Randwood heritage designation advancing
Final approval has been given by Niagara-on-the-Lake town council to proceed with a third-party heritage designation for the Randwood Estate, by a vote of 6-1 following more debate and lobbying by delegates on both sides.
The decision was made Monday to begin the process to seek designation under the Ontario Heritage Act for the four properties owned by Two Sisters Resort Corp. on John and Charlotte streets.
Two Sisters Resort Corp., owned by Benny Marotta, wants to build a hotel and conference centre on the 5.6-hectare property and is in the process of applying for its own heritage designation for the buildings and contents and landscaping features.
Patrick Little, a lawyer for the citizens group SORE (Save Our Randwood Estate), told councillors that they are playing catchup regarding designation of the property.
“Trust between the community and this council has been broken down over its handling of the Rand Estate,” he said. “Finishing tonight what you started last week … will go a long way … to repair that broken trust.”
Maurizio Rogato, the planner for the proposed development, questioned why the town would pursue designation of the property at the same time as the owner is. He said the cataloguing of the heritage resources is almost completed.
“This is a lot of work,” said Rogato. “The lands are going to be designated. We’re almost there.”
Rogato said Two Sisters will be ready to apply for heritage designation by the end of June.
“I assure you designation will
occur faster without wasting taxpayer dollars,” he said, calling the third-party process “intrusive,” “not necessary” and “unproductive.”
Coun. Maria Bau-Coote opposed the town applying for a third-party designation. She was concerned about the costs involved and a possible delay if the developer appeals the decision.
Town staff calculated that it would cost $10,000 to do a thirdparty application. Community and development services director Craig Larmour said an evaluation of heritage resources would take about eight weeks, but an appeal by the property owner could delay designation by about a year.
Coun. Betty Disero expressed doubt that Two Sisters would appeal the town’s decision on heritage resources to be designated and emphasized that the town needs to be in control of this process.