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Rideau Action Group Seeking To Appeal Massive Distribution Centre In North Gower

A group of concerned residents in North Gower are looking to appeal a decision to place a massive distribution centre in the community. 

In late 2019, the City of Ottawa approved a rezoning application for plans to build a new 700,000 square foot warehouse on Roger Stevens Drive. 

The proposal was met with opposition from the Rideau Action Group, a group of residents from the surrounding area, who are concerned about the ramifications of having a warehouse of this magnitude in Rideau township. 

Chair of the Rideau Action Group Leigh-Andrea Brunet says there are three issues they have with the city’s plan. 

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“By allowing the rezoning, the city has essentially taken away any opportunities for diverse development,” Brunet said. “Secondly, as it’s zoned now, it’s intended to be one owner-one use and thirdly, an e-commerce and distribution centre in no way serves the needs of our community and agricultural community.” 

Brunet says aside from this, residents are also concerned about traffic, light and noise pollution, and the environmental impacts from a development this big.

To put in perspective, the developer Broccolini Construction, has said the building will be 1.5 times the size of the Amazon Building being constructed in Barrhaven.

“It’s said it’s going to be a great benefit, and bring many jobs to the community but I don’t think that will be the reality,” Brunet said. “Most people are going to be commuting and we really don’t have the infrastructure to deal with it. It just really takes away opportunity for development in the village of North Gower. I mean, we are growing and we need to have space for more businesses.” 

The Rideau Action Group is working to engage the public regarding this issue and to raise funds to support their legal fees and expert witnesses. 

Brunet says they would like to see the zoning overturned to the pre-existing zones; Industrial, Highway Commercial and Recreational. 

“We are arguing that the city’s plans are inconsistent or non-conformant with some of the documents that were created to encourage harmonious, sustainable planning to create healthy, and safe livable communities,” she said. “So, we hope to argue our points and see the rezoning reverted back to the three pre-existing zones.” 

A hearing date with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal has been set for August 23, and is expected to last seven days.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the group to help the Rideau Action Group through the appeal process.

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