Heritage Committee Votes to Save Shaver House in Ancaster from Demo, Will Council Agree? – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 20, 2017
The plot is familiar to Hamiltonians.
A building of heritage interest is scheduled for demolition, a 60-day countdown to the permit being issued begins, a rush occurs as the Municipal Heritage Committee tries to determine if they wish to block the demolition by designating the building, a heated debate ensues, Heritage Committee decides it should be saved, and then Council ultimately gets to decide.
Thus happened again at today’s Municipal Heritage Committee as a walk-in report announced to the committee that The Egerton Shaver House (Fig 17 on this Ancaster Township Historical Society page) is scheduled for demolition permit issue on February 13, 2017.
The application for to demolition is to facilitate the construction of a “retail commercial plaza as well as a 50 unit, 6 storey multiple dwelling on the site.”
The building, built c.1856, was first identified as being of potential heritage value in 1984.
Staff state the property meets three criteria for designation:
The discussion was lengthy, with various questions asked about the unique value of this home, its association with the Shaver Family Cemetery approximately 500 metres from this property, and the value of maintaining heritage in Ancaster.
The present owner of the site, who is proposing the new development, was asked by Ward 15 Councillor Judi Partridge – a member of the Committee – if they had consulted with Ward 12 (Ancaster) Councillor Lloyd Ferguson. They stated they had the support of Ferguson – this was not independently confirmed.
After much discussion, the Heritage Committee voted to designate the property under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Only Councillor Aidan Johnson voted to designate, with both Councillor Maria Pearson, and Partridge voting against designation.
The Heritage Committee’s decision must be voted on by Council’s Planning Committee at the January 30th meeting, followed by a full Council vote on February 8.
With 2-1 opposition to designated among the Councillors on Heritage Committee, it is unlikely the designation vote will stand. It is more likely Council will vote for demolition of this pre-Confederation home.