Town council received a round of applause Monday evening after turning down a shopping centre proposed for the northwest corner of Bronte Street and Derry Road.

In a 6-3 vote, council said no to making an Official Plan amendment for First Capital's development that would've contained a Sobeys store and commercial, retail and restaurant uses on the west-end property.

A group of residents and local developers have long been opposing the plans. Council heard from them, along with people who favour the project, at its session this week before voting the proposal down.

Maggie Lizzi of La Rose Bakery on Bronte Street said she thinks the development wouldn't give people who are new to town a fair chance to come and explore her family business.

"I'm not in favour of this project," she said. "I also think it would impact the (business) people on Main Street."

DEVELOPER DEFENDS PLANS

But First Capital's representative Patrick Devine pointed to a market impact study that said the development won't have a negative impact on the planned function of the central business district.

He urged council to adopt the Official Plan amendment for the First Capital site.

Marla Marnoch of the Bronte Meadows Neighbourhood Group also spoke to council to once again ask for them to turn down the development.

"The First Capital location is inappropriate," she said, noting that Milton District Hospital and a fire station are both nearby. "Obviously the need for quick access of emergency vehicles has to be considered."

In addition, she argued the shopping centre would cause "congestion and traffic chaos" along Derry Road.

Also speaking against the proposal was lawyer Gerald Swinkin on behalf of Manaman Inc., which owns nearby property at the corner of First Line and Louis St. Laurent and intends to build a commercial development there.

Like last time he appeared before council, he suggested First Capital change its name to 'First Cannonball', since he thinks the proposal will blow a hole in the commercial plans already made for the town.

Wrapping up the delegations was local resident Bill Walker from the Bronte Meadows area, speaking on behalf of himself and his neighbours.

He said they're in favour of the development, noting the southwest quadrant of town needs a full-serve grocery store. Walker also pointed out that with the housing development planned for the west end, it makes sense to eliminate traffic traveling across town to shop.

Council members then went on to express their thoughts on the proposal.

Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Colin Best expressed concern about the fact the town is rapidly running out of serviced employment land, which is what the First Capital site is designated for.

"People who live here have to work outside the community," he noted. "I think we're selling ourselves short."

But Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray argued the preferred place for employment uses is around the 400-series highways. She said she supports the Official Plan amendment because she has heard people say they want a grocery store on the west side of town.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Scherer said he thinks the development would affect downtown businesses and create traffic congestion in the Derry Road/Bronte Street area.

Fellow Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau concurred that the retail centre would have a detrimental affect on the central business area.

On the flip side, Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau said she feels the development could actually help anchor the town's core, since the downtown area doesn't offer a food store but First Capital would. "I believe this is actually something that will serve the downtown. We can't afford to have the population drive out of town for one more day than necessary (to shop)."

Wards 1 and 3 Councillor Barry Lee shared similar sentiments, noting a shopping centre in the west end could get more of the rural community into town to shop, in turn helping the downtown stores.

When the vote was called, Lee, Lunau and Mowbray favoured the development while Scherer, Ward 1 Councillor Brian Penman, Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton, Schau, Best and Mayor Gord Krantz voted against it.

Council went on to approve an Official Plan amendment regarding the Town's retail commercial demand study, which recommends where new shopping space should and shouldn't be located in Milton.

The study -- along with Town staff -- recommended against accommodating First Capital's proposal, but it was pursued further and reached Monday night's meeting based on the direction of the previous council.

The amendment makes way for several developments, including an expansion of the Crossroads Shopping Centre and a commercial development in Milton Heights near the corner of Third Sideroad and the realigned Tremaine Road.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.