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Ancaster nuns ponder ‘gift’ to conservationists as part of land-sale plan
(Hamilton Spectator, Matthew Van Dongen, Mar 15 2013)

A religious order can sell part of a historic Mountain property for development — but only if it gifts a slice of valuable natural lands to the conservation authority.

The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate bought the 41-hectare estate on Wilson Street East in 1946 to use as a school, which in recent years has functioned as a religious retreat.

The Ancaster property is known for its 87-year-old manor and elaborately landscaped estate, breathtaking views of the Dundas Valley — and a decade-old development battle.

The Ukrainian Catholic order has until mid-June to fulfill the conditions of an Ontario Municipal Board settlement allowing it to sever the property. The main condition is a donation of environmentally sensitive land to the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

“Obviously some of the land is not appropriate for development and everyone wants to see that land preserved,” said lawyer Paul Paradis. “The sisters have been wonderful custodians … The whole issue of selling has been an emotional issue for them.”

The landowners met neighbourhood opposition to an early agreement with a developer who wanted to build 60 single family homes and 52 condo townhouses on the western half of the property, which is bounded by Wilson and Sulphur Springs Road.

Sister Janet Kozak, administrator for the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre, said her order wants “at least the option” to sell part of the land, for financial flexibility.

The institutional-zoned property is assessed at $5 million. But developable land in the area could be worth more than $500,000 an acre, said real estate broker Conrad Zurini.

He said servicing, zoning and environmental restrictions would affect value, but added even eight hectares of developable land could be worth more than $10 million.

“That’s one of the prettiest properties in southern Ontario,” he said.