Norfolk considers de-designating heritage post office

Adam Veri, Norfolk Ward 6 Councillor

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

A building that was once a post office and later Simcoe town hall may lose its heritage designation protections.

Councillors went against a staff recommendation at the March 24 meeting regarding the Post Office/Ventin building located on the corner of Peel and Kent streets. The property’s owner is requesting de-designation for what appear to be mostly financial reasons. A letter to staff from the owners suggested they were having challenges renting the building out, finding insurance or finding a buyer.

In their report, staff said the request came without any hard evidence and no solid justification for de-designating the property.

However, councillors had a more sympathetic ear. Both Chris Van Paassen and Adam Veri said property owners should have control over their properties

“If someone owns a building they should be able to do what they like,” Veri said.

However, acting director of planning and realty services Alisha Cull said the owners haven’t suggested a desire to do work on the building, and even if they did it’s only the exterior that is protected through the heritage designation.

“They haven’t actually indicated that they want to do any work on the building, only the outside of the building’s designated so they can do whatever they want inside, really” she said.

And while he typically agrees with giving property owners control over their land and buildings, Coun. Alan Duthie said there’s also a level of responsibility for those buying properties.

“It’s incumbent on purchasers of property to do their due diligence,” he said.

The building had already been designated when the current owners bought the property.

“It’s a beautiful building on the outside and they can do whatever they want on the inside,” Duthie continued.

“I’m not sure I really buy the reasons that are being suggested in the applicant’s letter.”

While they didn’t give their full blessing to de-designated the property, councillors did vote to have staff look at the de-designation process.

At the meeting, council also voted to designate Christ Church, an Anglican church in Vittoria whose history dates back to the mid-19th century. 

Church trustees supported the designation, as did county staff and the county’s heritage committee.