A demolition request for a home at 645 Perry Street in Fergus is deferred pending further information being brought forward to council.
Information sought includes verification of ownership of the building – which is key to arguments made for the building’s preservation.
On June 25, councillors reviewed a recommendation that council authorize the demolition of the dwelling and accessory structure Perry Street.
The property would need to be removed from the municipal registry of cultural heritage properties before demoltion could occur.
Centre Wellington planner Mariana Iglesias explained the property is currently for sale and a conditional offer on the property is premised on the demolition approval.
Demolition would allow construction of a new dwelling where the current dwelling is located, as well as a second dwelling to the north on the adjacent lot that forms part of the subject property.
The property consists of three lots of record with one municipal address. The existing house is located near the centre of the property.
Iglesias said the southern lot has already been sold for redevelopment.
The intent of the demolition is to build a new home on the central lot and one on the northern lot.
Iglesias noted the house was constructed circa 1875.
“While it has some heritage value given its age, staff and Heritage Centre Wellington do not believe it … warrants designation at this time as it is not a unique example of this type or style of dwelling,” she said.
The building is not considered a significant landmark, nor does it relay significant information about the development of the town regarding ownership – “based on the information we’ve recieved.”
Iglesias said the matter was placed on the Heritage Centre Wellington agenda for the June 12 meeting.
She added there was no opposition or additional information made available at that time.
She said that after a site visit and reviewing the information, the recommendation is that council approve the demolition, as there is insufficient information for heritage designation.
Historical Value:
The property currently supports a 1.5 storey wood frame dwelling thought to have been constructed around 1875.
Iglesias said research indicates the property changed ownership numerous times since the house was constructed.
While there is a historical marker on the front façade that states “1871, Henry Ing, Farmer, ‘Kilmartin House’”, Iglesias said the list of owners indicates that the lot on which the house currently sits, Lot 60, was never owned by Henry Ing.
An adjacent lot to the south was owned by Ing but no dwelling was ever constructed on it.
That lot is still vacant.
While Iglesias agreed the structure would contribute to the historic streetscape of modest late 19th and early 20th century homes, the neighbourhood is rapidly changing due to redevelopment that has occurred or is occurring in the area.
“While the subject property is an early residence in the township, it is not rare or unique and does not display particular design value or a high degree of craftsmanship,” she said.
Iglesias stated there are many other examples of such structures in the township.
Carol Williams appeared before council in defence of the building’s preservation.
She said much of her information was provided by local historian Pat Mestern.
Williams said the home on Perry Street was the home of a servant of James Perry who helped found the Fergus Curling Club.
Perry’s servant was Henry Ing. She believed Ing’s wife was of First Nations ancestry – though agreed it had yet to be proven.
She contended all this occurred on what was once a large First Nations village – and the area known as Beaver Meadows Swamp – is now the site of the Victoria Woods subdivision.
Williams said there was no respect for First Nations at that time. She contended many graves were dug up and artifacts removed, such as arrowheads.
Williams contended this is regarded as sacred lands by First Nations.
Additionally, Williams said that based on previous council actions some residents believe there is little which can be done to save the structure.
“The developer probably doesn’t know how important this property is to the development of Fergus and the First Nations,” she said.
She believed many people in Fergus would be willing to donate time, offer advice and fundraise.
She suggested that if preserved, the building could be used as a place of learning.
Williams said she had already consulted Six Nations with respect to the property. She then asked for deferral until further examination.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked why the informationpresented by Williams was missing from the staff report.
Iglesias said the information presented by staff was generated by the Wellington County archives.
She said that on the official land abstracts, which start with Perry, there is no mention of Ing as the property owner.
She agreed that while there is a historical plaque on the door, the archives confirm that Henry Ing probably never owned this property.
Councillor Fred Morris was concerned that properties are being placed on the heritage register – only to be removed.
“This pattern is indicating to me there is no significance (in such a designation),” he said.
Morris said the entire process of how the township protects heritage properties is concerning.
“Is there any way to do this better?” he asked.
Iglesias explained placing properties on the register is the fastest way to protect properties.
This allows 60 days for review – otherwise the existing demoliton control bylaw only allows half that time for review, Iglesias said.
She added the building code only provides for a 10-day review period.
The alternative, she said, is a complete and thorough review of every property before its addition to the registry to ensure it is worthy.
But that process is roughly the same required for official heritage designation.
She noted Centre Wellington’s process is similar to many municipalities where the registry adds as many properties as possible with potential heritage value – which provides the 60-day review.
“Is there a better way?” she asked. “Yes.
“You can evaluate all the properties individually but it would require a significant amount of time – and we couldn’t do that with the resources we have.”
Iglesias contended to accomplish that goal, outside consultants would need to be hired to systematically review every property under the Heritage Act.
Currently the township has just under 1,000 properties listed on the municipal heritage register.
Morris asked if the main purpose of the register is to extend the period before demolition.
Iglesias said the 10 days provided under the building code is not enough time to review a heritage building demolition application.
Iglesias said a title search indicated Ing never owned the property.
However, she said staff could attempt to determine the validity of the information provided by Williams.
Iglesias noted the information from the archives was based on the handwritten land abstracts.
Mayor Kelly Linton noted this was reviewed by Heritage Centre Wellington.
Councillor Don Fisher stated the review was based on existing information and that if there was additional information, the opinion could change.
Council deferred the matter pending additional information.
