The decision on whether there will be a COSTCO store on Overlea Blvd will be decided by City Council after North York Community Council voted in a 3-3 tie today (Tuesday, October 6, 2015) Council will meet November 3, 2015 The issue is the heritage status of a vacant former office building of the Coca Cola Company at 42 Overlea Blvd. Speakers opposing the store at community council today were particularly against the prospect of a service station on the site. The store, located at 42/46 Overlea would include 625 parking spaces and the gas bar. COSTCO also offered plans which retain the office building, designated as historic, as part of the new store.
THORNCLIFFE VOTERS WILL BE BITTER
The voting split by name will be available in due course but the shape of the dilemma for Councillors was the deep divide between old Leaside and the equally eligible voters in Thorncliffe Park. There are more of the former than the latter but the Thorncliffe residents will probably be deeply bitter over a rejection of the store. Many are counting on it to put more money in their personal bank accounts and their small businesses. COSTCO is known as a generous paymaster. Employees can earn as much as $15 an hour, an amount unheard of at Walmart and other big boxes. The presence of a COSTCO would help rejuvenate the East York Town Centre which is languishing with empty space including the former Target store. MORE
FLEMING CRESCENT
Council also had on its agenda a total ban on stopping on Fleming Crescent just off Bayview. This is a common practice for various reasons, some good and some terrible. But it looks like the practice is over. (Item NY9.28) NY Council Agenda
