Company pitches 120,000-square-metre facility in Brant County
Brant County Mayor David Bailey is calling on Panattoni Development Company to hold another public meeting explaining it’s large warehouse proposal for St. George.
“The format of the meeting tonight was disappointing,” Bailey said following a Thursday night public information center at the South Dumfries Community Centre. “A lot of people rushed from work to get to this meeting and were expecting a formal presentation.
“Instead they got this and I think the residents deserve better.”
Panattoni is proposing a major warehouse project that includes two buildings covering 120,000-square-metres on a 36-hectare property at 282A Highway 5. Plans all for a 63,220-square-metre warehouse to be built first followed by a second building at a later date.
Panattoni has applied to have the property rezoned from agriculture to light industrial to accommodate the proposal. The application was presented to county councilors at a February planning meeting for information only and was referred to planning staff for further review.
Councilors heard from Michael Smele, Panattoni’s executive vice-president, who said the company would continue to work with staff and the community to address and mitigate concerns.
Smele said Panattoni is committed to investing the time and effort required to achieve a successful and beneficial development in St. George. He promised the company would be present, honest and transparent.
However, councilors also heard from residents angry about the proposal who cited a number of concerns including the proposed size of the project, increased traffic on Highway 5, lighting and noise issues. They’re also worried about the impact the proposal will have on the village.
The public meeting was an opportunity for residents to meet representatives from Panattoni and ask questions about how the company intends to mitigate their concerns.
Instead of a formal presentation Thursday, residents could approach Panattoni representatives directly at various tables dedicated to various aspects of the proposal. There was a table dedicated to traffic and noise and others focused on the environment and building design to name a few.
An estimated 140 to 200 residents attended the meeting. Panattoni representatives were busy speaking with residents, explaining the proposal and working to address concerns.
The company representatives were too busy to speak to a reporter. But said they would respond to questions by way of e-mail.
Bailey said that as a result of the meeting format, residents who came to the meeting angry, left the meeting angrier.
Kate Broussard and her mother Valerie Simpson of St. George were among those angered by the proposed development.
So much so that Broussard dressed up as a poop emoji used by people sending text messages.
“It’s because we’re getting the sh** -end of the stick,” Broussard said of her costume.
She and her mother spent only a few minutes at the meeting and others also made a quick exit suggesting the proposal was a done deal.
Speaking to the proposal, Bailey said the county would like to see Panattoni build in Brant County but said the proposed location is wrong.
“They should be looking in Cainsville,” Bailey said. “They could be located in an industrial area near Colborne Street East and Brant County Road 18.”
In addition to being close to Highway 403, a Cainsville location would increase the company’s profile and draw less opposition, Bailey said.
Bailey said he is going to speak to county staff to see if another, more formal public meeting can be held to address concerns.
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