back rules to preserve heritage buildings. He said owners who buy heritage structures should know what they're getting into.

"When property owners recognize that they have a heritage building, they have a certain obligation to the maintenance and preservation of that building," he said.

"That fact that some choose not to respect some of the rules that are in place, those things concern me."