A ban on demolitions meant to stop the growth of large rental duplexes in the historic Blackfriars neighbourhood has somewhat backfired on the community that fought to get the ban.
The one-year ban on demolition means neighbours are stuck with an eyesore.
A fire gutted a building in the area 18 months ago and now neighbours are upset it’s still sitting there.
“I see this and it’s just a disaster. My sister lives just a couple doors down and this is disgusting,” says Mark Maroon.
Joe Hogan adds that if someone could clean it up, the whole neighbourhood would be thankful.
But city hall is standing in the way.
Council launched a heritage district study of the Blackfriars neighbourhood and during the study, demolitions are forbidden.
“The removal of something that's there and the replacement with something new is well beyond what would be permitted,” says Greg Barrett, the city’s manager of land use planning.
The bylaw is already being challenged at the Ontario Municipal Board by unhappy developers, and staff have been directed by the planning committee to see what can be done.
“We might have to bring the bylaw back to council. That would exempt this from the provisions. We aren't quite sure how that might work,” Barrett says.
But neighbour Tom Vitz is hopeful.
“I understand the designation for the greater good, but I would hope there would be a little common sense that an exemption could be made.”
