Heritage Richmond Hill Committee Meeting Report

The Heritage Richmond Hill Committee unanimously received a staff report recommending the removal of the "Dentmore Downs" property at 12001 Yonge Street from the heritage register and supported proceeding with the notice of intention to demolish it. Members also discussed provincial Bill 23, which will remove heritage protection from listed but undesignated properties by January 1, 2027.

Topics Discussed

DENTMORE DOWNS DEMOLITION

The committee supported removing the property at 12001 Yonge Street from the heritage register and proceeding with the demolition process. Staff said decades of alterations had reduced the building's architectural and historical integrity. Members also noted that its location beside Yonge Street and poor condition made restoration difficult.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND "DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT"

Members said the municipality has limited authority to require owners to maintain heritage properties. Committee member Diane McLeod said the building had been neglected for about 20 years and that there was not enough "teeth in the legislation" to prevent heritage properties from deteriorating.

Committee member Karen Cilevitz described Dentmore Downs as an example of "demolition by neglect." She said, "The house is going to be demolished and lost to all the residents of Richmond Hill and its history, and it's a great shame."

ECONOMIC AND FUNCTIONAL VIABILITY

Committee member Stephen said it was unreasonable to expect owners to maintain a heritage property without a viable use. He noted that the house is about 10 feet from Yonge Street and said pollution, traffic and restoration costs—estimated at between $500,000 and $1 million—made investment in the property unlikely.

PROVINCIAL HERITAGE CHANGES

Staff discussed the effects of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, which will remove heritage protection from listed properties that have not been formally designated by January 1, 2027. Staff said the city has more than 200 listed properties but was able to pursue designation for "just under 40 properties."

FUTURE PROTECTION OF LISTED PROPERTIES

Staff member Kunal said that as of January 1, 2027, properties identified as listed or officially known as non-designated on the heritage register will lose their listed status and "will no longer have any form of heritage protection as of right."

Kunal explained that if owners later apply to alter or demolish those properties, the applications will not require heritage committee or council consent from a heritage-planning perspective. The city will also be unable to place a property back on the register for five years and cannot reactively pursue designation after a demolition application is submitted. Formally designated properties will retain their existing heritage protections.

Motions

• Dentmore Downs heritage register removal and demolition process: The committee received the staff report and supported proceeding with the notice of intention to demolish the property at 12001 Yonge Street. Passed unanimously.
• No motion was specified for the discussion of future heritage protections under Bill 23.

Attendees

• Councillor Scott Thompson
• Councillor Karen Cilevitz
• Committee member Diane McLeod
• Committee member Stephen
• Municipal staff member Kunal