A council decision on land rezoning has paved the way for the sale of a landmark home in Fernie.
Known locally as the Leroux Mansion, the nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom house is the largest historic residence and private grounds in Fernie, and carries a price tag of $1.15 million.
The 4th Avenue property is situated on 0.668 acres and divided into six self-contained apartments, which are currently rented out.
However, the building, which was built between 1909 and 1910, is in a dilapidated state with a leaking roof that needs replacing by fall.
“Fourteen years ago I purchased the Leroux Mansion with the dream of one day restoring it,” wrote owner Ted Allsopp in a letter read to City of Fernie councillors on Monday night.
“Over this time I have provided affordable rentals in the Leroux for Fernie. Unfortunately, the building is deteriorating and I do not have the resources or time to dedicate to this project.”
Allsopp said he had received and declined offers from developers who would knock the building down before finding a group of Fernie locals, who plan to keep the building and renovate it.
Listing real estate agent Carol Cohen presented to councillors on behalf of Allsopp at a public hearing for the zoning bylaw amendment on Monday night.
Leroux Mansion is currently split zoned and the purpose of the bylaw amendment is to rezone the R1 Single Residential portion of the lot to R4 Multiple Residential High Density, so the entire lot has a consistent zoning to match the current land-use.
Cohen said the sale was conditional on the rezoning, which would allow the buyers to restore and further develop the property.
She emphasized that while R4 zoning allows for a maximum of 20 units, the buyers have a strong desire to preserve Leroux Mansion and will only build an additional six units, bringing the total number of residential dwellings to 12.
They plan to live in two of the units, while the remaining apartments will be sold as single units.
The sale has the support of the Fernie and District Historical Society, which was represented by Fernie Museum executive director Ron Ulrich on Monday.
He said the property had “incredible historical significance” to Fernie and its sale highlighted the need for a heritage program and registry.
Ulrich urged councillors to provide third reading to the bylaw amendment on the basis that the building would not be demolished.
Several residents also spoke at the public hearing, raising concerns about unrestricted development and parking issues, and emphasizing the need to protect the heritage values of the property.
A resident of Leroux Mansion said that while the sale would displace her and her fellow residents, she recognized that the building was in desperate need of repairs after watching it deteriorate over the past 10 years.
“We just hope that whatever happens, the building gets preserved,” she said in an emotional plea to councillors.
Councillors discussed ways they could minimize the risk of the building being developed without consideration of its heritage values in the future.
Cohen reminded them of the timeliness of the offer, which had already been extended and would expire on Wednesday.
She doesn’t believe Leroux Mansion will sell with the current zoning, which City planner Derek Cimolini acknowledged in his report was a historic inconsistency that should be rectified.
After much consideration, councillors decided to support staff’s recommendation and provide third reading to the bylaw amendment, with councillor Dan McSkimming declaring “we have to take that leap of faith”.
It has been referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval with a final decision expected at the next council meeting on September 24.
The City will work with the Historical Society to develop the Fernie Heritage Master Plan regarding the historical significance of the Leroux Mansion and its surrounding lands.