ABERFOYLE – Puslinch council has deferred, for a second time, a decision to designate three heritage properties after the owners filed objections with the township.
Council first deferred its decision in March while designating 17 other properties that had been identified as historically significant.
Manan Trivedi, owner of 32 Brock Road North in Aberfoyle, delegated to council on May 22 asking for more time so he can understand the implications of a heritage designation and how it might affect his plan to grow his business.
The building was a schoolhouse from 1872, when it was constructed, until 1959, when a new school was built in Aberfoyle.
It is now home to Aberfoyle Chiropractic and Wellness. Trivedi said the building is charming and he loves it.
“I understand the value of preserving historical landmarks and my appreciation of the community has grown,” he said.
But repairing old buildings is costly as they often require specialists to carry out the work, he added.
And this building needs new windows, the basement is flooding, and it will soon need a new roof.
He’d like to add energy-efficient solutions and is worried a heritage designation would restrict his choices.
He’d also like to see some financial incentives if his property is eventually designated, like grants, a break in taxes or waiving fees for permits.
“I need more time to understand the effect of a heritage designation,” he said.
Councillor John Sepulis said he had heard from the owners of 4492 Watson Road South who shared similar concerns about a heritage designation. The Watson Road property was also a former schoolhouse.
The third property under consideration is at 43 McClintock Drive. This property was a hotel back in the 1900s, when fancy people travelled to Puslinch Lake to holiday.
Because of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, municipalities have until January to designate listed heritage homes and then they are off the register for five years.
The main concern is that without heritage protection, historic properties could be demolished.
Staff assured council there is still time to designate the three properties before the Jan. 1 deadline. So council agreed to one last reprieve for the owners.
The matter will return to council in June or July for a final decision.
