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Residents step up efforts to turn Baby Point into Heritage Conservation District (HCD)

By Kris Scheuer
February 25, 2011


Neighbourhoods: Bloor West Village

Originally published in our Bloor West print edition.."The Town Crier"
by KAROLYN COORSH/TOWN CRIER

GATEKEEPER: Longtime Baby Point resident Robert Galway is leading the charge to have his west-end neighbourhood be designated a heritage conservation district. The endeavor comes with a price tag — Galway and neighbours are currently trying to obtain funds to hire heritage experts who will study the area.

Robert Galway stands on the street on a chilly but sunny Sunday morning staring at what appears to be a makeshift hockey rink.

Actually, it’s the former location of a stately home in Galway’s Baby Point neighbourhood, a home that up until recently stood next door to the one-time residence of Maple Leafs’ fabled owner Conn Smythe.

Until Nov. 30 when bulldozers drove in, the makeshift “hockey rink” was an Arts and Crafts-style home, built in the 1920s. Months ago, when the owners of 66 Baby Point Rd. applied to the city for a demolition permit, it was granted.

It should not have been, Galway contends.

Once a hobby, protecting these Baby Point homes has now become a mission for Galway, a longtime resident of the area.

Concerned his neighbourhood could be vulnerable to developers, Galway is attempting to make Baby Point a heritage conservation district.

He is among a core group of residents in the west-end neighbourhood trying to raise $25,000 to $50,000 to hire heritage research experts for a study of the area to see if it is worthy of heritage protection.

Since all of Baby Point, an enclave near the Humber River, consists of about 170 homes, the financial burden is too much for the property owners to bear alone, Galway says.

“We are ready to go with the guidelines but the process is contingent on getting at least 50 percent of the funding (for the study),” said Galway Feb. 15.

Galway estimates it will cost at least $24,500 to complete a study for phase one and two documenting about 130 properties west of Humbercrest Boulevard and including most of Baby Point Road, Baby Point Crescent and L’Estrange Place.


Found all around Toronto, heritage districts protect and enhance the character of properties in a designated area. The character is established by overall heritage quality of buildings, streets and public spaces.

With the designation, alterations and changes to a home or commercial property are subject to a different set of rules and guidelines. (ed note: - established by the neighbourhood)

PHOTOS by ROBERT GALWAY AND KAROLYN COORSH


BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER:

The home at 66 Baby Point Road was torn down in spite of protests from residents. The lot is now vacant.

The demolition of 66 Baby Point Rd. was a real wake-up call for the 150 residents who opposed the tear-down, said Galway who helped form Baby Point Heritage Foundation last August.

Galway has started taking photos of all the homes in the area and compiling details on when the houses were built, by whom and who lived there.

And he’s gathering data on the rich history of the community originally an Iroquois Seneca Village known as Taiaiacon.

The land lay vacant until about 1816 when James Baby settled here. Baby was a member of the powerful upper elite Family Compact — a group of individuals who had huge political influence in the 19th century.

Baby Point really started to form after Baby sold the lands in 1910 to the government for a military fortress and army barracks that never materialized, Galway explains.

The government in turn sold the land to local developer Robert Home Smith, who started the new subdivision around 1910-1911.

Galway is convinced if the area becomes a heritage conservation district, down the road property values will be protected or even rise.

He cites a report by Robert Shipley for the University of Waterloo that shows that in HCD areas like Rosedale and Wychwood that property values have increased over time at a better rate than communities without heritage districts.

“Property values are protected or rise at better rates than other areas,” he said.

Local councillor Sarah Doucette is hopeful some substantial money may be available through council’s community benefits from local developments.

“There’s a possibility of Section 37 money coming to Baby Point heritage conservation district (study),” said Doucette.

“And moving forward, I’d be interested in allocating more Section 37 money to other (potential) heritage designated areas.”

A Big Fence on the Streetscape for Winter Time

A year has passed since a group of concerned residents met in the cold, drafty Office of the past Councillor for Ward 13, Bill Saundercook, in a fruitless effort to persuade he and owner, Mr. Lorne Bozinoff that the plans to demolish 66 Baby Point Road and erect a Mega Mansion on the property would have untold negative impacts on the architectural integrity of this heritage area.

The Bozinoff's obtained their site plan approval by City Council on April 1st, 2010 and subsequently obtained their demolition and building permit. At no time did they offer up any amended plans of their project for review, or attempt to meet in a meaningful way, the legitimate concerns of the Baby Point residents or their future neighbours.

In the early hours of the morning of November 30th. and under the cover of darkness, arrived the machines of residential destruction. It has not escaped notice that this took place on the last day in office of Councillor Saundercook who was defeated in his re-election bid by Sarah Doucette.

Several reliable sources have reported that central to the defeat of the incumbent was the "Heritage Issue"

The streescape will be permanently altered by this ill advised undertaking and "The Circle" ,presently stands defaced and scarred. From hole to hoarding. This is the seasonal blight facing the area residents as they, or their friends, pass through the Baby Point Circle on their way to home or recent holiday hospitality.

The only thing missing from the Bozinoff barrier is a message of Good Cheer.... but never fear the graffiti will soon appear and the blight on the neighbourhood will continue to expand.

A Big Hole in the Streetscape for Winter Time

This picture speaks for itself! (click image to spread & enlarge it)
Home Smith once famously said "Do we want to be like Birmingham or Pittsburgh or do we want to be like Paris or London?". With neighbourly values like those displayed in the 66 Baby Point matter, and a development policy that aids and abets developers like this, it appears we are on our way to being the former.

Lorne Bozinoff President of Forum Research of Toronto is a specialist in public opinion with corporate and government clientele. Yet, he failed to consider the significant statistic of 150 of his neighbours opposed to his plan to demolish a 1923 Arts & Crafts home, and erect a home that is nearly three times the size of his local neighbours. The beautiful Arts & Crafts home was a striking anchor feature of the Home Smith Baby Point Circle, occupying the key position in the sweeping circle for which Home Smith's design is famous. His new home, a 6800 sq.ft home has been the subject of considerable controversy. Despite repeated attempts by the Baby Point neighbourhood to reach out to Mr. Bozinoff, he has failed on the scorecard of basic neighbourly values and proceeded in a decidedly questionable manner relative to his expertise in analyzing public opinion.

Demolition begins on 66 Baby Point (click title => BPHF Website

• LISA RAINFORD
• Toronto Online & The Villager|
• Nov 30, 2010 - 11:31 AM

Demolition begins on Baby Point cottage

Demolition begins on Baby Point cottage. Despite the protests of the Concerned Residents of Baby Point Circle, the city-approved demolition of a 1920s Arts and Craft Cottage at 66 Baby Point Road began early Tuesday morning, Nov. 30. Courtesy photo

Members of the Concerned Residents of Baby Point Circle are devastated that demolition began early Tuesday morning Nov. 30 on a neighbouring 1920s Arts and Craft cottage.

Seven months ago, Toronto City Council granted its owners, Lorne Bozinoff and his wife, site plan approval making them eligible for a building permit. The couple are demolishing the historic Robert Home Smith-designed one-and-a-half storey house at 66 Baby Point Rd. to make room for a 5,800-square foot, three-storey detached dwelling.

Bozinoff has said it will blend in with the others on the Baby Point Circle.

Unable to connect with the Bozinoffs, neighbours were only able to speculate when exactly the demolition would commence, but signs that it was imminent began popping up last week.

"We can only infer that this is going to happen," said 40-year Baby Point resident Dr. Robert Galway Thursday, Nov. 25, pointing out that a utility company arrived Nov. 24 to cut off electricity to 66 Baby Point Rd.

Galway took photographs depicting spray-painted markings on the lawn outlining the position of water and electricity service locations and trees being cut down.

Calls to Bozinoff and an email to his lawyer requesting comment were not returned by The Villager's deadline.

More than 150 people - 90 per cent of the neighbourhood - have registered their opposition against the project saying its size is more than twice as large as the homes around it. The adjacent homes average 2,700 square feet. The Bozinoffs' house would be two-and-a-half times larger than the average, said Galway.

"Just two weeks ago, I ran into a lady whose grandfather had been one of Home Smith's architects. She said her grandfather would say (Home Smith) was really meticulous in his demands for perfection. The wide spaces in Baby Point are not by accident," said Galway. "Bozinoff has really shown disdain for the heritage of the neighbourhood that goes back 300 years."

Since the Bozinoffs purchased the property two-and-a-half years ago, Galway said he and his neighbours have been waiting in vain for any indication that the couple has any intention of adapting their plans to better integrate the house with the existing heritage of the neighbourhood.

At a public meeting, March 25, Bozinoff said he was attracted to the Baby Point area for its historical character.

"This has me a little bit puzzled," said Kevin O'Doherty, who has lived in Baby Point for eight years. "It's the character of the neighbourhood that's going to be affected by the demolition."

Six-year resident of the neighbourhood Wendy Brown said that even though the Bozinoffs are within their rights, according to the bylaws, "it's a unique house."

"You'd think they'd want to preserve it," she said.

Councillor-elect Sarah Doucette said she has been in contact with city officials via email (she was not permitted to meet with them personally until Dec. 1 when she will be sworn in as councillor).

"I've just been double-checking to see if everything is in order," said Doucette, who has met with Baby Point residents. "I felt approaching the homeowner would be over-stepping my mark as councillor-elect. After Dec. 1, I'm going to ask him if the community can have a look at the plans. The community hasn't seen any plans, I think that's their biggest concern. I'm hoping we can negotiate some changes."

In the meantime, Doucette confirmed that Bozinoff had secured demolition and building permits. And, the trees he had cut down were approved by Toronto's urban forestry department.

The Concerned Residents of Baby Point Circle are in the midst of pursuing the possibility of a heritage conservation district designation to stop any future building projects of this nature. Visit www.babypointheritage.ca for further details.

The Final Step in the Demolition of 66 Baby Point Rd.; Nov 30, 2010

It started on this cold, damp and grey November morning with the sounds of bricks crashing, a chimney falling, glass tinkling as it tumbled to smashed concrete below..... the last of a period house, the centre piece of almost 90 years of residential history in the Baby Point Circle.

Done, demolished and dumped in a dirty truck. A chapter written by Lorne Bozinoff with an unhappy ending for all concerned.

If this were a Thai house, the spirits will be displeased. This is not a blessed "Feng Shui" place.

Home Smith once famously said "Do we want to be like Birmingham or Pittsburgh or do we want to be like Paris or London?". With neighbourly values like those displayed in the 66 Baby Point matter, and a development policy that aids and abets developers like this, it appears we are on our way to being the former.

Lorne Bozinoff President of Forum Research of Toronto is a specialist in public opinion with corporate and government clientele. Yet, he failed to consider the significant statistic of 150 of his neighbours opposed to his plan to demolish a 1923 Arts & Crafts home, and erect a home that is nearly three times the size of his local neighbours. The beautiful Arts & Crafts home was a striking anchor feature of the Home Smith Baby Point Circle, occupying the key position in the sweeping circle for which Home Smith's design is famous. His new home, a 6800 sq.ft home has been the subject of considerable controversy. Despite repeated attempts by the Baby Point neighbourhood to reach out to Mr. Bozinoff, he has failed on the scorecard of basic neighbourly values and proceeded in a decidedly questionable manner relative to his expertise in public opinion.

66 Baby Point Rd.

This wonderful example of an Arts & Craft style house that populates the majority if not all of Home Smith's Humber Valley Survey developments is facing demolition in the very near future.

The trees are cut, the gas is off, the overlooked water service is now secured and the owners finally remembered to come and unlock the door to let Hydro do its thing.

It is now a dead house and no longer a home. The evisceration has started. The antique 19th Century all marble fireplace imported yesteryear from Europe has felt the hammer. The eight inch planked solid oak floors will be the next to go. Then the 4-1/2 ft. walnut/oak wainscotting. The finale will be the dust that settles around the custom crown molded celings when they come crashing down. The chandeliers will never see light in this splendid house that was once a home.

New trees, new lawn, new home, none will replace this one being torn from the ground.

The Demolition of 66 Baby Point Road Continues

Another Utility bites the dust!

Not anymore...They are knocking me down!

November 27th., 2010

The water is off and the trees are gone
The lawn is not cut and the tenant has gone
The hydro is not off but that won't be long
Now only a dead house but once a home...
No music, no laughter, not a hint of a song!

Not anymore, they are knocking me down.