For sale sign on demolished Essex County church property raises questions around land use
Questions are arising in Stoney Point now that a 10-acre parcel of land where Annunciation Church once stood is up for sale.
The building, in the small southwestern Ontario town, was torn down in November after the church closed its doors in 2006. It dates back to 1905 and was purchased by a developer a few years ago.
"Everybody's got lots of questions and unfortunately now we get to see what the next step is," said Rob Duquette, owner of Stoney Point Hardware across the street.
"For a guy that was really adamant about building something there to put for sale seems really interesting,"
The land was purchased by Kamal Lachine, who originally said his intention was to put a single storey townhouse development on the property.
CBC News could not reach Lachine before publication.
Marcie Glajch and David Tremblay stand in front of the Annunciation Church before it was demolished. (Dale Molnar/CBC)
According to the real estate listing, the asking price is $1,350,000 for the property.
It also outlines several uses for the property including retail development, commercial, residential and institutional.
But David Tremblay, who was fighting to save the church, questions whether anything could go there.
"There's no sewer capacity," said Tremblay.
"It's gonna probably stand as an empty lot. We could have an historical building here. Now we have an empty lot."
There is currently a freeze on new development in the town if it has to connect to the existing sewer system — which is at capacity.
Marcie Glajch, who lives next door, would like to see a community hub built there.
"We just want to see something good, you know, for the community," said Glajch.
Brick work at the former Annunciation Church in Stoney Point shown crumbling before it was torn down. (Dale Molnar/CBC)
Lakeshore Ward 6 Coun. Larissa Vogler wouldn't say if she favours housing on the property when contacted by CBC News.
She wants to see a report from administration first.
"We'll see what capacity allows and again the building department would be able to speak to our operations to be able to speak to what type of capacity and opportunities there are available in the eastern part of the municipality," said Vogler.
Tremblay says he would like to see a plaque erected on the property to commemorate the church that once stood there.
