First reading was given for the by-law 'Heritage Homes District Overlay' at the City of Morden's regular council meeting this week.

"Heritage Homes are expensive to maintain and keep up," said Mayor Ken Wiebe.

Wiebe said they've been taking information from other communities and using that for this by-law. He added one of the ways to maintain the heritage home is make it into a business.

"If you can have someone have a business in it and is willing to maintain it in its glorious splender," said Wiebe. ''It keeps the home standing it keeps it in good shape, and still adds character to your community.

The overlay by-law also provides heritage home properties additional development opportunities, in those circumstances where the underlying zoning district restricts otherwise compatible development.

There are a number of heritage homes in the City and this is a proactive measure taken by the City.

Wiebe said the city is based on its roots and they showcased that Monday with the unveiling of new plaques in Confederation park. These plaques feature how Morden residents were part of WWI and WWII.

"Some of the homes that we have in the community were built during the time that those guys went away," Wiebe said, in reference to the people who sacrificed their lives in the conflicts. "We still have those homes and they are still looking very nice. They just give your community some character."