The City will be hosting a fourth Community Consultation Meeting for the proposed West Queen West HCD Plan, targeted for Fall 2024. For more information, please visit Meetings & Events: West Queen West HCD Plan, or contact Heritage Planning staff.
The West Queen West Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan is an evolution from an earlier planning initiative, the West Queen West HCD Study. Geographically, the Study Area stretches from Bathurst Street to Roncesvalles Avenue and encompasses a 3.5 kilometre stretch of Queen Street West. Queen Street emerged as a commercial high street in the mid-19th century and remains a vibrant commercial street in Toronto.
The West Queen West HCD Study was initiated in Summer 2016 and included research, a built form survey, analysis and evaluation to determine if the Study Area warrants designation as a HCD. The HCD Study recommended proceeding with two HCD Plans within the Study Area: West Queen West (Bathurst to Dufferin Streets) and Parkdale Main Street (Dufferin Street to MacDonell Avenue /Jameson Avenue). The Toronto Preservation Board endorsed these recommendations in June 2017.
The HCD Plan phase was initiated in Fall 2018. Heritage Planning staff collaborated with Community Planning and Urban Design on the Queen Street West Planning Study to develop Official Plan Amendment No. 445, and ensure compatibility with the emerging Parkdale Main Street and West Queen West HCD Plans. City Council adopted the recommendations on September 30, 2020 with amendments (TE14.5). The Ontario Land Tribunal issued an Order and Decision approving OPA 445 as modified in November 2023. OPA 445 as modified is in effect as of November 10, 2023.
Heritage Planning Staff also undertook additional research and review of potential heritage properties within the Plan areas, bringing forward a multiple listing report that City Council approved in 2020, resulting in the addition of 360 properties to the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register (TE21.18). 250 of these properties are in the West Queen West Area. The final HCD Plan is anticipated to be brought to the Toronto Preservation Board in Fall 2024.