A group of Morinville residents were all smiles last week after town council voted to save one of its oldest homes from potential destruction — for now, at least.
Town council voted unanimously last week against a proposal to rezone a plot of land on Tache Ave. The change would have allowed its owner to build a four-plex and destroy or move the existing home, which is 103 years old.
This home was in the heart of historic Morinville and there was no room for a four-plex in it, argued Teri Deatrich, who organized a petition against the proposal.
"We have wonderful historic homes in this town and we don't appreciate what we've got," she said, speaking to council. "I don't want to see our quiet little street turn into a street where we have car after car after car going down it."
This old house
The house in question is a two-storey home at the corner of Tache Avenue and Pilon Street, according to council documents. Built in 1908 by a milkman named Billo, it is part of the town's historic homes and heroes walking tour. It was substantially renovated in 1951, according to administration, and had "no historic architectural style or significant value" left.
Current owner Ron Fylyshtan asked council to rezone the property so he could build a two-storey four-plex on it.
"We've got a refinery coming up," he said, referring to the future upgrader planned by North West Upgrading, and this would make for an excellent rental property. The current home would either be moved or destroyed, he explained in a later interview.
Deatrich was one of about 15 people at the meeting who opposed the development.
"It is a one-way street with one-way parking," she said, one that's already host to delivery trucks. "What are those four-plex owners going to do [for parking]?"
Fylyshtan said that the four-plex would have two parking spots per unit.
"You've got company? You park on the street," he said.
Maurice Froment, who has lived in the neighbourhood 30 years, feared that this development would cause other derelict homes in the region to be replaced with multiplexes.
"Our concern is, 'Yeah, there goes the neighbourhood,'" he said.
Resident Bruce Jackson worried about the congestion the four-plex could bring.
"Transport trucks that go up there barely have enough room," he said, and adding four driveways could make the street impassable.
This was a historic home in a historic neighbourhood, Deatrich said. If it needed replacement, it should be replaced with something that fits the street's character.
Jackson echoed her remarks, noting that he moved to Morinville for its rich history and quality homes.
"I'd hate for you to lose your heritage," he said.
Need downtown plan, says council
This neighbourhood clearly isn't ready for more density, said Coun. Gordon Boddez, citing the opposition to this development.
"The area does not want it," he said, adding that council should finish its downtown revitalization plan first instead of bringing in changes like this piecemeal.
The Capital Region Board is pushing for more density, said Mayor Lloyd Bertschi, and denser neighbourhoods could help revive the downtown core. Still, this redevelopment had to be done tastefully.
"We need to have a downtown redevelopment plan with architectural guidelines in place," he said, and they don't at this point. "I think you're probably about a year ahead of yourself," he told Fylyshtan.
Deatrich said she was very happy with council's decision, and was encouraged that Fylyshtan could eventually get his home built.
Council isn't supporting the downtown with this decision, Fylyshtan said, and needed to review its plans for the region. He still planned to move or knock down the home in the future.
