GYRA www.GYRA.ca [email protected] March 2015 Report

Note: This is an excerpt from the March 2015 Full Report document. For a copy of the full report, please visit: http://www.gyra.ca/reports/

HERITAGE

Catching Up with the Past: Improving the City’s Heritage Preservation Framework

• City Council adopted this item on February 10, 2015 without amendments.

MM3.6 ACTION Adopted Ward:All

Catching Up with the Past: Improving the City's Heritage Preservation Framework - by Councillor , seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

City Council Decision City Council on February 10 and 11, 2015, adopted the following:

1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the feasibility of amending Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act to include a new, pre-listed classification to the City of 's Inventory of Heritage Properties which, without prior City Council approval, would include all properties identified as having potential heritage value and qualify those properties for a 60-day demolition permit delay in order that Historic Preservation Services staff can further evaluate the property and explore options, as appropriate, to preserve the building, including but not limited to designation.

2. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the City Solicitor and the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to explore the option of full-cost recovery for a demolition permit against any property included in this new inventory classification, to cover resources required for prioritized evaluation of the property, and to be paid by the applicant, in addition to standard application fees.

3. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive, City-wide study to identify all significant historic resources throughout our City, much like the SurveyLA program currently being undertaken in Los Angeles.

Toronto (MM. Supp.MM3.6.5) (February 6, 2015) E-mail from Linda Reid (MM.Supp.MM3.6.6) (February 8, 2015) E-mail from Gee Chung, President, The Greater Yorkville Residents' Association (MM.Supp.MM3.6.7) cilap://www.torontaca/leqdocsfrninis/2015/mmicommicommunicationfile-51071.pdt) (February 8, 2015) E-mail from Susan Stock, Chair, Summerhill Heritage Committee (MM.Supp.MM3.6.8) (February 8, 2015) E-mail from Ila Bossons (MM.Supp.MM3.6.9) (February 9, 2015) E-mail from Geoff Kettel, Chair, Community Preservation Panel (MM.New.MM3.6.10) (http://www.toronto.ca/leoclocs/mmis/2015/mm/comm/communicationfile-51077. pelf)

(January 9, 2015) Letter Communications (City Council) (February 5, 2015) E-mail from Daniel Rende (MM.Supp.MM3.6.1) (February 5, 2015) Letter from Sandra Shaul, Chair, Heritage Committee, Annex Residents Association (MM.Supp.MM3.6.2) (http://www.toronto.ca/ieodocs/mmis/2015/mm/comm/communicationfile-51008.pot) (February 6, 2015) E-mail from Richard Longley (lVfM.Supp.MM3.6.3) (February 6, 2015) E-mail from Jeremy and Patricia Gawen (MM.Supp.MM3.6.4) (February 6, 2015) E-mail from Stacey Rodas, Director of Marketing, Heritage from Catherine Nasmith, President, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario Ontario (ACO) Toronto (MM.New.1VIM3 .6.11) (I p:Hwww.toronto.caliecidocsimmis/2015/mmicomm/communicationfile-51078.pdf) (February 9, 2015) E-mail from Dean Maher, Chair, Toronto-East York Community Preservation Panel (MM.New.MM3.6.12) (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocsimmis/2015/mm/commicommunicationfile-51079.pcif) (February 9, 2015) E-mail from Lorraine Tinsley (MM.New.MM3.6.13)

Motions (City Council) Motion to Waive Referral (Carried) Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM3.6 be referred to the Planning and Growth Management Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.

Vote (Waive Referral) Feb-11-2015 2:37 PM Result: Carried Two-Thirds Required - MM3.6 - Waive referral , , , , , , , Justin J. Di Ciano, , , , , Mary Yes: 29 Fragedakis, , Jim Karygiannis, , , Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, , Ron Moeser, , , , , , David Shiner, Kristyn Wong-Tam , Ana Bailao, John Campbell, , , Gary Crawford, , , Norman Kelly, , No: 14 Denzil Minnan-Wong, (Chair), Michael Thompson, Absent: 2 Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho

Vote (Adopt Item)

Result Carried Majority Required – MM3.6 – Adopt the Item Feb-11-2015 4:47 PM

Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailao, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Gle nn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, , Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Yes: 30 Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, David Shiner, Kristyn Wong-Tam

No: 1 Stephen Holyday Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Justin J. Di Ciano, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Absent: 14 Ron Moeser, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory

Motion MM3.6 "Catching Up with the Past", by Councillor Matlow and myself (Councillor Wong-Tam), gives direction to staff to establish a new "pre-listing" designation for potential heritage properties that will facilitate more pro-active heritage protection in Toronto. As many residents are aware, the Stollery's building at 1 Bloor Street West was demolished without public consultation or the submission of a rezoning application, though it was within the boundaries of an ongoing heritage study and had been flagged by City staff for specific review. Presently, commercial properties are entitled to receive a demolition permit within 30 days, whereas residential properties must go through a formal rezoning and consultation process that includes heritage consideration. Additionally, City Council adopted my Historic Yonge Street motion, seconded by Councillor McConnell, as well as my amendment motion, calling for a prohibition on demolitions on Yonge Street between Carlton Street and Davenport Road until such a time as the current area heritage study is completed. These two motions serve to close the loopholes that have left area and City-wide heritage vulnerable and improve upon development transparency and accountability, through the budget process.

Heritage Preservation Update from Councillor Wong-Tam We were reminded of how quickly Toronto's built heritage can disappear with the unexpected demolition in January of the iconic Stollerys building located at Yonge and Bloor.

Despite a Heritage Conservation District Study for Historic Yonge Street from Davenport to College and my request to evaluate the Stollery building for its heritage value against the Ontario Heritage Act (2000) at the beginning of this year, no municipal by-laws exist to prohibit the issuance of demolition permit once statutory requirements under the provincial Building Code Act were met by the property owner.

To begin to address this policy gap, my colleague Councillor Josh Matlow and I have co-sponsored two motions to respond to this matter. The motions essentially introduce a notification process to better protect commercial zoned properties when demolition permits are applied for; and to conduct a comprehensive study to identify all significant historic resources that would qualify properties classified as pre-listed under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, to be subject to a 60-day demolition permit delay.

Toronto's challenge to protect its heritage-significant and commercial-zoned properties is part of a larger provincial problem. As a municipal government we must act within the provincial Building Code Act and the Ontario Heritage Act. Without ministerial intervention powers, there is no ability for the City to instate a stop-work order. The provincial government should confer such powers to Toronto – and other local governments, so that municipalities have more autonomy over local land use planning and development decisions.

With the 15th anniversary of the Ontario Heritage Act this year, it is a critical time to reflect and act on improvements that will allow cities to be successfully proactive in the protection, preservation, and restoration of its heritage and main streets.

Budget Committee consideration on February 20, 2015

BU6.4 ACTION Amended Ward:All .

2015 Capital and Operating Budgets Committee Decision The Budget Committee

Requested the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer submit corporate reports to the March 2, 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee outlining the 2015 Capital Budget and 2016-2024 Capital Plan as recommended by the Budget Committee and the 2015 Operating Budget as recommended by the Budget Committee, including the following amendments:

a. The 2015 Staff Recommended Operating Budget for City Planning be reduced by $0.525 million gross and net and 8.0 positions to reflect the deletion of new positions planned to enhance Area Studies; Heritage Conservation District (HDC) Plans / Studies; and the Strategic Initiatives, Policy & Analysis unit. b. Subject to approval of the above adjustment to the City Planning 2015 Operating Budget (Recommendation 1 a), that the Capital from Current (CFC) funding be increased by $0.525 million gross and net.

c. In maintaining the 2014 level of service for Heritage Conservation District Plans / Studies, that the City Planning 2015 — 2024 Capital Budget and Plan be reduced by $5.0 million gross and $4.635 million in debt funding over the 10-year period, reflecting an annual decrease of $0.5 million to the Heritage Conservation District Studies capital project (from $1.0 million per year to $0.5 million per year).

At the request of Heritage Toronto, GYRA wrote:

27 February 2015

City of Toronto Executive Committee 100 Queen Street West Toronto ON

Dear Executive Committee:

Re: 2015 Capital & Operating Budgets: City Planning Budget

The Budget Committee's recommendation to eliminate new staffing positions intended to enhance Area Studies and Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plans/Studies will further slow-down the huge backlog of heritage properties waiting designation. These added delays will increase the number of heritage properties already at the mercy of developers eager to reduce these assets into piles of rubble, and will undoubtedly result in increased loss of many heritage properties during the protracted wait-time for protection.

We understand there are over 1,600 new properties coming onto the Inventory of Heritage Properties within the next 12-16 months, from HCDs currently under study. We also understand Heritage Preservation Services continues to operate at pre-amalgamation staffing levels while inventory has doubled.

We understand the recommended budget reduction will reduce the number of new HCDs in 2015 and 2016 by one-half, and furthermore the sixteen (16) nominated HCDs and the ongoing assessments/studies undertaken by community groups will be subject to inordinate delay upon delay.

The future of our past is in great danger of disappearing before our very eyes, while we helplessly endure long waits for heritage designation due to inadequate staffing. Surely Toronto's heritage, a source or civic pride, is worth more than the $250,000 annual staff costs needed to speed up the designation process. An example of such tragic loss is the shocking demolition of the Stollery 114-year old building at Yonge & Bloor this past January, while the property included in the 2013 Historic Yonge Street HCD Study, is waiting in line for life- saving heritage designation.

Executive Committee, the responsibility for the protection and preservation of Toronto's heritage built form rests on your shoulders. For the sake of this generation and for future generations, vote in favour of retaining budget levels and dismiss budget cuts.

Thank you. Gee Chung President THE GREATER YORKVILLE RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION c.c. Councillor Kristyn-Wong-Tam Councillor Josh Matlow Heritage Toronto

Francisco Alvarez, Heritage Toronto Executive Director, reports the Executive Committee rejected the Budget Committee’s recommendation to reduce the budget.

YBBA Toronto World War II Memorial Project The project was initiated by a long time member of the Yonge Bloor Bay Business Association, recently deceased John Feeley, a WWII Royal Canadian Air Force gunner who flew bombing missions over Germany. The project will pay tribute to the 4,200 Toronto air, army and navy Torontonians who perished in WWII. Under discussion is a website featuring biographies of each individual, photographs, and other items relating to their service in WWII. The proposed website content and workplan, including estimated costs will then be sent out in an introductory letter go government veterans ministries, foundations, corporations with request for funding. A permanent memorial in the form of a monument will be considered at a later date. GYRA president was requested, and agreed to sit on this committee to provide expertise in moving this project forward.