A proposed renovation to the former Duby’s building at 269 Ramsay St. has received support from the Amherstburg heritage committee.
The committee did prefer one option over the other, but committee members did like the fact that the building will see work done. The option chosen features more brickwork to the lower portion of the building as opposed to the option with siding from top to bottom.
Both options presented by the proponent are, according to a written report from heritage planner Adam Coates, “both appropriate and well thought out.”
It was not stated what could or will occupy the property.
Manager of planning services Christopher Aspila noted the subject property is in the proposed Heritage Conservation District (HCD) and is considered a “non-contributing” property.
“It’s not on the municipal heritage registry,” Aspila told the committee.
The property is designated general commercial in the town’s Official Plan and is also zoned commercial general in the zoning bylaw.
“There is low cultural risk with the proposed development. The design it incorporates is sympathetic to the built cultural heritage of the area while not trying to mimic or copy specific details,” Coates wrote in his report.
Committee chair Simon Chamely said he preferred the second option, which was the one that incorporated more siding. The other option, with the additional brick cladding, was “a mix of different materials” while the mainly siding option didn’t have as many.
“I find it harder to look at with different materials all over the place,” he said of the brick option.
Chamely also wondered where parking would be, but remarked “that’s not for our committee to discuss.”
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb initially made a motion to leave it up to the developer, preferring not “to hamstring the developer.” Redevelopment of the building will be “another gem in Amherstburg’s basket,” he said.
That motion would fail and another one to endorse the first option, with the brick cladding, would be passed by the committee last Thursday night.
Vice chair Shirley Curson-Prue believed the brick option blended in better with surrounding buildings in the area and gave “some continuity with the streetscape.”
Committee member Stephanie Pouget-Papak agreed with that viewpoint about the brick fitting in better with the area.
“It’s really sharp,” committee member Frank DiPasquale added of the brick option. “It catches the eye more.”
Heritage committee endorses one concept for former Duby’s building
By Ron Giofu
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