“We’re being held hostage by the applicant,” said Councillor John Hirsch.

The vice-chair of the County’s Heritage Committee was referring to the Drake Devonshire’s refusal to extend the 90-day deadline for Council to decide its Heritage Permit application for a three-storey addition at 20 and 24 Wharf Street in Wellington at the August 25th Council meeting.

David Bronskill, The Drake’s attorney, told Council that if the permit were refused, his client would appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. He described the process as ineffient and “not cheap,” and said he believed the tribunal would ultimately issue the permit.

“We are not prepared to extend the 90 days any further,” Mr. Bronskill said. “We would like a decision tonight.”

Mr. Hirsch said the Heritage Committee had not been given enough time to properly assess the application and the additional heritage work it had requested.

“I have no doubt that we’re going to approve the permit tonight,” said Mr. Hirsch. “We have no choice.”

A staff report Council requested last month argued that the proposal appropriately addressed the heritage attributes of the W.P. Niles House and Wellington Heritage Conservation District. It recommended approval.

An amendment allows additional windows on the north facade at the discretion of the Director of Development Services.

Council approved the report and its recommendations. The decision ends months of debate over whether the Drake’s heritage work was sufficient — but also leaves broader questions about the County’s heritage process.