The City of Toronto is considering making part of Queen Street West into a protected heritage site, but some store owners are objecting to the proposal saying it's an honour they don't want.

City councillors are set to debate and vote on a proposal Wednesday to preserve a 1½-kilometre stretch of the street between University Avenue and Bathurst Street by designating it a "retail conservation district."

About 62 per cent of the buildings along the stretch of Queen Street under consideration are Victorian or Edwardian.
(CBC)

The aim is to preserve the nature of Queen Street West, which has evolved into one of the most well-known streets in Canada with its unique collection of stores, music venues and a vibrant street culture.

But some are stumped by the proposal to protect a street where older storefronts are mixed in with modern glass facades as well as run-down buildings.

"Preserve what? When you've got entire blocks built in 1980s and 1990s, where's the history there? And architecturally meritorious? No," said Ira Ban, who owns commercial property on the street.

Some store owners worry a heritage designation could inhibit the development by restricting the type of facade, such as the glass one shown above, that would be allowed.
(CBC)

The heritage designation would require property owners wanting to demolish buildings or structures on the property or making major changes to the exterior to apply to the city for a permit.

Evolving street

Longtime residents and property owners on the street are signing a petition to try to stop the plan, which they believe would hurt property values by limiting potential development.

"This is a street of fashion stores and people need to change as fashion changes," store owner Ian Band argued.

Facts about Queen Street West:
• Queen Street was originally named Lot Street. • Lot Street was renamed Queen Street in the 1840s in honour of Queen Victoria. • The streetcar route running down Queen Street is the longest on the TTC and one of the longest in North America.

About 62 per cent of the buildings in the section between University and Bathurst are classified as Victorian or Edwardian, with the remaining buildings featuring modern storefronts.

But others reject the suggestion that just because the street includes modern buildings, it can't be be deemed a heritage area.

"Just because there are modern incursions in an area doesn't mean it's not a conservation district.  As long it has a significant level of heritage resource it can be a district. And this one has it," said Brian Gallagher, the city's heritage preservation co-ordinator.

Heritage Toronto says the proposal is not about restricting development, but ensuring any future changes complement the overall historic character of the area.

Larry Krupski, who co-owns a hardware store on the street, agreed that there's merit in the heritage designation, if only to protect it from massive development.

"It's going to keep us from being an outdoor shopping mall where you're going to have 12-foot glass frontages," he said.