Convenience-store-to-restaurant rezoning decision on hold
Staff recommend council reject plan over possible parking problems
The family-owned Big Boy’s Burgers — which has four locations in the GTA and another in Cobourg — wants to convert a convenience store on Lansdowne Street West into a smallscale burger joint, but council didn’t decide about the application at a meeting Monday.
Instead, councillors voted to defer the request for a rezoning that would allow Big Boy’s to open.
City staff did not recommend the rezoning because all the parking in the current configuration of the property is along Lansdowne Street, and when the city eventually widens the street it would eat up every parking spot for the restaurant.
Still, councillors wanted city staff to see whether there’s a way to accommodate the request.
“I’m of the opinion we can find a solution,” said Coun. Stephen Wright. “I want council to turn over every single stone to make this work.”
The convenience store — which is still open — is located
at 51 Lansdowne St. W., at Sherburne Street, across from Del Mastro Motors.
The property is owned by Mike Kantaros, whose family has operated Big Boy’s Burgers for 20 years.
The proposal is for an 18-seat restaurant with about 14 employees, councillors heard.
City planner Carolyn Kimble told councillors that 10 parking spots would be needed for the restaurant.
But those parking spots are located along Lansdowne Street, and city staff knows that at some point in the future Lansdowne Street will be widened.
“We are essentially setting him up to put him out of business, once we take the parking away,” she said.
Two area residents also objected to the new restaurant.
“A restaurant would increase problems during the day with people parking on the side streets,” said Christina Hill, adding that neighbours ought to be able to enjoy “reasonable peace” on their properties.
Robert Taylor of Sherburne Street also said his street is already too busy.
“Sherburne Street has become a real shortcut” for motorists looking to avoid any traffic congestion in the area, he said.
But then councillors heard from Big Boys owner Mike Kantaros and from his local planner, Kevin Duguay.
Duguay said he thinks the 10 parking spots can still be accommodated on the property if they reconfigure it. He noted the city doesn’t have a timeline for Lansdowne Street widening: it could be 10 or 15 years away, Duguay said.
He also pointed out other properties along Lansdowne Street — such as Del Mastro’s — would lose parking in a roadwidening.
City commissioner of planning and infrastructure Cynthia Fletcher added that city staff is “very unlikely” to come back to councillors with a changed recommendation, even if they take another look at the application.
But Coun. Lesley Parnell said she wanted a legal opinion about whether a deal could be struck to allow parking spots along Lansdowne Street — knowing full well he will have to cede the land when widening takes place.