Massive warehouse is being constructed on Evans Avenue to distribute Amazon goods.
A local group has their eyes set on a large warehouse being built on Evans Avenue that they want to see stopped.
‘No Shipping Terminals’ is a non-profit community-based group that is trying to prevent a further influx of shipping terminals and trucks coming and going in our community.
Group members said the 450 Evans Avenue site will be a massive 60-loading door Amazon distribution warehouse that will have truck traffic at all hours.
The site was occupied by one of the largest packaging company in Canada, Cascades Inc., for almost 80-years and is being demolished to construct a new Amazon warehouse, residents say.
Former Cascades Inc., site at 450 Evans Avenue has been there for 80 years and will soon be an Amazon warehouse.
Cascades has been a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products since 1955. The company operated in 90 locations and had 12,000 employees when the branch was closed for strategic repositioning of its business in Ontario and globally.
No Shipping Terminals spokesman Alex Ladacouer said the truck traffic makes it dangerous for area children, increase noise, dust and air pollution in the community.
“Our mission is to prevent the influx of shipping terminals and trucks coming to our community,” he said. “There are already many shipping terminals operating in South Etobicoke.”
Two large warehouses now at former Campbells Soup site at 60 Birmingham Street.
He said at least five more warehouses are being developed.
The group in a release said warehouses are being developed at the former Campbells Soup site at 60 Birmingham Street that will have 86 doors.
Another is slated for 121 Thirtieth Street, with 60 loading doors or stalls, another at 260 Eighth Street with 116 doors and 541 Kipling Avenue with 78 doors.
Large and new warehouse at 260 Eighth Street that will also store Amazon products.
They said the large amount of trucks cause traffic congestion on local streets, are in close proximity to residential areas, diminish property values, cause a lot of noise, worsens already-poor air quality and there is a lack of enforcement of trucking violations.
No Shipping Terminals is advocating for by-law freeze on additional terminals or distribution centres in South Etobicoke and to raise awareness about development and building permit applications they said threaten the community fabric.
They also want City staff to reject any minor variance, site plan or building permit application that would place the large distribution centres close to residential areas.
They have created a petition with upwards of 1500 signatures calling for a truck ban.