The Conservation Review Board has recommended the City of Sarnia keep the heritage designation at an 1860's-era farmhouse at 166 Brock St.
In its decision, the Ontario Tribunal says the property "continues to have cultural heritage value or interest because of its architectural value as an example of an Ontario farmhouse."
Last fall, Sarnia City Council voted in favour of removing the designation because the owner said he couldn't keep up with repairs and wanted to sell the property to Vision Nursing and Rest Home.
Sarnia Heritage Committee Chair Wayne Wager welcomes the news, but believes council is under no obligation to reverse its decision.
"The decision of the board is a recommendation to council that they reconsider it and they had a number of different recommendations in their report based on a lot of case law they had reviewed," he says. "I hope councillors reconsider their ruling."
Wager notes council recently initiated cost-sharing and tax relief for work done by heritage homeowners on structural features designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
