Posts Filed Under News

Oct 17

Thank you

For those that have been following this blog you know we had our share of issues getting this project started. We had help from a great number of people that I’ve blogged about in the past but they’re worthy of another mention: Our architects, lawyers, media, co-workers, colleagues, family, friends, neighbours, the Beaches Lion’s Club and even complete strangers provided help and support at every turn. We’re eternally grateful to you all.

We also had some much needed assistance from a couple of people in the political arena – no, not Sandra Bussin. Rocco Rossi provided guidance to us as did a fine gentleman by the name of Bruce Baker. He’s running for council in ward 32 in October. Bruce went out of his way to inform us of the inner workings at City Hall and provided us with details about some of the shady dealings that were going on behind the scenes. He was always honest, up front and helpful in getting our project moving. For that we wanted to thank him publicly on our blog. We’re wishing Bruce the best of luck on October 25th. If you’re in Toronto, get out there and vote for who you believe in.

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: help, News
2 Comments
Oct 06

Birthday wishes to a best friend

Dearest Sammy,

8 years ago today you came into our world and changed everything. As the fourth member of our family we were finally complete. Cole had a little brother to play with, laugh with and occasionally beat-up on. Mommy and Daddy had another son to love, nurture and raise. You make us all laugh and smile every single day Sam. We’re proud of you buddy, you’ve grown up beyond your years.

It’s all happened faster than we could have ever imagined. We both look forward to watching you grow-up, and we’ll keep savouring each day along the way.

With all our love,

Mommy and Daddy

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: News
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Jul 15

Happy tenth anniversary

To my wife,

When we awoke ten years ago this day our twenty-something bodies we’re filled with butterflies over the anticipation of getting married. It was an overcast day that called for rain but we paid no attention. There was far too much to be happy for; to look forward to. We ignored the drizzle and enjoyed our day choosing to focus on what mattered – I think we’ve always done a pretty good job of that.

So much has changed for the better over the past decade that it’s hard to fathom a life without you. Our honeymoon, our family holidays, buying our first home, having our two beautiful kids. These are all moments that I hold dear to my heart. But the truth of the matter is that it’s the time in between these events that I really love. If music is the space between the notes then our lives happen in between these events – and I cherish all of it.

Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. The hand we’ve been given has brought its share of challenges. But like everything you do, you handle it with class, grace and dignity. Your determination and dedication have kept the two of us strong and I know it will continue to over the next decade.

Happy tenth anniversary my sweet.

With love and adoration,
Geoff
xo

Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: News
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Jun 28

in with the new

We received our demolition permit Wednesday, June 23rd despite Sandra Bussin’s last attempt to prevent the approval. It’s worth noting that it was Sandra that suggested we get the permits and demolish the house prior to the June 30th Meeting.

Given the permits we had received I asked Sandra Bussin that she let us know if 204 Beech would still be assessed and reviewed on June 30th. She said they were looking into it and would let me know as soon as they became aware if it was necessary. As usual we never got a call back. She did however take the time to email others of the news, including Kirsten Campbell, the woman who lives in Germany. Her letter talked about how she had rescinded the motion and that there was nothing more she could do to save the little stucco house with the turret (which, by the way, was originally a wood sided home – the turret even appears to have been added on decades after construction).

As of this morning, the little pink cottage with the turret is officially history. We are ecstatic and ready to move on with the build.

Thanks to all of you for your support, friendship and camaraderie – We’re lucky to have you.

A sincere thanks for all of you that attended the Town Hall and for those who were planning on joining us June 30 and July 7 at City Hall meetings. Needless to say, 204 Beech will no longer be on the agenda.

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: demolition, News
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Jun 03

Councillor Bussin’s Information Session Tonight

Melissa and I will be in attendance. While there is no agenda, 204 Beech Avenue will surely be a topic of discussion.

Please join us.
—————
June 3, 2010
7:00p.m – 9 p.m.
Adam Beck Recreation Centre
79 Lawlor Av.

Map to Adam Beck
—————
Join Sandra and discuss issues in our community.
City officials have been invited to attend.

There will be an opportunity for
questions & answers

For more information, Councillor Bussin at:
416-392-1376 or councillor_bussin@toronto.ca

Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: help, News
1 Comment
Jun 01

How you can help

If you’re in support there are two things we need you to do.

Step 1. Sign this petition

Step 2. Get it touch with your councilor. Here’s how:

If you know who your councillor is you can find their contact info here
If you don’t know who your councillor is use this search tool

If you know what you want to say to your city councilor, great – SAY IT.

If you’re not sure where to start or are just plain old nervous about speaking off the cuff, use this sample script or modify it to suit your perspective:

**** Sample Script *****
Hello, my name is and I’m calling you from (city or town or your ward name).

I’m calling today because I’m concerned over the actions and position that Sandra Bussin, City Councillor for Beaches East York Ward 32, has taken against the Teehan family, of 204 Beech Avenue, to stop them from exercising their rights as property owners to make changes to their property that would allow them to live in a modern, wheelchair accessible home.

Councillor Bussin did not give any notification to the owners of 204 Beech to put forward a motion to seek heritage designation for this property. Councillor Bussin’s motion was also misleading in a number of areas. She stated that their home is of “historical significance” as found in an ERA report she commissioned. ERA has made it clear this is not a report, rather just a “simple letter of opinion” that they typically don’t charge for. Councillor Bussin filed this motion and only let the Teehan family know she did so after the fact thus denying the Teehan family to present their case in front of the same committee. Councillor Bussin has even gone on via the media to suggest that the Teehan’s should’ve contacted her before purchasing the property. Councillor Bussin has also made misleading statements that an online petition was created to save 204 Beech Avenue as a heritage site. There is no evidence to suggest that any such online petition exists.

The Teehans and all concerned citizens throughout Toronto need the support of every member of Toronto’s City Council to examine Councillor Bussin’s questionable behaviour and misleading statements as well as to right this wrong. If her motion is not rescinded based on the information that has become available this decision will impact the rights of all Torontonians who own properties for years to come.

Can I count on Councillor _ to support me, the Teehan Family, and other concerned property owners?

*********

Keep in mind – you likely won’t get your councillor on the phone – it’ll be one of his or her staffers. Don’t be disappointed – that’s totally normal. Share your thoughts anyhow. If you’re comfortable – leave your name and phone number so they can follow-up with more questions if clarification is needed.

More on the story can be found here:
204 Beech Ave – A house or a home? – Open File
Beach battle pits accessible home versus old home – Toronto Star
Family plight sparks furor in the Beach – National Post
Love and houses – family tragedy shapes a living space – The Globe & Mail
My Take on 204 Beech – Part 1 – Jim Graham
My Take on 204 Beech – Part 2 – Jim Graham

You can follow me on twitter for updates

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: help, News, Planning
1 Comment
May 12

Why 204 Beech

Unsurprisingly, our plans aren’t for everyone and those opposed are voicing their opinion in the previous post (comments are now closed). I tried to explain that addressing the issues, questions or concerns from those opposed was a fruitless exercise. Aside from the time it takes, we are never going to see this from each others perspective. This was interpreted by some as “the lengths to which I would go to deflect criticism of the destruction of this neighbourhood gem”. Against my better judgment, here’s a little more info and background…

Why not Elmer?
Tearing down and rebuilding Elmer wasn’t an option. Elmer had hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in it. It was essentially a new home that wasn’t accessible and couldn’t be made accessible without tremendous additional costs and trade offs.

Why 204 Beech?
Price, scarcity and lot size. The last three years has ha d us essentially living in a hospital, a rehab centre and now a small condo. We held off making any huge changes in the hopes that my wife would have recovered to the point where she could use her arms and/or legs to get around Elmer – that hasn’t happened yet. 18 months ago we started looking at houses/properties. In that year and a half I’d guess there were around 8-10 properties on 50’ lots that came up for sale. (25’ lots don’t suit our needs as they aren’t wide enough and usually require going to 3 floors). Of these properties, all of them had inaccessible 3+ bedroom houses on them and were priced over 1 million dollars – I’d guess the average price would have been about $1.5 million. Beech was the first home that came up in that period that had a 50’ lot priced under $1m. There hasn’t been another one since to my knowledge and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the last.

Perceived value is impossible to measure as it differs from person to person, which is why this is such a hot topic of debate.

Why build new when you can renovate or restore?
Cost and value. Renovating and making a home accessible is no easy feat. As I said above, it comes at considerable cost over and above that of building something new. Which brings us to the point where things go off the rails…Value.
Based on the difference in sale prices between 204 Beech and other homes on similar lots it’s not hard to figure out that the house is the least valuable thing about the property (I won’t get into why, that’s a topic all its own). Of course, I’m speaking of monetary value here, not perceived value. The monetary value is low – MLS data and home assessments substantiate this. Perceived value is impossible to measure as it differs from person to person, which is why this is such a hot topic of debate. For us, the perceived value is very low since the home does nothing to satisfy our needs or requirements (without considerable real or perceived costs). To some opposed the perceived value is very high, since their needs and requirements might be about preserving the past. Those opposed could have put real money against something they perceive so much value in by buying it. But they didn’t because it’s perceived value. In other words, It’s unrealistic for them to buy something that doesn’t meet any of their REAL needs or requirements (without considerable real or perceived costs).

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: Background, News
7 Comments
May 08

The Globe and Mail Reactions

A recent Globe and Mail article about our project has sparked some conversation on this blog and in our inbox. The opinions and comments range wildly. We’ve had future neighbours welcome us to the street, previous prospective buyers congratulate us on bringing modern architecture to the beach and even previous owners looking for one last peek inside their childhood home. So many of these replies and responses touch us. But the reactions aren’t all positive. A few readers are disgusted at the thought of change to the house with the turret. To be honest, after Melissa and I walked through the home last weekend we had similar feelings. There is a ton of history in that old house – it’s hard not to fall in love with it. However, this can’t simply be about emotions. After all, this is a home that should make our lives easier and more enjoyable.

If we had the choice we’d still be living as a happy, healthy family in the home we thought we’d raise our children in. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t meant to be part of our story.

While 204 Beech is a gorgeous, wonderful old home, it’s simply not fit for our needs. I know there was a good deal of interest in the property when we were looking at buying it, many of them home builders. In fact, I was told that the lot was sold a month before we bought it to a home builder. Their intentions were to tear down the home, remove some trees, split the lot in two and build what I could only imagine to be the terrible cookie cutter home designs that so frequently go up in place of older beach homes. That, in my most humble opinion, would be something worthy of disgust.

The home we’re building won’t be the same as what exists. As such, I’m sure it won’t please everyone. We know it’ll be a beautiful example of modern architecture that suits our family. It will be far more timeless than what builders would put in its place, but perhaps not as timeless as what exists today. Simply put, change sucks – no one knows that better than us, but some types change are certainly better than others.

Globe and Mail: Love and houses – A family tragedy shapes a living space

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Posted By: Geoff Teehan in: Design, News, Planning
22 Comments