Councillors here are allowing the demolition of an 1870 stone house in Salem to facilitate construction of a new four-storey condominium near the Irvine gorge.
It was a quick decision by council on Feb. 16 regarding 19 Stumpf Street.
In his report to council chief building official Randy Bossence recommended Centre Wellington approve the issuance of a permit to demolish the single detached, two-storey dwelling.
“This building has been vacant for a lot of years – since the early 1980s,” Bossence told council.
“The house is in a very serious state of disrepair and has been home to several animals and has deteriorated beyond repair.”
The lot currently is slated for phase one of the Oxford Green Developments Inc. condominium project and the location of the house is where a second four-storey condominium building is planned.
Bossence said the request for demolition is two-fold: to make way for the future development and to remove a large liability issue for Oxford Green Developments.
Bossence said the two-storey house, built in 1870, is not recorded in the Township of Centre Wellington Municipal Heritage Register and it is not a Historically Designated Property.
However, Bossence said the property was brought before Heritage Centre Wellington for review. He said no objections were raised.
Councillor Don Fisher noted there was a similar stone house almost right beside this one. Although not currently occupied, Bossence said that building is in much better shape.
The building was recently purchased by Oxford Green Development and Bossence said the company is committed to restoring that building.
