The home of a farmer who shot ‘Le Loup de Lafontaine’ and received a book and festival for the effort has been placed on a demolition intent notice, and the Heritage Advisory Committee is looking for public feedback before making any recommendations.
During a recent committee of the whole meeting, a staff report from the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) was presented to Tiny council in regard to a Notice of Intent to Demolish for a house and garage at 4 Potato Court, just off Concession 17 West.
As written in the semi-fictional 1955 story ‘Le Loup de Lafontaine’ by Father Thomas Marchildon, in the early 20th Century an evil wolf was terrorizing area settlers until farmer Théophile Brunelle heroically shot it dead to unite the peoples and save the day. The tale became the inspiration for the annual Festival du Loup held each July in Lafontaine.
Brunelle was the previous owner of the two-storey house on 4 Potato Court, which was built in 1870 and is listed on the township’s Municipal Heritage Register.
The Notice of Intent to Demolish for the house and garage at 4 Potato Court was provided by an agent for the current owner to the HAC at their recent meeting, along with photos which showed the clear state of disrepair for the heritage building, including one of the sides of the home missing a large portion of its outer brickwork.
Municipal heritage criteria had been met for the structure, stating that the home was an early example of construction methods through its age and maintenance, with remarks to the direct association and landmark status of Brunelle and the story. However, the stated reason for the demolition notice by the current owner was that the house and garage “are in extremely poor condition and are a hazard for personal safety”.
Shawn Persaud, director of planning and development, informed council that such notices first go to the HAC for review and evaluation, with a recommendation returning to council for next steps.
“Typically there are two next steps,” informed Persaud. “One would be no concerns with regard to the demolition for whatever reason; or, to recommend to council to start a designation process of the structure.”
Due to the associated fame tied to the former homeowner, Persaud explained that “basically, the committee didn’t want to make a recommendation to council until there was an opportunity for the public to be advised of this.
“If there’s folks in the community that have a strong feeling, or want to provide any additional input with regards to this issue the committee wants to hear from them,” said Persaud. “But the committee also wanted to bring council into the loop as to what’s happening with this.”
Coun. Gibb Wishart sits as the council representative on the HAC, and explained the differences between being listed and being designated.
“Being listed on the (Municipal Heritage) registry doesn’t really have anybody else other than the owner with a grip on the property. It’s just that it’s listed; it will normally have pictures, will have the history, but we don’t hold sway over it. If it’s designated, that’s a very different thing.”
Under subsection 34(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act, designated properties cannot be demolished or permit demolition of structures unless the owner applies and receives consent from the resident municipality for that intent, with appeals made to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Currently, Tiny hosts four OHA designated sites: St. Patrick’s church in Perkinsfield, Paroisse Sainte-Croix in Lafontaine, Copeland Hill Cemetery on Concession 13 and the North Simcoe Railway Bridge on Concession 2 East.
Mayor George Cornell asked what the process would be for a property to move from being listed to being designated, and who would initiate the process.
Persaud responded that although no request had ever been made for that change, either the committee or the owner could initiate that move; regardless, all requests would have to go to council for the recommendation.
Council carried a motion to publicize the Notice of Intent to Demolish the house and garage at 4 Potato Court in their next community page, with comments and feedback going to the Heritage Advisory Committee for revisiting before providing a recommendation to council within 60 days.
Archives of council meetings are available to view on Tiny township’s YouTube channel.
