Ontario Northland sent in its top brass to raise its concerns about the development of a parcel of land on Station Road yesterday.
Ontario Northland President and CEO Corina Moore followed Director of Passenger Operations Tracy MacPhee in a virtual presentation to North Bay City Council's community services committee, Thursday. The two outlined the ONTC's objections relating to the construction and operation of a proposed transportation terminal for a trucking company on undeveloped land on Station Road in North Bay.
Moore told committee members collaboration with the City of North Bay has been sporadic.
"We want to be part of your strategic plan. We don't feel, really, that we're a part of that process right now. We were invited in about two or three years ago to provide an hour presentation on where we think we could collaborate but we haven't since been involved."
It was an odd meeting, with this sort of opposition to municipal affairs not often — nor recently — seen from the ONTC. It also featured the absence of a quorum for a brief time during Moore's presentation while the necessary two-thirds or seven committee members were not present at the same time in the virtual setting. Mayor Al McDonald had declared a conflict as he owns a gas station in the subject area and Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch, Coun. Mark King and Coun. Chris Mayne were attending the Cassellholme board meeting.
The subject property is located between Station Road and Patton Street, south of the Ontario Northland station and southeast of the City's recycling centre (see map above). The committee heard both access points for the new terminal are designed to be constructed on the Station Road side.
Many of the concerns raised centred on safety and an anticipated increase in traffic in and around the area where the new Martin Roy Transport (MRT) terminal would be situated on Station Road, as well as at the intersection of Seymour Street and Station Road.
The Ontario Northland Station is situated at the end of Station Road and features a lower-level tunnel that passes under the train tracks and is used by pedestrians to connect to Northgate Shopping Centre. Ontario Northland observed the safety of pedestrians along Station Road could be compromised — especially during the winter months — when sidewalk maintenance forces pedestrians to walk on the road, according to Ontario Northland.
The City's Senior Capital Program Engineer Adam Lacombe joined the meeting and noted the concern.
Moore broached the subject of building a dedicated road to access the Ontario Northland station if the Seymour Street intersection remained as configured and this suggestion seemed to catch the attention of the committee and staffers.
The MTO did require another traffic impact study to be performed at the intersection at Seymour and Station Road and the surrounding area, despite one having recently been completed for the work at Seymour and the bypass. This was at the request of Ontario Northland, MacPhee noted. Those findings are pending.
The ONTC claims tractor-trailers driving in tandem will clog the intersection as they attempt to turn left onto Station Road after exiting Highway 11/17. Moore indicated traffic lights might be warranted. The City confirmed there were no plans to alter the intersection although improved road painting was suggested.
There were also references from MacPhee about the subject property's planned use that went beyond safety matters, saying the development "will create a substantial negative impact on Ontario Northland and our customers."
Rick Miller of Miller & Urso Surveying Inc. wrapped up Thursday's special committee meeting by clarifying the position of client Martin Roy Transport when it comes to rezoning the Station Road property from an Arterial Commercial (C6) zone to a General Industrial (M2) zone.
"Our clients are a new industrial company to the city," observed Miller of the Rouyn-Noranda, Que., based MRT. "They want to be here, they'll be moving staff here and helping industrial growth within the city. And, they have done things in a proper manner and did all their due diligence prior to purchasing the property."
Senior Planner Peter Carello and Miller both acknowledged the sole reason for the rezoning application was a switch to an industrial zone made the property eligible for City of North Bay's Growth Community Incentive Program (GCIP), including tax increment rebates, municipal fee rebates, development charge rebates, and professional study grants.
Coun. Marcus Tignanelli clarified the proponent could go forward with its trucking transportation terminal on the current commercially-zoned land — without the rezoning — and that was confirmed by Carello. Later, Miller indicated the City's Economic Development department had encouraged the rezoning application to gain access to the incentive program.
According to the City, the proposed development could potentially qualify for just over $25,000 from the GCIP, although that would be dependent on rezoning approval and the ultimate size and scope of the project.
Miller noted the property had previously been rezoned to commercial from industrial for a hotel development that never materialized and this would revert that move. This most recent rezoning, "as Peter Carello said, from a planning perspective, it brings the property closer into conformity with the official plan as all of this [surrounding] property is designated general industry in the official plan, including the bus and train terminal and everything else in that area."
The matter will move forward for a vote at the council level as the committee unanimously approved the rezoning and placed the property under site plan control.
While this meeting served as an interesting example of how proponents can gain access to incentives offered by the City, it also opened the door for Ontario Northland to wield its influence. It was evident the rezoning matter was not what brought the ONTC brass to the meeting. What MacPhee repeatedly stressed — and Moore echoed — during their presentation was the desire for Ontario Northland to be included and consulted in municipal affairs as one of the city's biggest employers and contributors to the tax base.
"We ask that you include us in your official plans. Incorporate us into your strategic plans. We have a key passenger services hub in North Bay," MacPhee said. "Promote us as part of your marketing plan and your social media plan by sharing the impact that Ontario Northland has with retaining people and growing skilled trades."
Moore told the committee she recognized the land is already zoned for its intended use.
"Where we've all failed as a collective is coming together earlier in the process and understanding how the City of North Bay can support Ontario Northland," outside of Council resolutions," said Moore.
Moore later suggested sound-dampening fencing planned to protect residential properties on the Patton Street side of the development should be extended to Station Road, as well. She explained, when people access the station, "many, many have never been to North Bay before. This is their first impression of North Bay."
Moore also asked that Ontario Northland is included in the findings of the traffic study, as the return of passenger rail will have implications on future usage of the station.
Moore concluded with, "If this is an industrial hub, it's difficult to be a transportation hub for Ontario Northland, as well. There needs to be some consideration by the City through the official planning process to contribute to our growth."
