Traffic flow is at the top of concerns over plans to open a new Tim Hortons outlet on the corner of 10th Avenue and Redford Street.
The development arose during a presentation of the city advisory planning commission on the matter at council’s Monday night meeting.
The location of the new outlet was formerly the site of a Shell gas station and car wash. The new outlet would have no customer seating and would strictly be for drive-through and pickup, city planner Scott Smith said.
Tim Hortons officials have made a two-pronged application to the city. One is for a four-metre variance (six metres is required). The outlet would be closer to the rear yard of a neighbour than is permitted.
And an application has been made for a development permit, which includes the form, character, elevation and site plan. The advisory planning commission expressed concerns about how the development would impact traffic safety.
The property is zoned appropriately for the project. And Tim Hortons officials have designed the facility to minimize traffic problems.
But the commission still expressed concerns about traffic in and out of the development, particularly turning left onto Redford Street and into a major intersection.
The commission recommended that the city require a median on Redford Street to prevent left-handed turns, and that it be part of the variance process.
Coun. Cindy Solda expressed concerns about service and delivery semi-trailers getting in and out of the property. Coun. Jack McLeman said the lineups of cars at the existing Tim Hortons that spill out onto Johnston Road at peak times are a sign of things to consider on 10th Avenue.
Coun. Dan Washington advocated for a more diplomatic approach. “We’re being premature,” Washington said. “If we go on we’ll scare them away.”
Council asked the city engineer to look into putting in a median on Redford Street at 10th Avenue. Councillors then decided to discuss the development proposal more formally at a future meeting.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
Twitter.com/AlberniNews