Agreement paves way for further big-box development in New Minas

By Kirk Starratt

THE ADVERTISER

NovaNewsNow.com

A proposed development agreement (DA) between the Plaza Group and the County of Kings will pave the way for Home Depot and other big-box retail development on the Millett land in New Minas.

However, at least one councillor isn’t convinced that big-box retail development is good for the county.

Council gave initial consideration to entering into the DA at the Monday, Nov. 5 session.

Coun. Wayne Atwater said he wouldn’t be supporting the agreement because he doesn’t know how many big-box stores the county can handle.

“I’m not convinced big box stores are good for the county,” he said. “It will be interesting to see what they will buy local.”

Planning manager Chrystal Fuller said the 30.79 acres of land – which is currently five separate properties -- was designated by council as a Commercial Comprehensive Development District earlier this year. This following an application from the Terrain Group representing the Plaza Group. The developer hopes to close the sale and consolidate the properties once the development agreement is approved.

Fuller said one of the five properties has a DA for a recycling centre associated with it, but the new agreement, if approved, would discharge the old one.

The developer is proposing to develop the land in three parcels and is required to put in public streets. The Home Depot would be on one parcel; another unidentified big-box development on another and the third will be used for a number of smaller retail stores.

Streets designated

Street “A” would provide access to Commercial Street, directly across from Bona Vista Drive. Traffic lights would be installed. Street “B” would provide access to the rear of the property, an area not covered by the proposed DA.

Street “C” would connect to the realigned Granite Drive. Fuller said Granite Drive would be realigned when Highway 101 is twinned and a new access point is established. However, there is no indication when the realignment will take place. The streets will be owned and maintained by the county.

“This is the most comprehensive agreement I’ve seen,” Fuller said about the 147-page draft DA.

Before permits are issued, Fuller said several documents would be required from the developer, including a storm water plan, sedimentation and erosion plans, an environmental monitoring plan, environmental bonding and approval of road specifications.

An environmental assessment of the property is required because there could be some contamination of the site. Environmental bonding for 120 per cent of the cost of the cleanup is required from the developer. The Environment Department will ensure it’s done to standard. The developer will be bonded for 120 per cent of the road construction costs and will be bonded for road maintenance. The developer plans to build a transit shelter by the development.

The land is within the New Minas well field protection area and a certificate of environmental compliance will be required before they can open the building.

Traffic study required

Fuller said the public has raised traffic issues and a full study is required. The developer hopes to have the traffic lights in place by the time the Home Depot opens. If the developer deviates from the traffic study, a new study would be required.

Coun. Eric Smith, who represents New Minas, said he couldn’t believe anyone would say the subject site isn’t a good location for the development, the draft DA is well done and it protects everyone.

Coun. Chris Parker said commercial land is taxed higher and this would help keep residential rates under control. However, because of New Minas’ large tax base, he wonders when it will become advantageous to the village to become a town. However, he said he supports giving initial consideration to the agreement.

Coun. Janet Newton pointed out that the property was left in trust to the village and the money from the sale of the land will be used for recreational purposes on the remaining land. She said she couldn’t believe Parker would say what he did.

“If we want to drive them to be a town, let’s go against what the area advisory committee wants,” she said. The DA would provide an avenue for the environmental cleanup of the site and she said she hopes all councillors would support the matter progressing to a public hearing following initial consideration.

The New Minas Area Advisory Committee and the county’s Planning Advisory Committee have both given positive recommendations regarding the DA.