Cottage Life

A group of residents in my home town of Toronto are fighting to save a century-old home in the Beaches Neighbourhood from demolition.

While they argue it’s a “quintessential” part of the area’s character, not all residents are convinced.

The owners of Cowling House on Wheeler Avenue want to tear down the large 103-year-old white cottage and build two new houses in its place.

Area resident Jordan Levitin argues the house is one of the few unique buildings left on the street and represents the kind of architecture that draws visitors and residents to the neighbourhood.

“It is a quintessential part of the character of this neighbourhood,” Levitin said in an interview with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning Monday.

“It’s why people from all over the city come down to the Beaches on a sunny Sunday afternoon to go for a walk. It is very much the type of house that says: ‘This is the Beaches.’ ”

A small group of neighbours gathered Sunday for a rally to protest the development. The Ontario Municipal Board is expected to meet Monday to discuss the group’s petition to stop the owners from tearing down the building, a plan that has received approval from the city’s committee of adjustment.

Marc Lipman is one of the area residents who is not opposed to the development and said that as long as it adheres to bylaws, the construction should be allowed to proceed.

“It is a lovely home, but it’s also a lovely home that is is in desperate need of repair that no one who can afford to buy it is willing to do,” said Lipman.

He noted that the building is not protected as a designated historical site.

Levitin said the owners should be allowed to earn a profit on the deal, but asked at what point do neighbours have a say about the changing character of their neighbourhood.

“I think we, as a community, have a collective right to say this is enough. This is the point at which we stop tearing down our history,” said Levitin.
Source: CBC News

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