TIM-BR Mart move opposed at zoning level

WILLIAMSBURG – The plan for a local building supply company to expand its business is being met with some opposition in its early stages.

Thompson TIM-BR Mart in Iroquois has been granted a conditional severance by the United Counties and is now seeking a zoning bylaw amendment from the Township of South Dundas that will allow for the construction of a Building Supply Store and associated warehousing of stock on a 14.65 acre parcel of land located in between County Road 2 and the Broken Second.

Surrounding residents opposed the development at the severance stage and again expressed their opposition at the zoning stage at the Feb., 2 public meeting held in South Dundas council chambers.

Iroquois area residents Harry Pietersma and Mary Anna Petre, among those in attendance opposing the proposed zoning change, verbally expressed their concerns.

Peitersma, an abutting property owner on the Broken Second, prefaced his opposition by

–Continued on page 3

–Continued from page 1

explaining his understanding of Thompson’s need to expand, as a 35 year customer of the retail outlet.

“I don’t feel this is the property they should be relocating to,” said Pietersma. With nearly 1,000 feet of frontage along County Road 2 and about 500 feet of frontage along the Broken Second, Pietersma argued that, “It will leave a very big footprint indeed on the area.”

“The charming rural residential character of the western approach to the village is conducive to tourism,” wrote Pietersma in a letter of opposition. “Creating an omni-present commercial strip will do nothing to enhance the drive of tourists, especially as they proceed to the Locks.”

Pietersma told South Dundas council members that this decision provides them with an opportunity to make a statement. “It is important for this council to make a statement that this council supports residential development, as it is the only development in South Dundas,” said Pietersma. “Council has an important opportunity to say to prospective residents that it supports residential stability. What message to you want to give?”

“Think about how you would feel if this was happening adjacent to your property or within your line of site,” concluded County Road 2 resident Mary Anna Petre, after voicing her concerns over the proposed development.

“These may seem like small things when you’re up against big business, but these things are meaningful to me,” she said.

She pointed out such a development is likely to impact area property values, but more than that would be affected.

“It is a pastoral neighbourhood,” said Petre. “This will affect my quiet enjoyment of my property.” She explained that her hobby of star-gazing will be impeded by the security lighting that will go along with such a development.

She also spoke of the increased traffic flow, and the potential for increased traffic accidents near an already accident prone intersection and also made mention of its impact on already existing drainage issues in the area.

“It’s incompatible to my way of living,” said Petre, who suggested that there may already be a number of commercially zoned properties more appropriate for this development. “If this goes through this is a win for Thompson’s and a lose for the rest of us. I don’t want to see anyone lose that’s why I am suggesting that we work together.”

At the public meeting, lawyer Peter Remillard spoke in favour of the zoning change on behalf of the owners of Thompson’s who sat in the audience with their employees.

Remillard pointed out that the Thompson family has been in the lumber business since the turn of the last century and that the presently have 11 full time and one part time employee, and with this expansion that number would rise.

He spoke about the well known need to expand the business, and explained that the footprint of the existing properties don’t allow for expansion. Although Thompson’s do own an appropriately-zoned 3-4 acre property on the west side of Carman Road, it does not suit their expansion needs and it would likely be an incompatible use with the existing subdivision.

With the zoning change, the plan to build on the 14 acre parcel of land is not immediate. According to Remillard, Thompson’s are planning on a two to five year time frame for the expansion.

The retail space is planned to be much like the design of TSC stores. The store would be about 9,600 square feet in size.

Remillard spoke of the willingness of the property owners to work with area residents and the township to help minimize the impact of the development.

Following presentations from the public, South Dundas councillor Del Jones expressed some concerns about the zoning change. He spoke about the location being a prime location for serviced residential development.

South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde, said that she had personally spoken to about 15 people about the zoning change and she did not find a clear opinion on the matter one way or the other.

Before all members of council could fully discuss their opinions on the  matter, South Dundas mayor Robert ‘Rowdy’ Gillard ended the discussions by saying, “I want time to digest this.”

Council did not vote on the zoning amendment at the Feb., 2 meeting.

South Dundas chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald said Monday that the zoning amendment vote is back on the council agenda for the Feb., 16 meeting.