ELORA – Centre Wellington council approved a number of demolition permits and heritage designations at the Jan. 21 meeting.
133 South River Road
Centre Wellington council approved a demolition permit for the property at 133 South River Road in former Nichol Township. The permit is to demolish the existing two-storey 4,000-square-foot single detached dwelling on the lot, including the foundation.
The house was built in 1988 and is not recorded in the Township of Centre Wellington Municipal Heritage Register and is not designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The house is currently vacant and the property owners would like to demolish it to make way so that the property can be redeveloped with a residential plan of subdivision in the future.
Council approved the issuance of a demolition permit, with councillors Kirk McElwain and Stephen Kitras in opposition.
242 Princess Street
Council approved the partial one-storey demolition of the rear addition at 242 Princess Street in Elora.
The property will remain on the Centre Wellington Municipal Heritage Register.
The property is listed on the Municipal Register of Cultural Heritage Properties but is not designated.
“The owner has requested demolition due to poor structural condition and plans to replace it with a new rear addition,” senior planner Mariana Iglesias wrote in her report to council.
“Since the subject property is listed, council can either allow demolition or propose to designate the property pursuant … of the Ontario Heritage Act to stop the demolition.”
The heritage committee reviewed the application and found that the property was on the municipal register due to the potential heritage value of the main portion of the house.
The committee and planning staff said they don’t think the demolition of the rear addition will negatively impact the balance of the property’s heritage value.
15 Water Street
Council approved the demolition of the barn at 15 Water Street in Elora. The remaining building will stay on the township’s heritage register; however, the building is not designated.
Demolition was requested due to poor structural conditions.
“Though the barn may have contributed to the property’s heritage value, the integrity of the barn has been compromised, rendering it unsafe and warranting its removal,” Iglesias wrote in her report.
“This has been confirmed by building division staff and a professional engineer.
“Planning staff and the heritage committee are of the opinion that demolition of the barn does not negatively impact the property’s remaining heritage value.
45 Colborne Street
Council designated 45 Colborne Street as a property of cultural heritage value and/or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The notice of intention to designate was published in the Sept. 7 issue of the Wellington Advertiser.
There was a 30-day appeal process and no notices of objection were received by the municipal clerk.
Templin Gardens
Council has also confirmed the designation of 209 Menzies Lane in Fergus (Templin Gardens) as a landscape of cultural significance. A notice of intention was included in the Sept. 7 issue of the Wellington Advertiser and a 30-day appeal period was identified.
There were no notices of objection.
Council approved the cultural significance designation.
195 Baker Street
Council also chose to state its intention to designate 195 Baker Street in Fergus under the Ontario Heritage Act.
“Staff and the heritage committee have evaluated the property’s cultural heritage value against the prescribed criteria set out in … the Ontario Heritage Act with the conclusion that the property merits designation,” Iglesias wrote.
Staff will state the notice of intention to designate the property and will bring forward a designation bylaw to a future meeting.
