St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is asking the city to pay for a heritage study it needs as part of a plan to demolish three houses it owns on Yarmouth Street.
The church’s plan is to develop the properties into more affordable housing units.
The church says it cannot afford the study, which is required before the three properties can be demolished.
The three properties are located at 62, 68 and 74/76 Yarmouth St.
They were built between 1855 and 1880 and are listed on the city’s registry of cultural heritage properties, although they are not designated heritage properties.
St. Andrew’s will appear at the March 5 committee of the whole meeting to request a funding grant to pay for the study, as well as an extension on their demolition permit application.
“St. Andrew’s is trying to understand whether we can develop these properties to provide affordable housing for 30 + individuals,” says their presentation.
Currently there are 13 people living in the three properties.
“St. Andrew’s does not have the funds for a HIA (Heritage Impact Assessment),” it reads.
“St. Andrew’s will not proceed with any further investigation of potential for more affordable housing without outside funding for a HIA, or a determination by City officials.”
It should be noted that the proposal refers to “affordable housing,” not subsidized or social housing.
Stephen Robinson, senior heritage planner with the city, said a heritage impact study is necessary when someone is seeking to demolish a property on the city’s heritage registry.
“The cost is at the expense of the applicant,” Robinson said.
An independent professional would conduct the study, which would then be forwarded to the city’s Heritage Committee for review.
The Heritage Committee would then give its opinion on the application before a decision is made on the future of the properties, Robinson said.
The exact cost of the study is not known at this point and not part of the request contained in the agenda for the March 5 committee of the whole meeting of City Council, when representatives of St. Andrew’s land lease task force will state their case in a presentation.
