Frank Stronach has a thing for building global headquarters on Aurora Road. While you may be familiar with the sprawling Magna International campus he created in Aurora, Stronach is looking to build a new headquarters for his SARIT (Safe Affordable Reliable Innovative Transport) three-wheeled electric vehicle, just east of the Highway 404 exit on Aurora Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
“I believe it will change transportation in the world,” Stronach said of the one-seat electric vehicle. “I want to be first out of the gate. I want to make sure Canada will be No. 1 in micro-mobility.”
Stronach’s desire to build the new factory quickly has spurred him to ask for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) from the province to permit the development of a new light industrial assembly facility and global headquarters on 2159 Aurora Rd.
Whitchurch-Stouffville council supported the request for an MZO for the property at a council meeting on March 23.
“You will be a great neighbour for the community,” Mayor Iain Lovatt said. “This is exactly the type of commercial industrial development we want in the community.”
The land subject to the MZO request is about eight hectacres and is located between Woodbine Avenue and Highway 404, next to the Wesley Corners neighbourhood.
The 2159 Aurora Rd. property is located within the settlement area of Vandorf Community and is designated as a potential residential area.
Residents of the neighbourhood met with Stronach and the town and raised further questions and concerns regarding traffic circulation; stormwater management; possible noise, light and water pollution; well water monitoring and possible future expansion.
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But residents of the neighbourhood voiced their support for working with Stronach on the project.
“We’re here today to not oppose the zoning amendment but, in fact, we’re here to support it,” resident Jen Lummiss said. “I want to you to know that on behalf of everybody, we are supporting you in this process and you have seemed very open.”
Lovatt said the meeting with residents and Stronach went great and there is co-operative relationship.
“I want to be a good corporate citizen,” Stronach said.
The preliminary site plan proposes a direct access from Aurora Road and a 15-meter buffer with additional landscaped berm and plantings to buffer the neighbourhood.
Residents were advised that the new facility is intended as an assembly plant and display centre with most production occurring elsewhere in York Region, and other locations in Canada.
The SARIT vehicle can travel 100 kilometres on a single charge. It is very compact, measuring three feet wide, six feet long and five feet high. The estimated cost of a 24-month lease for the SARIT is $1,100.
Stronach told council that in order to start production in November, all planning approvals as well as the building permit must be obtained as soon as possible.
Having been away from Magna since 2015, Stronach believes the time is now to move to smaller vehicles. He said he sees big car sales going down by 40 to 50 per cent over the next five to 10 years. There is much convenience to be had by switching to a smaller vehicle. Stronach said a drive downtown that used to take 30 minutes now takes more than an hour. “All the cars I see have one person in them,” he said.
Other areas Stronach touts the SARIT for is in the area of affordability. Not only is the price much cheaper than a car, it saves money on fuel and parking. He said four of the vehicles can fit in one parking space.
Ward 1 Coun. Ken Ferdinands said he was pleased the way residents and Stronach’s team have been able to work together.
