Winona Wal-Mart OMB appeal withdrawn
Developer hopes to start construction by summer
Scott Rosts
Oct 07, 2010
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/...peal-withdrawn
With the threat of an Ontario Municipal Board hearing behind them, a developer is hoping to start construction of a major commercial complex in Winona by next summer.
Mady Development Corporation vice-president of planning and development Hal Kersey, says his company is anxious to see work begin on its $85-million, 470,000 sq. ft. commercial complex, which will include a Wal-Mart. The project, originally initiated in 2005, was approved last August by the City of Hamilton, but faced a brief delay when it was subject to three appeals. Those, however, were dropped earlier this year, says Kersey.
“We’re very pleased we’re able to come to an amenable agreement with the appellants. It’s win-win and we think this is going to be good for the community,” Kersey said in an interview with The News this week.
The project, a partnership between Mady and Pen Equity who have come together as Penady, was a controversial issue for the Stoney Creek community, and also sparked concerns from Grimsby council. It had been appealed by Environment Hamilton, Hamiltonians for Progressive Development, and CADONE (Citizens Assessing Development on the Niagara Escarpment), but an agreement was signed by the parties in April.
“We had some major concerns,” said Brenda Johnson, a director of CADONE. “We sat down with Penady to resolve the issues. It took us a long-time. We have been looking out for the community. We wanted to have the least impact on the neighbourhood as possible.”
Johnson added that all three organizations determined they weren’t able to afford a long-drawn out hearing.
The appellants instead came to an agreement with the developer with a variety of concessions. One is to create a community liaison committee, which will meet regularly to oversee the development. Kersey said the company is about to begin its search for six area residents, of a variety of backgrounds, to serve on the committee.
“We’re going to go to the liaison committee and the three organizations and give them an opportunity to review our site plan and provide their comments,” said Kersey.
The site plan, said Kersey, is the next step to move forward with the project. He said the company is hoping Metrolinx announces its plans for its proposed expansion into Niagara for GO Transit. One of the issues holding up the site plan process is the debate over whether or not a link will be included at the development.
“Our site is identified as a potential site ... but they may have taken our advice and moved it to the east side of Fifty Road,” said Kersey, noting he hopes for a decision in the coming months.
Once that issue is cleared, Kersey noted the site plan will be presented to the city.
“We have our architects putting our site plan together now,” he said, adding the company is planning to hold a public information meeting prior to submission to the city to glean community feedback. The hope is to have approvals in place by early next year, with an aim for a summer start.
Other concessions in the agreement include Penady agreeing to install whatever lights, turning lanes etc. that are required in accordance with reports prepared by professional consultants. They also provided $50,000 to CADONE for “community uses”, said Kersey.
While the appellants came to their agreement, Johnson said the development should never have been “pushed so quickly.”
“I’m not against development, but what if we (CADONE) had not been here? What would have happened to the community? We do need to make sure any developments are appropriate for the local community,” said Johnson.
Kersey notes, however, the project has been on the books for five years, and it will have a major benefit to the community. An economic study completed in 2007, he said, has determined the development, when complete, will employ up to 1,000 people. It will create about $7 million in development charges for the City of Hamilton and $2 million in property taxes each year. There is also the additional benefit of the employment during the construction.
“We have always seen this as an economic advantageous project for the City of Hamilton,” said Kersey. “While much of the focus has been on the people who are against it, we are hearing from people all the time. I get e-mails and people contacting us asking us when they’ll be able to shop there. It’s good for the community, good for us and certainly good for the residents,” he said.
The development, which will be called Winona Crossing, at this point will offer a variety to the community, he said. Wal-Mart has signed on as the anchor user, and other confirmed tenants include banks and roadhouse-style and fast-food restaurants. As for other retail possibilities, Kersey said he is “not at liberty to divulge” any potential retailers.
Ward 11 Dave Mitchell, who backed the development from the beginning as benefiting the local economy, said it will finally provide the necessary commercial needs for Winona residents.
“During the Peach Festival all the people were talking about was the development and how they were looking forward to it,” he said.
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