Amherstburg council to weigh four‑storey apartment proposal in heritage district

Amherstburg council is set to consider a proposed four‑storey apartment building on Wolfe Street within the town’s heritage conservation district. (Source: Town of Amherstburg handout)

Amherstburg council is being asked to approve construction of a four-storey apartment building on Wolfe Street within the town’s heritage conservation district.

A report going before council Monday night recommends approval of a heritage alteration permit for the vacant property at 261 Wolfe St., saying the proposed design meets heritage guidelines and follows best practices for infill development.

The report does not indicate how many residential units would be built.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb says the project has already gone through multiple layers of heritage review.

“Because this apartment building is in Amherstburg’s heritage district, it’s had to go through a few hoops,” Gibb said.

He said the project has been approved by the town’s heritage planner and heritage committee and will now go to council for a final decision.

“It’s been approved by our heritage planner, it’s been approved by the heritage committee, so on Monday it goes to council for a final yes or no, or council could kick it back for changes,” he said.

The design has been revised to better reflect nearby buildings, including the addition of stonework, lighter colours, and window and roofline details intended to match the surrounding heritage district.

Gibb said heritage rules are intended to guide development rather than prevent it.

“The idea is not to stifle development, it’s to work with developers,” he said.

He said while the building itself may not appear historic, its scale and design are consistent with surrounding structures.

“The look and feel and size of the building matches the structures around it,” Gibb said.

Gibb said council’s decision could influence how future developments are reviewed.

“On the heels of the Valente development, and the designation or the intent to designate that property, I think Monday’s discussion will kind of give us a glimpse as to how, pardon the term, how nitpicky council could be when you look at other developments around the community,” he said.

Earlier this month, council voted to begin the process of designating the former General Amherst High School property, owned by Valente Development, as a heritage site.

Peter Valente, who purchased the property in April 2024, has previously said a designation could affect plans for eight- and 11-storey mixed-use buildings, though he has said the south facade and murals would be preserved.

A bylaw to formally designate the property will return to council at a later date for debate.

Amherstburg council meets at 6 p.m. Monday.