Hawkesbury council has approved Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZBA) bylaws which will permit a new 11,573 square metre/124,570.7 square foot warehouse containing 557 square metres/5,995.5 square feet of office space on vacant land near the intersection of County Road 17 and Tupper Street.
The development will include entrances from County Road 17 and Tupper Street from either side of the Quality Inn.
The bylaws were adopted by Hawkesbury council on August 22 and are still subject to further approval by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR).
The OPA changed the site from Regional Commercial Policy Area to Trade and Industry Policy Area. The ZBA changed the site to E-1 zoning which permits a light industrial warehouse building.
During the public planning meeting portion of the August 22 council meeting, Urban Planner Mike Szilagyi of Republic Urbanism explained that the new Official Plan designation is fully compliant with the existing Official Plan of the Town of Hawkesbury, the UCPR, and the Provincial Policy Statement for land use planning in the Province of Ontario. Szilagyi is working under contract for the Town of Hawkesbury.
Mayor Robert Lefebvre noted it meets all of the requirements except for two smaller aspects of the project involving parking spaces and the entrance to County Road 17. He was confident these would be easily addressed. The town had not received any comments from the public about the proposed ZBA and OPA.
“We’re very anxious to see this approval process go ahead and hopefully break ground soon,” Lefebvre said.
Councillor Antonios Tsourounakis asked when Bertone plans to break ground on the project and how long construction will take.
Bertone Development Corporation of St-Laurent is building the warehouse. Bertone Vice President of Pre-Construction Sabatino Schiavone said whenever ground is broken will depend on when the building permits are issued. He estimated construction itself will take 12 months.
Tsourounakis said he wants to see the project become reality.
“We’re looking forward to it as well,” Schiavone said.
“It’s always great to hear new businesses coming into our area. It’s very much appreciated,” Lefebvre said.
