336 and 340 Jarvis Street - Proposed Designation By-Laws under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - Consideration of Objection

The properties are part of a collection of five abutting Victorian era house-form buildings, from 336 Jarvis Street to the south to 344 Jarvis Street to the north. 336 Jarvis Street was constructed in 1863 in the Georgian architectural style with later Second Empire alterations. From 1890 to 1923, it was home to the artist and educator Frederic Bell-Smith. Beyond his well-regarded artistic output, Bell-Smith was also known for co-founding the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto (1908) and serving as president of the Ontario Society of Artists from 1905 to 1908. 340 Jarvis Street was constructed c.1863 and forms one half of a present-day semi-detached house-form along with 338 Jarvis Street (designated Part IV in 2007), both designed in the Georgian style with subsequent Second Empire alterations. 340 Jarvis Street housed the John Howard Society from 1956 to the early 1960s. The properties at 336 and 340 Jarvis Street were first recognized for their cultural heritage value when they were listed on the City's Heritage Register on June 20, 1973. City Council has until February 8, 2026, 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 by the owners and remain of the opinion that despite these objections, the property at 336 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, and the property at 340 Jarvis Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act under 5 of 9 criteria for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values. As the properties have cultural heritage value or interest and each meet the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff are of the opinion that these properties should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating each of the properties, 336 Jarvis Street and 340 Jarvis Street, under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.