60 Lowther Avenue - Notice of Intention to Designate a Property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act

The Miller Lash House was designed by the esteemed architectural firm Sproatt & Rolph (in association with S.G. Curry, consulting architect). 60 Lowther Avenue has been known as the "Friends House" since 1949, when the property was acquired by the Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (otherwise known as Quakers) and the Georgian Revival style dwelling was adaptively reused as their Friends (Meeting) House. In 1969 a rear addition, designed by John Leaning, an Ottawa-based architect and member of the Quaker community, was added to accommodate an increase in membership. In addition to and supporting its Friends House function, the property has become an important meeting space for various community organizations. In this way, the property continues to contribute to the collective environment and dynamic character of the Annex neighbourhood. Staff have completed the Research and Evaluation for the property at 60 Lowther Avenue and determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria. The subject property at 60 Lowther Avenue was added to the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties (now, Heritage Register) in 1976. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the property and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance. The Religious Society of Friends, owners of 60 Lowther Avenue, will be undertaking chimney restoration and soffit/dentil conservation work in accordance with a 2022 Toronto Heritage Grant award of 50% of costs up to a maximum of $45,500. Designation of the property is required to satisfy a condition in the Letter of Understanding between the City of Toronto and the Religious Society of Friends (dated August 5, 2022).

2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.