Item - 2025.TE27.32

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Deferred consideration of the Item until such time as the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District submits a report on the related development application.

This report recommends that City Council approve an application under Section 33 and Section 34(1) 1 of the Ontario Heritage Act to alter and demolish heritage attributes of a designated heritage property at 509 Parliament Street (the Carlton Theatre), in connection with a Zoning By-law amendment application on the subject property, and that Council grant authority to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement.

The subject property contains a one-storey brick masonry building constructed in 1929 as a movie theatre. The property is designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Toronto City Council adopted Designation By-law 103-2024 on February 7, 2024; however, the Designation By-law is currently under appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal and is not in force and effect.

On March 21, 2023, the City received a Zoning By-law amendment application related to the proposed development of the subject property to permit a 10-storey mixed-use building. The proposed development includes the in-situ retention of the west (primary) elevation of the theatre along Parliament Street. A Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated June 20, 2025, was submitted to support the development application.

Through revisions to the application, Heritage Planning staff are satisfied that the proposal conserves the designated heritage property and is consistent with the policy framework. The heritage impacts of the development proposal are appropriately mitigated through the overall conservation strategy.

At its meeting on November 18, 2025 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB37.6 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (October 28, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council approve an application under Section 33 and Section 34(1) 1 of the Ontario Heritage Act to alter and demolish heritage attributes of a designated heritage property at 509 Parliament Street (the Carlton Theatre), in connection with a Zoning By-law amendment application on the subject property, and that Council grant authority to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement.

The subject property contains a one-storey brick masonry building constructed in 1929 as a movie theatre. The property is designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Toronto City Council adopted Designation By-law 103-2024 on February 7, 2024; however, the Designation By-law is currently under appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal and is not in force and effect.

On March 21, 2023, the City received a Zoning By-law amendment application related to the proposed development of the subject property to permit a 10-storey mixed-use building. The proposed development includes the in-situ retention of the west (primary) elevation of the theatre along Parliament Street. A Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated June 20, 2025, was submitted to support the development application.

Through revisions to the application, Heritage Planning staff are satisfied that the proposal conserves the designated heritage property and is consistent with the policy framework. The heritage impacts of the development proposal are appropriately mitigated through the overall conservation strategy.