Centre Wellington council has given its approval for the removal of a part of a wall at the old Fergus swimming pool – despite a last minute glitch that left several councillors puzzled.
Council was in committee of the whole on Monday, and facing a recommendation from Heritage Centre Wellington to permit the removal of 15 feet of the old brick privacy fence at the pool at 190 St. David Street.
Chief Building Inspector Bob Foster told council the building had been designated for heritage before council had sold the land several years ago. He said the entrance off Queen Street needs to be widened to accommodate parking, and Heritage Centre Wellington approved that proposal.
The problem was an email Foster received that morning from a woman who asked that the proposal deferred for a month so she can complete a business plan for the property.
Foster said, to the bemusement of councillors, the woman “had not had any discussions with the owner.”
Councillor Fred Morris said he had spoken with the woman that day, and she had expressed an interest in the property, and it is important to her that the wall remain attached if she is to buy it.
Morris conceded, “I know that property has sat for some time,” but he asked council to delay a decision for 30 days.
But realtor Eric Van Grootheest was in the audience and told council, “We’ve had the property for sale for three years.”
He added that when the property was rezoned, that issue should have been discussed. He said that the company selling the property has a firm offer “with no escape clause.”
He said, “Please don’t hold this up.”
Councillor Walt Visser said council would set “a dangerous precedent when we let an outside party dictate what we can do.”
Morris noted the property “is for sale.”
But Van Grootheest said there is a conditional offer with no escape clause on it. “The offer is already accepted.”
Morris asked what the purpose is for tearing down the wall.
Foster said the applicant has spent money for a site plan and that was developed for the applicant’s use. He said finalizing a site plan is part of the condition of sale.
Councillor Steve Vanleeuwen said the new owner of the property should decide if the wall comes down. He added that if the owner “changes his deal, that’s not council’s decision. Our question today is what the owner is asking us to do with this property.”
Councillor Kelly Linton, who sits on Heritage Centre Wellington, said that group did not believe the wall is important to the heritage features of the property.
But Morris said when Heritage Centre Wellington was asked to approve the proposal it was understood there would be renovations for a commercial enterprise. He said he had heard the owner is now proceeding with renovations prior to the sale. He asked again why the wall was going to be torn out.
Van Grootheest explained the current owner brought the proposal to council on behalf of the prospective buyer. Also, the woman who suddenly suggested plans for the property “wants recreational use” and that would be against the stated wishes of council, which wants the property to become a commercial use.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj told council it has “an actual owner making the request.” She added there is a week between the committee decision and council’s ratification of the request to remove the wall.
Visser said council should proceed.
Councillor Kirk McElwain agreed, but said it should be a condition that the wall not be removed until the sale is completed.
Van Grootheest said that is what is planned, and there would be “no alterations until the site plan is finalized under new ownership.”
Ross-Zuj said that is reasonable. The committee gave its permission to remove the wall once the sale is completed.
Van Grootheest said the building would be restored back to its original colours. “It’s going to look pretty good.
Council passed the agreement unanimously.
