A worrying trend

Charlottetown historian, activist worried about old properties being demolished

Charlottetown historian Catherine Hennessey is growing concerned that the wrecking ball is getting too much of a workout in the downtown area. Hennessey is talking about recent demolitions of properties on Water Street and King Street, adding that there are other properties on Dorchester and King streets that are being ignored and may await the same fate.

It’s a worrying trend, she says. “One house comes down and then they say it’s only one house, and then another house comes down and they say it’s only one house,’’ Hennessey said. “Eventually, you’re waking up and saying the ambience of Charlottetown, which is marketable and appealing to people who come to live here and visit, is suddenly all (messed) up.’’

She says the City of Charlottetown is being far too complacent about it.

“I believe that we have something that is distinctive and if we don’t protect it we’re the losers, the ones who live here year-round. Our demographic is shifting and we’ve got to build love within the people that come.’’

Coun. Greg Rivard, chairman of the planning and heritage committees, said it’s a sensitive subject and one the city does not take lightly.

“Some of these homes are left abandoned, and owners have no intention of renovating,’’ Rivard said. “What we are left with is a vacant home, which can be unsightly or worse – unsafe: unsafe for someone that may be seeking shelter for whatever reason but also for adjacent properties.’’

Rivard explains unless the home or building is listed as a designated resource (which the city currently has about 350) the planning board would have a difficult time refusing a demolition permit.

“The reality, like it or not, is that home owners have property rights, and it’s not as easy as us just saying ‘no’ as some may suggest,’’ the councillor said.

The city is currently looking at different incentives, other than the heritage grant program it now has in place, that may encourage a home owner to restore a heritage property versus demolition by neglect. Restoring old homes can be very costly, he adds. Hennessey said she bought and fixed up her former home on Sydney Street that had sat vacant for 15 years with no heat, lights or plumbing.

“I turned it around to make it a lovely good little house to live in. It just bugs me . . . because anything is fixable if we want to maintain it.’’

Rivard said the city is currently reviewing the 500 Lot Plan and will hopefully have something back to the public for input in the coming months.