Item - 2026.PH27.17

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item PH24.11 on October 8 and 9, 2025.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of October 8 and 9, 2025 (Item PH24.11) stating its intention to designate the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The City has received an objection to the notice of intention to designate on behalf of the property owner(s) within the statutory timeline.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street is located on the west side of Jarvis Street, mid-block between Carlton Street to the south and Sirman Lane to the north, in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. The property is the northernmost property in a collection of five abutting Victorian era house-form buildings that starts at 336 Jarvis Street to the south. Within this collection the subject property forms part of a historic streetscape of 19th century house-form buildings on the west side of Jarvis Street, north of Carlton Street. This streetscape reflects the character of the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood, which evolved from a subdivision of private homes on a landscaped avenue to a high density residential and arterial corridor within downtown Toronto.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street contains one half of a pair of semi-detached house form dwellings, the other half being 342 Jarvis Street. 342 and 344 Jarvis Street were constructed together between 1873 and 1875 and cohesively designed in the Italianate architectural style.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street, along with its pair at 342 Jarvis Street, was first recognized for its cultural heritage value when it was listed on the City's inaugural Inventory of Heritage Properties on June 20, 1973.

City Council has until February 8, 2026, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to decide on this objection as per the timeline under the OHA.

Heritage Planning Staff received advice from the retained heritage consultant in response to the objection. Staff have reviewed the objections raised on behalf of the property owner(s) with the City's retained heritage consultant, and remain of the opinion that despite these objections, the property at 344 Jarvis Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act under 4 of 9 criteria for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values.

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, 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.