The planned expansion of the building containing Dufferin County’s municipal offices and the local courts, and the properties that will be lost to make way for it, were the subject of intense discussion Monday night at Orangeville Council.

Neighbouring residents on Zina Street expressed their concerns about the impact of the expanded structure on their own properties and there were different views regarding the fate of one property – located at 55 Zina – that is slated for demolition.

In 2004, the county purchased the Zina Street property, followed by 15 Clara Street in 2005 and 48 Elizabeth Street in 2009. The purpose was the construction of a two-storey, 18,827-square-foot addition to accommodate more office space for county administration and the Provincial Courts, as well as an expanded parking area.

The design allows for prisoners being brought to court to be transferred indoors, as a security precaution.

Mike Giles, the county’s chief building official, and county architect Mark Driscoll made a presentation that outlined the planned expansion on Monday night, looking toward council’s approval of the site plan and a residential demolition permit for the Zina property.

After hearing from both sides of the issue, council chose to approve the site plan. The demolition permit was also approved, but was deferred for 60 days to allow for the possibility of the 127- year-old home to be moved elsewhere.

The motion also included more public involvement in the expansion plans.

The argument to save the building was led by Lynda Addy, chair of Heritage Orangeville. In a letter submitted prior to Monday’s meeting, Ms. Addy said Heritage Orangeville “deplores the loss of any of the town’s finite heritage resources.

“We are the community with ‘historic charm, dynamic future’ where, ideally, new development blends with old without obliterating it. The (town’s) Official Plan also requires that new developments proceed with minimal impact on heritage resources.”

Addressing council, she noted that Mr. Giles and the county had been diligent “However,” Ms. Addy said, “there is one dark cloud and that’s demolition of the build- ing that sits at 55 Zina. Instead of demolishing it, they should move the building to another site in town.” She crunched some numbers, saying the move could cost anywhere from $100,000 to $220,000. Ms. Addy then pointed out that it was still a viable option, figuring the house could have a value of up to $400,000 in another section of town.

Mr. Giles, on the other hand, spoke in favour of demolition with the aim of salvaging the brick. A wall of the county building is in particularly poor condition and the bricks from 55 Zina, which was built at almost the same time, would be ideal for the task.

Otherwise, he told council, “trying to match brick is a nightmare for building of that era.”

Ms. Addy countered that “an 1883 building is of more value than the bricks it’s made of.”

Councillor Scott Wilson inquired as to when the demolition was scheduled to take place. Mr. Giles answered they were aiming for the middle of June. Mr. Wilson then said that he would like to see the house moved, but not if it interfered with the construction schedule.

Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock entered the debate at that point. Regretting that he might be “muddying the waters further,” he pointed to the possibility that the building, being as old as it is, might not be able to be moved at all.

The materials to be used in the addition are red-orange brick and local limestone block, which are meant to be in keeping with the materials of the heritage buildings on the property and along the street.

There will also be subdued lighting and trees that are as high as 15 feet.

Still, dissenters at the meeting indicated they felt the design falls short in its goals. “We saw the drawings and we thought (they were) something that doesn’t fit into a residential atmosphere,” said resident Gary Vipond, “and we were appalled.”

Gord Purdy resides at 59 Zina, next door to the proposed addition. He made it clear to council that it would be less than pleasant to be looking out his window at a drab wall. “Let’s work together, here,” he suggested, “and come up with something that is half decent.”

Mr. Driscoll assured Mr. Purdy that the county would work to ensure the design would provide for a good view, enhanced by the presence of foliage, and allow for more privacy for the neighbours.

In an interview after the meeting, Mr. Purdy was somewhat placated by the part of the council motion that called for more public involvement. “I’m glad a few council members were on my side in regards to the aesthetics,” he said. “We’re part of it, now, which is definitely a positive thing.”

Another major complaint the residents brought up was parking. They presented instances where Zina was packed with parked cars, while there was an abundance of empty spots in the parking lot on Elizabeth Street.

They suggested this could be rectified by the implementation of parking bans on certain areas of the public streets.