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Statement from Mayor Eisenberger Regarding the Winona Walmart Decision
July 13, 2009
Dear Friends,
Last week's decision on the Winona Walmart development was a difficult one and I would like to explain my reasons for having ultimately voted in favour of the application.
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July 13, 2009
Dear Friends,
Last week's decision on the Winona Walmart development was a difficult one and I would like to explain my reasons for having ultimately voted in favour of the application.
As you know I have been opposed to the redesignation of the lands at Fifty Road and the QEW from employment land to commercial from the beginning. As a municipality we have an acute shortage of employment land, especially those near high profile locations on 400 series highway interchanges.
However, over a year ago, Council decided to remove the Fifty Road lands from employment designation and allow the consideration of a commercial development alternative.
However, over a year ago, Council decided to remove the Fifty Road lands from employment designation and allow the consideration of a commercial development alternative.
During last Thursday’s Council meeting (July 9th, 2009) , I voted again in favour of reconsidering the conversion of these lands from employment to commercial use, but the will of the majority of Council was not there .
Furthermore, staff advised that it will cost upward of $100,000 to fight a legal battle we would likely lose if Council had turned down the development proposal. Additionally, keeping the issue out of the courts affords us more control over the development by mandating that additional studies be completed that would enhance the proposal including urban design, transportation, energy and environmental design issues.
Therefore, knowing that the lands are going to be commercial, and with a development application before us, I voted to allow the development to go forward instead of risking a Council stalemate that would have ultimately led us to court. I am not interested in using the taxpayers money for legal fees just to make a point.
Therefore, knowing that the lands are going to be commercial, and with a development application before us, I voted to allow the development to go forward instead of risking a Council stalemate that would have ultimately led us to court. I am not interested in using the taxpayers money for legal fees just to make a point.
I do maintain that this is the wrong development in the wrong location and think that as a community we are saturated with these types of big box commercial developments. We have to look at our downtowns and main streets for future commercial growth – growth that will be more sustainable as we move forward.
In the life of every Council term, there are many difficult decisions and this was surely one of them. Acting in my dual role as head of council and as CEO of the municipality, I focused on making the responsible decision in a difficult situation.
Sincerely,
Mayor Fred
Mayor Fred
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