15 Elm Street - Proposed Designation By-Law under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - Consideration of Objection

The Georgian Revival style property represents a rare surviving example of a Confederation-era house-form building and is part of a broader collection of 19th-century dwellings adapted at street level in the early-20th century to accommodate commercial storefronts. This residential/commercial mixed-use typology continues to define the south side of Elm Street between Yonge and Bay Streets within the city's historic St. John's Ward ("The Ward") neighbourhood and represents the uniqueness of Elm Street as a destination for locals and visitors alike. In June 2019, the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (Bill 108) received Royal Assent. Schedule 11 of this Act included amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act which included amendments to the listing and designation processes. The Bill 108 Amendments to the Act came into force on July 1, 2021. City Council has until August 3, 2023, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to make a decision on this objection as per the timeline under the Act. Staff have reviewed the objections raised on behalf of the owner and remain 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 Act under all three categories of design and physical, historical and 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.