Planned BIA on hold for now

All signs pointed to a new business improvement area being established along Annette St. between Jane St. and Runnymede Rd.

But a problem with the polling process has put a halt to the proposed Baby Point Gates BIA for now.

The majority of businesses polled had voted in favour of forming a business association. Ballots were sent to 163 commercial tenants and 45 eligible objections were filed with the city, which is not enough to prevent the forming of a BIA.

However, area councillor Bill Saundercook told the Town Crier that he heard from some business owners their objections may not have been counted.

“The naysayers phoned and said the numbers didn’t add up,” Saundercook said. “A large portion of the businesses have been asked to express their opinion and thought their opinion counted.”

The ballots are mailed to property owners who are supposed to provide the city clerk with a list of commercial tenants.

“If a land owner didn’t submit a list to the clerk the business operator tenant’s vote is now ineligible,” Saundercook said.

On Sept. 30 city council set aside the result and will send out a new poll, said Saundercook.

The original boundaries were proposed along Annette St. from Jane St. and halfway to Runnymede Rd. But after a second public meeting it was suggested to extend all the way to Runnymede.

A third public meeting had most people on board, said Darryl Kaplan who owns Evymama Nursing and Maternity on Jane St. The poll indicated the majority of businesses were in favour. A staff report to the Economic Development Committee said the BIA could proceed.

Kaplan said no one showed up at that committee to object. So he was surprised when the issue was deferred at city council, but hasn’t given up on the idea.

“We are confident the BIA will go forward,” he said.

Kaplan has urban planning students from Ryerson University working a strategic plan for the area, which will be completed by the end of the year.

The amount of the levy, if businesses are concerned, will be modest Kaplan said.

“The BIA budget is determined by the businesses,” he said, adding although having money matched by the city for streetscape improvements is important, the forming of the BIA is not just about funding.

“We primarily want to make sure we have a (collective) voice,” Kaplan said.

Having a BIA will help businesses work together with residents and the city on improving the area, he added.