The writing was on the wall, even if that wall may not be up for long.
Oak Bay council voted Monday to lift a temporary protection order on a Victoria Avenue home slated for demolition, rather than pursue a heritage designation on the property and risk paying compensation to the homeowners.
“We are extremely happy with the outcome,” said David Glowicki, who owns the home along with his wife, Heather. “It was the logical decision that was made.”
The debate over whether to allow the Glowickis to tear down the house and build two new ones on their double lot attracted plenty of interest from community heritage advocates in recent weeks.
“It kind of took on a life of its own,” noted Glowicki.
The protection order was initially put on the 1911-built home so council could determine whether it was worthy of heritage designation. Were that the case, and demolition had been blocked, Oak Bay taxpayers would have been on the hook for any loss in market value the property suffered as a result. In the end, council determined that the likelihood of having to pay compensation to the Glowickis was too great to ignore.
“I don’t see that the sum of money that we’re looking at … is the kind of money that this community can afford to pay for this cause, sadly,” said Coun. Tara Ney.
But the decision didn’t come easily. Just last week at its committee of the whole meeting, council rejected an identical motion to lift the protection order after a tie vote, citing the need for more information on the potential costs of heritage designation.
Though the only new information this week came in the form of a letter from the Glowickis’ lawyer estimating that cost at $1.5-$1.8 million, it had apparently become clear enough to most councillors that they could not afford to take a risk in this case.
“Forced designation has not been the tool of choice, and I don’t believe is the desired path to take today,” said Coun. Pam Copley. “And it may not, and probably will not, buy us support for our heritage conservation activities and program that we have planned for the future.”
Despite the sometimes emotional debate, the Glowickis don’t begrudge council for taking its time on the decision.
“I would much rather have a council in place that is thoughtful about these sorts of issues – as much as it was painful – than one that makes a hasty decision,” said Heather Glowicki.
“I have lots of respect for the way they handled it,” David added.
The couple said they hope to begin the demolition some time in the spring.