West Queen West: Heritage Conversation District Open House

Toronto City Planning is hosting a Community Consultation Meeting (Open House) to gather community input and feedback on the draft West Queen West Heritage Conservation District Plan.

A Heritage Conservation District (HCD) is a geographically defined area that has cultural heritage value and is legally protected by a municipal by-law passed by City Council under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act (or OHA). Every property within the HCD boundary is subject to the by-law.

HCDs consist of a concentration of heritage buildings that give the area a distinct character, or sense of place. They can include residential neighbourhoods, institutional and industrial campuses, natural areas, or – as in the case of West Queen West – commercial main streets. As Toronto continues to grow and change, historic buildings play a crucial role in place-making. By protecting them, we acknowledge their importance within the broader context of city planning.

The West Queen West HCD boundary includes all properties fronting Queen Street West, from Bathurst Street to Dufferin Street, excluding Trinity Bellwoods Park and the CAMH site. The area contains a significant collection of heritage resources that distinguish it from its surroundings, and therefore, it warrants protection under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

When City Council passes a Part V designation by-law, a Plan for the HCD is adopted at the same time. An HCD Plan is a document that identifies the cultural heritage values of the district and provides clear instructions on how to conserve them. It acts like a guidebook for the planning and building permit processes, ensuring that any changes within the HCD maintain the area’s character by conserving and protecting both above-ground and below-ground (archaeological) heritage resources.

The event will be a “drop-in” format and will feature display boards explaining the draft HCD Plan. Participants will have the opportunity to meet City staff and the project team, ask questions, and provide input. This consultation will help inform the finalization of the HCD Plan, which will be considered by the Toronto Preservation Board in November and City Council in December. The meeting will also offer property and business owners, local residents, and organizations the chance to ask questions and share their feedback on the final draft of the West Queen West HCD Plan.

For more information about the HCD Plan:
Visit: West Queen West Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Plan webpage
Contact: Pourya Nazemi, Senior Heritage Planner at Pourya.Nazemi@toronto.ca

If you require accommodation or assistive services, please contact:
Emma Doedens, Assistant Heritage Planner at [email protected]