October 30, 2020

GAS BAR BID PASSES ZONING HURDLE WITH CONCERNS

GRAVENHURST — Traffic, property buffers and pedestrian safety were among a number of concerns raised in a public hearing Tuesday to deal with a proposed “local” gas bar on Bethune Drive.

A small in-person town planning and development committee meeting at the Opera House late in the afternoon convened to consider a few minor zoning amendments including road set-backs and a requirement for 18 parking spots.

Four members of the public voiced concerns about plans for six Esso gas pumps, a convenience store, restaurant space — and possible drive-thru — which are already permitted uses on the property already zoned commercial.

While the zoning amendments were approved, neighbouring Main Street property owners Ray Evans and Rosemary King, cited probable problems with the volume of vehicles a gas station would create along with idling cars in a drive-thru.

And fumes from fuel tanker trucks and other autos, along with grading and drainage issues from the site that slopes slightly east to west.

Neighbour Laurie Dixon had concerns about “environmental hazards” in a “residential area.”

Town planning manager Melissa Halford told MuskokaTODAY.com this morning that the hearing was to allow neighbours and other concerned to air comments that would help committee members.

Some of whom questioned the size of the large lot, which is about half an acre, and about kids safely crossing Bethune Drive at Veterans’ Way and Pinedale Road where there is a traffic-controlled crosswalk.

And one council member of the committee commented that “you seem to be cramming a lot of stuff in a small space.”

Halford said a traffic study by the developer that cited traffic safety isn’t a problem was reviewed by town and District of Muskoka engineers who offered no concerns.

But a peer review of the traffic study could still be called for, though she doubts it would lead to a need for a full upgrade to a four-way traffic light.

Halford said passing the zoning amendments was just a first step in the process.

She said the town now has 15 days to consider comments and make its “notice of decision” report available to council and the public.

Then there is a 20 appeal period to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly known as the OMB).

If that time passes without comment or resolution, “the applicant can then submit the site plan agreement application for review,” said Halford, with more details.

And while site plans are not technically open for more input, Halford said typically the town always strives for “alternative dispute resolution.”

To make both sides happy they will always make time to talk.

Something the development duo is open to.

Bob Reid, project planner, said “all went well,” from his prospective and that of the developer — who was on hand, but didn’t speak.

Reid told TODAY in a phone interview yesterday that “town council and staff handled this in a professional way as expected.”

He said “all the concerns that were raised by the community speakers will be reviewed,” by he the developer, who he declined to name.