Item - 2015.PB9.6

The Toronto Preservation Board recommends to the North York Community Council that:

1.  City Council state its intention to designate the property at 150 Laird Drive (Durant Motors of Canada Ltd.) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 150 Laird Drive (Reasons for Designation) attached as Revised Attachment 3 to the report (October 16, 2015) from the Director, Urban Design, City Planning Division.

2.  If there are no objections to the designations in accordance with Section 29(6) of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the bill in Council designating the properties 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 150 Laird Drive under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value.  The property contains the original Durant Motors of Canada, Ltd. office headquarters,  a two-storey, brick and cast-stone clad office building, built in 1928, and located on the west side of Laird Drive between Markham Avenue and McRae Drive. The property was included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in 2007.

Following research and evaluation, staff have determined that the property at 150 Laird Drive 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 cultural heritage values and heritage attributes and enable City Council to control alterations to the site, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.