Councillor Bill Saundercook's eMail March 30,2010 Re: 66 Baby Point Rd - Deferral

66 Baby Point Road Update - March 31, 2010 at 14:30 Hr.

Good afternoon:
         Many of you remain concerned about the large size, mass and density of the proposed house to be built on this site.


         Councillor Saundercook affirmed his intent to move for a deferral of this matter during the present meeting of Toronto City Council taking place to-day and to-morrow. The Councillor's letter is published below.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Baby Point Resident,

I am writing you due to your interest in the above noted property. Last Thursday March 25th, many of you attended a meeting at the Babypoint club. The goal of the meeting was to allow the surrounding community to outline some of their concerns with the proposed plans for the property. The tone of the meeting did not play out as I had hoped.

Many of you voiced your concerns about the possibility of increased property taxes, if the new home is built as planned. After meeting with a staff member from the finance department the next morning, I am able to confirm that this one individual house will not raise assessments across the board. Tax assessments are adjusted based on comparable homes in the area. According to City Finance staff "Residential property values are based on sales of comparable properties in similar neighborhoods. Your property value as ascribed by MPAC should reflect what a property comparable to yours would sell for, in an arm's length unencumbered sale."

The issue is before us at Council this week and will likely be dealt with on Thursday, at which time I will be moving deferral, subject to the applicant going back to the Committee of Adjustments. If the applicant is unsuccessful at the Committee of Adjustments, then I will be supporting the site plan.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any further concerns.
regards,
Councillor Bill Saundercook

Front & East Side Elevation of 66 Baby Point Rd. "McMansion"

Over 80 households on "The Circle" are opposed to the Plans for a 6,500 sq. ft home at 66 Baby Point Road as of March 28, 2010.

Click on Images to enlarge

To Read the latest Inside Toronto Article by Lisa Rainford click Link:

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/656912--residents-continue-to-oppose-demolition-of-home

Or this article in the Globe & Mail on the weekend: "Beauty in the Beaches? Not always" at www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/beauty-in-the-beaches-not-always/article1513581/?service=email.

66 Baby Point Road to be Demolished Soon! - Toronto Council Mtg March 31st.

Councilor Bill Saundercook

Will he Defer

or

Won't He

? ? ?

To View latest Inside Toronto Article by Lisa Rainford click below:

Link:

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/656912--residents-continue-to-oppose-demolition-of-home

66 Baby Point Road to be Demolished Soon! Toronto City Council Meets March 31st.

80 Households Vote No!
Councilor Saundercook - Will He Defer  or Not ? ?

at March 31, 2010 TCC Mtg.

To Read the latest Inside Toronto Article by Lisa Rainford click Link:

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/656912--residents-continue-to-oppose-demolition-of-home

Community Meeting Re: 66 Baby Point Road Proposal - March 25, 2009

Baby Point Circle Residents Continue to Voice Concerns

This map illustrates the Baby Point Circle residents' opposition to the 66 Baby Point development. Over 70 homes in total in the entire Baby Point neighbourhood have expressed concern over the plan.

To Review Goodman LLP Opinion Re: Policy 3.4.8 -  Click Link Below:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/GOODMANS%20Letter%20to%20Saundercook.doc

This is a Word Document - click to Download & Open
Topic: Section 41(7)(a) of the Planning Act

Streetscape Elevation of Proposed 66 Baby Point Rd Development

This is the 6500 sq.ft. house that is replacing the old Arts & Crafts Cottage at 66 Baby Point Rd. west of my neighbour at 64 Baby Point Rd.

A real McMansion - driveway to driveway with double-door car garage with only a 1.2 metre setback from the adjacent property!  This is a development you might see in Mississauga or North York and not consistent with the density, mass and streetscape of Baby Point.

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107733

http://www.newsweek.com/id/61935

The Villager March 10th article - Demolition of 66 Baby Point Rd Approved by Etobicoke City Council

Lisa Rainford of The Villager wrote an article on March 10 reporting on the actions of City Council (including Bill Saundercook) approving the site plan submission for the demolition of 66 Baby Point Rd and erection of a 6500 sq.ft.  development on the site. 

To read the full article, go to the page entitled "The Villager March 10th article - Demolition of 66 Baby Point Rd Approved by Etobicoke City Council" 

in the Page section.

Petition to Bill Saundercook raising issues of concern re: 66 Baby Point site plan

In early March a petition was forwarded to Councillor Saundercook (Ward 13) and Etobicoke City Council outlining concerns of area residents re: Site Plan Approval - 66 Baby Point Rd.

In summary the major issues of concern are:

 Incongruence with Streetscape: We are concerned that the proposed building is not consistent with the existing streetscape and characteristics of the area that we all value. The 7000 sq. foot house is 3 times the average of the houses near it. It overwhelms other the adjacent more modest homes which comprise the prevailing building type in our neighbourhood.

 Ravine Violation: Further, the site is constrained by the ravine to the rear and a number of prominent and significant trees. Due to its overwhelming size, the rear yard landscaping of Spa, Pool, Cabana and extensive cement work contravenes the 10 meter City of Toronto ravine by-law. The rear yard could be landscaped without the contravening the by law if the applicant chose to build a more modest house, in keeping with the other homes in the neighbourhood.

 Lack of Consultation: Moreover, we believe the applicant (who does not live in this Ward and is presently renting the property) has done a poor job of consulting with area residents. For over a year, he has resubmitted the same 6500 sq ft plan with no alterations nor any community input.

 Need for Action by Bill Saundercook: Councillor Bill Saundercook needs to vote against this proposal on March 9, 2010 as the applicant was asked by Bill to engage the community, and has not done so for over a year.

In summary, that there is no effort to design a house that fits with the neighbourhood history, character and streetscape. The demolition and erection of an overly large structure will change the character of the historic circle. We strongly oppose the proposed development and ask that the Committee refuse the application.

Name:

Address: Signature_______________________

SEND TO

Councillor Bill Saundercook Phone 416 392–4072, Fax 416 696-3677, email:

councillor_saundercook@toronto.ca

Notice of meeting Re: 66 Baby Point Rd.

Notice to Residents of Baby Point Area

March 17, 2010

Councillor Bill Saundercook has announced a special community meeting in respect to the recently approved application for

Site Plan Approval - 66 Baby Point Road

for the Demolition & Building of a new home of approximately 6500 sq. ft. on the present lot.

This will be held at the Baby Point Club

March 25, 2010 at 6:00 pm  (this Thursday)

The Eastern Elevations of the two houses

The above is the eastern elevation of McMansion

This is the eastern elevation of the present house

The disparity in size is obvious! ...... 2x

For an Overview in slideshow format of the present situation
go to the following link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/Baby%20Point%20Mtg.exe

click the centre picture to start the show when it has downloaded and posted the opening Title slide

Baby Point Meeting - Posted March 22, 2010

Notice to Residents of Baby Point Area

Councillor Bill Saundercook has announced
a special community meeting

in respect to the recently approved Site Plan for
the Demolition & Building of a new home

at 66 Baby Point Road

This will be held at the Baby Point Club
March 25, 2010 at 6:00 pm

(This Thursday)

** (The Club only holds 62 People – so come early) **

*****************************************************

For Further Information on the proposed Site Plan

For 66 Baby Point Road

http://www.rdgalway.blogspot.com//

Tree Cutting & Ravine Erosion

66 Baby Point Road - Demolition

In spite of the Applicant's statement to Council that the only trees to be cut on his property are two overgrown ornamental cedars at the front and a large poplar on the edge of the driveway.....
Several trees on the north ravine slope are clearly marked for removal. (these are only a small sample)
March 17, 2010

The Demolition of 66 Baby Point Road

66 Baby Point Rd. is behind the car in the Driveway - A sad story of the loss of an historic streetscape!

To see the AV Show of Baby Point Area - click the hotlink below:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/Baby%20Point%20Circle%20Show.exe

Ravine Erosion on the north side of Baby Point Road - 2009

The ravine slope is very unstable and the loss of tree cover continues to occur. Note the proximity of the house on the left to the edge of the ravine and the washout area from the pool overflow !    

To see the extent of slope erosion of the Humber Valley area in the vicinity of Baby Point, click the hotlink below for an AV presentation.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5297362/Ravine%20Erosion%20-%20Copy.exe

Humber Valley Ravine along Baby Point Road

This shows the significant slope to the ravine on the north side of the lots along Baby Point Road and the erosion patterns and effect on the tree cover. ** note the close proximity of the property on the left to the edge of the ravine.

The new 66 Baby Point "Humvee House"

Note how the roof line is well above the adjacent houses. The claim that it is only 3 feet is absurd. The insert is from the applicant's own architectural drawing attached to the Application presented to the Commitee of Adjustment in April, 2009.

66 Baby Point Rd to be Demolished Soon!

Councillor Saundercook Votes

Yes to Demolition

Yes to McMansion Erection


at 66 Baby Point Road .... threatening the heritage of the area.

The House Footprints on Baby Point Circle

This Photo from Google Earth demonstrates the en echelon foot print of six Homes on Baby Point Rd. centred on 66 Baby Point Road

Facing Demolition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMansion
On the motion of Councillor Saundercook and voted in the Affirmative 5 to 4, Site Plan approval for demolition of 66 Baby Point Road was granted at Council meeting on March 9, 2010.

This was in the face of significant Community opposition as reported in the Local paper " The Villager" on March 10th, 2010.

Final approval for this Mega House project will likely be affirmed at full Council March 31st.

The house is approx. 2x the size of any other dwelling in the immediate vicinity of Baby Point Circle.

64, 66, 68 Baby Point Road

This is the present house and site that will have the new McMansion erected upon it! Note the visual spaces between each house.

First Posting

This is my opening salvo in a blogging campaign in which
I plan to discuss the issue of McMansions!

In addition, I will undertake to make the case for Heritage Preservation of historic neighbourhoods and the old homes that populate them.