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J.P. ANTONACCI
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jp.antonacci@metroland.com
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Another gas station? No thanks, say Westerra residents
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Does Kemptville need another gas station? Canadian Tire seems to think so. The retailer asked North Grenville council to rezone a portion of the land at the former Canadian Tire site on County Road 43 to permit the construction of a gas bar. If built, the new station would join the five existing stations on or near County Rd 43 between the Colonnade mall and County Road 44. Senior planner Pam Whyte from Delcan Corporation, representing Canadian Tire, told council the gas bar design includes three islands and six pumps. North Grenvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior planner Phil Gerrard said the proposed gas bar fits in the high-traffic, auto-centric highway corridor and therefore recommended the council approve the zoning change However, some residents of the subdivision abutting the property worry that a noisy, busy gas bar would disturb their quality of life. Speaking for his neighbours, Gary Nicholl of Gabrielle Court said that a gas bar would create light pollution, excessive noise, and security issues, along with increased traffic and pollution. Those issues will be considered during the site approval process, Gerrard said, thanking the residents for voicing their objections early. The municipality would insist that the wooded buffer between the Canadian Tire site and the subdivision remain intact, Gerrard said. He did however point out that the homeowners chose to move in
beside a busy retailer and therefore should expect some light and noise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Things have changed,â&#x20AC;? countered Ydo Seltitz of Westerra Way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a major subdivision there now (and residents) want to keep their property values up. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to protect the residents as much as the commercial entities.â&#x20AC;? Staff tries to minimize the â&#x20AC;&#x153;interfaceâ&#x20AC;? between residential and commercial spaces, said planning director Forbes Symon. But commercial development at the site in question is â&#x20AC;&#x153;pragmaticâ&#x20AC;? and appropriate, he said. Council had the option to deny the rezoning change and kill the planned gas bar, but the curent zoning already permits a wide range of industrial uses, noted Coun. Barb Tobin. A hotel or truck stop could be even noisier and draw higher traffic than a gas bar, she said. Coun. Tim Sutton proposed a compromise that would limit the gas bar land to just a few acres. Deputy Mayor Ken Finnerty said he had heard from many residents complaining that Kemptville already had enough gas stations, but he was swayed by Tobinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s argument that if denied, Canadian Tire could easily sell the land to someone who could legally put in something â&#x20AC;&#x153;a lot worse,â&#x20AC;? like the junkyard that used to be there. Council voted unanimously to rezone the land to permit a gas bar. The next step will be for Canadian Tire to submit a formal site plan application, during which residents can again voice their concerns. As to the question of whether Kemptville needs another gas station, Gerrard said thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something the market will decide.
7 Kemptville Advance October 06 2011
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