ELORA – Centre Wellington council has approved the demolition of a heritage building at 19 Mill Street East here.
The property is also the site of a proposal from Oxford Green Riverside Developments for a five-storey building with ground level commercial units, 18 condo units above and 21 parking spaces underground.
The demolition was approved because of extensive deterioration of the stucco-clad brick building, including water damage, termites and a compromised foundation.
The council decision on July 31 followed a two-hour discussion on the matter during the heritage committee meeting on July 18.
“It was an emotional conversation,” said Mayor Shawn Watters, and the necessary demolition is a “very sad thing.”
The two-storey single-detached home was built in about 1879.
Demolition was approved on the conditions that original materials from the home will be retained as possible, a commemoration strategy will be in place, and there will be photo documentation.
The owner of the property attended the heritage meeting and expressed agreement to the conditions.
A second heritage building on the property, built around the same date, will undergo a partial demolition.
The parts that will be demolished are newer additions, and the original stone building will be restored, with plans for it to possibly become a restaurant.
Both buildings have significant heritage value, but their condition is not good enough to warrant further protection, according to an assessment completed by Tacoma Engineers Inc.
The stone building will remain on the Municipal Heritage Register while the stucco-clad brick building will be removed from the register.
“Unfortunately what you’d have to do to bring it up to any standards would negate its history,” Watters said.
The full demolition is the priority of the two as its present condition is a safety hazard, officials say.
The timeline for the partial-demolition is not yet known, but it is not imminent.
The two-storey single-detached home will be replaced with a similar building that replicates the original.
