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Heritage Designation for Landmark Church

Titre complet:
415 Broadview Avenue - Notice of Intention to Designate a Property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act

Summary#

Toronto City Council has moved to protect 415 Broadview Avenue (St. John’s Presbyterian Church) as a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act (Part IV, Section 29, which lets cities designate individual properties). This starts the legal process to recognize the site’s cultural, design, and historical value. The aim is to conserve a well‑known local landmark and manage any future changes to it.

Key points:

  • City Council issued a Notice of Intention to Designate the property.
  • The designation would cover both the exterior and some interior features (for example, stained glass, organ and pipes, the chancel area and pulpit), as listed in the official “Reasons for Designation.”
  • If no objections are filed during the notice period, the City Solicitor can bring forward a by‑law to finalize the designation.
  • Once designated, any demolition or alteration of identified heritage features would need City approval, and the City can enforce heritage maintenance standards.
  • A separate application to add a 10‑storey building and modify the church is under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT); designation would guide how any redevelopment must conserve heritage features.

What it means for you#

  • Property owner and congregation

    • You would need City approval for changes that affect the protected heritage features, inside and out.
    • You would be required to maintain the protected features in good condition.
    • Some items used in worship (such as lighting, plaques, artwork, the piano, the baptismal font, and the communion table) are noted by the church but are not identified as protected heritage attributes in the City’s statement.

  • Developers/applicants for 415 Broadview

    • Any redevelopment or addition would need to conserve the listed heritage attributes and obtain heritage approvals.
    • This could mean design changes and more review steps before building permits.
    • The related 10‑storey proposal is at the OLT; the designation would likely shape what changes are acceptable if the project proceeds.

  • Nearby residents and the Riverdale community

    • The church’s key exterior look and listed interior features are more likely to be kept.
    • The City will review major changes and demolition requests, which may include public notice.
    • You can provide input during the designation notice period and on future alteration applications.

  • General public

    • This mainly affects how the City manages one property. Day‑to‑day services are not directly affected.

  • What is unclear

    • How the designation will affect the timing or outcome of the ongoing OLT appeal.
    • Whether any financial supports or grants are available to the owner for conservation work. No publicly available information.

Expenses#

No direct public cost is identified in the available material.

  • The staff report says there are no financial implications from adopting this item.
  • For the owner, heritage approvals add steps for future changes and may add design and compliance costs. No publicly available estimate.
  • Any City administrative or enforcement costs are not quantified. No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • The building meets provincial heritage criteria for design, historical/associative, and contextual value (Ontario Regulation 9/06).
  • It is a local landmark with notable Neo‑Gothic architecture by Andrew Sharp and has links to the founding of the Scott Mission.
  • Designation enables the City to manage proposed alterations and any demolition to conserve important features.
  • The move aligns with provincial and City policies that treat heritage conservation as a public interest and part of good city planning.

Opponents' View#

  • One concern is that designation could add time, cost, and complexity to redevelopment, including the proposed 10‑storey addition.
  • The listing of some interior elements as protected may limit flexibility for interior changes and building reuse.
  • It is unclear how the designation will interact with the current OLT appeal, which may create uncertainty for both the owner and community.
  • The report does not detail funding or support for conservation work, which may raise questions about private costs for maintenance and restoration.