New industrial/commercial subdivision plans unveiled for south end off Dundas Street East

By Casandra Turnbull

A new industrial subdivision near highway 2 and 5 in Paris is in the initial planning stages, the Planning and Development Committee heard earlier this week.

Dave Ashton, an agent with MHBC Planning, was before the committee on July 11th to request a zoning change for 46 8 hectares of land that will be an extension of Sharp Road (off Oak Park) and will run parallel between Paris Road and Curtis Ave in Paris, up to the frontage on Dundas Street East. The ask is to change the zoning in a portion of the designated lands from automotive commercial, agricultural, natural heritage and heavy industrial to a mix of industrial and commercial blocks.

Called the Sharp Road Industrial Subdivision, the proposed zoning bylaw amendment for this project is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and confirms to ‘A Place to Grow – Growth Plan’ and will contribute significantly to the County of Brant’s employment land projections outlined in the New Official Plan. The subject lands are located in an area where existing municipal services can be extended to adequality service the proposed development.

In the presentation, MHBC proposed the property will be fully serviced by the municipal water and sewer services, noting a stormwater management strategy will convey the runoff from the external drainage area to the north and the internal wetland area through a proposed storm sewer and temporary channel.

Committee members had some concerns with regards to traffic and access to the lands via Dundas Street East (by Swiss Chalet and the train bridge), however, Ashton confirmed there wouldn’t be public access from Dundas Street East, only emergency access for 91-1.

Ashton also revealed that despite working with the County for a while on this plan, the Grand Erie District School Board recently opened up discussion on building a new school in this subdivision to help meet the growing need for more schools in Paris. Those talks are in the very early stages, and nothing has been formally decided at this time. This site contains significant wildlife habitats and species at risk; therefore, the wetlands will be protected within blocks with required buffers and zoning, according to MHBC’s report Finally, with increased employment lands comes increased traffic. A transportation impact study revealed upgrades will be required on Oak Park Road and Powerline Road, Dundas Street and Paris Road, and Powerline Road and Paris Road intersections, between now and 2035.