JOHN JANTAK
The 1019 Report

The owner of an old house with a breathtaking view of Vaudreuil Bay will have to wait until next week to find out whether he will be granted permission to tear down the dwelling and move ahead with a plan to build a new home.

The municipal demolition committee in Vaudreuil-Dorion is reviewing a request by the owner of the property – a heritage house that was built in 1920. The owner claims the deteriorating condition of the structure would cost more than the building is worth.

The residence at 54 des Chenaux Rd. overlooks Vaudreuil Bay. It is part of the city’s heritage inventory, according to a report prepared by the committee and presented during a public meeting on Jan. 15.

The demolition committee must now determine whether it is worth saving. As part of its evaluation, the committee is required to evaluate the history of the building, its contribution to local history, its heritage value and, if applicable, its status under the provincial Cultural Heritage Act.

The committee must also determine the current condition of the building, the cost of restoration, whether its demolition will lessen the quality of life in the neighbourhood, the impact it will have on neighbouring houses and the environment, and whether there is any opposition to the request.

The owner of the house made the request to tear down the building because of the general deterioration of the house, including the absence of adequate foundations, certain weakened structural elements and insufficient floor/ceiling height on the second floor.

An inspection report prepared by a private contractor on behalf of the owner supports the reasons given by the applicant for the demolition application.

The cost to repair the house is estimated at $270,000, while the value of the building on the city’s assessment roll is $76,000.

A reconstruction plan was not submitted because if the request is refused, the owner does not want to invest the time and money to prepare plans for the new house.

According to a city official, the committee will make its recommendation to Vaudreuil-Dorion council later this month. Council will then vote on whether to approve a demolition permit.