Sarnia's mayor is hoping to avoid a confrontation that would leave the former Central United Church vacant for years on end at the corner of Brock Street and George Street.
City council will be asked to consider the proposed heritage designation of 220 George St.
The church held its final service in November 2020 after the site was sold to London-based Xoana Corporation.
The Sarnia Heritage Committee said every effort should be made to conserve the landmark.
"With its many heritage architectural details and a longstanding history, the building is conspicuous and appreciated in both the city-wide and neighbourhood context. Its conservation should be a focus for its future," read a council report.
The original structure was built in 1883.
Included in the report to council was a letter from Sarnia–Lambton–Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu, who supports the designation request.
"Protecting our physical heritage assets strengthens our community’s sense of identity, enhances our cultural and built environment, supports local tourism, and preserves these vital landmarks for the enjoyment of generations to come," said Gladu.
However, an email from Xoana Corporation strongly opposed the potential designation.
"We are definitely not interested in having our property on any heritage list or designation. Just being thought of being put on such a list is a death sentence for a small company such as ours," said Xoana. "There is absolutely no benefit for us whatsoever, none!"
The email also said the incentives offered may as well be nonexistent.
Xoana initially planned for a mixed-use building which would include residential space. The owner proposed reusing the sanctuary as an auditorium, and the 1950s addition as a 12-unit apartment building.
But the owner is now in the process of trying to sell the property.
"As you may or may not know, we have the property listed for sale. We have had at least one interested party walk away from the deal after seeing we were on the possible heritage list," read the email from Xoana sent in May. "We have also been rejected for financing after the lender saw we were on that list as well. So as you see, we have already endured great loss and damage just being on that list."
Mayor Mike Bradley said he's concerned about designating private property if it makes it more difficult to market.
"We don't want that. We do not need another vacant church in the community," Bradley said. "I would hope we could find a third way. Maybe we need to just send it back to the heritage committee, have negotiations facilitated so we don't end up imposing on this property owner a designation that means the property will sit there and decline."
Bradley said he'd like to see a full public process to discuss the matter.
"My hope is that council would respect the property owner's rights, find a way -- if this project's redeveloped to preserve what is necessary there in the sanctuary," Bradley said. "We do not need a confrontation where we're imposing this on a property owner."
In total, the city has received two objections to the possible designation.
If council decides to go ahead with it, a notice must be shared at least 30 days before a designating by-law can be adopted. An objection can be filed within 30 days of the notice being issued.
If an objection is received, council will have to decide whether to withdraw the notice or proceed. Appeals can later be filed with the Ontario Land Tribunal.
The heritage request will be discussed at Sarnia City Hall on Monday, December 15. The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
