Taylor Smyth Architects has proposed a renovation and addition on behalf of the property owner of 1072 Queen Street West in Toronto’s West Queen West area. The site, near the intersection of Queen and Dovercourt Road, currently harbours a 2-storey building with commercial units at grade with residential above. The proposal includes a 1-storey addition while maintaining and remodelling the two lower floors.

Looking north to 1072 Queen Street West, designed by Taylor Smyth Architects

Submitted through a minor variance application to the Committee of Adjustments, a Zoning Notice was prepared to alert the applicant that certain aspects of the zoning by-law were not satisfied. One of these aspects is that there are currently no proposed parking spaces on site. According to the zoning by-law a building of this nature would need a minimum of 11 parking spaces with at least 1 of them being an accessible parking space. It is at the discretion of the Committee of Adjustments whether these issues would require a zoning by-law amendment or could be appeased by the minor variance application. As this application was filed before February 3rd, 2022, the new parking requirements removing the parking minimums do not apply and the development must follow the previous guidelines unless the committee decides otherwise. 

The City of Toronto has studied this area for Heritage Conservation District (HCD) designation and is currently implementing an HCD plan in order to preserve the history and heritage found in the study area by implementing conservation policies and guidelines. While the HCD plan  will not be in effect in time for this proposal's implementation, the proponents believe the proposal aligns with the values of the HCD by maintaining the existing structure, renovating and adding to it in a sensitive way, rather than demolishing it and starting anew.

Heritage Conservation District, Queen Street West at Brock Avenue, 2006, image from City of Toronto

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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