A quick read through Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act may convince anyone that it was written with Leaside in mind.

Part V allows a community to protect itself from changes that would alter the overall look and feel of its elements. It serves as a legislative tool to help prevent renovations or new construction that might put a property visibly out of step with the established character of neighbouring properties. It is distinct from the provisions of Part IV of the Act, which provide for the preservation of particular buildings or portions of buildings the specific heritage attributes of which are deemed to have cultural heritage value. Some local examples are the heritage designations that have been applied to both the Longo’s and the TD Bank branch on Laird Drive.

Whereas Part IV considers particular structures or clusters one at a time, Part V of the Act addresses entire geographic areas. And whereas Part IV considers specific heritage attributes, Part V concerns itself with matters of character and appearance.

Given the value that Leaside residents have placed on the distinct look and feel of our traditional streetscapes, it might come as a surprise that our community has yet to take advantage of the protections that Part V has to offer. Last fall, following a threat to the existing streetscape of Parkhurst Boulevard, I initiated the process by which a portion of that street can become the subject of a study leading to possible designation as a Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Act. If successful, it may just set the stage for other portions of Leaside to receive similar attention.