Don’t put Dundas in a ‘food desert’

RE: DUNDAS NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION BRACES FOR BATTLE TO KEEP METRO STORE (NOV. 20)

University Plaza epitomizes the City of Hamilton’s vision “to be the best place to raise a child and age successfully.” Dundas is well loved because it is, in its current form, livable, complete, walkable and transit supported.

So why is our Planning Department considering permitting a minor variance application for the conversion of a Metro to a Canadian Tire in University Plaza, a key hub in Dundas?

RioCan, headquartered in Toronto, has decided to convert this grocery-anchored plaza, pushing out a grocer in favour of a hard goods retailer with 10 auto service bays.

The disappearance of one of just two grocery stores would put Dundas (pop. 25,000) in a food desert; Bolton (pop. 26,000) has three stores, Waterdown (pop. 17,000) has five, Ancaster (pop. 40,000) has seven.

The Planning Department will likely approve the proposal because it complies with many of the zoning bylaws for commercial centres. But it would reduce walkability and pedestrian safety, put more people in cars, create a food desert, produce environmental remediation issues down the line and erase many qualities the City strives for.

Is the city planning our community or are RioCan and Canadian Tire? Will a life-altering community decision be made by businesses headquartered elsewhere and driven by profits?

I hope the community will attend the Committee of Adjustment meeting in force on Dec. 6, 3:55 p.m.

On that day, we’ll learn who is in charge.

Kris Gadjanski, Dundas