Ojibway development petition trying to halt big box development
Online petition calling for Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens to step in
A recent Ontario Municipal Board decision to allow Coco Paving to develop near the old Windsor Raceway is garnering strong reaction on social media.
An online petition trying to convince Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and the OMB to block the development has received 6,000 signatures within two days.
The letter reads: "Please don't add another building/retailer that we don't need. Windsor/Essex County is booming with business and 'saturated' with retail stores."
The land is on Matchette Road, near the Ojibway Park Nature Reserve.
The Ontario Municipal Board struck down appeals from Nancy Pancheshan and Anna Lynn Meloche Dec. 4, clearing the way for retail development on the land.
The pair argued increased traffic from a commercial big box development would endanger local wildlife.
Online, many commenters appear to be saying the same thing.
Save Ojibway. Sign this petition. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Helphercross?src=hash">#Helphercross</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveOjibway?src=hash">#SaveOjibway</a> <a href="https://t.co/p6LBAazUPK">https://t.co/p6LBAazUPK</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/CdnChange">@CdnChange</a>
—@JessicaLDefoeAnother referenced an online petition trying to ban Donald Trump from the United Kingdom.
If 10,000 of us can sign a petition to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BanTrump?src=hash">#BanTrump</a> we can stand together to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HelpHerCross?src=hash">#HelpHerCross</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveOjibway?src=hash">#SaveOjibway</a> <a href="https://t.co/num3Jhk57V">https://t.co/num3Jhk57V</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@LuvLaffenAnd one person is calling on author Margaret Atwood, who often uses Twitter to draw attention to environmental concerns.
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/MargaretAtwood">@MargaretAtwood</a> trying to save Ojibway Park in Lasalle/Windsor and I know you live near us and love birds! Can u help spread word?
—@InterstateK8In its ruling, released Dec. 4, the OMB said the lands to be developed are within the city's urban boundary, part of the former Windsor Raceway that operated for 40 years and are part of an area that has industrial, commercial, residential, recreational uses as well as natural features.
Coco Paving already has permits to build on the land.