Item - 2017.TE28.94

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council include the properties at 281-289 College Street on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register.

2. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 281-289 College Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 281-289 College Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report (November 5, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

3. If there are no objections to the designations in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bill in Council.

4. If there are objections in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council direct the City Clerk to refer the designations to the Conservation Review Board.

5. If the designations are referred to the Conservation Review Board, City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend any hearing held by the Conservation Review Board in support of Council's decision.

This report recommends that City Council include the properties at 281-289 College Street on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register and state its intention to designate the properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The subject properties are located on the south side of College Street, west of Spadina Avenue, and contain a group of five three-storey commercial buildings dating to 1887 that are known historically as the Alexandrina Block.

The properties at 281-289 College Street were identified as having heritage potential in the College Street Study Official Plan Amendment, which was adopted by City Council at its meeting of May 24, 2017.

Following research and evaluation, it has been determined that the properties at 281-289 College Street meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their design, associative and contextual values.

At the west end of the Alexandrina Block, the individual property at 289 College is currently the subject of a demolition application.

Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with Official Plan Heritage Policies. Designation enables City Council to review alterations to the site, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.