Item - 2012.TE13.13

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council state its intention to designate the property at 57 Bond Street (St. Michael's Cathedral) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Revised Reasons for Designation: 57 Bond Street (Statement of Significance) attached as Attachment No. 2 to the supplementary report dated February 6, 2012, from the Acting Director, Policy and Research, City Planning Division.

2.         If there are no objections to the designation in accordance with Section 29(6) of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the bills in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

3.         If there are objections in accordance with Section 29(7) of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council direct the City Clerk to refer the designation to the Conservation Review Board.

4.         If the designation is referred to the Conservation Review Board, City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend any hearing held by the Conservation Review Board in support of Council's decision on the designation of the property.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 57 Bond Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value.  The site contains St. Michael's Cathedral, which is one of the most prominent religious buildings in Toronto that was recognized on the inaugural City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties in June 1973.

Since 2002, St. Michael's Cathedral has been undergoing conservation work in planned phases.  As part of this process, staff  have worked with representatives of the Archdiocese of Toronto, resulting in their agreement to the designation of the site under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Following research and evaluation, staff have determined that the property at 57 Bond Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.  The designation of the property would identify the property's heritage values and attributes and enable City Council to control alterations to the site, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

The Toronto Preservation Board on January 16, 2012, considered the report (December 20, 2011) from the Acting Director, Policy and Research, City Planning, respecting Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - 57 Bond Street.

Terry White, Architect, Ventin Group Architects addressed the Toronto Preservation Board.

At its meeting of January 16, 2012, the Toronto Preservation Board adopted PB9.2 and recommended to the Toronto and East York Community Council that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 57 Bond Street (St. Michael's Cathedral) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.  The applicant deputed at the Toronto Preservation Board meeting and indicated that representatives of the Archdiocese of Toronto wished to consult with heritage staff on the contents of the Reasons for Designation.

Staff have met with representatives of the Archdiocese of Toronto and have revised the Reasons for Designation to clarify that the fixed items that are also considered liturgical objects are excluded from the heritage attributes identified on the interior of St. Michael's Cathedral.   It is understood that the chattels or moveable objects that are considered liturgical objects by the Archdiocese are not eligible for designation and are not identified in the Reasons for Designation.