Ward 27 candidates talk heritage buildings
Question:
Residents in Rosedale take pride in their older homes and heritage buildings. If elected as [url=https://streeter.ca/tag-ward-27.html]Ward 27[/url] councillor, how would you ensure the heritage of the neighbourhood is maintained while ensuring a healthy amount of new development takes place in the ward?
[attach]2366[/attach][url=https://streeter.ca/line-to-replace-rae-is-forming-on-the-left.html]Enza Anderson[/url]:
“Heritage preservation is vital to maintaining Toronto’s unique culture and history. As city councillor, I will work to ensure any heritage properties that look to be bought up by foreign ownership are subject to condition of sale agreements that preserve and maintain the properties.”
[attach]2367[/attach]Ben Bergen:
“Heritage buildings are a unique feature in Rosedale and they need to be protected. However, we need to balance the past with current and future development. I would put forward policy to ensure that historical homes and buildings with merit would be protected, placing them under heritage protection. Coupled with this, I would also ensure that new structures integrate seamlessly into heritage zones while meeting the highest environmental and design standards.”
[attach]2368[/attach][url=https://streeter.ca/former-peel-cop-seeks-council-seat.html]Ken Chan[/url]:
“We are so blessed with unique neighbourhoods like Rosedale, which is acknowledged as a heritage conservation district. As councillor, I would work with the south and north Rosedale ratepayer associations to ensure we protect what makes Toronto’s neighbourhoods great.”
[attach]2369[/attach][url=https://streeter.ca/bumper-crop-of-candidates-expected.html]Joel Dick[/url]:
“The city needs to complete the detailed secondary plan called for under the official plan for each of it’s neighbourhoods. That will identify the heritage buildings and sites as well as provide for future green space and transit infrastructure. We should also expand the design review committee concept from high profile projects such as the waterfront to the whole city, because aesthetics matter and new development has to have the right look and feel if it is to enhance existing communities. Lastly, we need to reform the current development process to increase citizen involvement from the earliest stages.”
[attach]2370[/attach][url=https://streeter.ca/bumper-crop-of-candidates-expected.html]Susan Gapka[/url]:
“All residents of Ward 27 and across the city are very proud of both our history and our development. I will work with the neighbourhood associations and the business improvement associations. They’re the experts. When I’m elected I will attend meetings and make strong connections with the local neighbourhood associations. Either I personally or my staff will attend. I will attend at least so many times during the year. We will work together to protect the historical nature of Toronto Centre and we have a lot of history as we are the founding flower of the entire city of York, which is now Toronto and the GTA. We want to protect our historical element and we want to have sustainable mixed housing in our neighbourhood.”
[attach]2371[/attach]Jonas Jemstone:
“Development is an inevitable transition in any society and it would not be any exception for Rosedale residents. However, I will make sure that whatever pace of development Rosedale individuals wish that will be what my position is. And if they wish to control it and make sure it’s a slow transition, so be it. If they wish development could be attained faster then we will make available and argue on their behalf. So that’s my position. Recently I asked about the Rosedale Park playground being remodeled or brought up to speed to the current safety standards set up by Canadian Safety Standards Commission. I support that move.”
[attach]2372[/attach]Gary Leroux:
“Rosedale is our gem in Ward 27, any major changes must be reviewed by the community in an open forum. We have a strong heritage and planning department which controls any redevelopment. I stand for and want to ensure that the heritage of the neighbourhood maintains its beauty while ensuring a healthy amount of new development in our ward.”
[attach]2373[/attach]Ram Narula:
“Both are possible if the Rosedalians are flexible in their attitude. The selected representatives from various blocks should form a committee instead of becoming blocks in development (i.e. not in my backyard). They discuss pros and cons, take decisive action with the cooperation with the municipal board. The decision is made by the majority in action and implementation, like Unionville and Don Mills.”
[attach]2374[/attach][url=https://streeter.ca/not-all-spending-should-stop-hopeful-says.html]Ella Rebanks[/url]:
“Living in the neighbourhood makes me especially aware and sensitive to the preservation of Rosedale’s heritage. As councillor I will do all I can to work with residents and the city to ensure future development reflects the history and character of Rosedale and respects its status as a heritage conservation district. One of our challenges will be dealing with the Ontario municipal board who often overturn the city’s good planning decisions. I’d like to see this process reviewed and the OMB abandoned to give local residents a stronger voice on the decisions made in their area.”
[attach]2375[/attach]Simon Wookey:
“Having worked at a family business dedicated to heritage preservation and redevelopment this in an issue close to my heart. The first thing we must acknowledge is that we cannot wave a magic wand and just simply designate buildings as quote heritage then call it mission accomplished. Heritage buildings are expensive to maintain, especially commercial buildings like the Summerhill LCBO, and as such they can have a limited market. The city, property owners, as well as heritage preservationists can and must work together to ensure that our heritage is well maintained in private hands. Ultimately, it has been my observation that the most successful model to preserve historic buildings has been an ownership by a quote heritage trust.”
[url=https://streeter.ca/lottery-could-help-city-hopeful-says.html]Perry Missal[/url], [url=https://streeter.ca/rosedale-resident-eyes-council-seat.html]Robert Meynell[/url], Paul Spence, [url=https://streeter.ca/bumper-crop-of-candidates-expected.html]Chris Tindal[/url] and [url=https://streeter.ca/vying-for-ward-27.html]Kristyn Wong-Tam[/url] did not respond by press time. For a recap of a Ward 27 debate click [url=https://streeter.ca/ward-27-debate-far-from-ordinary.html]here[/url].
