Plans for 448 Book Rd. E. include five industrial warehouses ranging from 69,000 to 164,000 square feet across four industrial blocks, each with access to an internal public road.
Plans for 448 Book Rd. E. include five industrial warehouses ranging from 69,000 to 164,000 square feet across four industrial blocks, each with access to an internal public road.
Area residents got their first glimpse of plans to redevelop a 15.57-hectare property at the southwest corner of Book Road East and Southcote Road for an industrial warehouse complex.
A Jan. 18 virtual public consultation session by Glen Schnarr and Associates Inc. (on behalf of the Kierland Group) outlined plans for five warehouses, ranging from 69,000 to 164,000 square feet across four industrial blocks, each with access to an internal public road. The land forms part of the city’s airport employment growth district.
The developer is proposing official plan and zoning bylaw amendments and a draft plan of subdivision to create an industrial subdivision at 448 Book Rd. E., now designated as open space.
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The property currently includes an agricultural field, a residence and a pond with natural heritage features.
Sebastian Alzamora, a planner at Glen Schnarr and Associates Inc., said under the secondary plan, the property is earmarked for airport prestige business.
“Our plan is mindful and conforms with the city’s eco-industrial guidelines as we are proposing to protect and enhance the natural heritage system located on the southern portion of the property, through a 15-metre significant woodland buffer and a 10-metre buffer for the wetland location on the west of the property,” said Alzamora.
Road widenings to handle an anticipated increase in traffic are proposed for Book Road East and Southcote Road by 2031.
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Book Road East is slated to be widened to four lanes, along with a centre left-turn lane, from two. Southcote is set to be widened to four lanes from two and a roundabout is proposed for the intersection of Southcote and Book, noted engineering consultant Paul Brown.
About 30 residents who attended the virtual public meeting, facilitated by Ward 12 Coun. Craig Cassar, were advised that while planning is underway, development won’t begin for several years, even if the developer’s rezoning application receives speedy council approval.
The project will require that all water supply and sanitary sewer servicing to the limit of the development is completed before work gets underway.
Alzamora noted servicing won’t be completed until 2027 or 2028, at the earliest.
Colin Chung, senior planner at Glen Schnarr and Associates, said development could begin by 2029 if conditions and approvals are met.
Peter Appleton, an area resident who identified himself as an environmental engineer, suggested the proposed setbacks may be insufficient to protect environmentally sensitive portions of the site not slated for development.
“Looking at (the setbacks) we use, it’s 20 meters at the absolute minimum, 20 to 50 metres as the recommendation and 50 metres and wider to actually allow for wildlife and water quality to be retained and improved,” Appleton said.
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Chung noted the developer is working with Dillon Consulting to prepare an environmental impact study that will outline efforts to preserve natural features. He said the developer will also conduct a water well survey and monitor the condition of wells on neighbouring properties to ensure there are no adverse impacts during construction.
“We’re doing all that assessment,” said Chung. “We’re not here today to justify the proposal. We’re here today to say: ‘What are your issues? What are your concerns? What is it that we need to look at to ensure that we cover and address the concerns?’”
Chung added the developer has yet to make a formal planning submission to the city and could revise the plan based on public comments before bringing anything forward to council.
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