Amazon withdraws plans for new warehouse in Oakville

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Published October 25, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Residents who voiced their opposition on Saturday to a proposed new Amazon warehouse in Oakville are going to get what they want.

Amazon announced Monday afternoon that it has withdrawn its plans for a warehouse operation at 2175 Cornwall Road in Oakville.

Instead the company has decided to open a facility this week in the Southdown heavy industry area of Mississauga.

Protesters parked themselves outside the empty warehouse for several hours Saturday making it clear they didn’t want the steady stream of transport trucks and vans arriving daily to deliver goods to local customers.

Amazon notified Oakville Ward 3 Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall to inform her that they decided earlier this year not to lease the Oakville site and instead build on Avonhead Road in Mississauga instead.

Amazon said they made the decision after listening to negative feedback from the neighbouring community, the Joshua Creek Resident Association and Ward 3 Councillors Dave Gittings and Haslett-Theall.

“For the past 18 months, Councillor Haslett-Theall and I have been keeping our residents up-to-date and aware of the H & R – Amazon application at 2175 Cornwall Road through our e-newsletter, ongoing meetings and discussions,” Gittings said. “We received unanimous support from our Council colleagues for our request to have the site plan for this location come before Council earlier this year.

“While the purpose of a site plan review is to seek controls on the physical layout of the infrastructure on the site, such as the building footprint and number of parking spaces, this process allowed residents and Residents Associations to provide their input. After a full process, we are pleased that a more suitable location was secured nearby.”

Oakville Council had prioritized reducing noise and traffic congestion for the neighbourhood around the proposed site. Conditions required included installing a noise barrier wall and landscaped berm, aligning one of the driveways with the existing intersection and traffic signals at Cardiff Drive, providing turning lanes to limit the impact on existing traffic.

“Amazon’s consideration of Council’s and the community’s concerns is appreciated,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council and town staff believe the assistance of the Ontario government in capping future uses of the site will prove to be important in future, whether or not Amazon is involved in the REIT’s plans.”

The Town of Oakville said it would also limit the number of planned parking spaces from 886 to 689, and cap expansion of the use of the property at the existing building size.

“It is gratifying to hear that Amazon respected and listened to our community,” added Gittings and Haslett-Theall.

 

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