The Forest Hill area is experiencing significant redevelopment. Some residents are concerned that the character of the area is being negatively affected. They have made inquiries with Planning staff regarding options for the protection of heritage resources from unsympathetic change. Staff made a presentation in September to a Village South Ratepayers Association meeting on Heritage Conservation Districts and engaged in a discussion of the options available for addressing neighbourhood change.
To qualify for designation as a Heritage Conservation District an area must display, among other things, a significant concentration of heritage resources. In general, there should also be a good level of support for the initiative in the community. The area bounded by Bathurst Street, St. Clair Avenue West, Russell Hill Road and the top of the escarpment north of Davenport Road was reviewed by staff. The area contains properties that are recognized on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties for their cultural significance, including Casa Loma and Spadina House.
From the preliminary assessment, it has been determined that the portion of the Casa Loma area has sufficient heritage resources to qualify it for a Heritage Conservation District Preliminary Study.
At its December 2005 meeting City Council provided approval for the study process.
