The BWG Heritage Committee, in its Aug. 13 meeting, touched on a potentially sensitive issue: consideration of Heritage Designation for the "Wood House" at 2659 Line 8 – a prime property within the Bradford urban area that currently includes a circa 1850 home, century barn and distinctive stone gates on nearly three acres of land.
The committee recommended hiring a heritage consultant to assess the attributes of the home, formerly owned by the late Ruth Wood, and determine if it is a candidate for designation.
The recommendation came to Council on Tuesday night.
“I think that it’s warranted, that we at least do a heritage evaluation,” said Coun. Ron Orr, member of the Heritage Committee.
Deputy Mayor James Leduc asked if the Wood family was aware of the committee’s recommendation, and if they approved.
“I would have felt more comfortable if the family was contacted,” Leduc said. “I’d just like them to know.”
Coun. Orr agreed that the town could notify the family prior to hiring a heritage consultant. “If they were against, we’d have to see where we’d have to go,” he said.
Coun. Mark Contois wanted to know if it was only the house that would be assessed by the consultant, and not the century barn.
“It’s probably up to Council to consider what is included,” suggested Mayor Rob Keffer.
“That’s exactly what the heritage evaluation will do,” agreed Ryan Windle, Manager of Community Planning. “It will look at the entire property. Part of the exercise is to determine what is an attribute (of heritage) and what isn’t an attribute. The house could be an attribute, the gate could be an attribute, the barn could be an attribute… At the end of the day, that’s presented to council. Council ultimately makes the decision.”
The Deputy Mayor strongly objected to considering any part of the property other than the house itself for designation.
“Don’t rob these people of their money. The property is a valuable property,” Leduc said. The property is currently for sale, listed at $4.5 million.
Council voted to notify the Wood family before retaining a heritage consultant.
The property wasn’t the only controversial issue dealt with by the Heritage Committee in August. The committee was also notified of a request from the current owners of the ‘Parker-Burbidge House’ at 3172 Line 8 in Bradford West Gwillimbury, asking if a repeal of the home's Heritage Designation could be considered.
The home, built circa 1830, is one of the oldest in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Originally a one-and-a-half storey mud brick house, it was constructed by Thomas Parker – a Captain of the Militia that responded to the 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada, and a Reeve of West Gwillimbury Township.
The Georgian-style home was later transformed into a two-storey house with a mansard roof, its mud bricks covered with brick veneer. It was designated in 2010.
Heritage Committee members indicated that they would “continue discussions” with the property owners, and make them aware of a new tax rebate program for designated heritage properties, now in the works.
In its minutes, the committee also noted that Heritage Designation Bylaws have been passed for 3769 Line 9, the old Schoolhouse at Fisher’s Corners; and the home at 3176 County Rd. 27. The town is moving ahead with the designation of the Hon. Earl Rowe farmhouse, at 4306 Line 10 in Newton Robinson, although that the process has been delayed by the pandemic.
