Comments from the province’s recently appointed minister of tourism and culture on the David Dunlap Observatory site are not sitting well with concerned citizens and councillors alike.
“I wasn’t surprised,” said Brenda Hogg, deputy mayor of Richmond Hill, of comments made by Minister Michael Chan recently with regards to the David Dunlap Observatory. “The province has dodged any responsibility to protect the property for the past two years.” Chan was quoted as saying that the issue of site protection should be dealt with by the town and that the site was properly protected. The Town had appealed for provincial and federal protection through a national landmark designation.
“Decisions pertaining to local heritage sites are best made at the local level,” Chan said when asked about the accuracy of reported quotes. “A municipal designation … carries the same powers to protect as a provincial designation.” Dave Barrow, mayor of Richmond Hill, confirmed that the town had not received a formal response on the matter.
“We feel that we have used all the tools we have to protect the cultural heritage attributes of the site and were requesting his office to provide whatever additional protection he deems appropriate,” he said. Some, however, are not waiting for a formal response to voice their displeasure with Chan’s comments. “I think it’s appalling,” said Karen Cilevitz of the David Dunlap Observatory Defenders. “It does appear that the minister has made his decision.”
Cilevitz said she is concerned with how a decision could be reached without consulting community stakeholders on the matter. An application was recently submitted to the town for an 833-unit development on the site by property owners Metrus Developments. “It is not just a community asset,” Hogg said.
“It cannot be fully protected unless it is purchased, and our property tax dollar is the least appropriate method of purchase.”
