WHEREAS This report recommends approval of an application for new construction at 235 Mariposa Avenue, the previous High Commission Official Residence for the Republic of Uganda, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District (HCD); and
WHEREAS A previous application related to this property was approved by City Council in 2020 for alterations and additions to the building that was on site; the building was recently demolished without the appropriate approvals in place; and
WHEREAS This application was submitted as the owner wishes to continue with construction, using the previously-approved design; and
WHEREAS a previous application presented at built heritage committee in January spoke to a building located further back from the street than the adjacent Grade I property, which aims to reduce the visual impact of the additional height from the streetscape; and
WHEREAS the new application proposes greater massing and footprint than the previous home located at 235 Mariposa; and
WHEREAS this new proposal creates an opportunity to review the current setbacks and allow to set the home further back from the street for a reduction in impact to the cultural heritage landscape;
WHEREAS a direction to staff will be presented at the next Council meeting incorporating further conditions on the building permit that respond to the feedback received at Committee;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that report recommendation 1 be amended to read as follows:
- Approve the application for new construction at 235 Mariposa Avenue, according to plans by Bell + Associates Architecture, dated November 23, 2023 and received on December 4, 2023, conditional upon:
- The applicant increasing the front yard setback in order to further reduce the visual impact of the new building as viewed from Mariposa Avenue, including seeking any necessary Planning Approvals; and
- Should any required Planning approvals be granted, delegate authority to staff for final approval of the increased front yard setback under the OHA; and
- Should any required Planning Approvals not be granted, the application will be deemed approved as per the attached plans subject to the remaining conditions outlined in this report.
- The applicant reconfirming and/or providing all exterior cladding materials for approval by Heritage staff, prior to the issuance of any building permits;
- Prior to the issuance of the building permit:
- The applicant and their General Contractor meeting with Heritage and Building Code staff to review the approved plans, details of the approval, and agreeing to provide a copy of the approved heritage permit to all subcontractors, including posting a copy on site.
- The applicant submitting a construction schedule to the satisfaction of staff in Heritage Planning and Building Code Services.