Stratford, P.E.I. brick heritage home demolished

A 188-year-old house in Stratford, P.E.I. known as The Brick House was torn down last week to the dismay of some residents, including at least one towncouncillor.

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The house is featured as one of 16 heritage buildings on the Town of Stratford's website, which said it was built in 1828 from local bricks by a builder named William "Brickhouse William" Mutch. The website touts the house as maintaining its original windows and sandstone foundation.

"It disappeared without any knowledge of it happening," saidcouncillorKeithMacLean.

"I think peoplewould have been concerned and would have tried to save the property."

"It's a significant part of Stratford's history," agreed planning director Patrick Carroll. But neither council nor the public could have prevented the demolition, according to Stratford officials.

Under the town's development bylaw, the owner who bought the property last October only had to notify Stratford's heritage of hisplans. Thecommittee had 120 days to review the plans and suggest alternatives, but it had none.

"This particular property was in substantially weak condition, particularly in terms of the structure itself,"said planning director Patrick Carroll.

"From the basement up, it was certainly showing real signs of instability."

The owner presented a compelling case that the cost to renovate the house was"substantial", said Carroll.

'More muscle' needed

Even if the committee wished to save the building, the owner could still have gone ahead with demolition, Carroll said, because there's nothing in Stratford's bylaw to stop him.

"We do have a form of protection, but it's only a voluntary program.So essentially the landowner needs to agree," he explained.

MacLeanis now advocating the town bring in stronger rules to protect heritage properties.

"It would've been nice for the community to at least have a say and hear what's happening," saidMacLean.

"We can't change the past, but we could change the future, and maybe put some more muscle into the heritage bylaw."

Council has now asked the planning director to review the bylaw to see if it needs more teeth something Carroll said is an important, but dauntingtask.

"You have to be mindful of regulations you put in place, and how that may prohibit any activity or use on that land in the future. So it's a real balance," he said.

Historic remnants

Not all of the Brick House's history has been lost.

The owner has donated 1,200 remaining bricks to the town, whichplans to use them in a public art piece.

The Brick Houseproperty was once a 200-acre farm, which remained in theMutchfamily for 150 years.

CBC tried to contact the property ownerfor comment but didn't hear back.

He hasn't revealed any plans for the property to the town, officials said.