BROCHURES being sent to area residents warning of upcoming distribution centres.
Some New Toronto residents are lobbying to stop the development of large shipping centres being built at the former Campbell’s Soup and three other sites in the community.
A group called No Shipping Terminals has distributed hundreds of brochures called ‘Stop the Convoy’ in area mailboxes and created an online website and petition to halt the projects.
A NUMBER OF the truck shipping centres are shown on area map. Courtesy of No Shipping Terminals.
“New trucking terminals are coming to our community,” said Alexander Ladouceur, an area teacher and co-founder of the non-profit group. “This would mean hundreds of trucks in residential areas where our kids learn and play.”
He said at least four huge distribution centres, or trucking terminals, have been approved for the former Campbell’s lands, at 60 Birmingham Street, also at 260 Eighth Street, 121 Thirtieth Street and 450 Evans Avenue.
“It’s not late to stop these terminals,” the brochures warned. “We want local employers that support our community, not automated terminals that serve other parts of the GTA.”
TEACHER AND GROUP founder Alex Ladouceur says there is still time to make changes before the warehouses are built. Photo by Tom Godfrey.
The group claims “hundreds of 18-wheelers will cause gridlock on Dwight, Evans, Islington and Kipling Avenues” if the plan goes through. It already has been approved by City Council.
Ladouceur and No Shipping Terminals have filed a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court of Justice against 60 Birmingham property owner BCIMC Realty Corp., and developer Quadreal Property Group to try and have the work stopped.
Documents filed in court shows the owner plans to build a 398,000 square foot industrial space, made up of three separate one-storey industrial buildings that will have 86 loading docks, including 80 truck level doors and 6 drive-in doors.
“…it will simply be a space to ship goods by moving them from one vehicle to the next all day long,” according to the claim. “This will result in hundreds of transport trucks on the surrounding roads, all day long, which will never be compatible with the neighbourhood.”
SHIPPING warehouses as these are planned for the former Campbell’s Soup site. Residents say it will mean more trucks and pollution. Courtesy photo.
He alleges the ‘last mile distribution centre’ will pose a safety risk to the 500 students attending nearby schools, homeowners and users of the Waterfront Trail System.
“The Birmingham Shipping Terminals will also increase traffic on our already congested main roads and will likely increase traffic on our side roads,” according to the legal action. “The safety of students and staff of the nearby middle school is at risk.”
“As a teacher, and someone who is hoping to raise children in the South Etobicoke Community. I am very concerned about the proximity of the Birmingham Shipping Terminals to the middle school,” Ladouceur said.
He said a distribution centre will leave a trail of pollution from trucks, including noise, dust and lack of enjoyment of property.
Company officials couldn’t be reached for a comment.
Councillor Mark Grimes has declared a conflict of interest in the case which is being handled by Councillor Stephen Holyday.
You can reach No Shipping Terminals at 647-787-8624 or sign the petition at www.noshippingterminals@gmail.com