New big box plan has Leasiders fuming
[attach]5937[/attach]Groups in Leaside objecting to a proposed big box retail centre are hosting a meeting June 11 to provide an update on the application for 70 Wicksteed Ave.
The [url=http://lpoa.ca/]Leaside Property Owners Association[/url] and [url=http://leasideunite.com/]Leaside Unite[/url], a group formed in protest to Smartcentre’s application to build a 14,000 square metre retail centre say the proposal is too large and dense for the area.
In [url=http://leasideunite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/LPOA-Leaside-Unite-Letter-to-Councillor-Parker-May-23-2012.pdf]a letter posted on Leaside Unite’s website[/url], the group calls on local councillor John Parker to advocate for a reduction in size and density, including for the anchor tenant store, proposed at 7,500 square metres. Though it has yet to be confirmed, there are rumours a Wal-Mart could occupy that building. The commercial area is proposed for the former Colgate-Palmolive Canada facility site.
The groups have a variety of concerns about the application, among them traffic and inadequate parking issues. Included in the proposal is 479 parking spaces, some of which would be underground.
Leaside Unite has also gone a step further, creating an online petition that urges the city to reject the planning application outright.
The community meeting is being held at the William Lea Room at Leaside Gardens. 7-10 p.m.
