Over 50 letters of protest and the threat of an expensive – and probably losing – legal fight led Norfolk County council to reverse its decision to remove heritage protection from Simcoe’s historic post office.
Councillors recently decided to keep the 116-year-old neoclassical Georgian building in downtown Simcoe listed on the province’s registry of heritage buildings – much to the displeasure of the building’s owner, Harish Rajput.
Rajput argued that heritage protections, which stop any changes to the exterior but place no limits on the interior, make it more difficult for him to attract tenants and obtain insurance.
“For more than two years, we are burning cash on the building,” Rajput said, urging councillors to “put emotion aside” and approve his request to remove its designation as a heritage site. County planner Andrew Wallace referred to it as a “monumental structure” with many significant architectural features.
Rajput acknowledged he knew about the designation when he purchased it but claimed he was “not aware it would bring these kinds of issues.”
Wallace pointed out that Rajput did not provide any proof that the heritage protection on the 8,200-square-foot commercial property is driving potential buyers away. Some councillors suggested that the weak real estate market in downtown Simcoe might be a more likely reason why no one has stepped up at Rajput’s asking price of nearly $900,000.
Councillors learned that the post office meets several criteria for heritage designation in Ontario and does not meet conditions for removal, which is typically only granted if a building has deteriorated beyond repair.
A vote to remove its designation could be challenged at the Ontario Land Tribunal, where Norfolk would need to find a heritage expert who could justify such a decision.
“Which may be unlikely,” said Coun. Alan Duthie, noting that past appeals have resulted in legal costs around $30,000.
“I fully appreciate the 53 objections that were received. That’s quite a lot,” said Duthie, who voted in favor of maintaining heritage protection.
Numerous residents and heritage advocates submitted comments during this public period, almost all supporting preservation of a building that has served various roles over time including post office, bank, customs office and most recently housed architect Carlos Ventin’s office. Ventin specialized in adapting historic buildings for modern use.
A few former colleagues of Ventin recently visited council chambers to speak about their old office’s architectural value; it was designated as a heritage building back in 1981.
“It’s deeply troubling that some members of council would favor one individual’s profits over protecting our community’s history and legacy,” said Paul Vehof, an architectural technologist with Brantford-based Ventin Group.
Rajput stated he sought assistance from the municipality regarding tax breaks and other “financial help” for maintaining the property but received no support.
“Why does the owner have to bear all costs associated with repairing and maintaining a 100-year-old building?” he asked while inviting Ventin’s former colleagues along with concerned residents to “chip in.”
“If they care so much about it, I am happy to sell it to them,” Rajput added. “They can buy it and do whatever they want with it.”
Coun. Chris Van Paassen mentioned it’s unfair for property owners like Rajput having to shoulder expenses for repairing a heritage property when government grants meant for those purposes have run dry.
The public outcry was largely rooted in respect for Carlos Ventin’s work as an architect known nationally rather than just focusing on this old post office itself.
“But his company sold it; so obviously it wasn’t important enough for them,” Van Paassen remarked while noticing shocked expressions from Ventin Group staff present at council meeting.
The discussion gained attention across Ontario after council initially voted back in March to strip its status as a designated site; members from Architectural Conservancy Ontario along with Carla Ventin urged local officials not eliminate these protections altogether.
Coun. Tom Masschaele commented that much controversy could’ve been avoided had councillors adhered strictly towards provincial guidelines regarding historical properties right from beginning while recognizing there was “no clear evidence” backing Rajput’s appeal request.
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