MORRISTON – The heritage designation of a home in Morriston is going to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
The owner of 82 Queen St. in Morriston, a home built around 1910, is appealing a decision by Puslinch council to designate it as a heritage property.
A notice of appeal stated the subject lands were purchased by the owner in August 2022 with the purpose of pursuing “residential, multi-residential, multi-family and potentially affordable housing development.”
The owner applied to demolish the home but the township’s heritage committee recommended rejecting this and recommended it be designated as it meets criteria under the Ontario Heritage Act.
A report to council noted the property has cultural heritage value due to its direct association with one of the three founding families of Morriston. The property is one of four adjacent homes built by the Morlock family between 1854 and 1910.
“The property is an excellent example of a two and one half-storey residence built in the late Queen Anne/Edwardian style,” the report stated.
“Exterior elements of this style include a high pitched roof, ornate gable trim, decorative brickwork, stained glass windows, front door to the side of the facade and double hung front porch with wood columns and balusters.”
Puslinch council approved the designation at a meeting in December 2022 despite continued opposition from the owner who noted in an opposition letter sent by a lawyer they felt unfairly targeted for trying to make improvements to the property.
“There was no action taken in respect of a council-initiated designation until after the owner acquired the subject lands and made its intention to demolish the dwelling on the subject lands known,” the notice of appeal stated.
“Both the municipal heritage committee and council moved to designate the subject lands in the midst of residential redevelopment in an attempt to thwart that redevelopment.”
In the notice of appeal, it is also alleged this heritage designation was pursued without first undertaking appropriate evaluation of the subject land’s cultural heritage value or interest.
A hearing date for this case has not yet been set.
