Item - 2013.PG22.3

7.         City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to work with the Archdiocese and any other interested faith groups to establish a protocol for the listing, designation, alteration and other treatment of heritage places of worship.

This report recommends the adoption of an amendment to the Official Plan to adopt new policies for heritage resources as part of the statutory Five Year Review of the Official Plan.  The proposed policies reflect changes to Provincial legislation and improve heritage resource conservation practices throughout the City.  The proposed amendment also adds policies to the Public Realm section of the Official Plan to provide for the protection of important views to landmark buildings and structures, important natural heritage views and the downtown/financial district skyline.

As a result of consultation undertaken with respect to the proposed policies, the proposed Official Plan heritage policies that were before Council on July 11, 12 and 13, 2012 have been revised.

At its special meeting of October 1, 2012, the Toronto Preservation Board considered the proposed Official Plan Amendment for Heritage and Public Realm policies. At the meeting of the Preservation Board, additional correspondence and deputations were given by participants regarding the proposed policies. The Board asked staff to review deputations and report on any further recommendations. This report provides Planning and Growth Management Committee with staff's comments and recommendations on the submissions.

On October 12, 2012 the Planning and Growth Management Committee held a special public meeting under Section 26 of the Planning Act to consider amendments to the Official Plan heritage and public realm policies as part of the current Official Plan Review.  The proposed policies reflect changes to Provincial legislation and improve heritage conservation practices throughout the City.  The proposed amendment also adds policies to the Public Realm section of the Official Plan to provide for the protection of important views. 

At its’ meeting of October 12, 2012, the Committee heard deputations and adjourned the special public meeting until January 28, 2013 and directed the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to form a working group and report further to Planning and Growth Management Committee at its January 28, 2013 meeting.  Committee re-commenced and adjourned the matter at this meeting and directed that the matter be further considered at its February 28, 2013 meeting.  This report recommends the adoption of the attached Official Plan Amendment containing new heritage policies and public realm view policies that further amend the policies that were before Committee on October 12, 2012, to reflect the discussions and final recommendation of staff in response to comments received from the working group.