Developer appealing city order over controversial Young Avenue demolition
The landlord behind the Fairview apartment building boarded up by the city of Halifax is scheduled to appear before a committee next week to get a controversial demolition project in the city's south end back on track.
George Tsimiklis owns a five-unit, century-old mansion at 825/827 Young Avenue which some believe is a heritage building that should be saved. In addition, he's purchased two adjacent properties on McLean Street and intends to build an 11-unit subdivision.
In early September, Peter Fillmore arrived home at Young Avenue only to find the building was being taken apart, even though he and another tenant still live there. Scaffolding was outside, tarp covered the windows, and siding had been removed.
Oct. 6 hearing
Tsimiklis, who runs a rental and development company with his brother Steve, will attempt to overturn a city planning and development order regarding fire safety, building code and bylaw violations on Oct. 6 at city hall.
The order includes conditions that bedroom windows are to be made openable and unobstructed, and scaffolding is to be removed.
And unless a fire safety plan is put in place, the demolition cannot resume.
Fillmore said he's been asked to vacate his flat by Nov. 1, but has a lease until next April. He said he's still deciding when he will leave. The appearance of the building and being locked out of the laundry room have made living in the building less enjoyable, he said.
Six councillors on committee
Tsimiklis will make his case before the appeals standing committee, a group of six councillors that can override city staff decisions. It's the same committee that allowed a Halifax taxi driver to resume working even though he was charged with sexual assault.
Tsimiklis has been under the microscope of city bylaw officers for violations at other properties. On Tuesday, staff took the unusual step of shutting down his 12-unit apartment building at 22 Evans Avenue. The city cited fire safety and rundown living conditions as reasons to vacate the property which was home to tenants on income assistance.
He's also under orders to address 29 fire safety violations at the property next door, 24 Evans Avenue.
