Parties in holding period over designation decision

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

In an attempt to amplify the voices of community members and provide a public forum for the parties involved to address the issue of the designation of the Anglican Church property, the Town of Strathmore hosted a highly anticipated open house on March 1.
Over 100 people attended the advertised event, which provided a platform for the Anglican Church parish, the Western District Historical Society (WDHS), the town, and the developer to address the public, and allowed citizens to ask questions and cast a vote in favour or in opposition of a designation for the 106-year-old Anglican Church building and the property.
The evening consisted of two similar sessions where the town clarified the legislative process of designating a historic site. Following that, the Anglican Church parish spoke about their intentions of keeping the congregation alive by moving to a new building. The 20-minute presentation included a mock-up of a new building, produced images of the deteriorating conditions of the current St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church building, and reaffirmed their 100-year-old history with the site.
According to Angela Arinze, rector’s warden for the church, supporting the designation could mean the end to their congregation.
“The people who worship in an Anglican fashion have been in Strathmore for more than 100 years and God willing will be here for another 100 more, but if this historical designation goes through we won’t,” said Arinze. “To put it quite simply, our land is our equity. We need a new building to survive, we need to sell our land to buy that building and designating it will decrease its value, and we will not rebuild, and we will not survive for another 100 years in this place. We’re asking to do what any other landowner would want. Let us use our equity.”
The meeting affirmed that the church building and the six lots have been sold. It also mentioned that the building had been offered to the WDHS for a $1 with terms of the building being moved off the land, yet the money had never been exchanged as the focus shifted when the society sought funds to purchase the six lots. When another offer arose in the meantime, the society was short $70,000 and unable to produce a written offer. In turn, the diocese accepted the proposed written offer for more money. Shortly after, the society approached town council to place a 120-day freeze on actions surrounding the church building and land to provide an opportunity for council to consider designating the site as a municipal historical resource, thus allowing for the possibility of preserving the building and acquiring provincial funds only available on the original location.
“We considered ourselves snubbed,” said Bruce Klaiber, member of the WDHS. “The WDHS became interested in the former Anglican Church building to make a project to maintain it and restore it on its present location. We had no intent to be in opposing of the Anglican Church here and the diocese in Calgary. We have not received the greatest of consideration from either of those parties.”
The WDHS was also able to speak at the meeting, informing the public of their intentions with the building, the importance of preserving Strathmore’s quickly-waning history, and outlining their funding strategies. Yet when it came to the verbal offer for the property, the Anglican Diocese’s legal representation R. Bruce Brander felt it was an open-and-shut case.
“Anyone who’s bought a house knows an informal offer means nothing, and hopefully none of us would ever be stupid enough to accept an informal offer when a written offer is on the table in front of them,” said Brander. “Even if it hadn’t been an informal offer, so what? The church had another written offer for more money. And you take away the owner’s right. Nothing has forced the town to entertain this municipal historic resource designation. So now the church’s penalty for not accepting a verbal offer is to actively have their property tied up.”
While not allowed to address the people during the first session, the land purchaser, who asked to remain anonymous, also took to the microphone. After speaking with the purchaser of the building, the proposal was made public that the WDHS could purchase two of the lots and the church building for a price that was not discussed in the forum.
“This approach does not force anyone’s hand, does not impede anyone’s rights and allows all parties to move forward,” said the land purchaser, who plans to build a multi-family development on the remaining lots. “The church would remain in the community and would be paid for by the parties with an interest in preservation, not taxpayer’s dollars. Town administration and council urged all parties to come to a win-win situation, and I believe this is it. I’ve extended this offer to the WDHS and they declined. I would like to open this discussion up again. If it’s the building and the land that you want, that is what we can offer you.”
Designation of the property could result in compensation paid for by the town, and could end up costing $750,000 – a financial decision which administration said would be made by council and be put in the budget, provided they have all the information.
During the March 1 open house, questions regarding who pays for upkeep if the designation is passed, the consideration of designation if alternate plans have already been made, and the loss of eligibility for provincial funding if the building is moved off the original site – the reason for the designation – also came to light.
In his closing statements, Klaiber accepted the land purchaser’s offer to open up communications. In speaking with the Strathmore Times previously he had said the reason for declining the offer when it was first presented was that the society did not feel it was acceptable at that time. The land purchaser said the offer was also presented to the town.
The open house was to serve council with an opportunity to determine whether there was enough support for the designation. Just over 100 individuals filled out the ballots that asked the public whether they were in favour or opposed to designating the Anglican Church property as a Municipal Historical Resource.
A petition also circled the room that already had over 110 signatures in opposition of the designation.
As council is forced to wait 60 days from when the 120-freeze was implemented before making a decision, which is March 21, a special council meeting was called for March 23.