Item - 2013.NY21.59

North York Community Council recommends that:

1.         City Council resolve that its previous resolutions to commit to designate 2384 Yonge Street as a Heritage property relate to the two-storey limestone, or front portion of the building and the open space between that building and Yonge Street; and that in aid thereof, Heritage and Planning staff be directed to meet with the developer to pursue a process which will secure Council's Heritage objectives as the developer's planning applications are considered.

At its meetings of October 2, 3 and 4, and October 30, 31 and November 1, 2012, City Council passed resolutions expressing: 1. its commitment to designate Postal Station “K” as a heritage property (NY 18.36) and that 2. any application to re-develop must address the need to create a public open space (MM 27.7).

In early November, Canada Post confirmed the sale of Station K to a developer (Rockport). Since then, the developer has met with Community groups and with City staff to discuss its development plans. 

The developer has indicated its intention to work with planning and heritage staff and the community on a proposed development which will provide for the retention and enhancement of the public open space, the retention and reuse of the front portion of the building, the demolition of the rear portion of the building and the construction of a residential building on the property. 

In this regard it is appropriate that Council clarify that its commitment to designate Postal Station “K” as a heritage property, is with respect to the front portion of the building and the open space in front of it only.

Further, the developer has suggested that it could secure Canada Post’s cooperation to move the Heritage Designation process forward in conjunction with the developer’s planning applications to ensure the Heritage objectives of City Council are secured.