Heritage designation is in the works for Leaside
The process could take years, but Leaside is one step closer to ensuring the community will be able to maintain its “look and feel” in the face of development.
North York community council voted on May 13 in favour of having city staff study whether the community qualifies for a heritage conservation designation, which would allow a neighbourhood to designate an entire area for protection from changes to how the buildings look from the street.
Councillor John Parker brought the idea to community council on behalf of the Leaside Property Owners Association.
“What it tries to discourage is somebody making a wholesale change and converting a traditional looking home into something that looks as though it dropped in from outer space,” Parker said.
LPOA vice president Geoff Kettel said he’s hopeful the city will grant the designation “to preserve the character of Leaside.”
“There’s no doubt there will continue to be changes, but we will try and maintain the look and feel of what people love the best about Leaside,” he said.