Belleville’s Planning Advisory Committee has recommended that city council approve zoning changes on the southern part
of the former Ben Bleecker building property that would allow a grocery store and another commercial building to be built.
As part of the committee’s recommendation, a holding (h) symbol would be applied to the zoning to require site plan approval as well as the completion of necessary studies to the city’s satisfaction before any development could take place.
There were concerns from residents and committee members alike about potential traffic problems stemming from the grocery store and other businesses and especially from a proposed housing development on the north part of the same property.
As initially proposed, the housing development would consist of 36 two-storey townhouses and two apartment buildings, one eight storeys and the other twelve storeys.
Staff gave assurances that a traffic analysis done recently took into consideration not only major development on the Ben Bleecker property but also on the larger portion of the former Quinte Exhibition grounds on the west side of Sidney Street.
The committee was reminded that a detailed design to widen the intersection of Sidney Street and Bridge Street West would be undertaken next year and that reconstruction of the busy intersection would be done in 2024.
There were also environmental concerns raised by the public and committee as the property is near the former Nortel property.
Staff explained environmental studies have been done and those will have to be updated and there may be more remediation work necessary.
There is an active monitoring well on the northern section of the land.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk noted the developer, Goldmanco, had hired environmental consultants who would be producing a report for the city to review.
Panciuk also said the recommendation to approve the zoning changes made the day an exciting one for the city.
He stressed that the grocery store and other commercial development on the property is coming to be because of deliberate planning and action by the past city council and the present one.
“Last term we had a committee that negotiated with the Agricultural Society. That was made up of former councillors Jack Miller, Egerton Boyce and current councillor Kelly McCaw. They negotiated a deal to have the Ag Society move and give up the Ben Bleecker side of the property. That’s opened the door for us to be able to now declare it surplus, sell it, and be able to consider this.
This current council, when we were considering offers to buy this property, we wanted to specifically pick one that would mean a grocery store because we had heard loud and clear from residents that they desperately need a grocery store in that part of the city and I’m so happy that we were able to deliver.”
Panciuk would not comment on what grocery store might locate on the property but has said in the past that many of the developer’s other properties featured Farm Boy stores.
City council will have the final say on the zoning changes.
Meanwhile the Planning Advisory Committee is expecting to see a detailed report and recommendation from staff on the housing proposal for the Ben Bleecker land either at its September meeting or in October.
Photo of southern portion of Ben Bleecker property. (Photo: Belleville Planning Advisory Committee)
