A south end developer wants permission to move much of a designated heritage building and use it in the common amenity area of an approved townhouse development.
City staff, and Heritage Guelph, are supportive of the plan for 331 Clair Rd. E. and the James Hanlon farmhouse, built circa. 1850.
City council is set to consider the request Tuesday during its monthly planning session.
“Heritage staff have … determined that the proposed relocation of the Hanlon Farmhouse will not negatively impact the heritage attributes identified in the designation bylaw,” explains a staff report to council. “While relocation is not without risk, the inspection, stabilization, repair and monitoring outlined in the conservation plan ensures that risk is minimized.”
It is to be moved to a “visibly prominent location” within the approved 136-unit townhouse development from a numbered company that includes Reid’s Heritage Homes.
A summer kitchen, which is not original to the building, is to be removed.
City council designated the farmhouse as a protected resource under the Ontario Heritage Act in February. However, that designation has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
A case management hearing, which is meant to focus the scope of the appeal, is currently scheduled for Dec. 2.
Efforts to reach representatives for the developer about whether that appeal will go forward if council approves relocation of the farmhouse weren’t immediately successful.
