Ross Street here is soon going to be just a memory.
On April 30, Centre Wellington council authorized Pearle Hospitality’s demolition application for properties at 15, 18, 19, 21, 23 and 25 Ross Street in Elora.
The properties slated for demolition are part of the property being developed in conjunction with the Elora Mill on the north side of the Grand River.
The development on both sides of the river will include a mix of commercial hotel, retail, office and residential uses.
The owner has said the demolition will allow more efficient and practical redevelopment of the Ross Street portion of the site.
A report to council on April 23 stated “the owner is proposing instead to put the significant resources and effort required for rehabilitation into the Walser building ruin and the former Little Folks administration building at the east end of the site.”
The report to council states the demolitions represent a cultural heritage loss, “but even with the loss of the Ross Street properties, in whole or in part, the historic residential fabric remains and can still be understood by looking to the larger cultural heritage landscape that has residential lots and homes of similar age and design from Carlton Place to McNab Street.”
The report also states, “The development of the under-utilized site balances the retention of important industrial heritage resources and reconnects it with the existing core of the village.”
After considerable discussion, Heritage Centre Wellington recommended council not oppose the demolition request but asked that a commemoration strategy and complete photo and archival documentation be submitted prior to the redevelopment of the site.
A structural report on 23 and 25 Ross Street conclude “it is possible to move both of the structures but significant restoration, renovation and reinforcing will be required to render them useful as commercial occupancy buildings” and “extensive remedial work would be required.”
The estimated cost to move the buildings and place them on new foundations is about $300,000 each – whether on or off site.
Impassioned pleas to save the buildings were made by local heritage activists, who contended council did not have the authority to allow the demolition, which they considered to be a gutting of local heritage.
Councillor Fred Morris said one delegate suggested council did not have the necessary information to ensure that in approving the demolition and planning decision council was meeting its statutory obligations and ethical responsibilities under the Ontario Planning Act, provincial policy statements and applicable official plans.
Centre Wellington’s managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon explained the authority for demolitions comes from the Building Code and the chief building official has an obligation to issue a permit … like any other permit … if it complies with applicable law.
Centre Wellington also has a demolition control bylaw to give councillors time to review such requests. It allows council the option to refuse to issue a permit and designate the property and place it onto the municipal register of heritage properties.
Salmon said all of the properties were reviewed by the heritage committee – and a heritage impact assessment was created by a professional consulting firm. He said if the properties were deemed significant, the desired outcome would be conservation.
“The decision as to what is significant and what is not … rests with council,” said Salmon. He stressed the issue is a demolition application, not a planning matter.
“The authority is pretty clear,” Salmon said.
The planning application for the Little Folks lands was approved by council in 2012 and a zoning bylaw in 2013.
“The applicant has simply made an application to demolish these structures.”
At the end of discussion, and with a recorded vote Mayor Kelly Linton and councillors Dean Workman, Stephen Kitras, Steven VanLeeuwen and Fred Morris authorized the demolition.
Language in the motion also agreed with the recommendations for dismantling, salvage and photo documentation of the properties as outlined in the Heritage Impact Assessment and that a commemoration strategy be submitted for approval to Heritage Centre Wellington prior to final site plan approval for redevelopment of the Elora South Inc. lands.
Before discussion began councillor Don Fisher declared a conflict of interest and left the chamber during discussion and voting. Councillor Kirk McElwain was absent.
Mayor Linton noted, “It’s very exciting this project is moving ahead on the south side.”
