Poised for new life, the home still had troubles, facing a tough real estate market and, more recently, some mixed response from neighbours to its proposed use as a professional office space, plus living space.
City council approved of the new use on Tuesday night, commending the work of the developers and responsiveness of the business owner to date.
Coun. Jonathan Galgay said he spoke with Dean MacDonald in the hour before the council meeting, to further discuss concerns raised by area residents.
Letters to the city express worries about sufficient parking on the property, but also property values and, to some extent, streetscape. The discretionary use application states MacDonald’s Deacon Investments will occupy the space.
“Mr. MacDonald did allude to the fact he would be working with a landscape architect in order to address those concerns. So I am very, very pleased with the response of the owner,” Galgay said, suggesting the home’s residential look can be maintained and remaining concerns addressed.
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LETTER: City values its built heritage
Coun. Sheilagh O’Leary specifically spoke to the concerns noted around parking, saying she feels confident parking on the site will be sufficient for the expected five employees and guests, pointing to trailers having parked on the lot during recent film production.
Coun. Dave Lane, co-chair of the heritage advisory committee, has been vocal on the subject of heritage properties and said he supports the proposed use.
“This is a very large property and it makes a lot of sense that you need some sort of income generation to support it,” he said, adding the area around Bannerman Park was once filled with homes housing both families and their in-house staff, but no longer.
He called the proposal for the Rennie’s Mill Road property a “great, adaptive re-use.”
Letters written to the city suggested a mix of people for, against and in-between, with concerns to be addressed. Voices opposed were primarily concerned with the usage opening the door for more offices in the area.
“Do not consider the application of Deacon Investments Limited as one of isolated exception … but rather, think what you want this historic neighbourhood to look like in 25 years,” wrote one individual (names on some letters to council are redacted).
But one voice entirely for the new usage was the Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Trust, which also commended Spaces senior consultant Bruce Blackwood, Brian Casey, Aiden Greene and Geoff Marshall on the completion of the home’s revitalization.
Former prime minister’s home
The home at 55 Rennie’s Mill Rd. was built for Newfoundland’s second prime minister, Edward Patrick Morris.
“Great care to detail was given to ensure that specific areas such as the English Oak original staircase, English Oak paneled walls, hardwood floors, and the ornate plaster, were restored to their luster. Modern features that have been added are a state of the art heat pump system and 600 amp electrical services,” notes the Spaces website, describing the renovations. “All plumbing has been upgraded to ensure adequate supply, and the property has all exterior walls and attic space fully insulated. This heritage home is now ready for a new owner to fill its walls and halls with laughter and happiness once again.”
The home has been on the market for $2.18 million.
Cash for heritage properties
“We totally understand the challenges facing anyone who attempts to develop and sustain heritage property in St. John’s,” nearby residents Paul and Anne Macleod wrote to city council. “The recent demolitions of significant heritage properties that added much character to the city and should have been savable illustrate the problem.
“Happily, No. 55 has not joined them.”
In terms of municipal planning, a new heritage bylaw is in the works and will be presented to all of city council “in the coming months.” The new municipal plan is also set to contain guidance on handling built heritage.
Seven properties (six if you count 7 Forest Rd. and 7a Forest Rd. as one property) have just been officially designated as heritage properties by the city, as staff encourage owners to pursue the designation.
The latest council meeting also included the approval of seven city heritage grants for 2017, for a variety of projects, including the replacement of windows, doors, clapboard siding and other elements, with a total of $16,052 being issued in grants. Permit costs for the work approved are also being waived; $50,000 was budgeted for heritage grants this year.
New heritage properties in St. John’s
68 St. Clare Ave.
90 Pleasant St.
355 Southside Rd.
3 Forest Rd.
3-A Forest Rd.
27 Henry St.
29 Henry St.
Heritage grants 2017
Submissions for grant money in 2017 were discussed by the city’s built heritage experts panel. Taking into account that input, as well as information from city staff, the chief municipal planner issued recommendations on projects meriting approval, according to information provided by city staff. Grants awarded:
• 121 Pennywell Rd. — $3,358
• 46 Victoria St. — $877.61
• 19 Garrison Hill — $1,000
• 124 Military Rd. — $5,000
• 103 Pleasant St. — $2,300
• 133 LeMarchant Rd. — $1,000
• 42 Prescott St. — $2,515.63
The city has also waived permit fees for all homeowners for the proposed projects.
(Source: City of St. John’s agenda, council meeting of July 11, 2017.)
