An application to reduce the amount of parking available at a new Petro Canada gas station on the Trans-Canada Highway was rejected.
The developers of the gas station, which will also be home to a convenience store and a Starbucks cafe, applied for several variances — two involving their sign and the other about parking.
Council said OK to a request to have the stations sign extend above the roofline, however they denied an application to increase the height of the sign to nine metres from 7.6 metres.
“This doesn’t fit with the other two signs that are within this block, which is Macdonalds and A&W," said Dean Strachan, manager of development services.
Council also denied a request to decrease the number of parking stalls from 12 to seven, citing the existing congestion issues in that area.
"As much as I would like to bend rules to help out, I think other areas of the city are more realistic," said Mayor Mark McKee. "There’s too many problems here already and taking away parking would make it worse.”
PT Market motel approved
The application to develop a five-suite motel at the site of the former PT Market was approved by council.
Peter Humphrey's, the developer of the motel, described it as an "accommodation event centre," saying it would be marketed to groups such as sports teams who are in town.
He said each suite would range in size from 1,000 to 1,200 square feet and would include two bedrooms and could sleep six. The motel would also feature a kitchen area.
Coun. Scott Duke supported the development, calling the existing site an "eyesore" as people drive into town. “Getting an upgrade would be a big improvement and I would like to see that happen as soon as possible," he said.
Mount Begbie Brewery development permit awarded
Mount Begbie Brewery received its development permit allowig them to move ahead with their expanded brewery slated for Johnson Heights.
According to the development plans, the brewery would only take up a small portion of the Oak Drive property.
The new facility would allow Mount Begbie Brewery to expand its capacity to 15,000 hectolitres of beer per year.
Tracy Larson, who owns and runs the brewery along with her husband Bart, said they hope to begin construction of the new facility in May and to move in later this year.