A couple’s plans to build their dream home in Lawrence Park have been put on hold while the city decides whether or not to designate as heritage the Tudor revival–style home on their Dinnick Crescent property. North York Community Council deferred consideration of the couple’s demolition permit application until May 15.
Consideration of a heritage designation came at the request of the North York Community Preservation Panel. City staff have supported its designation, on the basis that the home meets two of the three criteria set out in the Ontario Heritage Act: architectural and contextual significance. Only one must be met for heritage designation.
The Tudor revival–style home was built in 1930 for Charles Langdon. It remained in the local lawyer’s family until last year.
“The Charles Langdon House is part of an important collection of early 20th century buildings that characterize the development of Lawrence Park as an exclusive residential neighbourhood and garden suburb,” stated a city staff report.
Amber Stewart, a lawyer representing the homeowners, said the young couple purchased the property with the intent of building a new home in which to raise their kids. The home was not included on the city’s listing of homes that may have heritage value, which signals to homeowners the potential for a future designation.
It wasn’t until the homeowners applied for a demolition permit — after months of planning and talking to city staff, consultants and local ratepayers — that the heritage consideration cropped up.
“I agree that there’s value in protecting heritage buildings, but there is a way to do it that’s fair and that gives notice to potential landowners,” Stewart said.
Now the couple’s dream home is at stake as well as all the costs they’ve already sunk into the project.
Geoff Kettel, chair of the North York Community Preservation Panel, said the reason heritage designations tend to be reactionary is because the city lacks the program to establish a proper heritage inventory.
“Lawrence Park is a very desirable area, and that desirability relates to the character of the area, and the character of the area relates largely to the heritage,” he said. “It seems to me that people should be aware of that when they buy a home: what they’re buying is a treasure.”