Uganda's diplomatic residence in Rockcliffe lost to 'unapproved' demolition

The City of Ottawa is taking enforcement action after a heritage-protected home owned by the Uganda High Commission was allegedly demolished without a permit.

The 67-year-old stucco house at 235 Mariposa Ave. was the high commission's official residence. It was a Grade 2 heritage property in the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District and was on the city's heritage watch list of at-risk properties.

The local councillor called the home's destruction «very frustrating» and part of a broader pattern of neglected diplomatic properties, while the local residents' association called it shocking and urged council to refuse an application to build a larger residence on the site.

Norman Allen, the city's deputy chief building official, called the contravention a serious matter. A staff report called it an «unapproved demolition» in violation of the Ontario Heritage Act and the Ontario Building Code Act.

In response, the city is taking action in provincial court against Elite Dream Construction Corporation of Toronto. It alleges three violations of the Building Code Act from late October, as well as another allegation of failing to comply with an order from late November or early December.

There was a permit in place for the property, but only to alter and build additions to the home. On the morning of Oct. 23, however, building code services received a complaint that it was being demolished.

That day, an inspector found that the demolition work was limited to the front of the garage, which was allowed under the permit. The architect confirmed that the home itself would not be demolished, according to Allen.

But two days later, Allen said in an email, the inspector returned to find the roof and second floor walls demolished and