Item - 2024.PB18.4

The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that:

1. City Council refuse the alterations to the designated heritage property at 98 Highland Avenue, in accordance with Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, for alterations including the new windows as outlined in the letter prepared by Daniel Buim and Jodi Ballet, dated March 12, 2024.

2. If the owner appeals City Council’s decision to refuse the application to alter the heritage property at 98 Highland Avenue under Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the City Solicitor and the necessary City staff to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing to oppose the appeal.

This report recommends that City Council refuse the alterations to the designated heritage property at 98 Highland Avenue under Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The subject site is a "B-rated" property located in the North Rosedale Heritage Conservation District (HCD). The applicant is requesting retro-active approval for windows that have already been installed.  The new windows detract from the architectural style and character of the building and do not comply with the policies in the North Rosedale Heritage Conservation District Plan or the Parks Canada Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada (the official document guiding planning and conservation of heritage properties in the City of Toronto). As such staff are recommending that this application be refused.