March 17, 1998

 To:Toronto Community Council

 From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

 Subject:Residential Demolition Applications - 340-342 Huron Street (Downtown)

 Purpose:

 In accordance with former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 146, Article II, Demolition Control, I refer the demolition applications for 340-342 Huron Street to you to recommend to City Council whether to grant or refuse the applications, including conditions, if any, to be attached to the permits.

 Source of Funds:

 Not applicable.

 Recommendation:

 That City Council authorise me to issue the residential demolition permits for 340-342 Huron Street, and that the permits bear the condition that the lots be re-graded and landscaped, substantially in accordance with the March 2, 1998 landscaping plan, no later than one year after demolition of the existing buildings has begun.

 Comments:

 On March 3, 1998 the University of Toronto applied for permission to demolish the residential buildings at 340-342 Huron Street. The vacant buildings are the two end units of a row house, and each used to contain a single dwelling unit.

 The building at 340 Huron Street was significantly damaged by a fire in the spring of 1996. The same fire also caused damage to the building at 342 Huron Street. My staff inspected these properties at the time and again in January of this year. These inspections revealed that although the buildings were in need of repair, they appeared to be structurally sound, rather than unsafe.

   The University does not intend to redevelop the site now, but wants to remove the two buildings, re-grade the site to match the adjoining lands and landscape the site with sod. On March 9, 1998, Councillor Olivia Chow wrote to me to express the support of the University of Toronto Area Liaison Committee for the University=s plan. The Liaison Committee includes representatives of the Huron Sussex Residents Organization, the Sussex Ulster Residents Organization, the Annex Residents Association, various area institutions, as well as the University of Toronto.

 The Official Plan of the former City of Toronto encourages the physical maintenance and, where appropriate, upgrading of the existing housing stock in the City. However, at its meeting of December 18, 1995 the Council of the former City of Toronto adopted the following policy where a replacement building is not proposed or anticipated at the time of application:

 Where there is no intention to rebuild, or circumstances warrant, Council may apply alternate conditions such as allowing the payment of a penalty and requiring the footprint of the demolished building be landscaped to match the remainder of the lot, or other conditions as Council may deem appropriate.

  Conclusion:

 In light of the state of the buildings, the support of the University of Toronto Area Liaison Committee and the stated policy of the former City of Toronto, I recommend that City Council authorize me to issue the residential demolition permits for 340-342 Huron Street, on the condition that the lots be re-graded and landscaped in accordance with the landscaping plan on file with me.

   Contact Name:David Brezer, P.Eng

Telephone:(416) 392-0097

Fax:(416) 392-0721

E-mail:dbrezer@city.toronto.on.ca

   Beate Bowron

Director, Development Approval and Deputy Chief Building Official

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