As you may know, the City of Toronto has been undertaking a West Queen West Heritage Conservation District Study and Planning Study on Queen St W between Bathurst St and Roncesvalles Ave. This work will importantly help us to conserve the cultural value and heritage attributes of the street and understand what future change is possible.

As part of this work, the Toronto Preservation Board at its June 2017 meeting endorsed the creation of two Heritage Conservation District Plans along Queen St W with the West Queen West HCD encompassing Queen St W between Bathurst St to Dufferin St and the Parkdale Main Street HCD encompassing Queen St W between Dufferin St to McDonnell Ave. A Community Advisory Panel is also to be established to provide a wide variety of perspective in the creation of these plans. You can click here for a larger view of the proposed West Queen West HCD boundaries. 

You can view the presentation materials from the June 2017 community meeting where staff presented their work by clicking here and find the complete report brought forward to the Toronto Preservation Board meeting by clicking here.

Over the past decade, the West Queen West neighbourhood has undergone substantial development.  While this development has been focused in the West Queen West triangle area bounded by Queen Street West, Sudbury Street and Dovercourt Road, adjacent neighbourhoods have also witnessed some development.  This development has typically consisted of either minor, or at times major renovations to existing homes.

As many of you would agree, Ward 18 is comprised of unique and exciting neighbourhoods, one of which is undoubtedly Beaconsfield Village.  The history of this neighbourhood dates back to the mid-1800s, when a series of streets were built in the former Brookfield estate.  At the time, Beaconsfield Avenue became famous in this newly built neighbourhood due to its beautiful Victorian row and semi-detached houses.

The majority of the houses on Beaconsfield Avenue were built between the 1880s and 1890s.  Given the history, many of them have been designated as 'Heritage Buildings' by City Council.  These late 19th century houses define, maintain and support the historical character of the street.

At the present time, the unique built form on Beaconsfield Avenue, between Queen Street West and Argyle Street remains considerably intact.  Nevertheless, the local community has voiced concern over the potential disruption that future building applications can have on the character and heritage of this street. 

In response to community concerns, I am pleased to inform you that I moved a motion at the Toronto and East York Community Council in November 2015 requesting that Beaconsfield Avenue, between Queen Street West and Argyle Street, be nominated for consideration as a Heritage Conservation District.  This motion, which was unanimously approved by me and my colleagues at Community Council has initiated the process of protecting the unique and historic built form on Beaconsfield Avenue.  I have included a copy of my motion for your reference below. 

Should you have any questions on this process, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (416) 392-7012.

Sincerely,

Ana Bailão
City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport

Text of Motion to Toronto and East York Community Council

Chair and Members
Toronto and East York Community Council
100 Queen St. West
Toronto ON, M5H 2N2

November 10, 2015

Dear Chair and Members:

Re: Nomination of Beaconsfield Avenue for Heritage Conservation District Study

The history of Beaconsfield Village dates back to the mid-1800s when a series of streets were built on the former Brookfield estate in the area bounded by Ossington Avenue, Queen Street West, Dufferin Street and Dundas Street West.  Beaconsfield Avenue in particular became the trademark street of the newly built neighbourhood with its beautiful Victorian row, and semi-detached houses.  It was named after British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who was given the title 'Lord of Beaconsfield' by Queen Victoria.  

The houses on Beaconsfield Avenue and surrounding streets were built circa the 1880s and 1890s.   Many of the houses on Beaconsfield Avenue, between Queen Street West and Argyle Street, have been designated 'Heritage Buildings" by City Council, as they are well crafted examples of the late 19th century house form buildings that define, maintain and support the historical character of the street. 

To date, the distinct built form on Beaconsfield Avenue, between Queen Street West and Argyle Street, remains substantially intact; however, there are fears amongst community members that future building applications may eventually disrupt the character and heritage of this street.  A Heritage Conservation District study would help ensure that the late 19th century Victorian style built street is evaluated and preserved.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That Toronto and East York Community Council

a)     Nominate Beaconsfield Avenue, between Queen Street West and Argyle Street, for consideration as a Heritage Conservation District;

b)     Request the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, City Planning to review the nomination and bring forward a study authorization report should the area demonstrate sufficient cultural heritage value; and

c)     Request the Manager, Heritage Preservation Services to consider the nominated area for prioritization, should it satisfy all of the Council approved prioritization criteria.

Sincerely,

Ana Bailão
City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport

By NATALIE CHU

From heritage buildings to highrises, Queen West residents were eager to share their thoughts and concerns on the developing strip.

Nearly 100 residents gathered at the first public consultation meeting Thursday, July 10 to discuss the new West Queen West planning study, affecting Queen Street West between Bathurst Street to the east and Roncesvalles Avenue to the west.

It was led by Toronto city planner Avery Carr, who called for feedback on preserving the heritage value and character of the strip and other recent development concerns.

“We’re experiencing some increasing development pressure and we want to develop a strong community vision,” Carr said in his presentation.

Developing a policy context, determining what heritage buildings need to be protected and deciding on further built form of new buildings were all on the future agenda.

One immediate point of contention for residents was the highrise “eyesore” at Dufferin Street and Queen Street West. How it was approved and whether it would set a precedent for the rest of West Queen West was heavily discussed. City staff later clarified the building had fallen between two zoning laws, allowing its height and density.

A few longtime residents went on to debate the purpose of this study, saying the “two-tiered” approval system between city council and the Ontario Municipal Board has, and would continue to, prevent any progress on the subsequent recommendations by the community.

“Skylines have been lost, transit has become impossible...all our work becomes compromised or the builder gets what they want,” one resident said.

Whether any of the future the plans would receive funding was also an issue.

“There are no guarantees of money, but we’re looking at what the community needs,” Carr said, adding exhaustive community consultation, along with unified city staff and council, would provide a strong argument toward implementing any recommendations.

“Is there a common character of Queen West? That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Carr said in an interview.

The study will continue in stages for another year before a final report is sent to council in late 2015. Due to scheduling conflicts, councillors Gord Perks, Ana Bailao and Mike Layton did not attend the meeting.

A separate meeting examining transit capacity in the area is slated for later in the season. Carr said she also hopes to begin walking tours in August to allow residents to continue to give options on the different spaces along Queen.

Interested residents should go online at toronto.ca/planning/westqueenweststudy for updates on meetings and more information.

[originally posted in the Parkdale Villager]