Winona has a new Wal-Mart.

In a 10-6 vote at council’s July 9 meeting, Hamilton politicians approved the emotionally-charged $85-million development during an often heated two-and-a-half hour debate.

“We are pleased,” said Harold Kersey, vice-president of planning and development for Mady Development, which purchased the 44-acre parcel of land, after the decision.
 

Mr. Kersey said the company will submit a site plan to the city for the proposed 443,000-square-foot commercial development “in a few months.”

But he is aware that council’s decision could prompt an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.

“We expect somebody in the community to challenge it and take us to task,” he said.

There is also the possibility that the provincial government could object to the decision. In a letter sent to Hamilton officials a few months ago, the Ontario government criticized the city for allowing a commercial development at what the province believes is employment lands instead of in another area the city had designated in its nodes and corridors strategic planning document.

Winona resident Anne Bridgman, who attended the meeting, was disturbed by the councillors’ vote.

“No question (Wal-Mart) will change Winona,” she said. “This is not for the people of Winona.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who along with Ward 8 councillor Terry Whitehead changed their votes that allowed the development to pass, wanted to protect taxpayers from what he believed would be an expensive OMB challenge.

“I don’t want the additional cost to prove a point,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “If it was a Canadian Tire, (the discussion) would be different.”

Mr. Whitehead, along with Mr. Eisenberger both voted against the rezoning application at the planning committee earlier in the week, sending it to down to defeat. But when councillors in a 9-7 vote failed to reverse a council decision made last year to designate the property commercial from a special policy area, both politicians decided to vote for the proposal this time around.

“It’s the wrong kind of development in the wrong kind of place,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “We are at a saturation point (with big box stores) that could end up with white elephants.”

Opponents have stated that a Wal-Mart in Winona would mean there would be three of the American-based stores within 10 minutes of residents. Councillors approved a Wal-Mart development that includes a hotel complex, at the corner of Centennial Parkway and the South Service Road on the former Waxman property. There is also a Wal-Mart on Rymal Road.

All three Stoney Creek councillors backed the proposal.

Brad Clark, who first introduced the motion to establish the holding provisions until special studies are completed, including traffic, transit and stormwater management, said politicians need to be mindful of how their decision will be interpreted by the business community.

“What message are we sending beyond this area, pulling the rug out from under that development,” he said.

Stoney Creek councillor Dave Mitchell said residents in the area have been asking for more commercial development over the years. Council can’t decide what retail businesses can go in the area, and what can’t, he said.

“Restaurants, a movie theatre, a grocery store, they are needed,” he said.

Stoney Creek councillor Maria Pearson said the proposed development was “like holding a winning lottery ticket in my hands.

“We can’t keep closing the door (on businesses),” she said. “We are losing business to other communities, to Grimsby. If you think we are going to bring in huge paying jobs, we won’t see it in our lifetime.”

Flamborough councillor Margaret McCarthy said she learned a long time ago the Waterdown community couldn’t stop the big box stores, including a Wal-Mart, from locating at Clappison Corners. She said about 97 per cent of her residents were shopping in Burlington.

“The market dictates what will and won’t go in,” she said.

City staff confirmed that the commercial development will create about $8.2 million in development charges, and about $2 million per year in taxes. There will also be about 600 jobs created.

Mr. Kersey has stated his company is willing to pay the cost of additional infrastructure projects needed for the area, including constructing a stormwater management pond. The company has also offered to pay for a sidewalk across the Winona bridge, and accommodate any recommendations needed to allow the city’s transit hub to be located adjacent to the property.

“We’ve got to stop the bleeding,” said Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson. “I don’t know how in good conscious how we can turn our backs on that.”

But Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla was ready to fight against the development all the way to the OMB. He said the development is nothing more that creating more urban sprawl and threatening local business in the inner city.

“If you are supporting this application, you are supporting sprawl,” he said.

Ward 1 councillor Brian McHattie was also upset his colleagues were about to vote for another big box development.

“This represents poor planning,” he said. “We are doing more of the same.”

Other councillors opposed to the plan included Bob Bratina, Robert Pasuta, Bernie Morelli, and Scott Duvall.

The additional councillors in support of the recommendation were Chad Collins, Tom Jackson, and Russ Powers.

A motion by Mr. Duvall to defer the issue until council’s August meeting was defeated 12-4.