Open house held for Howard Industrial Park secondary plan

By Ron Giofu

The Town of Amherstburg’s planning department held an open house last week to discuss a proposed Howard Industrial Park District Secondary Plan.

Manager of planning services Chris Aspila said approximately 30 people attended the open house last Wednesday evening at the Libro Centre, with it being a mix of business people and area residents. Staff from the town’s planning department and consultants with MillerSilani Inc. went over the plan and what the aim of the open house was.

“It was well attended,” said Aspila.

Businesses wanted to know what the outcome of the secondary plan could be while residents wanted to know how their properties would be protected from potential industries coming to their neighbourhood.

The boundaries of the proposed secondary plan would be Howard Ave. to the west, Concession 8 North to the east, North Townline (County Road 8) to the north and North Side Road to the south. The boundaries are similar to the industrial lands that were identified in the Official Plan as heavy industrial from as far back as when it was done by the Township of Anderdon.

“It was a courtesy meeting that we held,” said Aspila. A statutory public meeting will be held at a later date.

The goal of the open house was to gather input that will assist administration in co-ordinating a policy approach to develop land use parameters that will support the future of growth in that region. Aspila said it is being developed in conjunction with the update of the town’s Official Plan.

“Because of issues coming up in relation to potential developments, we want to make sure we get it right for a long time,” he said. “We want to get a plan in place that best suits the community for the next 25 years.”

The land is designated as heavy industrial in the Official Plan but Aspila points out the zoning in that area varies. He said about 70-80 per cent is currently zoned agriculture with the remaining 20-30 per cent zoned for various industrial classifications. Some lands could remain as agriculture but the plan would tie it all together and have the area ready to go if a developer came forward.

The secondary plan would also study such issues as sanitary sewage and truck routes. Aspila said the study will look at the feasibility of servicing the lands at that location.

“The roads need to be designed for the volume of truck traffic that might come in the future,” said Aspila.

The residents that live in or near the secondary plan zone also need to be looked after, he emphasized, as the town is taking a “strategic view” of the property and the entire town. They don’t want to negatively impact residents in or near the Howard Industrial Park District Secondary Plan zone.

“We want to make sure we get it right based on the feedback we got so far,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb was one of the council members at last Wednesday evening’s open house and said the town wants to have its “stick on the ice” if investors start calling. He indicated there is a cement plant that has been given the go-head by town council for a portion of the site with that set to create about 40 jobs. He believed a plan for the lands could further entice business to come to Amherstburg.

“There’s not a lot of industrial land left in Essex County,” said Gibb.

Local resident Phil Bezaire said he wanted some clarity on what was being proposed, noting “this tract of land has been designated heavy industrial since the Anderdon days.” He believed the development of the Smith Industrial Park was an “excellent” move and called the open house “informative.” Bezaire added he and his wife own property in the proposed zone. As for what happens if more industry comes, he said “it is what it is” and that plans have to be adjusted accordingly.

McGregor resident Dennis Sanson said while he applauds the planning process, he wants to make sure the infrastructure in the area is adequate for such a purpose. He said Anderdon and McGregor have been “shortchanged” and noted sewage capacity in McGregor is already tapped out.

“If we do it, we need to do it right,” he said of the Howard Industrial Park District Secondary Plan. “None of this ‘build first, plan second’ approach.”

Sanson added he wants to see a broader planning area, as such issues as traffic could impact roads outside of the secondary plan area. He also wants to see greater public involvement.

“I’m really concerned about the level of public engagement,” said Sanson. “They need to work a lot harder.”