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Recent Stories
  • [ November 1, 2025 ] Knock on wood! Meet Leaside’s master of cabinetry Business
  • [ November 1, 2025 ] Tiarré’s Brunch ’N Cakes elevates the Bayview dining scene Business
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HomeAuthorsGeoff Kettel

Articles by Geoff Kettel

About Geoff Kettel
Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”. He is currently Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), member of the Toronto Preservation Board and Past Chair of the North York Community Preservation Panel. He writes a monthly column on heritage and planning in Leaside Life.
The first single unit multiplex (four units high) under construction at Eglinton and Rumsey. Photo Geoff Kettel.
Development

Retail within neighbourhoods – encroachment or evolution?

November 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Last month I wrote that the signals from Queen’s Park and City Hall suggest that “encroachment (of tall buildings) into existing neighbourhoods will not only proceed but will also expand.” Encroachment into neighbourhoods is not …more

The Bayview-Eglinton area, particularly the west side of Bayview, has received multiple development applications for tall residential buildings since 2019, and several (including Sunnybrook Plaza) that are re-submissions (for increased height and density) of previously approved applications.
Development

Frustration! Residents have their say with the Chief Planner

October 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

As I’ve discussed before in Leaside Life, the Bayview-Eglinton area, particularly the west side of Bayview, has received multiple development applications for tall residential buildings since 2019, and several (including Sunnybrook Plaza) that are re-submissions …more

A map showing the proposed Agnes McPhail laneway.
Development

Let’s create Agnes Macphail Lane in Leaside

September 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

We’ve been here before. The community-supported proposal to name the lane between Bayview Avenue and Donegall Drive as Agnes Macphail Lane ran into opposition from City staff, but the drive is being revitalized, hopefully with …more

A photo of the honey locust at 712 Eglinton Aveunue. Photo Geoff Kettel.
Development

Tree culling on Eglinton – unannounced, unwanted, unlawful?

August 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Fourplexes are not new to Leaside, but there are fourplexes, and there are fourplexes! Leaside’s beloved “Talbot quads” on Bayview between Parkhurst and Eglinton, are double duplexes (two by two). In 2023, City Council amended …more

The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) property at 175 Brentcliffe Rd., north of Glenvale. Photo Geoff Kettel.
Development

The end, or just another life phase for the phoenix above North Leaside?

August 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) property at 175 Brentcliffe Rd., north of Glenvale, has been compared to the phoenix, the immortal bird of Greek legends that cyclically regenerates, or is otherwise born …more

Photo Linda Carte.
Development

Leaside’s demolition derby redux

July 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

“Leaside has a growing collection of empty sites waiting for development.” That was the introduction to my May 2024 article about the demolition of Sunnybrook Plaza, as well as reflecting on other demolitions on Laird …more

A photo of 201 Sutherland Dr., one of the two Lea family settler homes still gracing Leaside (the other is 35 Heather Rd.). Photo Geoff Kettel.
Development

Lea family home on the market – will it be protected?

July 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

201 Sutherland Dr. is one of the two Lea family settler homes still gracing Leaside (the other is 35 Heather Rd.). The James Lea house, built around 1909 was listed for sale in early June. …more

Leaside artist Maureen Wood’s Lake Leaside stroll received an honourable mention at the Don Valley Art Club’s art show.
Community

The Lake Leaside goose stroll

June 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Lake Leaside? Where has it gone? It just gave way to a mass of steel and concrete, soon to be an expanded Canadian Tire store to replace the one at Laird and Eglinton, destined for …more

A tall residential building on the site would be precedent setting. Image: Proposed residential tower at Vanderhoof.
Development

Where’s the transition to our neighbourhood?

June 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

The emerging residential tower community in Leaside East (from Laird to Brentcliffe on the south side of Eglinton) received another tall tower application recently. This one, for 39 storeys, is proposed for the northwest corner …more

30 Bennington Heights Drive. Photo Geoff Kettel.
History

A Walking Tour of Bennington Heights

May 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

From tomatoes to townhouses: Jane’s Walk heads to Bennington Heights Bennington Heights, a triangular-shaped midtown residential neighbourhood, is bounded by Mount Pleasant Cemetery to the north, the Don Valley ravines to the west (Mud Creek) …more

Posts pagination

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Digital Edition

A Leaside dog. Staff photo.
In the Spotlight

Leaside Life’s gone to the dogs…and cats, and gerbils, and guinea pigs!

by Susan Scandiffio in Business

From cats to dogs, and so many animals in between, Leaside is a neighbourhood full of beloved pets. And thankfully, it’s also a neighbourhood with plenty of pet services right at your fingertips. Walkers, boarders, ...more
Recent Posts
  • Tiarré’s Brunch ’N Cakes elevates the Bayview dining scene
  • Knock on wood! Meet Leaside’s master of cabinetry
  • It may finally be here!
  • The Curious Idler November 2025
  • Take the time to remember their sacrifice
  • And the Leaside Life scavenger hunt winners are…
  • Leaside in the frame November 2025
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Leaside Life’s gone to the dogs…and cats, and gerbils, and guinea pigs!
  • Doggone it – more clarifications on Sandy Bruce Park
  • Leaside’s World War I overseas fatality
  • Investing in Community recreation – Leaside Memorial Community Gardens improvements
  • Let there be light – Sneha’s Diwali milk cake
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