Historic house to start helping residents
One of Cochrane’s historic houses might be a mental health therapy office by next year.
“We want to restore each room and restore and maintain the house,” said Michelle Copithorne, Cochrane resident who will be the owner and operator of the office.
“There is a huge need and we want to help.”
Built in 1911, the heritage house was the home of the McNamee family, the first couple to be married in Cochrane. While the lot has been vacant for a number of years, Copithorne recently purchased the house – sale pending.
When Copithorne approached town administration in June, she stated the plan for the house is not to tear it down and rebuild, but to restore the rooms as best as possible while ensuring the building is energy efficient and up to date with modern building codes.
“I think this is the first time in Cochrane that a heritage house is being redesignated for an office space,” said Jared Kassel, manager of planning and engineering.
The Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society (CHAPS) supported the application to preserve the ‘McNamee House’ and “is happy to hear the house may be preserved and restored as closely as possible to its original condition.”
Cochrane Settlement Community Association questioned how additional parking would be accommodated; the design concept showed parking on the lot surrounding the house.
Copithorne said she also handed out 100 letters notifying surrounding residents about the proposed change, to which she said they only received one response back from a person asking if they could use their services once the mental health therapy office was open.
She assured council and guests at the public hearing that the new use for the building would be appropriate as patients would be through referrals only (no walk-in traffic) and there would be no overnight usage.
“These are high-functioning people with mental illnesses,” Copithorne said.
Coun. Morgan Nagel asked if the amendments were approved that night, how long would it take until the doors were open.
“We would be hopeful for next July,” Copithorne said.
After the public hearing was over and when the item was brought to the regular council agenda, the councillors expressed their support for the change as they approved the land use bylaw amendment that would allow for the office to open.
“I am ecstatic about the change to this building – it will be a huge asset to the town,” said Mayor Ivan Brooker.
The house is located in the lower east end of town at 305 Ross Ave. and is currently known as the McNamee house.
