Council not in favour of removing 120-day freeze

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The Strathmore council chamber was buzzing with the murmur of over 20 Anglican church members and representatives of the Western District Historical Society on Feb. 3, anticipating council’s decision on rescinding a former motion to implement a 120-day freeze on actions to alter the St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church building and its property.
After debating the issue for nearly an hour, council defeated the motion, brought forward by Councillor Rocky Blokland, with a 6-1 vote at the regular council meeting.
“I’d like to bring this motion forward in part due to a large discontent of both citizens and the church and for that matter some of the other churches,” said Councillor Blokland. “A 120-day freeze collectively ties the hands of all stakeholders in this matter. Here we are Feb. 3 interfering with real-estate and building transactions and a freeze on top of all this. I like to think that I’m elected to sit here, which by the way I take very seriously, to make the best possible decisions based on information, common sense, and business sense. I’m not seeing that here.”
Following a Statement of Significance provided by the non-profit organization, Wheatland and District Historical Society (WDHS), town council agreed to the 120-day freeze on Jan. 13 – at which Councillor Blokland was absent – in order to ensure enough time to advertise the notice of intention, garner public input, and hold an open house on March 1 to determine the public support for a future bylaw to designate the property a Municipal Historic Resource. The action to ensure the property and building cannot be altered for a maximum of 120 days is in turn holding an eager developer, a parish in need of the cash flow to build a new worship place, and a third party who purchased the church, at an impasse.
Yet the majority of council expressed the importance of hosting an open house to invite the public to express their support or opposition to passing a bylaw to designate the site a historical resource, before making a decision.
“As a council people have to understand that we are under some obligation to follow the statues of this province and policies and bylaws of our town, and we have a responsibility to do that,” said Councillor Bob Sobol.
“It would occur to me that council is following the rules as designed by the province in situations such as these. Our next step of course is to gather opinions and for each councillor to make up his or her mind in regards to whether this is a situation based on all the facts and information that warrants a designation of the property in question as a municipal historic resource.”
Sobol also referred to Alberta Culture and Tourism on the provincial website that states municipalities are empowered to designate and protect municipal historic resources and direct the public to contact the town, as well as providing powers to a municipality who feel that a particular building is in need of protection before a decision is made on whether it should be declared a municipal historic area.
Councillor Denise Peterson also voted against the motion, and noted that the upcoming open house will reflect the wishes of the entire community.
“I remain open-minded on this question,” said Councillor Peterson. “I really appreciate the interest that has been shown by everyone and I welcome your voices. I appreciate your letter on both sides of the issue and I encourage everyone to continue until we’re able to meet with the open house.”
However the decision by council was met with disappointment by members of the Anglican church who continue to pay rent to worship at the Hope Church, and who are unable to close the purchasing deal until the freeze is lifted. Angela Arinze, who is the rector’s warden for the St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, has seen and signed the legal documents surrounding the sale of the six lots for just under $500,000. While town council has always acknowledged compensation if the site was designated as a historic resource, Arinze informed council that with a minimum of $500,000 for the land, $60,000 the congregation has already spent on updating the building, and lawyers fees, it could cost upwards of $750,000.
“I urge you to reject the idea of a designation bylaw and let our church get on with the job of being a church,” said Arinze. “Allow us to sell our land, as we agreed to and to remove the old church to the person who has purchased it and wants it, and get on with planning and building our new facility. If you don’t do that, you’re going to cause a great deal of cost to the town, and all you’ll have to show for it is inconvenience to people and an old church sitting and doing nothing.”
The Western and District Historical Society was originally offered to purchase the church building for $1 with terms of moving it off the land. However, upon learning that the building would no longer be eligible for provincial if moved, the WHDS asked council for designation. Without payment of the dollar, the church ended up being sold to a third party.
“The historical society has stated before they have no money, and I’m concerned with how they are going to do this including building upgrades and land compensation,” said Councillor Blokland. “My main concern is these properties will sit for some time empty the way they are now. They’re not appealing and we don’t need more vacant properties downtown. I’m suggesting very strongly that we stay out of this, and remove ourselves from all parties. This is between the Anglican church, the purchaser of the land, and the purchaser of the building.”
Council required a two-third majority vote to rescind the original motion, with Councillor Rocky Blokland being the only one in favour. Council later agreed to find a solution as quickly as possible and could propose a bylaw within 60 days. The open house is set for March 1 at the Strathmore Civic Centre from 4 p.m until 8 p.m.