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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.
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 – the “first brick house built in …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

The Trace Manes Park entrance. Staff Photo.
Development

Canada counts! And Leaside is still a neighbourhood of neighbours!

May 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Stan Flemming’s call to action in the April 2025 issue of Leaside Life said it all: “Our country and our community are at a crossroads and it’s a good time to reflect on what makes …more

An application has been submitted for a new three-tower proposal (32, 37 and 43 storeys).
Development

Sunnybrook Plaza Goes BIG – the sequel?

April 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Following my February column in Leaside Life regarding the new development application for Sunnybrook Plaza (“Sunnybrook Plaza goes B.I.G.”), I had a conversation with Concert Properties and reviewed the application materials in greater detail.  The …more

Randolph Rd. laneway house. Photo Geoff Kettel.
Development

New housing forms come to Leaside

March 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Recently this column has focused on the major intensification projects situated east and west of Bayview and Eglinton, and from Laird to east of Brentcliffe, all driven by the anticipated arrival of the Eglinton Crosstown …more

Vote March 3, 2025.
Community

Hey, there’s another election!

February 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

Toronto District School Board is holding a byelection to fill the vacancy in the office of trustee, TDSB Ward 11, resulting from Rachel Chernos Lin’s election as City Councillor, Don Valley West.    Election day is …more

Sunnybrook Plaza 1952.
Development

Sunnybrook Plaza goes B.I.G.

February 1, 2025 Geoff Kettel

A new application to replace the two-tower (11, 16 storeys) proposal approved in 2016 for Sunnybrook Plaza (660 Eglinton Ave. E.) with a three-tower proposal (32, 37 and 43 storeys) was submitted by Concert Properties …more

Posts pagination

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Digital Edition

Barbara Klein, front, and the business students responsible for creating Leaside Eats. Photo Anna Kravtchenco.
In the Spotlight

Leaside Eats!

by Susan Scandiffio in Community

Barbara Klein is one of those teachers.  A teacher who inspires her students. A teacher who brings out the absolute best in them and provides them with unique opportunities while meaningfully tying in course content. ...more
Recent Posts
  • Leaside Events July 2025
  • Leaside in the frame
  • Mallory Dunlop wants you in her Hive
  • Sprinting around the world with Leaside’s Micha Powell
  • The play’s the thing for Vinetta Strombergs
  • Let there be lights!
  • Are we in a pickle?
  • Leaside High School MVP Junior Soccer
  • In pursuit of trivia in Leaside
  • AML’s 65 years of keeping cars roadworthy
  • Leaside’s demolition derby redux
  • Gearing up for summer fun and reflection
  • Proposed pickleball court stirs neighbourhood controversy
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