The developer behind the controversial Ev Royale project is looking to purchase the Erindale Community Hall.
A staple to the Erindale neighbourhood since 1927, the community hall is on the city’s heritage registry and has functioned as a gathering place for weddings, baby showers, retirement parties, birthday celebrations and other local events. Located on the corner of Dundas Street West and Mindemoya Road, the building is owned by the City of Mississauga.
In a letter penned to Paul Mitcham, the city’s commissioner of community services, Sharief Zaman, owner of development firm Erindale Village Living Inc., expressed his intent to purchase the property.
“We will renovate, improve and restore the heritage building so that it will be revitalized in the community,” wrote Zaman in a July 14 letter.
Zaman has already submitted a rezoning application to redevelop the lands adjacent to the hall on Dundas Street West, where Piatto Restaurant is located. The area is currently zoned for three-storey mixed use. If approved, Piatto's would be torn down and a seven-storey, 131-unit residential building with ground floor retail would be constructed. The revamped community hall would then become a part of the new development.
“This developer should never be allowed to get his hands on it (Erindale Community Hall),” said Brad Schneller, member of the Erindale Village Association Land Use Advisory Group. “If he does, it’s going to be demolished.”
Schneller and fellow group member Terry Murphy presented their case to save the Erindale Community Hall at the Sept. 13 city council meeting.
“This heritage site should not be offered for sale as a private sector commodity for profit,” said Murphy.
Formerly owned by the Erindale Village Association, the city purchased the hall in Nov. 2012 for $45,000, which covered the accumulated debt incurred by the association for maintenance and operation, according to Mitcham.
Since acquiring the property, the city has spent $240,000 on building upgrades, including repairing the HVAC system, upgrading the building for fire safety, roof and envelope repairs and interior painting.
Zaman said he is committed to further restoration of the property, not demolition.
“Upon the completion of the restoration program, the building will be available for sale or lease to a business operator (which could include the Piatto Restaurant, for example),” he wrote.
Last November, a public meeting was held on the Ev Royale proposal. More than 50 residents attended the meeting, held at the Erindale Community Hall, to voice their opposition. The demolition of Piatto’s restaurant was a crucial factor.
Coun. Nando Iannicca said Zaman's desire to purchase the community centre stemmed from the community's resistance to the restaurant closure.
“He wanted to move Piatto’s into that venue … He thought he was doing this based on your wishes … if that’s not what you want anymore, you need a little consistency in the ask.”
Tom Skrela, owner of Piatto Restaurant, could not be reached for comment in time for publication, but Schneller, a friend of Skrela's, said there's no way he would consider moving the restaurant into the community hall.
"It's all smoke and mirrors," he said.
Citing increased traffic volume, lack of parking, potential decline in property values and environmental concerns, Murphy said he is not in favour of intensifying the historic area, adding the city should honour the commitments made in its Official Plan.
“Why do we want to keep tearing buildings down? How can we develop a history if we’re going to tear everything down and put up a bigger building?”
Mitcham said there is considerable work to be done before any decisions are made, including a heritage impact statement and feasibility study.
A staple to the Erindale neighbourhood since 1927, the community hall is on the city’s heritage registry and has functioned as a gathering place for weddings, baby showers, retirement parties, birthday celebrations and other local events. Located on the corner of Dundas Street West and Mindemoya Road, the building is owned by the City of Mississauga.
In a letter penned to Paul Mitcham, the city’s commissioner of community services, Sharief Zaman, owner of development firm Erindale Village Living Inc., expressed his intent to purchase the property.
“We will renovate, improve and restore the heritage building so that it will be revitalized in the community,” wrote Zaman in a July 14 letter.
Zaman has already submitted a rezoning application to redevelop the lands adjacent to the hall on Dundas Street West, where Piatto Restaurant is located. The area is currently zoned for three-storey mixed use. If approved, Piatto's would be torn down and a seven-storey, 131-unit residential building with ground floor retail would be constructed. The revamped community hall would then become a part of the new development.
“This developer should never be allowed to get his hands on it (Erindale Community Hall),” said Brad Schneller, member of the Erindale Village Association Land Use Advisory Group. “If he does, it’s going to be demolished.”
Schneller and fellow group member Terry Murphy presented their case to save the Erindale Community Hall at the Sept. 13 city council meeting.
“This heritage site should not be offered for sale as a private sector commodity for profit,” said Murphy.
Formerly owned by the Erindale Village Association, the city purchased the hall in Nov. 2012 for $45,000, which covered the accumulated debt incurred by the association for maintenance and operation, according to Mitcham.
Since acquiring the property, the city has spent $240,000 on building upgrades, including repairing the HVAC system, upgrading the building for fire safety, roof and envelope repairs and interior painting.
Zaman said he is committed to further restoration of the property, not demolition.
“Upon the completion of the restoration program, the building will be available for sale or lease to a business operator (which could include the Piatto Restaurant, for example),” he wrote.
Last November, a public meeting was held on the Ev Royale proposal. More than 50 residents attended the meeting, held at the Erindale Community Hall, to voice their opposition. The demolition of Piatto’s restaurant was a crucial factor.
Coun. Nando Iannicca said Zaman's desire to purchase the community centre stemmed from the community's resistance to the restaurant closure.
“He wanted to move Piatto’s into that venue … He thought he was doing this based on your wishes … if that’s not what you want anymore, you need a little consistency in the ask.”
Tom Skrela, owner of Piatto Restaurant, could not be reached for comment in time for publication, but Schneller, a friend of Skrela's, said there's no way he would consider moving the restaurant into the community hall.
"It's all smoke and mirrors," he said.
Citing increased traffic volume, lack of parking, potential decline in property values and environmental concerns, Murphy said he is not in favour of intensifying the historic area, adding the city should honour the commitments made in its Official Plan.
“Why do we want to keep tearing buildings down? How can we develop a history if we’re going to tear everything down and put up a bigger building?”
Mitcham said there is considerable work to be done before any decisions are made, including a heritage impact statement and feasibility study.
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