Automation Gallery
Superstar
Demolition of historic Toronto house has locals fuming
According to property records Wellspring sold the property to numbered companies. Company administrators listed include Shi Hong Zhang, and James Kan, both of Markham. Neither returned the Star’s calls.
Wong-Tam says she was powerless to stop the demolition because there’s no policy requiring the city’s building department to notify councillors or anyone when owners of a property zoned commercial apply for a building permit — as was the case for Odette House.
That’s different from a residential property, where the local councillor must be notified, Wong-Tam said.
She plans to meet with the city’s chief building official, chief planner, and city solicitor in a bid to “close that loophole’’ so a scenario like the one that ended Odette House won’t happen again.
More......http://www.thestar.com/news/article...historic-toronto-house-has-locals-fuming?bn=1
Historic Village house demolished
Ward 27 councillor wants to close a zoning loophole Ward 27 councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has blamed the City of Toronto for the sudden demolition of a historic house in the Church and Wellesley Village on Jan 18.
The wrecking ball came down on Odette House at 81 Wellesley St, an 1800s-era building that was home to the Wellspring cancer support centre for about 20 years.
“My heart is broken," says Wong-Tam. "This is difficult to swallow because it wasn't arson. It wasn't an accident.”
Wong-Tam is also angry. She says the surprise demolition has revealed a loophole that seems to give developers an opportunity to snatch properties not designated heritage, possibly turning them into condos or parking lots.
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Historic_Village_house_demolished-11430.aspx
According to property records Wellspring sold the property to numbered companies. Company administrators listed include Shi Hong Zhang, and James Kan, both of Markham. Neither returned the Star’s calls.
Wong-Tam says she was powerless to stop the demolition because there’s no policy requiring the city’s building department to notify councillors or anyone when owners of a property zoned commercial apply for a building permit — as was the case for Odette House.
That’s different from a residential property, where the local councillor must be notified, Wong-Tam said.
She plans to meet with the city’s chief building official, chief planner, and city solicitor in a bid to “close that loophole’’ so a scenario like the one that ended Odette House won’t happen again.
More......http://www.thestar.com/news/article...historic-toronto-house-has-locals-fuming?bn=1
Historic Village house demolished
Ward 27 councillor wants to close a zoning loophole Ward 27 councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam has blamed the City of Toronto for the sudden demolition of a historic house in the Church and Wellesley Village on Jan 18.
The wrecking ball came down on Odette House at 81 Wellesley St, an 1800s-era building that was home to the Wellspring cancer support centre for about 20 years.
“My heart is broken," says Wong-Tam. "This is difficult to swallow because it wasn't arson. It wasn't an accident.”
Wong-Tam is also angry. She says the surprise demolition has revealed a loophole that seems to give developers an opportunity to snatch properties not designated heritage, possibly turning them into condos or parking lots.
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Historic_Village_house_demolished-11430.aspx
Last edited: