Item - 2023.PH6.8

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council state its intention to designate the property at 60 Lowther Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance; 60 Lowther Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3, to the report (September 8, 2023) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2.  If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 60 Lowther Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value, according to the Statement of Significance and description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 3.

Located in the Annex neighbourhood on the north side of Lowther Avenue, between Bedford Road and Admiral Road, the property at 60 Lowther Avenue contains a 2 1/2 storey house form building constructed in 1906 as the residence for Miller Lash, a prominent Toronto lawyer. The Miller Lash House was designed by the esteemed architectural firm Sproatt & Rolph (in association with S.G. Curry, consulting architect).

60 Lowther Avenue has been known as the "Friends House" since 1949, when the property was acquired by the Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (otherwise known as Quakers) and the Georgian Revival style dwelling was adaptively reused as their Friends (Meeting) House. In 1969 a rear addition, designed by John Leaning, an Ottawa-based architect and member of the Quaker community, was added to accommodate an increase in membership. In addition to and supporting its Friends House function, the property has become an important meeting space for various community organizations. In this way, the property continues to contribute to the collective environment and dynamic character of the Annex neighbourhood.

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation for the property at 60 Lowther Avenue and determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The subject property at 60 Lowther Avenue was added to the City's Inventory of

Heritage Properties (now, Heritage Register) in 1976.

Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. The Religious Society of Friends, owners of 60 Lowther Avenue, will be undertaking chimney restoration and soffit/dentil conservation work in accordance with a 2022 Toronto Heritage Grant award of 50% of costs up to a maximum of $45,500. Designation of the property is required to satisfy a condition in the Letter of Understanding between the City of Toronto and the Religious Society of Friends (dated August 5, 2022).

At its meeting on September 12, 2023 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB9.2 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (August 21, 2023) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 60 Lowther Avenue under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value, according to the Statement of Significance and description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 3.

Located in the Annex neighbourhood on the north side of Lowther Avenue, between Bedford Road and Admiral Road, the property at 60 Lowther Avenue contains a 2 1/2 storey house form building constructed in 1906 as the residence for Miller Lash, a prominent Toronto lawyer. The Miller Lash House was designed by the esteemed architectural firm Sproatt & Rolph (in association with S.G. Curry, consulting architect).

60 Lowther Avenue has been known as the "Friends House" since 1949, when the property was acquired by the Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (otherwise known as Quakers) and the Georgian Revival style dwelling was adaptively reused as their Friends (Meeting) House. In 1969 a rear addition, designed by John Leaning, an Ottawa-based architect and member of the Quaker community, was added to accommodate an increase in membership. In addition to and supporting its Friends House function, the property has become an important meeting space for various community organizations. In this way, the property continues to contribute to the collective environment and dynamic character of the Annex neighbourhood.

Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation for the property at 60 Lowther Avenue and determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The subject property at 60 Lowther Avenue was added to the City's Inventory of

Heritage Properties (now, Heritage Register) in 1976.

Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. The Religious Society of Friends, owners of 60 Lowther Avenue, will be undertaking chimney restoration and soffit / dentil conservation work in accordance with a 2022 Toronto Heritage Grant award of 50 percent of costs up to a maximum of $45,500. Designation of the property is required to satisfy a condition in the Letter of Understanding between the City of Toronto and the Religious Society of Friends (dated August 5, 2022).