Toronto Preservation Board Meeting: Heritage and Development Applications

The Toronto Preservation Board spent much of the meeting on heritage and development applications, including alterations and redevelopment at College Park, heritage designation matters on Yonge Street, and a mixed-use project at Church and Wellesley. Members approved several heritage items, held others for further review, and unanimously approved the Church-Wellesley application at 64-66 Wellesley Street East and 552-570 Church Street.

Topics Discussed

COLLEGE PARK REDEVELOPMENT: 420-444 Yonge Street and 1-23 College Street (PB 45.5)

The board considered an application to alter the designated College Park property under section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act and amend the existing heritage easement agreement, alongside related planning applications for three mixed-use towers of 65, 75 and 96 storeys. Staff said the proposed conservation strategy includes "full retention of the sevenstory college park building with support structures for the tower, threading the floor plates where it does not impact protected internal attributes."

Discussion focused on the historic significance of the site and the scale of the redevelopment. Architect Scott Weir said, "the 1920s vision of College Park was really quite optimistic and and robust," calling the proposal "an opportunity to complete part of that vision for the podium." Councillor Josh Matlow declared a conflict at the outset, stating, "My employer is the planning consultant for the applicant for this project." The item was held for further discussion and public speakers.

HERITAGE DESIGNATIONS ON YONGE STREET: 4150 Yonge Street and 150 Yonge Street

The board discussed heritage designation matters for 4150 Yonge Street and 150 Yonge Street. At 4150 Yonge, staff described the property as an example of vernacular Ontario cottage architecture, with heritage attributes including low-pitched side-gable roofs, wood-frame windows, stucco cladding and exposed stone foundations. Members held that item for further review.

At 150 Yonge Street, members discussed the condition and surviving heritage features of the property. The article record provided does not include a significant quote from this portion of the discussion, but the item remained part of the board's broader review of Yonge Street heritage properties.

CHURCH-WELLESLEY DEVELOPMENT: 64-66 Wellesley Street East and 552-570 Church Street (PB 45.6)

The board approved staff recommendations for a 36-storey mixed-use building that would partially retain and integrate the designated Wellesley Apartments at 64 Wellesley Street East. Staff said the proposal would preserve the south elevation and portions of the side walls, with the tower set back from the heritage building.

Discussion also turned to 66 Wellesley Street East and the site's cultural history. A speaker asked, "Is there any talk about maybe having an a small museum or artifacts on display or interpretation boards on site about the Eaton Legacy?" Another resident, Leslie, said, "The Northern Lakes paintings have the address 66 Welsley Street East on a few of them. So we were wondering if that could be put somehow into commemorative some way in the development."

Matlow said the property had been overlooked because of its current appearance: "when you walk past 66 Welsley, it's not attractive... But of course with a bit of imagination and a little understanding of history, what's behind that is a real treasure." He added that it should be "a lesson to all of us to understand what's behind the dirty facade and perhaps in future try to save a gem like 66 Wy Street East." The item was approved unanimously, 8-0.

OTHER HERITAGE ITEMS HELD OR APPROVED

The board held heritage designation items for 134 Jason Road (PB 45.1) and 4150 Yonge Street (PB 45.2). It approved designation of 328 Bellamy Road North (PB 45.3) under the Ontario Heritage Act and approved adding 3044 Dundas Street West (PB 45.4) to the Heritage Register.

NORTH ROSEDALE APPLICATIONS: 779 Whitehall Road and 162 Douglas Drive (PB 45.7 and PB 45.8)

The board reviewed applications in the North Rosedale Heritage Conservation District. At 162 Douglas Drive, the proposal was to demolish an existing detached garage and construct a new ancillary building at the rear. Staff said, "our review was based on the fact that the ancillary building was going to be located at the rear of the structure and it would not be it would have limit no visibility from the public realm." Staff also cautioned that they could not confirm all design details at the meeting.

Motions

• PB 45.3 - 328 Bellamy Road North — Approved heritage designation under the Ontario Heritage Act
• PB 45.4 - 3044 Dundas Street West — Approved addition to the Heritage Register
• PB 45.5 - 420-444 Yonge Street and 1-23 College Street (College Park) — Held for further discussion
• PB 45.1 - 134 Jason Road — Held
• PB 45.2 - 4150 Yonge Street — Held
• PB 45.6 - 64-66 Wellesley Street East and 552-570 Church Street — Staff recommendations approved unanimously, 8-0
• Motion regarding 66 Wellesley Street East — Motion prepared to request a staff report back before council on possible listing and designation

Attendees

Councillors recorded as present in the discussion or vote: - Josh Matlow - Paul Ainslie