450 Rustic Road - Proposed Designation By-Law under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - Consideration of Objection

Constructed in phases, 450 Rustic Road contains a rare Pre-Confederation house-form building composed of two sections, the original circa 1843 modest-sized rural dwelling with Georgian styling and a circa 1855 expansion that evolved the dwelling into a grand farmhouse in the more ornate Italianate architectural style. Named Downs View House by the original owner, John Perkins Bull, the property at 450 Rustic Road is valued for its central role in the 19th-century history of the Downsview community that takes it name from this landmark property. The cultural heritage value of Downs View House has been recognized on the former municipality of North York's list of heritage properties in 1977. City Council has until September 24, 2025, 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 five of the nine 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.