Item - 2025.PH21.7

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the property at 3100 Weston Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in Council Decision PH18.16 on February 5, 2025.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the bill in City Council designating the property at 3100 Weston Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of February 5, 2025 (PH18.16), stating its intention to designate the property at 3100 Weston Road (the subject property) under Part IV, s. 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA).

City Council has until June 8, 2025, which is 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to decide on this objection as per the timeline under the OHA. Therefore, this matter must be considered at the May 21-23, 2025 meeting of

City Council, otherwise, the Notice of Intention to Designate the property will be deemed withdrawn under the OHA, unless a written waiver of the timelines is provided by the owner.

The City has received an objection to the notice of intention to designate within the statutory timeline from LHC Heritage Planning and Archaeology Inc. (LHC), on behalf of the property owner. A copy of the notice of objection is included as Attachment 1 to this report. In the objection letter, LHC states that the owner and LHC acknowledge the cultural heritage value or interest of the subject property and that the list of attributes outlined in the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value (Reasons for Designation) is consistent with LHC heritage evaluation, but raises procedural concerns related to Recommendation 3 of City Council's decision of February 5, 2025.

The Council recommendation directs staff to evaluate the entirety of the property for potential future amendments to the designation by-law. This present staff report clarifies that a Council recommendation for future work is unrelated to the designation by-law currently before Council and staff outline the mandated amendment process and procedures of the OHA that the City would be required to undertake in that regard. 

The property owner requests that the designation of the subject property be deferred to allow for additional discussion with City Staff and LHC, however the nature of the discussion is not identified in the objection letter and the owner's heritage consultant concurs with the values and attributes as set out within the designation under consideration. As such, staff are of the opinion that there is no basis to recommend deferral.

Staff have reviewed the objections and remain of the opinion that the property at 3100 Weston Road has cultural heritage value and meets six of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the OHA. As the property has cultural heritage value or interest and meets the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, s. 29 of the Act, staff are of the opinion that this property should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.