Plan to build duplex next to historic Calgary home nixed by appeal board

The city's development appeal board has rejected a proposal to build a large duplex next to one of Calgary's earliest residences, a Gothic Revival Cottage-style housewith a wrap-around verandah and dormer windows next to the river in Inglewood.

The Major Stewart House in Inglewood was built in 1885 by its namesake, an early settler in the Calgary area.

Stewart was a rancher, businessman and served as a sergeant in theNorth-West Mounted Police.

The owner of the vacant lot next to the historic housefiled an applicationto build an infill-styleduplex.

But the plan as it currently exists was rejected by the appeal boardTuesday, overturning itsoriginal approval by the city in August.

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"This is, in the provincial perspective, a very important place and a very important man, and the adjacent development that has occurred there to date is very respectful of that," said neighbour Sara Jane Gruetzner, one of several people who filed the appeal.

"The Major Stewart House is an icon on New Street."

Not a rejection of all development

Gruetzner said her opposition to the project isnot a rejection of all development around the house, pointing to another duplex flanking the historic home as a "wonderful example" of a newer buildingthat's respectful of its surroundings.

"I think it's very important for our heritage today that the heritage concerns we brought forward on behalf of the Major Stewart House were listened to by the board," she said.

Rao Darsi has lived in the Major Stewart House for about 14 years and said he was concerned with the size of the proposed duplex and the fact it would be built so close to the street, unlike the historic home.

"The main impact, I thought, would be the disturbance of the ambiance of the area, especially to do with the setback of the property."

Developer can re-submit

The lawyer for the landowners said his clients have the right to re-submit an application for a new house that does a better job of taking its historic neighbour into account.

Gruetzner is all for that.

"We've let the developer know we're more than happy to work with him. Ithink having expert advice in the area of conservation architecture would be very valuable," she said.

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