Land re-zoned in favour of TIM-BR Mart proposal

WILLIAMSBURG –  The zoning amendment necessary to allow for the construction of a building supply retail facility, lumber yard and warehouse on a 14.65 acres parcel of land between County Road 2 and the Broken Second was last week approved by South Dundas council.

The zoning amendment changes the land designation from rural to commercial. It will allow Thompson Tim-Br Mart in Iroquois to build a new, larger facility at the location.

“Here we have a proposal from a well-established business in our municipality that wants to grow,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Steven Byvelds, who supported the zoning change.

South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, said he did have some difficulty in trying to make up his mind over this issue, but after talking about it and visiting the area, which he doesn’t see as “a prime residential spot,” he too decided to support the amendment.

“I think they (Thompson’s) have bent over backwards to accommodate people,” said Graham. “I will support it.”

South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde, asked to have questions about the company’s hours of operation answered.

“I can’t see us changing our hours or running longer hours than we do now,” said Ken Hasson of Thompson’s Tim-Br Mart.

Delegarde also opted to support the zoning change.

South Dundas councillor Del Jones spoke against the zoning amendment. “There is a strong public feeling that there is no desire for residential development to the south in Iroquois, so I think we need to be really cautious about how we develop lands to the north,” said South Dundas councillor Del Jones who opposed the amendment.

“I understand and appreciate the contribution of the Thompson’s for generations in Iroquois, and I have had nothing but good experiences in dealing with the organization,” said Jones.

But, he sees that land as a prime location for residential growth that could help ease the tax burden and take up some of the unused capacity of municipal infrastructure.

“It is serviceable land,” said Jones. Because the three to five year time line of the project, Jones suggested that the it doesn’t seem to have any great urgency, and perhaps a better location could be found. “We are not short of land in South Dundas,” said Jones.

A member of the audience opposed to the amendment asked to speak to the issue, before the council vote, but that request was denied by the mayor.

The majority of council voted in favour of the zoning amendment. The decision is subject to appeal through the Ontario Municipal Board. The appeal period is 20 days, starting today.