Despite several passionate pleas that two downtown Peterborough buildings be granted heritage designation to head off their possible demolition, Peterborough City Council has denied that designation, instead directing City staff to work closely with the buildings’ new owner on their redevelopment and that council have the final say on what those those plans are.

The two properties — 144 Brock Street (The Pig’s Ear Tavern) and 450 George Street North (The Black Horse Pub) — have been conditionally purchased by Parkview Homes whose owner and president Paul Dietrich has secured demolition permits for both structures as part of his plan to develop a combined 50 apartment units. The permits were sought with the signed permission of the current owners of both properties: John Punter and Lylie Ryder (144 Brock Street) and Ray Kapoor (450 George Street North).

However, after those permits were issued, the Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) voted, on March 2, to recommend heritage designation be granted to both properties, which would prevent their outright demolition and severely restrict what modifications can be made to them. City staff subsequently recommended to council that PACAC’s heritage designation request be “deferred” and that “viable alternatives” to the buildings’ demolition be explored in co-operation with Parkview.

Having voted to receive staff’s report and attached recommendation as information, council (meeting as Committee of the Whole on March 27) directed staff to work with Parkview Homes on a design for both buildings that fits with that of the abutting heritage-designated Morrow Building at the northeast corner of George and Brock streets. That set the stage for a final vote on Monday night (April 3).

Among the number of people who spoke on the matter before council were three key players in the ultimate fate of the buildings: lawyer Jeff Ayotte representing Parkview Homes, PACAC chair Stewart Hamilton, and an emotional John Punter who, with his wife Lylie Ryder, conditionally sold the Pig’s Ear property to Parkview in January.

“We are vehemently opposed to a heritage designation being forced upon us,” said Punter, joined at the podium by his wife.

“As small business owners, we worked through the good times and the bad, secure in the knowledge that, some day, the tavern would play a major part in our retirement plans. In January, we accepted an offer (to purchase). Our ‘some day’ had arrived. Perhaps you can appreciate how shocked we are to learn that a heritage designation can be forced upon us, leaving our retirement plans in shreds.”

“We heard the term ‘hostile designation’ for the first time last Monday night (March 27). Until then, we mistakenly believed that the choice to designate was a property owner’s right. This well-hidden term is something people need to know about. Pay attention (property) owners. If they can do it to us, they can do it to you.”

Saying “This is a genie we can’t put back in the bottle,” Punter added it has been announced The Pig’s Ear is closing April 22nd. Monthly pub events have found new homes and longtime pub staff have made plans to move on.

Kapoor, meanwhile, while present, did not address council regarding the sale of his property. However, in a letter emailed to kawarthaNOW.com late last week, he commended Parkview Homes for a “new vision” at the centre of its desire to invest in, and revitalize, downtown Peterborough. He also urged residents to ask councillors to allow Parkview that opportunity.

For his part, Ayotte made Parkview’s plans for both properties clearer, lamenting what he termed “a degree of polarity” that has arisen with regard to Parkview’s development plans for, both properties.

“It seems to have been put before you by some as an all-or-nothing proposition,” Ayotte said. “Either you, as a council, take steps to preserve the architectural heritage of those two buildings or you allow for development.

“It doesn’t have to be that kind of choice. The architectural heritage of those two buildings does have to be respected and we are prepared to commit to work with (City) staff to ensure that the ultimate design does incorporate features that respect that architectural heritage. We don’t see it as an all-or-nothing thing.

“In a perfect world, it would be wonderful if a developer came along and said ‘I really would like to turn that into a boutique hotel with a pub and I’ve got an endless amount of dollars to do that’ but no one is coming before you saying that. The danger is if you do make this choice (impose heritage designation) you end up with heritage designated buildings which are empty and derelict. This is an opportunity; an opportunity to continue on the work of this council, and previous councils, have done to ensure the success of the downtown core.”

Ayotte added Parkview is “prepared to give the final say to (City) staff, and ultimately, council. We’re prepared to go back to staff for final approval (of the design) and here to council. This is not a difficult choice for you to make.”

In response to Councillor Gary Baldwin’s noting published media reports that Parkview is planning to demolish the two buildings as its secured permits allow, Ayotte didn’t clearly confirm or deny that intention. However, asked if the buildings’ facades will be preserved as part of any new design, Ayotte said that’s “financially unfeasible,” adding current building code requirements must be incorporated as part of any new design.

“Is it going to be the same bricks and mortar? No. Is it (the final design) going to be approved by you (council) and staff? Yes.”

The voices calling for heritage designation of both properties dominated the delegations list. Among the more noteworthy was that of PACAC chair Stewart Hamilton. PACAC, he noted, has advised city council on heritage designation matters for more than 40 years.

“Stating that this is an attempt at a hostile designation by the committee is completely out of line,” said Hamilton. “The fact is PACAC is empowered under the Heritage Act to advise council on matters of heritage … that is exactly what we did.

“We have a large wait list. Right now we have about eight other properties on a wait list. That’s about three years’ worth of work. Could these (heritage designation requests) have come sooner? Possibly, but there’s a wait list (for designation) already.”

Meanwhile, educating council on the historical significance of both structures was longtime local historian Elwood Jones. And Trent Valley Archives board member Guy Thompson noted his organization hosts popular tours of the downtown core which have historical buildings as their centerpiece.

“When historical buildings are torn down, a hole is left in our history,” Thompson said. “The downtown streets and buildings are foundations for stories that tell the beginnings of our city.”

Councillor Henry Clarke seconded Councillor Don Vassiliadis’ motion directing City staff to work with Parkview Homes to explore viable alternatives for heritage preservation and report back to council. Along with them, councillors Andrew Beamer, Lesley Parnell, Dan McWilliams, Keith Riel and Mayor Daryl Bennett voted in favour of the motion, with councillors Baldwin and Dianne Therrien voting against it.

Councillors Dave Haacke and Dean Pappas abstained from voting, have declared conflicts — Parkview is a client of Coun. Haacke’s real estate business and Coun. Pappas owns property near the two buildings.

Parkview Homes owner and president Paul Dietrich was present to hear the result of the vote, but declined comment afterwards.

However, in an earlier kawarthaNOW.com exclusive, he affirmed that a heritage designation placed on either building “would prevent any development moving forward.” He also acknowledged his full awareness of the historical significance of both structures, assuring that will be recognized, in some way, in the buildings’ redevelopment.

With the mild temperatures and the promise of winter weather behind us, many people took the opportunity this past weekend to start cleaning up their yards. But what do you do with all the detritus?

If you live in the City of Peterborough, you can put out your green waste for weekly collection beginning this week on your regular garbage/recycling day. In the County of Peterborough, curbside collection is offered in 10 communities on two dates each in late April and May.

In Northumberland County, one-week-only curbside green waste collection begins later this month. In the City of Kawartha Lakes, there are two dates for curbside collection in June (you’ll have to take your green waste to a landfill before then). In Hastings and Haliburton counties, you’ll need to check with your local municipality to see if curbside collection is offered.

More details are available below:

City of Peterborough

Weekly green waste collection in the City of Peterborough begins on Tuesday, April 4th and continues until the last week of November.

The green waste will be collected at the curb on your regular garbage and recycling collection day.

Green waste must be in paper yard waste bags, bushel baskets, or a garbage bin labeled with a city-issued “Green Waste” stickers. The stickers are free and are available at City Hall, Peterborough GreenUP, and local Home Hardware stores.

While there are no limits on the amount of green waste you can put out for collection, plastic bags will not be accepted.

For more information, visit www.peterborough.ca.

County of Peterborough

Curbside collection of yard waste is available in 10 communities in the County of Peterborough: Bridgenorth, Donwood, Havelock, Keene, Lang, Lakefield, Millbrook, North Monaghan, Norwood, and the Terraview Heights and Woodland Acres areas.

Collection dates in the spring are:

• Wednesday, April 19th and Wednesday, May 24th for Donwood, Keene, and Lang
• Thursday, April 20th and Thursday, May 25th for Millbrook and North Monaghan
• Friday, April 21st and Friday, May 26th for Terraview Heights and Woodland Acres
• Wednesday, April 26th and Wednesday, May 31st for Lakefield
• Thursday, April 27th and Thursday, June 1st for Bridgenorth
• Friday, April 28th and Friday, June 2nd for Havelock and Norwood.

Place all yard waste in paper bags or reusable containers and bundle branches, and place at the curb before 7 a.m. on your collection day. There are no limits and no tags required for leaf and yard materials.

Drop-off programs are available for all other locations in the county. Ccontact your local township for more information on the Leaf and Yard Drop-Off Program in your area.

For more information, visit www.ptbocounty.ca.

Northumberland County

In Northumberland County, leaf and yard waste is collected during specific weeks in the spring, depending on where you live in one of four areas of the county.

In April, residents who live in Area 3 (Hamilton Township including Port Hope) will have their green waste collected during the week of April 17th. Residents who live in Area 4 (Trent Hills and most of Cramahe and Brighton Townships) will have their green waste collected during the week of April 25th. Residents who live in other areas will have their collection weeks in May.

Green waste is not collected on your regular garbage and recycling day. Instead, put your green waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week and it will be collected sometime during that week.

Green waste must be put in paper bags and brush must be tied in small bundles. There is no limit on the number of bags or bundles you can put out for collection, but each bag or bundle must weigh less than 18 kg (40 lbs). Materials placed in plastic bags will not be collected, and garbage, litter, pet waste or soil is not accepted.

For more information and to check your collection week, visit www.northumberlandcounty.ca.

City of Kawartha Lakes

If you live in the City of Kawartha Lakes, there isn’t regular curb-side collection of green waste. Instead, there are two dates in late spring when the city will collect green waste.

This spring’s dates are Friday, June 2nd (if your regular collection day is Tuesday or Thursday) and Friday, June 16th (if your regular collection day is Tuesday or Thursday). All leaf and yard waste must be set out in paper bags or neatly bundled, and plastic bags are not allowed. Grass clippings, sod, and soil will not be collected.

If you don’t want to wait until June, or if you have green waste that isn’t allowed at curbside collection, you can take it to a city waste management facility (landfill) yourself. For more information about landfill locations and hours, visit www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca

Hastings and Haliburton Counties

While there is no county-wide collection of green waste in Hastings and Haliburton Counties, some municipalities may provide curbside collection while others may require you to take green waste to a landfill.

Contact your municipality to find out what services are available, if any, and collection dates.

Seventeen, living with friends, no place to call home, and nothing to call his own. That was Joshua Clark when he wound up at the YES Shelter for Youth and Families in Peterborough 12 years ago.

“I had a good head on my shoulders,” he says, “but I didn’t have a lot of breaks. I was completely lost then, emotional and lost. You gotta remember — I was a kid.”

Josh is a success story. Shelter staff quickly noticed his common sense and drive to succeed, and offered him a place to stay at a transition house. He attended school and work programs, eventually succeeding in getting his Grade 12 equivalency and a $2,000 bonus for successfully finishing a work term.

And then he met Natasha Bandi.

“It wasn’t love at first sight,” he says now, “but she was the only girl living there at the time.”

Tasha and Josh both laugh, and the interview is interrupted briefly by their children, Autumn, 10, and Jasmine, 5. The family of four currently lives in an apartment building in the north end of Peterborough, the latest in a long line of places they’ve called home.

But it’s the last “temporary” home they will have, as the Clarks are about to become the new owners of the latest Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region build: a home in Warsaw.

“Obviously, Josh and Natasha have an inspiring story,” says Emily Ferguson, resource development manager for Habitat for Humanity. “The couple’s journey from once using local shelter services to now being months away from homeownership is a true testament to their own capacity to build a better future for their family.”

Ferguson says it was Josh and Tasha’s “sincerity and appreciation” that drew Habitat to the couple.

“They are down to earth, humble and truly thankful for the opportunity,” she adds.

Established locally in 2002, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is a non-profit, non-denominational housing organization that helps families build a future by bringing volunteer labour and donations together for a home.

The hand-up comes in the form of a zero per cent interest mortgage, with no down payment, and geared to income monthly payments. Habitat has partnered locally with 28 families; the organization is finishing up the Warsaw home, and close to completing a single-detached home in Lindsay. There are also four more builds planned for Peterborough — the ground-breaking for a single-detached home on Wellington Street is set for May.

Ferguson says the chance to own their own home allows families to build confidence as well as equity, often resulting in an improved financial situation overall.

Tasha and Josh both say, when Habitat for Humanity first showed them the floor plans of the home they would own, they couldn’t believe it was true.

“We kept reminding each other not to get too excited,” Tasha says. “It took a while for it to sink in.”

Since then, Josh has been putting in volunteer hours to help build the home, and to help with Habitat for Humanity’s other volunteer needs. Hard work is nothing new for him. Ever since Tasha became pregnant with their first child, Josh has been working, or looking for work, or both.

He’s worked early mornings at Burger King and he’s worked overnights at Mac’s Milk. He’s also been a delivery driver, a cook, a painter, and a shift manager. For the past five years, Josh has worked at a local mattress company learning the business inside and out, alongside the owner.

Their remarkable story is not lost on them, though.

“When we look back at it now, to those days in the shelter, we were just young kids doing what we needed to do to survive,” he says, recalling the excitement he felt when he first got his own small apartment, and could buy a coffeemaker.

YES executive director Suzanne Galloway worked with Josh when he first arrived at the shelter.

“It’s amazing the progress they’ve made,” she says. “And now, to own their own home. There’s something so profound about owning your own home.”

She says it is heartbreaking and equally inspiring to know that youth who sometimes have so little can be so resilient. And the real hope, she says, comes from knowing that when “we are able to invest in these young people, they really are able to accomplish greatness.”

Together, Josh and Tasha have learned how to be parents — even parenting a child with special needs together — meeting challenge after challenge that comes their way.

Josh does admit that he was discouraged, thinking it would take forever to secure a traditional mortgage. All he and Tasha wanted, they say, was to give their children what they, themselves, never had — a place to call home.

With that goal now a reality, there’s just one more on their list.

“We never got officially married,” Tasha says. “I wanted it to be really special. We thought if we could one day get a house, we would get married in the yard. That’s the last thing on our list.”