NANTICOKE—As reported last week, Haldimand Council voted 4-3 to maintain their support of Empire Communities’ divisive Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) request for a potential Nanticoke development including residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
The vote was brought forth by Councillor Brad Adams and backed by a petition asking Council to rescind their previously approved support of the Empire-submitted MZO request, currently awaiting a decision from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack.
During discussion on the motion, Adams and Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley made allegations against Empire about their dealings with potential businesses interested in building on the industrial land in Nanticoke.
“Empire has been approached by businesses for light industrial,” said Bentley. “I get the calls, because I send them out there … but then I hear back six or eight months later that they’re not negotiating in good faith.”
Adams claimed that Empire is currently demanding over $300,000 an acre for land that is “undeveloped and lacks municipal services, which is significantly above fair market value. In fact, Empire purchased the land at just over $21,000 an acre a little over a year ago”.
“This indicates to me that these folks do not want industry in the industrial park,” he said, suggesting they have been “approached by industry, and bluntly turned them away.”
He listed a solar project as an example, where the developers “expressed interest in leasing or purchasing the land for industrial use but have not been given a fair opportunity to negotiate. Empire’s refusal to engage in good faith negotiations and their unwillingness to consider a 20-year lease option further demonstrates their lack of co-operation.”
Adams iterated claims that Empire’s plan is “undermining” potential beneficial industrial projects that “are low impact and would serve as good neighbours, as they do not draw on municipal services, but rather contribute clean, affordable energy to the grid.”
The Press requested more specific details on the businesses Adams and Bentley referenced wanting industrial space.
“I want to emphasize that the comments at Council were intended to support a transparent and informed conversation around the broader MZO matter. I felt they were necessary to help frame some of the challenges being faced,” said Bentley.
“That said, at this time I’m not able to share details regarding any specific examples or discussions related to Empire and the land negotiations as some aspects involve ongoing and sensitive matters.”
Adams said the solar project proponent he noted was not willing to comment at this time.
The Press spoke with Empire Communities spokesperson Larysa Waler about the above claims.
“We’ve engaged extensively with potential industrial users, including the solar farm example. Sometimes discussions are productive, sometimes not. To claim we’re not engaging is categorically false,” said Waler. “What matters most is that the Nanticoke lands are preserved and enhanced as employment lands. Unlike a solar farm that offered very few permanent jobs, our plan secures thousands of well-paying jobs for Haldimand’s future workforce.”
As per the price tag of the land, Waler said, “Market value is determined by supply, demand, and the presence – or absence – of critical services like water, sewer treatment, and natural gas. Nanticoke is Ontario’s largest vacant industrial land parcel, and once serviced, it becomes a unique investment-ready hub…. The real conversation should not be about today’s speculative land values, but about the long-term economic engine this site represents: employment lands with the infrastructure finally in place to attract industry.”
On the Nanticoke proposal, Waler added, “Our priority is to create a sustainable community: jobs, homes people can afford and want to live in … and stay in the community for generations.”
To that end, she said the proposed community would include new schools, churches, community centres, sports facilities, daycares, and so on.
“To achieve all of this, we need to start advancing a new sewage treatment plant, which has been approved for years by the Ministry of the Environment, and water infrastructure. In parallel, we’ll launch a comprehensive public consultation to ensure the community shapes the vision for Nanticoke,” said Waler. “Infrastructure is the first step. Wastewater servicing is the unlock that will bring both jobs and homes, ensuring growth is phased responsibly.”
Waler concluded with a message to those opposed to the plan, from some politicians to the 2,400-plus Haldimand Norfolk residents who signed a petition.
“The choice is between leaving these lands barren – as they have been for 45 years – or finally delivering the jobs, housing, and infrastructure that Haldimand families deserve,” said Waler. “Although the local MPP has pursued stopping any development, we must note that three consecutive councils representing local voices have approved the plan. I would encourage elected officials and groups to focus on facts: 1,600-2,000 acres of employment land will be created, protected, and serviced, bringing thousands of new jobs.”
While Adams’ motion was rejected, MPP Brady has her own anti-MZO petition, available on her website and directed at the provincial government.
“I will not consider the fight on the MZO over until we have the province’s decision, and until then I will continue to be vocal,” said Brady in her column on the topic last week.
