Local leaders weigh in on SC Johnson land-use issue

Local leaders are hoping creative thinking will help keep a popular long-time business in Brantford and provide the community with much-needed housing.

Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma and Paul Bisanti, president of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, are hoping open dialogue could lead to a resolution of a land-use issue that has put SC Johnson and plans for a housing development on Morrell Street at odds.

“As this matter proceeds to the Ontario Land Tribunal, we recognize that due process must be adhered to,” Bisanti, said.

“But our hope is that through open dialogue and creative thinking, all parties can discover new ways to find efficiencies for SC Johnson here in their home for more than 120 years and deliver on the much-needed housing that all communities across Ontario are starved of .”

Bisanti said the chamber will, as much as possible, support the city and SC Johnson, to drive a successful resolution.

At issue is a plan by Rosart Bucci Group to construct a 156-unit residential development at 58 Morrell St. The property, purchased by Rosart Bucci Group in 2021, is currently zoned industrial and adjacent to SC Johnson’s manufacturing plant on Webster Street.

SC Johnson is concerned about the proposed housing development and has said its impact would be such that the company may have to close the plant.

Company officials say they have experienced the challenges of having residents living in proximity to our factories and it has simply not worked out.

A decision on the rezoning application was deferred to allow SC Johnson and the developer to explore alternative solutions. But when the 120-day period elapsed, the developer was able to bypass the planning committee and city council by taking the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

“While we will work collaboratively with city officials and SC Johnson leadership as this situation evolves, it must be said that we cannot find fault with city staff or politicians on how the city adhered to the prescribed public consultation process as defined in the planning act, ” Bisanti said.

“To play fast and loose with the rules of the land would unbalance a process that is designed to be a fair and balanced approach for all parties, regardless of if you are a multinational corporation seeking facility expansion, or an individual homeowner looking to add a granny suite.”

Bisanti said the chamber is encouraging leaders in all sectors to consider the unintended consequences of actions or lack there of, and looks forward to convening discussions where appropriate.

Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma is constrained in what he can say about the situation because it is before the land tribunal.

However, Bouma said he hopes a resolution that satisfies all involved can be found before a tribunal hearing date.

“A company like SC Johnson leaving would be a real blow to the community when you consider the people it employs and the millions of dollars it has contributed to various projects,” Bouma said.

“I can tell you that the province is well aware of the situation and if there is an alternative dispute resolution or a mechanism through which the province can be of assistance, the province stands ready to do that.”