Subject: Why not us?
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017
From: Norman S. T.
To: Councillor Cressy <councillor_cressy@toronto.ca>
Good afternoon Joe,
Yesterday, while sitting in Committee Room 2 at the Toronto Preservation Board meeting I was wondering
why you have not spoken out about the U of T's proposal at 700 Spadina Avenue? You are quite involved
and vocal about Kensington Market, 401 Richmond, King-Spadina, and 15 Glen Morris:
Kensington Market fights for survival (NOW, December 7, 2016)
"We're building neighbourhoods, not towers," Cressy says
401 Richmond - protecting our City's arts and culture (posted by Joe Cressy on December 23, 2016)
"401 Richmond is a vital part of Toronto."
King-Spadina -Council freezes demolition on 303 buildings in downtown Toronto (Toronto Star, Thu., Dec. 15, 2016)
“We’re at risk of losing the city’s heritage as we grow if we don’t move quickly to protect these historic buildings,” Cressy said.
“It stops the wild-west demolition practice of demolishing buildings that have heritage value which we have not yet designated.”
15 Glen Morris (Tenants seek heritage designation for 140-year-old house near U of T (Toronto Star, Wed., Jan. 25, 2017)
“When we list or designate a building, that does not freeze a building in time, rather it allows us to guide and manage change in
the future,” Cressy said. “The risk of it being demolished and being replaced by an apartment complex, not only would it be a loss
for the neighbourhood, Toronto would lose a piece of its history unnecessarily.”
You seem to be speaking for those residents, but not us.
Is there any reason?
At the recent meeting, you said that you could not support the proposal with the current height.
Was this your view or that of the residents?
Would you support a proposal at a lower height?
Answers to these questions would help clarify how close your view reflects that of the local residents.
Best regards,
Norman
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Here is the response:
Subject: RE: Why not us?
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2017
From: Raymond Ngu <Raymond.Ngu@toronto.ca>
To: Norman S. T.
Hi Norman,
Thanks for your message.
Councillor Cressy certainly supported the Heritage designation for the property at 698 Spadina Avenue, and will be voting in favour of the item when it comes before Community Council and City Council. Because the item was already before the Preservation Board, on which Councillor Cressy does not sit, the role that he can play at that level is more limited than providing advocacy for structures that were not already in line for designation
As with any development proposal, Councillor Cressy will evaluate the application revisions as a whole. Because these files are so complex, it would not be possible to say whether he would support a proposal with a lower height without seeing the rest of the application, and hearing from residents and City staff on the revisions. However, as you mention, he has made it clear to the University and Daniel's that the current height is not acceptable.
Sincerely,
Raymond
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Raymond Ngu, Constituency Assistant
Office of Councillor Joe Cressy
Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4044
If you have scheduled a meeting with anyone in Councillor Cressy's office, you may be required to register as a Lobbyist. The City of Toronto's definition of lobbying is quite broad. You are advised to check for more information online http://www.toronto.ca/lobbying/ or phone (416) 338-5858.