City Council is welcoming an expansion plan from a local industry.
At Tuesday night’s regular meeting, council passed a bylaw approving a site plan control agreement with The Bucket Shop, located at 200 McBride St. N. The plan is to build two new buildings on the site – a 10,634-square-foot paint/abrasive blasting building and 10,634-square-foot multipurpose warehouse building. Current uses on the property include a heavy equipment bucket repair and manufacturing facility.
Following the meeting, Mayor George Pirie said he was delighted to see a local industry grow.
“They’re a great example of the quality partners we have in the City of Timmins,” he said. “They’re a local firm, obviously, that has decided to grow in Timmins and build their new expanded facilities in Timmins. They’ve got a great business there and we want to ensure they continue to grow.”
“Their reputation is great: The quality of their product, their care for the environment, and they haven’t had any outstanding issues environmentally or concerns from their neighbours. They’re a great corporate citizen. It’s a pleasure to have them in the community.”
In a staff report for council, it was pointed out that the facility is close to two schools — Ecole public Lionel-Gauthier and Ecole publique Renaissance — and Extendicare Timmins. But a study concluded there would be no adverse impacts on the neighbouring institutional properties.
Coun. Noella Rinaldo pointed out that lands in area have been used for industry for a long time. She questioned why the city would have permitted institutional buildings like schools and a nursing home nearby.
“That’s been an industrial area since I was a kid,” she said. “How did we build schools and Extendicare near an industrial area? It is disheartening that we even have to have this conversation.”
Mark Jensen, the city’s director of community and development services, ensured council mixed uses can work well in an area, as long as land uses are controlled properly.
“As long as you can meet the requirements, it is sound to proceed,” he said. “Right now, there are no issues (with the project).”
On the chance any environmental issues arise from the project, direction would be provided by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.
“If it fails to meet standards, operations have to halt until they meet them,” Jensen said. He noted items like filters and dust collectors would be possible solutions to any possible impact.
“We really don’t anticipate any issues,” he said. Coun. John Curley agreed. “The MOE is quite diligent. They are not going to be throwing certificates out to just anything. They have a welding shop out there now and there has never been any concerns.”
Pirie said the project is nothing but good news for the city.
“Our environmental protection through our government agencies is the best in the world,” the mayor said after the meeting. “I’m very, very confident.”
