The former Erin Public School building is set to be demolished this fall in order to build a townhouse complex.
New owners Tom Dolson and Joe Dettbarn purchased the property in July and intend to build homes for entry level home owners and seniors.
The pair, as well as architect Mark Krapez, attended a Town of Erin Heritage Committee meeting on July 24 to provide an overview of Kensington Square Developments, the name of the project.
The presentation to the committee was a courtesy as the property does not have a heritage designation.
But Dolson said he wanted to work with the heritage committee.
“We wanted input from (the heritage committee),” he said in an interview with the Advertiser.
“It’s not designated heritage, it’s not on the heritage list, but we understand the attachment of the site and the building.”
Dolson added they will try to incorporate the “boys” and “girls” entrance signs into the new development, and they are also open to other ideas for heritage preservation.
Erin council decided in August 2015 not to designate the 1924 brick school as a heritage structure in order not to discourage a potential purchaser.
At the time, councillor Jeff Duncan advocated for listing the property on a heritage list, saying there were not many pre-1930s buildings in Erin.
The Main Street building has been sitting empty for years. It closed in 2000 when the school moved to a new location.
In 2003, a heritage study was completed by heritage planning consultant Paul Dilse, who recommended the town establish an inventory of heritage properties and that historic schools be considered first for inclusion on the inventory.
From 2005 to 2007, public meetings were held for rezoning the property so that owner Gary Langen could develop an apartment complex. In May 2007 the rezoning was granted.
Langen’s plan was to incorporate the character of the old school into new apartments with an addition that would mirror the style.
“It’s in a sad state of disrepair, the actual building and … currently it’s a big liability to us and the town,” said Dolson.
“It’s being breached on a regular basis.”
Dolson said the first step is to put up plywood hoarding fence and install security cameras to deter any further vandalism to the site.
The demolition will take about six to eight weeks to complete this fall.
The site will then need a servicing study to determine how many units can be built on the 2.5-acre property.
“I have a hunch it will be between 40 and 50 town houses in the first two phases,” said Dolson.
While plans are just conceptual at this point, Dolson said there will be three phases that will include back-to-back townhomes. Two phases will likely be on septic.
“The third phase won’t occur until sewers are put in, that’s when the site will be built out,” he said.
Dolson said he is looking to provide properties for entry level homeowners and seniors. He added the houses will likely be for sale next year.
