Province okays zoning for Canadian Tire development in Bolton

July 18, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Canadian Tire has the building permit it needs for its massive distribution centre and office facility in Bolton.
The permit was issued last Thursday (July 18), shortly after the Town received word that Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Linda Jeffery had ordered the zoning need for the development be implemented.
Mary Hall, director of development approval and planning policy for the Town, confirmed late last Thursday afternoon that the order from the Ministry had come in earlier that day, and that enabled the Town to issue the building permit.
“They get to build,” she remarked.
The move is going to help protect and create jobs, according to statement issued by the Province Friday.
“Ontario is helping to establish a retail distribution centre in Caledon to create new economic opportunities for the community and strengthen the Greater Toronto Area’s economy,” it stated.
Caledon council approved the development proposal, slated for the northwest corner of Coleraine Drive and Healey Road in Bolton, late last month. Although the decision of council was unanimous, there was vocal public opposition to the move.
At the same meeting, councillors passed a resolution calling on Jeffery to use her authority to order the land uses set out in the application.
Just two days later, Peel Regional councillors voted to go along with the effort, despite strong opposition from Mississauga Councillor Nando Iannicca.
The Province stated the new facility is expected to create about 350 construction jobs and up to 110 permanent new jobs, and will retain 1,000 existing jobs from the aging Brampton distribution centre. The statement added this is consistent with both the Region’s and Town’s vision for employment and growth in the area.
“By helping this centre relocate, we will help retain over 1,000 jobs and create up to 460 jobs in the Region of Peel,” Jeffery commented. “This warehouse will provide new employment opportunities in Caledon and build on the land use vision for this area.”
Councillor Patti Foley was enthused with the announcement.
“I am very happy to see the Ministerial zoning order was approved and approved quickly,” she commented, adding having a large, reputable, long-standing Canadian company coming to the area “will mean good things for the Caledon economy.”
Not everyone agreed.
“I think the order she (Jeffery) issued is completely undemocratic,” declared former councillor Annette Groves. “In my opinion, it’s a political decision.”
Groves stressed she was not opposed the area of Coleraine and Healey being used for employment, adding she was on council with that was approved. “Caledon needs to have that employment land base,” she said.
Her issue is the fact this kind of industry is not what the community needs. Groves added concerns raised in the community, such as traffic, health and impacts from diesel emissions, are the real issue.
“We don’t need more warehousing because it creates lots of truck traffic and there’s enough of that in the community,” she said.