STAFF REPORT

November 16, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Acting Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject: Residential Demolition Application - 294, 296, and 298 Sherbourne Street

Ward 24

Purpose:

In accordance with former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 146, Article II, Demolition Control, I refer the demolition application for 294, 296, and 298 Sherbourne Street to you to recommend to City Council whether to grant or refuse the application, including conditions, if any, to be attached to the permit.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

City Council refuse the demolition permit at this time.

Comments:

On October 12, 1999, John G. Emig of Priestly Demolition Inc. applied for a permit to demolish the residential buildings at 294, 296 and 298 Sherbourne Street. 294 Sherbourne Street is a detached residential building with four dwelling units. In 1989, there was a fire in the building. It is currently vacant, and all openings have been blocked up. 296 Sherbourne Street is an attached converted residential use building with four dwelling units. The building is currently vacant, and all openings have been blocked up. 298 Sherbourne Street is an attached converted residential use building with three dwelling units. In 1989, there was a fire in the building. It is currently vacant, and all openings have been blocked up.

There is no proposal to construct a replacement building. Mr. Emig submitted an engineering report, dated July 1999 and prepared by Construction Control Incorporated, which indicates that the complete replacement of the roof framing, floor framing and interior bearing walls with extensive repair or replacement of exterior walls is required. It concludes that "it would be prudent to demolish the buildings and remove the potential for further failures that could result in the occurrence of partial or complete collapse of the building".

All three buildings are listed by the former Toronto Historical Board on the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties.

The site was visited on November 8, 1999 by Pam Coburn, Director and Deputy Chief Building Official, South District, and Building Division engineers (Prabhakar Mahant, P. Eng. and Wade Tam, P. Eng.). Both engineers are of the opinion that, as the buildings stand vacant, there is no need to demolish them at the present time. It is recommended that the buildings can be preserved. However, part of the rear north wall of 298 Sherbourne Street and part of the rear south wall of 296 Sherbourne Street are to be repaired as per the Order to Comply issued on October 28, 1999.

In accordance with the former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 146, Article II, Demolition Control, I refer the demolition permit to you because I have received a communication from Heritage Toronto requesting that the demolition permit not be issued.

Contact:

Prabhakar Mahant, P. Eng.

Manager, Plan Review

Telephone: 416 392 7598

Fax: 416 392 0721

E-mail: pmahant@toronto.ca

Pam Coburn

Director, South District and Deputy Chief Building Official

James Ridge

Acting Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services

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