I was able to attend the meeting on Wednesday evening. Of the 7-8 people who participated in the Q and A, just 1 was postivive. THe others were concerned about excessive cost and overly restrictive rules. Most homeowners seem to agree that Designation and having a plan in place to protect the character of the
street-scape is a good thing. However homeowners should have the ability to do things like replace windows and doors without permit , or add a dormer, or a
windowell without a Heritage Permit. Homeowners have no control over who sits on the advisory committee nor the ability to challenge the bylaws put in place based on the advisory committee's District Plan. We need to insure that there is a review process written into the District Plan which enforces review and change should the proposed
parameters prove unworkable or unreasonable for property owners.
I too would like to see properties on our main streets improved, however Heritage Designation does not necessarily encourage investment and stability in these areas. Many buildings on the east side of Sherbourne south of Gerrard are individually designated (the same as your home) but the owners (Toronto Housing) have neither the funds nor the vision to positively enhance Sherbourne Street as a desirable place to be. As a result several old houses on the west side of the street fell into disrepair and were demolished in the last few years. The area's main streets need a larger redevelopment plan and better incentives to make investment attractive and encourage owner occupied homes and businesses. Saving heritage properties can be a part of that plan but not the only driving force in reclaiming the street.
I take issue with the suggestion that everything old is well built and of outstanding architectural merit, and everything new is cheap. I live in an infill townhouse that was well designed and built to the same building codes that no doubt govern the reworking of your home's internal structure and additions. The complex I live in apparently replaced 2 small rundown one storey buildings with 8 family sized homes.
There is no shortage of homeowners willing to invest in large two or three storey houses on prime streets in the area but we run into problems with investment in smaller one storey cottages in less desirable locations. Putting further restrictions on the redevelopment or renovation of these properties does not draw investment but the opposite. We need to be very careful that we are realistic about the investment potential for certain housing styles in certain pockets in the area. Lets develop a plan that is flexible and fair to all property owners in the area.
Regards Don Purvis
