September 27 - Westmount Independent

WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – September 27-28, 2011 – 5City issues permit for inside work as demo appeal droppedfor conversion of 215 RedfernBy Laureen SweeneyA city permit was issued September 19for interior demolition work at 215 Redfern,city officials said the following day.The move came four days after a tenant ofAnother raccoonstuck in garbage binA month after five baby raccoons becametrapped in a garbage bin onGrosvenor, another raccoon was stuck inone on Lansdowne Ave. September 7,Public Security officials said. A patrollertipped over the bin to free the animal.While the ingenious urban wildlife inhabitantsseem able to find their way insidethe large containers, it appears theyencounter trouble getting out. Solutionsused by some people include placing aheavy article on top of the lid or fasteningit down with an elasticized luggagecable. This may keep them from enteringin the first place.the building dropped his appeal of thecity’s decision to allow the demolition.“The permit is for removal of interiorpartitions,” said Urban Planning directorJoanne Poirier. “The exterior work – removalof the facade – will wait for thespring and better weather.”Work to convert the former Reader’sDigest building into 63 condominiumshad been delayed by the appeal by CeracoImmigration Services and immigrationlawyer David Cohen, of the favourabledemolition decision rendered July 8.Cohen was the only tenant of the commercialbuilding understood to have notreached an agreement or relocation settlementwith the building owners and hadlaunched the appeal August 5 on groundshis lease prevented the building’s “changeof destination” (see August 9, p. 2).Concerns over trafficNo other appeals had been received bythe city though other interveners – residentsof the street – had expressed concernsover traffic, safety and generalG ROUPENEWTONdisruption during the demolition/constructionprocess (see July 5, p. 4, 5).With the matter now settled betweentenant and owner, the way has beencleared for work to begin. Poirier met lastweek with the architectural firm of KarlFisher to arrange for all required documentsto be submitted.Plans call for the interior of the buildingto be gutted and the entire façade replaced.A section of two floors is to be demolishedas well. Two additional storeysare to be built on part of the existing structure,topped by a recreational penthouse.The city’s demolition decision lists anumber of conditions related to the constructionsite, safety and other concerns ofresidents. It also set a monetary guaranteeof $500,000 to ensure the project is carriedout according to approved plans.WESTMOUNT:4700 Ste Catherine St West,apt 710; approx. 2000 s.f. originalowners, excellent mountain views,woodburning fireplace, two garagespaces, large exterior balcony.Priced to sell $995,000Maxwell Castle514-941-8802real estate brokerThomas Castle514-794-1829certified real estate broker