Message from Councillor Grimes in support of Ratepayers Association of South Long Branch (RASL)

I am pleased to share the following e-mail from Councillor Grimes’ office with you.

The support of Councillor Grimes’ office for the efforts of the Ratepayers Association of South Long Branch (RASL) is much appreciated.

The message, to planning staff at the City of Toronto, is dated January 30, 2012.

Subject: Dominion Rd

“We have a street in ward 6, in the heritage community of Long Branch, often overlooked, that has seven listed properties on the street – 4, 11, 17, 19, 20, 26 and 42, and one listed property that was demolished at number 28. There are only 42 lots on the street *so 20% of the street is or was listed. Many other homes were torn down and lost as this community is not a heritage district.

“The City is receiving an increasing number of applications for demolishing properties on this street and splitting the lots,.

“In other area of the city with such a high percentage of listed homes the new lot would be looked at in context of the overall heritage aspects of the street.

“Not so in ward 6, however where there were not comments that we are aware of on a recent proposed demolition of number 28 Dominion rd.

“We are further concerned with the inadequate research in Etobicoke on their heritage properties there may be other in the community that are overlooked. (This is not a comment on the current Heritage Preservation staff, but concerns with the documentation by the former city, where we cannot find the background on the decisions.)

“As well there are many heritage trees in this area, Many of the oaks in Long Branch were grown from Queen Victoria’s(The Jubilee Oak Tree; Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign (50 years) In 1887 saplings were donated by the Queen) This area is one of the few in Toronto with butternut trees that are not hybrids. Although our office as been advised there is a report pending on designation of heritage trees there is no indication of when this will be completed.

“Our office recognizes that a backlog of heritage properties to be reviewed cannot move these homes up more quickly for review, but in light of the number of homes on this particular very short street, Councillor Grimes is asking that any requests for lot severance or demolition of homes on this street be reviewed by heritage in the context of the other properties.

“Currently in Ward 6 for this area we have the Long Branch Historical Society and the Ratepayers Association of South Long Branch (RASL).

“Jaan Pill is the current contact for the Historical Society and Malcolm Archer for the RASL group, who would I believe strongly support this request.

“Thank you for considering Councillor Grimes’ request.

“Sheila

“Office of Councillor Mark Grimes

“Councillor Mark Grimes’ Office
Ward 6, Etobicoke Lakeshore
City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Suite C48
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Tel: 416-397-9273 Fax: 416-397-9279
www.markgrimes.ca

“Councillor Mark Grimes is committed to building a community with an active, liveable lifestyle. Etobicoke Lakeshore offers its residents and visitors the beauty of waterfront parks, a flourishing arts community and the use of outstanding recreational facilities.”