Item - 2015.PB4.5

The Toronto Preservation Board recommends to City Council that:

1.         City Council state its intention to designate the property at 720 Yonge Street (Robert Barron Building) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 720 Yonge Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment No. 3 to the report (March 31, 2015) from the Director, Urban Design, City Planning Division.

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

3.         If there are objections in accordance with 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 720 Yonge Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.  Located on the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Charles Street West, the property contains a three-storey commercial building constructed in two phases (1889 and 1902) for the grocery store of Robert Barron.

The property at 720 Yonge Street was listed on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties (now known as the Heritage Register) in 1974.   The site is the subject of a development application that proposes to retain the Robert Barron Building and construct a new three-storey commercial infill building to the south and west.  The property owner has agreed to the designation of the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.