City OKs two Wal-Mart proposals
June 16, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/584090
Hamilton is getting closer to seeing a lot more Wal-Mart.
Councillors gave Smart Centres preliminary approval today to build a new Wal-Mart on Centennial Parkway near the QEW and expand its Rymal Road location to include a grocery section.
Both projects faced opposition from residents who questioned the impact of the big box retailer on the local community.
“Wal-Mart would be a devastating blow to our family business,” said Anthony Longo, who owns an independent grocery store on Rymal Road. “When one door opens, I believe several others will close.”
Studies show both commercial centres can be supported without having a negative impact on other retailers.
But Councillor Bob Bratina, who opposed the projects, quipped that if someone believe the findings, he has “some land to sell.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” he warned the planning committee, arguing the Centennial site could be better used to relocate the waterfront rail yard.
The east-end proposal calls for a $100 million mixed-use development on a 15-acre plot that includes the former Waxman scrap yard. It promises to bring $2.4 million in annual taxes and 1,500 jobs.
The complex will include office and commercial space, a hotel and a new Wal-Mart, which will be relocated from Eastgate Mall.
The land is partly zoned for employment, but council voted last year to ignore planning staff advice and convert it to commercial.
Environment Hamilton executive director Lynda Lukasik appealed to councillors to reconsider, noting the province raised concerns about the conversion.
Every hectare the city removes from its employment land bank means another hectare of greenspace will be converted to airport industrial park land, she said.
Lukasik also argued the proposal runs counter to the city’s commitment to build walkable communities. Many of residents around Eastgate walk to the Wal-Mart. When it moves down the road without bus access and past a rail bridge with no sidewalks, it will force people to drive, she said.
Councillor Maria Pearson said there are plans to redevelop Centennial and discussions are ongoing to make it pedestrian-friendly.
She supported the development, arguing it will bring much needed growth and jobs to the city. Smart Centres, she added, is the only developer willing to remediate the contaminated brownfield.
“We don’t want to see dirt piles left for another five years.”
But Councillor Terry Whitehead, who voted against the Centennial project, argued the committee was losing sight of its long-term goals.
A controversial proposal to build another commercial centre, including a Wal-Mart, in Winona is expected to return to the committee for more debate next month.
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