Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster was looking for an explanation.

"The owner has not complied at all with municipal property standards, with bylaws and with provincial law, and enforcement has been impossible. We've had many communications with bylaw and we're told that because it's a diplomatic residence there's very little that can be done," said Crain.

"The chronic non-compliance has really interfered with our enjoyment of our home."

Enforcement 'complicated,' say heritage staff

The diplomatic residence had heritage protection, as do all homes in the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District. It was a Grade 2 property, which is considered less significant.

Lesley Collins, program manager for the city's heritage planning branch, said it can be challenging to deal with properties owned by foreign states. There are currently six diplomatic or foreign-owned properties on the city's heritage watch list of at-risk properties, including another building owned by the Uganda High Commission.

"The challenge with those is more about how complicated it can be to do enforcement and do work when we have to liaise through Global Affairs," Collins said.

"It's not that it's impossible, it's not that we can't work with people. It's just that there's additional steps that we need to take."

Neighbours seek conditions

Crain asked the built heritage committee to at least place conditions on any permit to build the proposed mansion on the site. She asked for a wider setback to push the new home back, toward where the high commission wants a pool, and for real brick on the exterior in place of the planned veneer.

She also urged more frequent inspection to make sure the high commission complies.

"Nobody would be happier than us if they built a high-quality, beautiful project that contributed to the heritage of our neighbourhood," she said. "But we have no trust that they will do that."

The committee voted for the application, but tacked on an amendment to push back the home. King and Troster also plan to bring forward more conditions before final approval.

"We're going to continue to work on that, to strengthen what is going to be brought to council," said King. CBC/Yahoo News