Waste Management Inc. has been greenlit to consolidate their Greater Sudbury operations at the eastern edge of the old Kingsway Entertainment District (KED) site.
Their current operations employ approximately 85 people.
The planning committee of city council’s decision to approve amendments to the five hectares of land approximately 400 metres north of The Kingsway opposite Levesque Street still needs to be ratified by city council as a whole. However, their unanimous support with limited discussion points to a likelihood it will be approved at the next city council meeting on Nov. 26.
Although there’s no road frontage or access to municipal water or sewer services, it’s anticipated these services will be developed as part of the first phase of a subdivision planned for the area.
The subdivision in question is the longstanding Jack Nicholas Business and Innovation Subdivision, which city council members voted in August to extend approval of to Oct. 26, 2026.
It's a project that has evolved over the years, beginning as a 33-lot light industrial park in 2010. Developer Miro Zulich bought the land more than 30 years ago with the plan to “develop a world class industrial park,” he told the planning committee at the time.
Until city council ultimately killed the project by withdrawing funding in 2022, the subdivision was slated to house the Kingsway Entertainment District, consisting of a municipal arena, private hotel and casino.
The waste transfer facility will be situated outside of the Ramsey Lake watershed, while the commercial garage will be within the watershed but outside of an intake protection zone.
“The proposed development includes an office, service shop, and parking spaces within the
southern portion of the site,” according to a report submitted by the applicant. “The northern portion of the site includes truck parking, truck scales stations, space for the storage of waste bins, and the waste transfer station.”
Located next to the Sudbury Landfill site, odour was a concern, particularly as it affects residents to the south, which winds frequently blow toward.
“The proposed waste transfer facility operation will be in closer proximity to residential neighbourhoods than the active disposal area at the landfill site,” according to a municipal report.
In a planning justification report, it’s noted, “Any sorting will be conducted within the waste transfer facility that will be equipped with an odour suppression system,” and that odourous waste would be first in, first out, and an alternative solution might be to cease receipt of odourous material altogether.
The potential for litter was also brought up as a concern, with a litter-barrier fence required to prevent the spread of errant material.
The site will not be developed until such time as a site plan control agreement has been entered into with the city and an environmental compliance approval is issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Plus, it requires road access and water/wastewater services which will need to come through development of the Jack Nicholas Business and Innovation Subdivision.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.