LETTER: BID TO DEDESIGNATE HERITAGE HOME PUTS OTHER LANDMARKS AT RISK

LETTER TO EDITOR:

Preserving heritage in Gravenhurst is always a challenge.

Now the issue is the application by the owner of the former Vincent/Fry residence, at First and Royal streets, to have its status as a municipally designated heritage property repealed.

Council is being asked to reverse its 2019 designation in order for the sale of the downtown property.

Certainly, the owner is within their rights to make this application step, albeit with a flawed deposition.

One might expect, however, that the Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) would have the courage of its convictions and recommend to council, whom it advises, that the designation stand.

An application to designate at heritage home threatens 18 other historic town properties, including the Opera House, train station and Scott Hall at the former Ontario Fire College which could be sold with the same designation.

At the publicly-streamed committee of the whole meeting of Gravenhurst town council Nov. 16 no such case was made.

There was no substantial defence from the MHC spokesperson, nor council’s liaison to the MHC.

Nor from any one councillor.

Councillors moved eagerly for a motion to expedite a repeal.

The elephant in the room is that silly season is upon us. Municipal elections are less than a year away.

Council (the vote being overwhelmingly in favour of the applicant) has promoted an individual’s economic rights over the collective rights of the community to preserve history.

Should there be any doubt, the residence meets two of three criteria for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act (it need meet only one).

In 2019 the owner enthusiastically agreed to designation and council proceeded.

I hope that each and every councillor can now account for this unmerited about face.

Currently the municipal register identifies 18 designated municipal heritage properties.

Dedesignation is not unprecedented in Gravenhurst, the Gateway Arch being a case in point but are, all municipal designations now at risk?

Is heritage legislation toothless?

Colin Old

Severn Bridge

Colin Old is a member of the Municipal Heritage Committee and voted against dedesignation. His letter is his own and does not represent the MHC. A final council decision is expected Nov. 30.