Members of the Port Elgin Beachers Association are not happy about a property they say is being used illegally by Unifor.
Saugeen Shores council will soon vote on a proposed zoning amendment that would change the lot on Shipley Avenue across from the Unifor Family Education Centre from residential to institutional, allowing Unifor to build a parking lot that would include four electric car charging stations.
Association President Greg Schmaltz says the parking lot would add to congestion in an area that already has mail boxes, newspaper pickup boxes and a busy crosswalk. Schmaltz also feels there is environmental concerns, given the lot's proximity to a nearby stream.
National Secretary Treasurer Bob Orr says Unifor is "very conscious about green space", going as far as to say Unifor "brags" about green space located around the centre.
He notes Unifor is not increasing parking spaces, but is instead modernizing the spaces around the centre.
Schmaltz says "We've got a 98% vote against having the parking lot (among association members), and we will present the results of this petition at the meeting on August 20th".
**UPDATE: This article was updated on August 16th**
