More big box stores coming

BY BILL BRADLEY

Greater Sudbury shoppers will have more choice soon.

A massive 316,250 sq. foot retail development, including a proposed building supply yard, was approved by the planning committee of city council Tuesday for the 25-acre site south of the Silver City cinema complex.

A number of nationally known brand name stores will be located on the site, said Steve Vaccaro, vice-president of 1721169 Ontario Limited, a local development company, linked to Interpaving Limited of Loach’s Road, Sudbury.

The site could be open for business by the fall of 2009. Hundreds of jobs could be created, said Vaccaro.

The new mix of retail outlets, some not present in northern Ontario, will cement the city as a retail hub, drawing in even more shoppers from surrounding communities and cities, said Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino and the developer.

“This project cements our position as the capital of northeastern Ontario,” said Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume.

Bill Lautenbach, Greater Sudbury director of planning services, said the subject lands are designated Regional Centre in the Official Plan for the city.

“Regional Centres service a large catchment area that extends beyond the City of Greater Sudbury. Permitted uses in regional centres may include retail, service, institutional, recreational, entertainment, office and community orientated activities,” stated the report by planning staff.

“This is what this site was meant for,” said Cimino.

There was a complaint by a nearby power centre business about not being adequately consulted about the impact of the new project on their property and road infrastructure. Vaccaro said he had tried numerous times to set up a meeting with the complainant but was not able to. City councillors rejected a plea by the business owner’s lawyer to postpone the project.

Councillors approved the application unanimously.