Owner `will probably' sell Cook House
Council accused of stifling growth after voting down bid to build condos
A Regina developer says now that his proposal to renovate and add to the Cook Residence has failed before Regina city council, he and his partners are exploring their future options — and that includes selling the home.
“It's clear by council that they don't want me to be the owner of this property,” said Carmen Lien. “We will probably, most likely, have to put this up for sale in the near future”
On Feb. 25, council voted unanimously — though two councillors were absent — to reject Lien's proposal to build condos on the site while preserving the majority of the home's facade.
Lien said he wishes potential new owners the best of luck, but said he feels the home will again come before council, since he feels the structure that's located on the northwest corner of Albert Street and Hill Avenue requires substantial work.
Right now he said he won't continue to invest on the property unless things change, regarding heritage policy at city hall.
Lien said he feels the current bylaws will “stifle growth” in the city.
He also took issue with the city's Heritage Inventory, saying “there are 300 properties on that list; not all 300 properties have heritage value.”
Lien said the Bagshaw Residence in the Crescents neighbourhood and the Cook Residence were on the list, but now the Bagshaw Residence is set for destruction. That's following an appeal from a developer and Saskatchewan Heritage ruling that the home is too far gone to be saved.
“Just because you're on the list, does not mean you have heritage value,” said Lien.
The bylaw states: “The purpose of this policy is to ensure that properties with heritage value are identified on the Inventory of Heritage Properties in Regina.”
However, placement on the list doesn't guarantee legal protection for the property. A home on the list “does not offer legal protection” the bylaw says. For that, the home needs to be recognized as a municipal heritage property.
There are about 100 municipal designated properties in Regina.
Lien maintains that his intentions were to save the Cook Residence, and to preserve it.
“I'm disappointed by the decision done by council but I respect it,” said Lien. “My intention was to never divide the community, but it shows the growing concerns we have in our city about growth and intensification and our policies.”