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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.
A rendering of the buildings at 134 Laird.
Development

A tale of two mid-rises: how did we make a difference?

September 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Two recent projects whose appeals were recently settled at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) demonstrate the benefits of active resident involvement in development planning. The two mid-rise projects, at 1710-1736 Bayview (Gairloch) and 126-132 and …more

The Bayview Broadway Group (BBG) is a residents’ group formed in opposition to the 25-storey tower proposal at the southeast corner of Bayview and Broadway.
Development

Gearing up for a big fight at Bayview and Broadway

August 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

If you want to win, you need to be prepared, and that takes both a plan and resources. “We are working on a plan and now we need people to state their opposition, and invest …more

158 Randolph laneway suite.
Development

Drive to “open up” neighbourhoods like Leaside slows

July 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) is a set of City Planning-led initiatives intended to intensify the lands designated as neighbourhoods – the so-called “Yellow Belt” – in Toronto. It is driven by the twin …more

Community

Leaside 110 – how do we celebrate?

July 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Did you know that May 7, 2023 will be the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Leaside? The Leaside 100 Gala on April 27 2013 was a really great party, and remains …more

"Say no to bad planning" sign. Photo by guest contributer.
Development

“Bully application” meets a community united

June 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

“I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.” That response was from the developer’s planner Michael Goldberg, at a May 5 virtual community consultation meeting, in reply to LRA board member Doug Obright’s …more

The proposed towers of Hyde Park.
Development

Look who’s coming to Leaside? Hyde Park

May 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

You know it now as the home of Staples, HomeSense, Marshall’s, 2001 Audio Video, and Robert Lowrey, piano experts, but the Hyde Park Plaza site at the southeast corner of Eglinton Avenue and Brentcliffe Road …more

Picture of a quad house at 1783 Bayview.
Development

What’s happening with the quad next door?

April 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Time for another update! (For background, read my columns in Leaside Life, March, June and September 2021.) Here’s what’s happening with our Talbot quad (1783-85 Bayview Ave.) just south of the Leaside LRT station site, …more

158 Randolph laneway suite.
Development

Garden suites interrupted

April 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Last month’s Leaside Life mentioned the recent approval of garden suites, “as of right,” carte blanche across the city. But while City Council passed the bylaw on February 3rd, it was not unanimous (our Councillor …more

History

Broadway tower not North Leaside’s 
first community protest

March 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

The application for a 25-storey tower at Bayview and Broadway I wrote about in last month’s Leaside Life is not in fact the first development proposal on the block between Craig and Broadway to meet …more

A streetscape in Leaside.
Development

Expanding housing options in neighbourhoods: EHON is coming!

March 1, 2022 Geoff Kettel

Big changes proposed for “Neighbourhoods” are coming from the City, but ultimately from the province. Neighbourhoods – with a capital N – are lands designated for low density residential use. That’s 35 per cent of …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 June 2025
  • The Lake Leaside goose stroll
  • David Mistry and Rahm Sharpe-Bebe are survivors, not victims
  • Leaside High cooks!
  • Celebrating Leaside’s 21st century heritage built form
  • Where’s the transition to our neighbourhood?
  • Neuro Rehab Clinics set to close
  • Kylee Raftis is top Canadian woman at Boston Marathon
  • Young Poet’s Corner June 2025
  • Year-round pickleball and padel ready to serve in Leaside!
  • Grace Main puts her best foot forward
  • Celebrating Debora Kuchme and the Bayview Pixies
  • From the Balkans to Bayview – Leasiders and the Holocaust
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