Historic Richmond Hill Cottage gets one-year reprieve

One of the oldest properties in St. John's has been given a one-year lifeline.

The city has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Wrightland Development Corporation on the historic Richmond Hill Cottage.

The property, off Shaw Street in the city's west end, is a two-storey wooden merchant manor built around 1848.

It's been mired in controversy for years.

Under the new agreement, the developer has just over a year — until May 2017 — to try to sell the home.

"I think it also means that we have an opportunity to save this, without question," said Councillor Dave Lane

After May 2017, the owner has the option to demolish the property if there isn't a reasonable offer on the table.

That doesn't sit well with Councillor Jonathan Galgay.

His was the dissenting vote in an otherwise unanimous council endorsement of the MOU.

"I don't want to be a part of that. I think tonight, again, has sent a wrong message that demolition is on the table," said Galgay.

"We've learned from the property on Winter Avenue that it's certainly not acceptable."

A year ago, a contractor tore down a 130-year-old home at 25 Winter Avenue.

In that case, council turned down a recommendation by the city's heritage committee to designate the house a heritage property, as the sale hinged on the new owner being allowed to demolish it.

Heritage advocates have been decrying the decision ever since.

Wrightland withdrew a 2013 application to the city to demolish Richmond Hill Cottage due to water damage.

The city had previously approved a new housing development on surrounding land on the condition Wrightland protect the home.

The property is now up for sale for a price of $350,000.

The city formally recognized Richmond Hill Cottage as a heritage building in 2003.