Ray Campbell is asking the City of Charlottetown for a zoning change for his property at 15 Hillsborough Street.
Campbell made a presentation to city council during a public meeting on Tuesday night.
The purpose of the rezoning is to permit a small eating and drinking establishment.
Campbell purchased the tiny home 16 years ago after passing by in a snowstorm for seeing the “For Sale’’ sign. Once he started tearing it apart Campbell quickly discovered it was one of the city’s oldest log homes, possibly dating back to the 1700s.
Last summer, he opened it up to tourists.
There is tree moss between the large logs with dovetails. The logs are also held together by wooden pegs. There isn’t a nail to be found in the original design.
The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation is having wood tests done on the house to pin down a rough time when it was built.
“It wouldn’t be practical to turn it (back) into a house,’’ Campbell said. “It would be nice to show people the heritage of this part of Charlottetown.’’
Charlottetown-Victoria Park MLA Richard Brown showed up to voice his approval for Campbell’s efforts.
“I think it’s a great way to showcase this city’s history,’’ Brown said. “I support this project 100 per cent.’’
Council is concerned that be granting Campbell the necessary zoning that if he were to sell it, someone else could come along, buy the property and operate something that wasn’t harmonious with the neighbourhood.
Mayor Clifford Lee said the neighbours might have issues with the café.
“If someone came to me and said the guy next door to me will be opening a café I wouldn’t be too thrilled,’’ Lee said.
Coun. Greg Rivard, chairman of the planning and heritage committees, followed up on that point, asking Campbell if he would be willing to sign a development agreement with the city that would restrict things like hours of operation should council grant his request.
Campbell said he doesn’t have any problem with that.
When Lee asked Campbell the type of business he had in mind, Campbell mentioned Timothy’s as an example.
“It’s going to be a labour of love, actually, or it might as well be torn down.’’
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