With one Alcona heritage home falling victim to the wrecking ball last week and another in the path of demolition it’s clear Innisfil formed its Heritage Committee too late, a former chairperson of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s heritage committee says.
“No heritage buildings in Innisfil have any protection. There should be some protection by now. Council will have to be persuaded to protect this house. They have to be proactive if they feel it is a heritage building,” said Bond Head resident David Chambers.
But Counc. Bill Pring, who sits on voluntary Innisfil’s voluntary committee, came to its defence, saying criticism of the four-year-old committee is unwarranted.
The committee is currently working on compiling a list of proposed historical sites.
The committee has been criticized for moving too slowly and not coming up with plans for historic buildings especially within Alcona, where development is proceeding.
But no one who attended a meeting last Thursday about a heritage home at the southeast corner of Innisfil Beach Road and the 20th Sideroad on a site slated for a Canadian Tire suggested where to move the house, Pring said.
Cost is also an issue since moving the 150-year-old farmhouse could cost between $300,000 and $400,000, Pring said.
“You must remember when we’re being compared to Markham, or other communities where they’ve been doing this for 40 or 50 years – we’re just starting out,” Pring says. “I believe the committee is going on a fair schedule and it’s a learning experience. We have to be careful what we tell Council to do.”
Chambers, who saw his committee disbanded by Bradford West Gwillimbury Council, said Innisfil can still take action.
Chambers recommends Council ask Trinity Development Group for a “cultural heritage value report” on the house from a recognized expert.
“Council can issue an “Intent to Designate” order,” Chambers says. “Then, the developer has 60 to 90 days to decide what to do. It gives some breathing time. Once they get their report, they will know if it has historical significance. The report would be paid for by the developer.”
Meanwhile, other history enthusiasts also believe there should be a comprehensive inventory of historic buildings in Innisfil.
The importance of preserving pieces of Innisfil’s history came to the fore following last week’s demolition of the Ness-Adair farmhouse on the 20th Sideroad, just north of Innisfil Beach Road.
“Innisfil has lost part of its history,” said David Steele, who lives in an 1864 Georgian-style home on the 3rd Line.
“How could this have been allowed by Council or the heritage committee? Surely, anyone could recognize the beauty, the history and the craftsmanship displayed by such structures. They help define the nature of a community.”
Steele was not alone in his criticism.
Randall Reid called the demolition of the Ness-Adair house, “a completely inexcusable act. Does the demolition of the Ness-Adair house represent Innisfil Council’s apathy for the preservation of our community’s built heritage? To have permitted the demolition of this house and made no attempt to preserve it is irresponsible, disgraceful and incomprehensible.”
Reid added, “It is imperative that someone with an interest in heritage preservation represent the planning department immediately on the Innisfil heritage committee so the committee will be advised of any impending rezoning or redevelopment plans.”
The mandate of the Heritage Committee, found on the Town’s website www.innisfil.ca states the group’s objective to assist the Mayor and Council in:
• raising awareness of local heritage; providing advice to help guide changes; and bringing new ideas and expertise on architectural, historical or heritage site
• creating an inventory and researching heritage buildings/sites
• recommending the designation of individual properties and districts
• heritage related municipal planning
• assessing the demolition/removal of designated property
along with other responsibilities as they pertain to the Ontario Heritage Act.
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