Posted Mar 2, 2022, 9:14 PM
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Ham-burgher
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 6,661
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Stelco is not happy about this proposal.
Stelco fired up as Haldimand pursues Nanticoke development
'This puts us at risk, it puts the economy at risk'
https://www.thespec.com/local-haldim...velopment.html
Tara Lindemann
The Sachem via The Hamilton Spectator
Wed., March 2, 2022
Two weeks after the announcement of a proposal for a massive residential development on lands next to Stelco’s Lake Erie Works, the company has told Haldimand council that it not only opposes the development, but that it could imperil the future of the existing plant.
“Based on the information we have before us here today, we can provide you no assurance that we will be here in 20 years,” said Trevor Harris, Stelco’s vice-president of corporate affairs. “There is nothing in that proposal that gives us any confidence that we could survive that type of development for a variety of reasons.”
Developer Empire Communities has purchased 17 parcels of land surrounding the steel mill, and has proposed building 15,000 homes. The site would also include a school, and create up to 11,000 jobs. However, in order to make the development happen, the province would need to change the existing land use designation.
“This puts us at risk, it puts the economy at risk,” said Harris at the March 1 council-in-committee meeting. “Conversations that we’ve had with the City Hamilton and will continue to have with the province will also now indicate that this puts our operations in Hamilton also in jeopardy.”
Harris stated that both operations were entwined, and the loss of business would have a “broad, sweeping impact for our company and all of southwestern Ontario.”
He, along with lawyer Paul Simon, expressed frustration at learning of the plan through the local media, and not from the county, calling it “unfair and inappropriate,” given the business’s employment history and donations to the county over the years.
“A change of zoning to residential of these lands will have a negative impact to Stelco and its future operations,” he said. “Take a breath and consider what the long-term ramifications could be,” said Harris.
Mayor Ken Hewitt took offence to Stelco’s comments and said that the county's actions were being mischaracterized by company representatives.
“To suggest that we’re going to run roughshod, or railroad a planning process, or application against your better judgment, our better judgment, and the future and success of your industry, it’s ludicrous,” said Hewitt. “We are here today, to simply allow for the public to hear what’s happening.”
Hewitt said that the county and residents were being held “hostage” because of industrial land that had not been further developed by Stelco. He and other councillors challenged Stelco’s decision not to buy the lands in question when it had the opportunity.
The land belonged to a trust for Stelco retirees and former employees. Simon said that to his knowledge, Stelco “was not in a group of potential interested parties,” and challenged the sale as not firm.
Empire Communities planner, Steven Armstrong, confirmed that the purchase agreement was firm, and 17 land parcels beyond Stelco’s fenceline were now theirs.
If the provincial government decides to consider a change in land use for the site, the county would then begin the formal consultation process with both local residents and businesses.
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/https://www.thespec.com/content/dam/localcommunities/the_sachem/news/2022/02/18/empire-proposes-to-resurrect-nanticoke-industry-dream-with-development/10573135_NanticokeDevelopmentSA20220215.JPG)
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