House to be demolished at 674 chemin d’Aylmer; developer plans to build a 32-unit apartment building.

Photo credit: City of Gatineau

The 103-year-old house located at 674 chemin d’Aylmer has been approved for demolition to make way for a 32-unit apartment building. The Demolition Request Committee (CDD), composed of Caroline Murray, Deschênes Councillor, Mike Duggan, Pointe-Gatineau Councillor, and Mario Aubé, Masson-Anger Councillor, officially approved it at their meeting on October 24.

This file was the only one where the vote wasn’t unanimous; it passed with two for and one against. The demolition was not supported by the city’s Urbanism and Sustainable Development Services (SUDD) and was opposed by the Aylmer Heritage Association (AHA).

“If two elected officials can disregard all bylaws, laws and policies in this way, I suppose we have to conclude that it’s absolutely pointless to continue fighting for built heritage on Gatineau territory,” said Richard Bégin, co-president of AHA. He speculates that the next target will be 651 chemin d’Aylmer, another house that was purchased months ago and has been left uninhabited and derelict.

At the same meeting, demolition of the house at 172 Foley was approved, to be replaced with two semi-detached duplexes. The vote for the demolition was unanimous.