Tag: Costco on Overlea

Ward 26 Councillor-elect Jon Burnside was the featured speaker at the Leaside Property Owners Association annual meeting Tuesday evening (November 25, 2014) in the William Lea Room. Mr. Burnside spoke candidly to perhaps 250 members telling them safer and less congested streets will require solutions that many people will not like. He said this was true whatever mechanism– “one-way streets or do-not-enter signs” — might finally be recommended in the forthcoming planned traffic study. He said the prospect of motorists behaving better was connected solely to the likelihood of their apprehension. He agreed with a questioner who asked if this meant things like red-light cameras. The former policeman said he strongly  favoured “technology-based” methods of improving driving habits. Mr. Burnside made it clear that he is strongly in favor of the construction of the Redway Road extension. He talked of the need for him to form alliances with councillors from Wards 27 and 29 for this purpose. He said he had met with mayor-elect Tory and Redway Road “was top of mind in our meeting.” The new councillor, who will be sworn in next Tuesday, December 2, 2014, also made it clear he leans toward approval of a Costco store on Overlea Boulevard.  He conceded that the project is “vexing” and acknowledged the traffic issue. Minutes earlier, he had heard members of the LPOA executive recount their concerns in this regard. Nonetheless, said Burnside, the poverty levels in Thorncliffe Park and the universal view — right or wrong — that Coscto would be good for the community could not be ignored. He said he had been asked by Thorncliffe Park residents what would happen if they opposed a project that Leasiders wanted. The rhetorical question was not lost on the meeting. Perhaps some even reflected on the affluence that abounds in Leaside — including multiple cars in the driveway — compared to apartment dwellers who have none. In the end, said Burnside, “Leaside is only one-quarter of the ward.”  The new councillor faced questions from residents who were clearly aggrieved by events in which it seemed to them that developers and their money (plus city staff in some cases) conspired to defeat ratepayers. This matter arose from a commitment Burnside made to create working groups which included developers. Former Councillor Jane Pitfield rose to urge Burnside to avoid having developers present in the early going. Burnside seemed to politely demur, saying  that in order to keep developers from going to the OMB it was necessary to negotiate as you go.  In closing, Burnside made a point of recognizing former opposing candidate Dave Sparrow, who was present as a property owner with his wife Lisa. The LPOA business meeting recognized the remarkable work of Brian Cattel in spearheading the “Slow Down” lawn sign campaign. Mr. Cattel’s remarks will be the subject of a separate post in The South Bayview Bulldog in coming hours. Regular business saw reading of the minutes, the treasurer’s report and a review by Carol Burtin-Fripp of the association’s  activities in the past year. She told The Bulldog that the $50,000 traffic study will be done by Michael Tedesco but that work has not yet begun in earnest.

Costco was high on the agenda at the Ward 26 candidates debate Tuesday night. Chairman Brian Athey asked the four contenders where they stood on the plan to build a Costco store and gas bar on Overlea Blvd. Ishrath Velshi and David Sparrow gave unequivocal answers.  Ms. Velshi offered concerns about traffic but in the end she said: “I do support the Costco project.” She noted the “poverty level of 40%” in Thorncliffe Park and echoed that community’s interest in the good-paying jobs that would be created. Mr. Sparrow spoke from his base when he expressed clear opposition. He cited studies which suggest the store and gas bar would draw some 300,000 vehicles a month to Overlea Blvd. Traffic has become the rallying cry of those opposed to the development. John Parker, the two-term incumbent, said traffic seemed the most critical test the development would face. “I don’t see it passing the traffic test,” he said. Jon Burnside noted both the poverty in Thorncliffe and the need for development. He said he would like to “sever off the gas bar” from the project as it drew the most vehicles. Nonetheless, he seemed to follow the position of the current council — to wait until traffic studies are done before deciding to support the project. The expansion of Toronto Island Airport also drew a mix of answers with Ms Velshi leaving the door open. “We do not have the information.” John Parker and Dave Sparrow were unlikely island parkland soul mates in firmly opposing an enlarged airport with jets. Mr. Burnside answered briefly by saying that he was “against the position as it stands.” He supported Parker and Sparrow.  The near standing-room-only crowd at the William Lea Room heard Parker and Burnside spar throughout the evening. Burnside ticked off Parker for his 2010 support of Rob Ford. Burnside noted that he had been endorsed by John Tory. Mr. Parker said he had supported David Soknacki but was prepared to work with John Tory even though he had “paid a price” for telling Tory about concerns with the SmartTrack plan. There was a stand-alone question to Burnside on how he would be a full-time member of council with a business to run. He suggested the ready-made meals business will be sold. Responses to a question about traffic on Laird Drive saw a heated response to Mr. Parker’s observation that there was going to be traffic on Laird no matter what was done. There were shouts from the audience and one man was heard to say “insulting.” The debate ranged across air traffic noise, conservation and heritage legislation, bicycle lanes and the future of the business park. The debate was sponsored by the Leaside Property Owners Association. Photo l-r Jon Burnside, John Parker, David Sparrow, Ishrath  Velshi. (Courtesy Rudy Limeback)   

Backhoes are working in record-breaking arctic temperatures this week to knock down the abandoned Coca Cola bottling plant at 46 Overlea Blvd. Next door, the former Coke office building at 42 Overlea remains intact, the subject of a pending decision by City Council on a request to demolish the 1965 structure to make way for a Costco store. Tuesday, the bottling plant was crumbling in front of workers inside the heated cabs of their machines. The bottling plant is seen inset right under demolition Tuesday, January 7, 2014. The top photo shows it behind the Yarwood bronze and steel sculpture (which will be saved) and below is the view from the East York Town Centre across the street. Skin was freezing at a minute’s exposure in the former Coca Cola parking lot, site of last September’s large barbecue held in support of  the Costco bid. The office building is said to have certain desirable architectural features in the Midcentury Modernist style. The buildings sit on a huge property which held all the vehicles associated with Coke’s business, including its fleet of trucks. The office building has been designated a heritage site but the matter will be discussed further by council. There is substantial support on council and in the Thorncliffe community for the construction of a Costco store. 

There will be a community consultation meeting Thursday, November 7, 2013, to discuss the proposed Costco store at the site of the vacant Coca-Cola buildings on Overlea Blvd. The meeting will be held at the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral at 76 Overlea.

Crowds of people came and went — and patiently waited for burgers — all day long at a barbecue jointly sponsored by Costco and the Thorncliffe Park Tenants Association Saturday September 28, 2013. It was clearly a neighborhood affair with a mixture of dress but with a distinct subcontinental presence. Masses of orderly and happy people streamed on and off the old parking lot of the former Coca Cola property  It’s easy to lose count over about 500 because people move around. But it seems reasonable that there were no fewer than 2,000 people, including children,  on the lot at any given time. A figure of as many as 3,000 on the day — 1 to 5 p.m. — seems quite possible. It was an impressive show of support for the proposed Costco re-development   The company wishes to demolish the Coke factory and 1965 office building to put up an approximately 150,000 square foot store and adjoining service station.  It has said it will ensure green space and a place of honour for the bronze sculpture that Coca Cola commissioned when it built the site nearly 50 years ago. Abbas Kolia, president of the tenants association was present with other community leaders, representatives of Costco and various interested parties. Janet Sherbanowski, executive director of the Crime Prevention Association of Toronto, was offering the view that a Costco would provide good paying jobs closer to home for parents of the many young people living in Thorncliffe Park. The idea that there is decent money to be earned working for Costco was not lost on the crowd. Signs urging people to sign a petition said: “Costco = Jobs + Prosperity for Us”. Out on Overlea Blvd. a red and yellow sign announced the barbecue and proclaimed “We Welcome Costco”. Dozens of local teenagers, all wearing orange shirts emblazoned with the name of the tenants association, formed platoons of information helpers around the property.. 

Costco is holding a barbecue today (Saturday, September 28) between 1 and 5 p.m. for residents of Thorncliffe Park. It will be on the Coca Cola site at 42 Overlea Blvd where the wholesale club hopes to build a new store and service station. The event will be conducted in association with the Thorncliffe Park Tenants Association and no doubt Costco hopes to make a good impression prior to public meetings on the proposed development to be held early next year. It is said that thousands of residents are expected to attend today’s barbecue. Support is likely to be high for the Costco plan among local residents with the prospect of well paid jobs and further business activity in the area. Opposition to the plan will come from heritage groups who say that the Coke office building, which would be demolished for a new Costco, should be saved for its architectural value. 

The application to amend zoning to permit the construction of a Costco store at 42 Overlea Blvd. is finding its way through the municipal process. Yesterday (Tuesday September 10, 2013) the report from City Staff was reviewed by North York Community Council. It will be on the agenda of City Council for Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Staff has recommended a public meeting for consultation with those in the neighborhood to be held no later than the second quarter of 2014. Community Council heard by mail from Geoff Kettel, Chair, North York Community Preservation Panel about his concerns that the 1965 Coca Cola office building which would be demolished by this application is a fine example of “mid-century Modernist architecture” and is included in the city’s inventory of heritage properties. Mr Kettel also said that the property is home to a number of “magnificent Magnolia trees” and he asked that these be “protected.” 

Well paid jobs for Thorncliffe Park?

We hope that North York Community Councillors will ask about the current hourly pay for employees at Costco stores in Ontario when the matter of  the old Coca Cola buildings on Overlea Blvd. comes before them next Tuesday, September 10, 2013. On council’s agenda is a proposal to demolish the 1965 Coke structures and put up a bustling Costco store plus a full up service station as well. Whatever else my be on the minds of Chair Maria Augimari and her colleagues, the members will be well served by a look at the excellent money that Costco has waiting for its new employees at this location. Earlier meetings have been told there may be as many as 100 full-time jobs. There would be few retail workers in Thorncliffe Park who would not gladly trade their present positions for a chance to see the $17 or $18 an hour that Costco is said to pay.  Research suggests that Costco rewards its employees with pay as much as double the going rate as places like Walmart, Target and others. The minimum wage in Ontario is $10.25 but under certain conditions some may be paid less. The 11-member council is in a position to approve the Toronto City Staff report on the proposed Costco and send it on with a recommendation to full council to do the same. Previously The Bulldog has reported on this and on the public spirited decision by Costco to maintain and find a place of pride for the Walter Yarwood sculpture that has adorned the Coke property for 50 years. Members of the the North York Community Council are Maria Augimeri, Chair,  John Parker, Vice-chair, Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, John Filion, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner and  Karen Stintz   Plan for Overlea Costco   Yarwood’s sculpture 

The Toronto city staff report on the proposal by Costco to develop the old Coca Cola properties on Overlea Blvd. is now online. The report will be considered by North York Community council on September 10, 2013. As previously reported by The South Bayview Bulldog, Costco wishes to demolish the present buildings dating from 1965. The new structure would be a one-storey, 156,521 square foot store and warehouse. The staff report says, among many other things: “The site design includes 100,331 sq,ft. of landscape area representing approximately 18% of the site area (the buildings occupy 28% and the surface parking lot occupies 54%). Landscaped areas are proposed along the Overlea Boulevard frontage (ranging from a depth of 14 to 20 metres); landscaped islands within the parking lot; within a 3 metre strip along the entire western edge of the site; and within a strip of varying dimension along the Thorncliffe Park Drive frontage. The design of the Overlea Boulevard landscaped frontage would include a large pedestrian seating area in front of the building (and in close proximity to an existing TTC bus service stop) and centred around the relocated Coca-Cola bronze sculpture.”  The sculpture is the work of the late Walter Yarwood, one of the so-called Painters 11. These were Canadian artists who formed their relationship in Toronto in 1953.  The Costco plan also calls for a four-island, eight pump service station on Thorncliffe Park Dr. and 607 outdoor parking spaces.  Staff reports like this one are intended to guide council and usually become the  basis for the terms on which permission is given to proceed.