Item - 2025.PH25.12

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council enact a by-law designating the property at 81 Isabella Street (including entrance address at 83 Isabella Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act substantially in accordance with the Revised Statement of Significance: 81 Isabella Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 3 to the report (October 10, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in consideration of the objections received by the City Clerk.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating the property at 81 Isabella Street (including entrance address at 83 Isabella Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council amend its decision of July 23, 2025 (CC32.24), stating its intention to designate the property at 81 Isabella Street (including entrance address at 83 Isabella Street) under Part IV, s. 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The City has received an objection on behalf of the property owner to the Notice of Intention to Designate within the statutory timeline. Staff are recommending amendments described in this report in response to this objection that will clarify the Statement of Significance adopted by Council.

Located on the south side of Isabella Street between Church Street and Jarvis Street, the subject property at 81 Isabella Street contains a two-storey apartment building with raised basement constructed in 1927 to the designs of Norman Alexander Armstrong and known as the Merlan Apartments.

City Council has until November 25, 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 Ontario Heritage Act. Therefore, this matter must be considered at the November 12-14, 2025 meeting of City Council; otherwise, the Notice of Intention to Designate the property will be deemed withdrawn under the Ontario Heritage Act, unless a written waiver of the timelines is provided by the owner.

Staff have reviewed the objections raised by the owner and are of the opinion that despite these objections, the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, under 4 of 9 possible criteria for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. However, staff are recommending that the proposed designation by-law be amended to address specific matters identified by the owner in their objection letter, where appropriate, and as described below in this report.

As the property has cultural heritage value or interest and meets the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, this property should be designated. Designation enables Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.