The Region of Waterloo is looking for public input about whether to demolish two heritage homes in the Victoria Park neighbourhood in order to expand Joseph Schneider Haus, a neighbouring historic site.

In the late 1980s and early '90s, the city bought the two homes on Queen Street S. with plans to demolish the homes and expand Schneider Haus, but the whole neighbourhood was deemed a heritage conservation district in the mid-90s and the plans were put on hold, Kate Hagerman, cultural heritage supervisor for the Region of Waterloo told CBC News.

Those expansion plans are now being revisited with a consultation period ongoing until July 22, she said.

More land, more programs

Schneder Haus, completed in 1816, is the oldest house in the City of Kitchener and was home to the area's earliest non-Indigenous residents. The home was initially the centre of a 181-hectare farmstead, Hagermen said, and the development of the neighbourhood has started hem the property in.

"It's a great place to go, but it doesn't have the prominence that it could have," Hagerman said. "It would help to have more of a land base."

With increased space, Schneider Haus would be able to do more programming and teaching about what life was like in the 1850s.

Some of the goals would be to expand the garden space and fenced-in area, including a schtick, which Hagerman describes as a "larger, less formal garden."

The two Queen Street S. homes have heritage designation, but Hagerman isn't aware of any historic elements or notable former residents. Both properties are currently vacant and need repairs before they could be habitable.

The plans for Schneider Haus will be on display at the museum until July 22, feedback can be given there or online at http://www.engageregionofwaterloo.ca/.