Residents and councillors disapprove gas bar and Tim's project | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton News

Residents and councillors disapprove gas bar and Tim's project

The empty lot at Warren Avenue and Main Street is the proposed property for the CO-OP project.

PENTICTON - Residents of Roy Avenue spoke out against the potential construction of a gas bar and Tim Horton’s on a property adjacent to their street, saying it would be too noisy, smelly and just plain unnecessary.

The gallery was full at Tuesday’s public hearing and council meeting. Both residents and councillors expressed their disapproval for the project.

The empty lot on the corner of Warren Avenue and Main Street is still for sale but the folks at CO-OP, a gas station and convenience store chain, are making the moves to make it theirs.

The company has reached out to surrounding businesses and residents of Roy Avenue, the residential street backing the lot. Even though the company has made several negotiations already, residents, and council remain unimpressed with the idea of a new gas station.

The reason the project is in front of council is because the lot needs to be rezoned to allow a gas station be built there. Currently the lot is only zoned for two thirds of the project.

During the regular council meeting that followed the public hearing, Mayor Garry Litke, Coun. Andrew Jakubeit and Coun. Wes Hopkin had no reservations opposing the project, saying the idea was not right for that location, and not necessary for the town.

Other councillors, including Coun. Katie Robinson said the decision of how to vote was really hard, but with over half the property already zoned for the project “it seems like the decision to go ahead has already been made,” she said.

“In a perfect world would I like it somewhere else? Yes,” she said. She is willing to vote in favour of the project but only if the concern of increased traffic on Roy Avenue is addressed, since it was a main concern amongst residents who spoke during the meeting.

Arguing in favour of the project, Coun. Helena Konanz said council needs to trust the developer has done their homework and believe their business can survive in an area where similar businesses have failed before.

But Litke pointed out there are already two empty sites (brown sites) on that corner and there’s no need for three. The lot is better suited for another business, he said.

Council voted to review the proposal and make amendments before it comes back on the agenda for approval.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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