Item - 2016.TE13.18

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council state its intention to designate the property at 1 Front Street West (the "Property") under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 1 Front Street West (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment No. 3 to the report (November 26, 2015) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, to be effective upon the transfer of the Property by the federal government and that notice of intention to designate be served on the new owner following the transfer of the Property.

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 following the transfer of the Property.

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 1 Front Street West containing the Dominion Public Building (the Property) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) following its transfer from federal government ownership.  The property at 1 Front Street West is managed by the Real Property Branch of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), which as a cost-saving measure has declared the property surplus and will proceed with its disposal.

In a letter dated May 29, 2015,  Public Works and Government Services Canada requested Heritage Preservation Services to assess the Property to determine whether it merits designation as an individual property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act.  The Property was designated in 1983 by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO) as a "Classified" Federal Heritage Building, the highest ranked category.  It is currently subject to the Treasury Board policies concerning the management and disposition of Federal Heritage Buildings, but will no longer be subject to any federal heritage protections once it leaves the federal inventory.

The Property is listed on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register and designated under Part V of the Act as part of the Union Station Heritage Conservation District (USHCD).  However, because the Federal Government is not subject to the Act, compliance on the part of the Federal Government is voluntary.  The HCD designation is confined to the exterior of the building.

Designation under Part IV of the Act will enable the protection of cultural heritage value and heritage attributes, including interior features.  As the Federal Government is not subject to the Act, compliance with the designation by-law will be voluntary until such time as the property changes hands.

The Toronto Preservation Board December 15, 2015, considered a report (November 26, 2015) from Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division, regarding Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - 1 Front Street West.