It's just been a mess' for years Neighbours cheer as home razed

Cheers could be heard on Churchill Cr. in Georgetown early Thursday morning as a throng of area residents watched an excavator knock down a home on that street and several brightly coloured "sheds" from its backyard. The approximately 40 elated neighbours drank coffee and munched on donuts during the 7:30 a.m. demolition of what has been an eyesore in that area for the past three years, to make way for a new 1,550 sq. ft. bungalow.

"We're glad to see this thing go," said one relieved neighbour of the home at 30 Churchill Cres., who didn't want to be identified. The demolition of the war-time house-- built approximately 58 years ago for returning veterans-- was done by the new owners of the property, Hauver Development Inc. and Paladon Development Corp. Neighbours related numerous problems with the home's previous owner. At one point, a neighbour said, the grass at the home was 18 inches tall. Household and construction garbage littered the backyard along with a derelict van. "You wouldn't believe the rats over there," said a neighbour. "It's just been a mess, there should be no reason for that," said another neighbour. Five wooden, brightly painted sheds--some of them three-storeys tall-- were built in the backyard and earned the property the derisive nickname Whoville from some of the neighbours. Area residents complained to the Town of Halton Hills about the property several times and the previous owner was slapped with two property standards orders last year-- one for the condition of the property and the other for having a five-foot deep trench around the foundation wall. The home was owned for a few years by a couple who later separated. No one has lived at the site for some time but the house was sold earlier this year. Neither owner could be reached for comment. Michael Hauver, of Hauver Development, said the home had been vacant for more than 18 months. The new owners plan to build a stone and brick raised bungalow on the 40 ft. x 210 ft. lot. Hauver said they plan to begin building as soon as they have the go-ahead from the town, hopefully in six to eight weeks. They hope the energy-efficient home, which they plan to sell for between $400,000-$500,000, will be built by the end of August or early September.