Future of heritage property destroyed by fire sparks controversy in Whitby

A heritage location scheduled for demolition in Whitby is causing some town officials to be skeptical about what comes next.

The location — a house on 114 Keith Street featuring early 20th-century Edwardian architectural design — recently suffered a severe fire that damaged most of the property’s infrastructure.

Due to the extent of the damage, a recently drafted assessment proposed that the site be demolished, as it cannot be restored to its heritage status.

As a result, Whitby council members approved the Heritage Permit Application requesting the demolition of the 114 Keith Street residence in a meeting on Dec. 2.

Parallel to this decision was confirmation that the destruction of this property is in line with the Whitby Official Plan, a new economic incentive to revitalize Whitby over the coming decades.

The 114 Keith Street property, and its surrounding land, are also under the“Low-Density Mature Neighbourhood” designation.

Under the current standard for the Whitby Official Plan, any redevelopment plans operating within this designation must adhere to the aesthetic standard presented by the former property and its adjacent structures.

With demolition approved, during the Dec. 2 meeting members of Whity town staff delegated the details surrounding the Low-Density Mature Neighbourhood policy, specifically, the future of the 114 Keith Street lot.

“One of the things that is a big topic of conversation, and one that we are quite upset about, is the fact that we don’t know what is the future site plan. Knowing that this decision needs to be made with no plan for the future does make it a little concerning,” said Victoria Bozinovki, Whitby Councillor for East Ward during the meeting.

Despite this apprehension, no opposition came forward during the council meeting, and the proposition to demolish the 114 Keith Street property was unanimously approved.

For more information on this demolition, and pending plans for the property, visit the Town of Whitby’s official website.