NORTH YORK COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PANEL M I N U T E S 2011 Report No. 8 Date of Meeting: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Committee Room 2, North York Civic Centre Present: Mary Ann Cross, Karl Frank, Edith Geduld, Alex Grenzebach (Vice Chair), Geoff Kettel (Chair), Ruth Kingma, Wilf Neidhardt, Councillor James Pasternak, Kevin Harper (Recording Secretary) Regrets: Guests: Linda Gargaro, Mark Duffield, Councillor John Parker Dr. Gary Miedema, Heritage Toronto 2011-8-1 ADOPTION OF AGENDA: It was moved by E. Geduld that the proposed agenda be adopted, as amended. Carried. There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2011-8-2 NYCPP Minutes (Report No. 7, July 13, 2011) It was moved by A. Grenzebach and seconded by K. Frank that the minutes of the meeting held July 13, 2011 be approved, as amended. Carried. 2011-8-3 Delegations and Presentations Gary Miedema attended the meeting to introduce Heritage Toronto s Legacy Plaques Program. The program is intended to commemorate exceptional individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city by marking the sites where they lived. Panel members are encouraged to submit the names of suitable candidates for consideration. Gary noted that this is an ongoing program with no firm deadlines for submissions and that significant background research does not need to accompany the nomination. 2011-8-4 Panel Initiatives 8.4.1 2011 North York Modernist Architecture Forum The Panel s 2011 forum, which is being presented in conjunction with the City Institute at York University, will be held on Thursday, November 3 rd from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the North York Civic Centre. Entitled Suburbia: Heritage of the Everyday, the forum will present a dialogue on post-war suburban architecture as part of the city s heritage. 2011-8-5 Site Specific Items 1
8.5.1 1755 Steeles Avenue West (Sanofi Pasteur) - Ward 10 E. Geduld reported on the status of the nomination of Sanofi Pasteur s Connaught Campus as a National Historic Site. It has been suggested that the Panel contact Richard Alway (Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada) to begin the approach. The Panel was asked to keep Councillor Pasternak apprised of the progress of the nomination. 8.5.2 101 Mason Boulevard (Loretto Abbey) Ward 16 E. Geduld reported that the building has been purchased by the Toronto District Catholic School Board. Although there does not seem to be a threat to the building at this point, the York Mills Heights Residents Association has made contact with Councillor Stintz to express their concern. As a result, a staff report has been prepared and a motion to designate will be considered at the next meeting of the Toronto Preservation Board. 8.5.3 3590 Bayview Avenue (Mazo de la Roche residence/zoroastrian Temple) - Ward 24 The item was tabled for discussion at the next meeting of the Panel. 8.5.4 2295 Bayview Avenue (Chedington House) Lawrence Park - Ward 25 A. Grenzebach reported that restoration work is underway. 8.5.5 2130 Bayview Avenue (William Booth Memorial College Site) Ward 25 A. Grenzebach reported that the developer has agreed to provide a commemorative plaque. 8.5.6 Bond Avenue Railway Bridge - Ward 25 It was moved by K. Frank and seconded by E. Geduld that the nomination of the Bond Avenue Railway Bridge for addition to the City of Toronto s Inventory of Heritage Properties be submitted to Toronto Preservation Board. Carried. It was also recommended that a commemorative plaque be erected. The Panel agreed to approach Don Mills Residents Inc. and Councillor Jaye Robinsion to request financial support for the erection of the plaque. 8.5.7 43 Rochester Avenue (A.J. Casson House) Ward 25 G. Kettel reported that the property was endorsed by the Toronto Preservation Board for addition to the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. 8.5.8 1747-1785 Bayview Avenue (Talbot Quadraplexes) - Ward 26 G. Kettel reported that the nomination of the Talbot Quadraplexes for addition to the Inventory of Heritage Properties is on the agenda for the next meeting of the Toronto Preservation Board for their support to add 2
to the Inventory of Heritage Properties, and that the Leaside Property Owners Association has written a letter of support 8.5.9 85 Laird Drive (Canadian Northern Railways Eastern Lines Locomotive Shop) - Ward 26 G. Kettel reported that a meeting was held with the owners of 85 Laird Drive in August and that draft text for two plaques has been submitted to G. Miedema at Heritage Toronto. 8.5.10 10 Buchan Court, formerly 1400 Sheppard Avenue East (Col. Phillips Estate/Wyneates Farm) Ward 33 E. Geduld reported that she visited the site with Paul Maka from Heritage Preservation Services to take photographs. Paul will arrange for representatives from the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division to visit the site. 8.5.11 35-53 and 101-113 Valley Woods Road and 1213-1229 York Mills Road - Official Plan, Rezoning, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Rental Housing Demolition Applications Ward 34 G. Kettel noted that there was no mention of heritage in the staff report regarding these properties and indicated that he has sent a letter to Director, Community Planning North York District, asking for his assistance in preserving the modernist architecture of North York and referencing the Panel s efforts in this respect. 8.5.12 1185 Lawrence Avenue East (Milne House) - Ward 34 G. Kettel reported that $250,000 in Section 37 money arising from the development referenced in the previous item, has been set aside by Councillor Minnan-Wong for the Milne House. In the meantime, work has been undertaken by the city to stabilize the building, and make it more secure. Removal of the water which is accumulating in the basement remains an ongoing issue. Discussions regarding the adaptive reuse of the building are continuing. It was moved by E. Geduld and seconded by M.A. Cross that the Chair, on behalf of the Panel, send an acknowledgement to Councillor Minnan-Wong, thanking him for allocating the Section 37 funding for Milne House, and noting the Panel s participation in the effort to restore the house and find an adaptive reuse for it. Carried. 8.5.13 Naming Proposals 5.13.1 Banting Park - Ward 10 Councillor Pasternak reported that a community meeting was held in the spring to discuss the possibility of renaming Banting Park with a heritage name. A survey was sent to approximately 300 residences in the vicinity of the park asking for their input. There was a fairly strong response expressing a desire to leave the existing name in place. Councillor Pasternak noted that there are a large number of other opportunities throughout the City where heritage names could be employed. 3
5.13.2 Proposed Street Extending Northerly from Vanderhoof Avenue, east of Brian Peck Crescent (Ward 26) It was moved by E. Geduld and seconded by A. Grenzebach that the Panel support the proposed name, Glassworks Drive. Carried. 5.13.3 Residential Development 25 to 27 Hobson Avenue (Ward 34) It was moved by E. Geduld and seconded by A. Grenzebach that the Panel support the proposed name, Collip Place. Carried. 2011-8-6 City-Wide Items 8.6.1 Toronto Core Services Review The City Manager s report, which was released earlier in the week, contained a number of recommendations concerning heritage, including: closing some of the City-run museums; reducing the Heritage Grants and the Heritage Tax Rebate Program; and divesting Heritage Toronto or replacing it with a new not-for-profit organization that receives no City funding. It was moved by A. Grenzebach and seconded by E. Geduld that the Chair submit a letter of concern on behalf of the Panel and that he depute at the meeting of the Executive Committee to be held on September 19, 2011. Carried. 8.6.2 City of Toronto Honourific and Street Naming Policy G. Kettel reported that the draft Policy was reviewed by Executive Committee of City Council in June and referred back to City staff for further clarification. The issue will come back to Council in the fall. http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewagendaitemhistory.do?item=2011.ex7. 5 A letter expressing the Panel s concerns, including the lack of public consultation regarding the issue, was submitted in June. 8.6.3 Five Year Review of the Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Review: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewagendaitemhistory.do?item=2011.pg5.2 As part of the Review s first phase, an open house will be held at the North York Civic Centre on September 26, 2011 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. This will be followed by a public meeting at Metro Hall on December 1, 2011. Panel members are encouraged to attend. 2011-8-7 Administrative Items 8.7.1 Panel Financial Report There was no Financial Report. 8.7.2 Panel Meeting Dates G. Kettel will circulate potential dates for future Panel meetings. 8.7.3 Correspondence There was no correspondence. 4
2011-8-8 Committee Reports 8.8.1 Heritage Toronto Heritage Conservation Committee There have been no recent meetings of the Committee. 8.8.2 Ontario Capital Precinct Working Group (OCPWG) G. Kettel reported that a view-shed analysis has been undertaken by City Planning staff and that measures to protect the views of the Ontario Legislative Assembly building are being considered. 2011-8-9 Other Business 8.9.1 Toronto Star - Farmhouses An article entitled Original farmhouses still grace now-busy city streets appeared in the Toronto Star on August 7, 2011. It featured one farmhouse from North York: the Jacob Ross House on Stayner Avenue (1855). 8.9.2 2011 Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture The 2011 Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture will be held at the Royal Conservatory of Music s Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music on October 4, 2011. Panel members are asked indicate whether they would like to attend the event. 2011-8-10 Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 5