FLASH NEWS:

We have learned on good authority, www.babypointheritage.ca(April 30, 2013)
that Lorne Bozinoff is selling the property at 66 Baby Point Road

OMB Hearing Held November 29, 2011

The OMB Hearing for the Appeal of the Variance granted by the Etobicoke Committee of Adjustment to Lorne Bozinoff to move his planned McMansion at 66 Baby Point Road, forward of the established front setback line, was held on November 29th, 2011 at the OMB Offices.

A Decision has been deferred pending review of the submissions and evidence heard at the hearing.

Residents upset neighbour given the go-ahead to build large home

www.babypointheritage.ca 

Projected Impact of the Proposed Front Setback Variance of 66 Baby Pt. Rd.

The Villager - August 11, 2011 by Lisa Rainford

 

Residents on Baby Point Road are dismayed a neighbour has been given permission to build a three-storey house mere metres from the sidewalk.

A City of Toronto Committee of Adjustment (E/Y Panel), deemed the application a minor variance Thursday evening, July 28, despite the neighbourhood's effort to prove otherwise.

Property owner Lorne Bozinoff had the original 1920s Arts and Craft-style, one-and-a-half-storey cottage designed by architect Robert Home Smith demolished in November to make room for the new house.

"We are disappointed in the committee's decision. The applicant's reason for moving this 6,000-square foot house forward was to improve the streetscape," said David Bronskill, the lawyer representing some Baby Point residents. "We fail to see how pushing forward a house that is two times the size of nearby homes does anything except overwhelm the streetscape."

Reached by telephone Monday, Aug. 8, Bozinoff said he was "very pleased" with the outcome of the meeting. "It was unanimous in our favour," he said. 

As many as 15 residents attended the late July meeting. Those who could not be there expressed their opposition through written letters to the committee. The new house is the first in the immediate area to violate the front yard setback requirement of 9.13 metres, Bronskill said. Bozinoff plans to construct his house 6.46 metres from the south front lot line. Although, he said he has yet to determine when construction will be begin.

Parkdale-High Park Councillor Sarah Doucette supported the consensus of her constituents by writing a letter to the committee. She said she felt that by moving the house forward, the property would lose crucial green space.

Area residents are scratching their heads as to why the committee decided the character of Baby Point Circle should be forever altered to accommodate a large house with a backyard pool. "Neighbours are incredulous at why the streetscape should be permanently be changed to suit Mr. Bozinoff's development rather than changes being made to his development plan to suit the streetscape," said David Ceolin, who lives on the Baby Point Circle.

Based on neighbours' input last year, Bozinoff said he and his architects redesigned the house. Neighbours had 21 days from July 28 to decide if they wanted to fight the decision at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

This decision had yet to be made by The Villager's press deadline.  (Flash: Appeal filed with the OMB)

Meanwhile, Bozinoff said he is in the midst of finalizing interior drawings. "If the committee's decision is appealed, we would hope that the OMB would place great weight on this persuasive evidence and protect the existing physical character of this beautiful neighbourhood," Bronskill said.

Neighbours charge the new structure will occupy 90 per cent of the allowable lot space, 99 per cent of the allowable width and is twice as large as the house next door, despite claims that they are similar in size. "I feel like the people on the committee have failed us. The evidence that was presented was ignored," said Kevin O'Doherty, a nine-year resident, adding that he feels the new house will dramatically change the imprint of Baby Point.

The neighbourhood was a featured on a show called Structures, which highlights stories about Toronto's local culture and heritage. The program, said Ceolin, included architectural and urban planning experts commenting on Home Smith's vision for Baby Point. Home Smith wanted to ensure that houses did not overwhelm each other or the lots on which they were built, said Ceolin.

"The implications of this decision are that this historically admired streetscape has now been permanently altered so one individual can have a large lap pool for his 6,000+ square foot footprint mega house," he said.

Destruction of the 66 Baby Point Rd Site starts To-day

Tree Cutting Starts on November 11, 2010

First and Last Posting

This is the closing of my anti  "McMansion" blogging campaign in which I  presented material related to the impending construction of a 6500 sq. ft. McMansion on the site of a soon to be demolished 1920's era "Arts & Crafts" architectural gem at 66 Baby Point Road in the historic Baby Point enclave and the Old Mill area of west end Toronto.

The owners, Mr and Mrs. Lorne Bozinoff, have more or less turned a deaf ear to the pleas of the community to salvage this historic property originally built by Robert Home Smith in 1926 for Mr. John Hamm.

They have been granted site plan approval for a building permit to proceed with their mega home project The new home will be twice as large as all adjacent homes in the area. It will have an adverse impact on the sightlines and the streetscape.

It is a great misfortune for the residents of this historic area to learn as an outcome of the planning process that neither the EYC Bylaws or The City of Toronto Official Plan offer any meaningful protection against this type of architectural mayhem.

In addition, I would  make the case that  Heritage Preservation of historic neighbourhoods and the old homes that populate them,  cannot be accomplished by the local community in the absence of committed support and leadership from Councillors and Council, architects and planners as well as the local real estate community.

This issue will continue under new direction at http://www.babypointatrisk.blogspot.com/

MG 2010 Hosted by MG Car Club of Toronto

For a change of pace let me tell you about MG 2010.

This rally will be held the third week in June in Belleville, Ontario dead in the heart of Loyalist land.

The main historic sites to visit are in Lennox & Addington County, especially Loyalist Twp.

Visit the MG Car Club of Toronto site for more Information

The second link is to a PDF document (30 pg) that describes the various places to visit including a walking tour around Bath and a driving tour on the Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33)

Finally, the last link is to a 6 min AV presentation on United Empire Loyalists

Link to MGCCT is =>             www.mgtoronto.com/

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/Binder%20-%20L%26A%20County%20Info.pdf

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/United%20Empire%20Loyalists%20Show.exe