Essa council turns down a proposed Thornton fruit market

Essa council has turned down a proposed fruit/grocery market in the southern part of Thornton.

Council held a public meeting last Wednesday night on the proposal which would have seen rezoning of 271 Barrie Street from residential to Community Commercial to allow the "farm produce" grocery store on the property.

About 40 area residents were out to object to the rezoning with a long list of reasons against the rezoning.

Residents cited problems with the proposal increasing both traffic and accompanying noise in the area, problems with smell and a loss of green space. They also expressed fears that the property becoming a hangout for youth and increasing crime in the village

Local resident Tanya Earle told council that the proposal was inherently a bad proposal.

"There is already too much commercial space in Thornton. This proposal will take away from the Main Street look of the area" he said.

Another local resident told council that there was no need for a proposal like this.

"It will disrupt this area. Council should vote this down," he said.

In a quick review of the project, council were unanimous that the proposal was not appropriate for Thornton.

"I think that this is premature," said deputy mayor Terry Dowdall.

Local councillor Rick Newlove said that he heard the concerns of local residents.

"Nobody wants it," he said.