West Ferris industrial development granted final approval by Council

A property conditionally rezoned by North Bay City Council for "general industry" and "open space" purposes has received its final approval for the first phase of development.

During its last regular meeting Council granted the final approval and entered into a subdivision agreement with 2688642 Ontario Inc. for a property located between Legault Street and Birchs Road, consisting of two lots and three blocks total — two lots and one block for industrial development and two blocks for environmental protection. 

Once two separate West Ferris properties zoned as "residential holding," the combined subject property is approximately 19 hectares. The original plan was for phased construction of 12 lots and four blocks for light industrial use. Although there will be an alternate access point built from Legault Street, the primary entrance will be off Birchs Road.

See original story: City council approves rezoning despite opposition from residents

In late 2019 and early 2020, several nearby neighbours voiced concerns with the City's Planning Department and in public meetings over the development. Their objections included additional traffic, increased noise, environmental impacts, the inclusion of scheduled hours for rock blasting and snow dumping, the potential impact on wells, a decrease in property values and general disruption to their quality of life.

During the same regular meeting, Council also approved — with conditions — a development off Ski Club Road that also elicited concerns about its environmental impact.

See also: Citizen vows to report any environmental non-compliance by developer

A third-party environmental impact study detected habitats for significant wildlife, fish, and endangered and threatened species. To mitigate, there will be a 30-metre buffer to protect the pond on the property and the rezoned "open space" located at the southern edge of the land will not be developed.

With its final approval, the City of North Bay confirms the mitigation measures taken by the proponent have met the requirements of the draft approval.

With files from Linda Holmes