Concern for “employment land” in plan for 36 Overlea Blvd.

A lightly-attended meeting in the William Lea Room Wednesday (January 13, 2016) heard concerns about a proposal to convert the land of the Add Ink firm at 36 Overlea Blvd to commercial and retail use. It is now zoned loosely as “employment land” and it sits next door the future site of the Costco store which will be built on the former Coca Cola lands at 42 Overlea.  A representative of the owner explained that the intention is to build about 70,000 square feet of space much of which, it may  be assumed, will be designed for retail tenants.

SUBURBAN

The meeting revealed long-established concerns by the Leaside Property Owners Association (LPOA) and others about the loss of employment lands. One speaker called it an effort to avoid becoming suburban. For many others, however, the concept of employment lands is elusive if not obscure. The planning act describes such usage as suitable for manufacturing, warehousing, office, retail as related to manufacturing or warehousing and “facilities that are ancillary to uses mentioned in the foregoing.”

LAIRD DRIVE

The concern would seem to be that this part of East York might become something like the Golden Mile. Whether this is a realistic likelihood is an open question. Laird Drive has seen a lot of retail development but it continues to house businesses like Rack Attack, Leaside Plumbing, Laird Auto Body and other “employment” type enterprises. These types of workplaces are attractive as a source of variety and service for residents. Could Overlea develop more like Laird Drive? It might be difficult. Many Laird businesses are housed in buildings that seem ultimately destined for redevelopment. Many local figures were at the meeting: Councillor Jon Burnside was seen as were Carol Burtin-Fripp and Geoff Kettel of the LPOA.