The final staff report is in and it looks like there will be a new SmartCentre in Leaside.
Known locally as 70 Wicksteed, the development is proposed for a 1.4-hectare site near the corner of Laird and Eglinton, near the site of another proposed 3.8-hectare business park at Eglinton and Leslie. There has been a great deal of public opposition to the allowance for an anchor store, especially against the Walmart rumored to be a key potential tenant, opposition shared by the ward’s councillor
John Parker.
In a letter he wrote to two community groups (including the
Leaside Property Owners' Asociation) after a meeting on the subject in late January, Parker wrote, "I share the concerns of the community. None of us wants more retail development in Leaside. None of us wants a Walmart.”
He goes on to say that he further regrets the city cannot stop Walmart from occupying that anchor position, acknowledging that there’s been no confirmation from anyone involved that Walmart is or is being considered as a tenant. Earlier
media reports suggested
SmartCentre, the developer of "unenclosed shopping centres" behind the report, would not rule out the possibility of a Walmart at the Wicksteed location.
The report will be considered by the North York Community Council on Feb. 26, and then, if passed, by City Council before the zoning amendments that would allow the development are made.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: John Parker
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