WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — There will be redevelopment seen at the 17 West and Shell gas station located at 9 Pembroke Street on Highway 17 and a Tim Horton’s will be added to the building. On October 18, Patricia Borutski filed an application for site plan control approval, in order to expand the existing commercial establishment and demolish the motel. The application submission was supported by an architectural site plan, which was prepared by Funktional Design.
Additional documentation about the plans were provided at the meeting of the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region on Thursday last week. In late May 2019, following a discussion and review of a preliminary plan, staff issued a letter to the applicant outlining the requirements in order to move forward with the development. In mid-June, a meeting was held between the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), Township staff and the applicant in order to better understand MTO’s requirements.
The outcome of these meetings provided Borutski with a list of the requirements in order to move forward, such as acquiring a Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) building and land use permit and a MTO sign permit.
The main feature of the redevelopment is the inclusion of a Tim Horton’s. According to Ivan Burton, Planner and Economic Development Officer for the Township of Whitewater Region, the redevelopment will also see the increase in commercial space to 7.4 thousand square feet, divided between 3.8 thousand square feet, for restaurant use by Subway, 17 West and Tim Horton’s. There will be retail and office space and the new Tim Horton’s will be introduced with a drive-thru lane. The drive-thru is said to accommodate the queuing of over approximately 10 vehicles.
Borutski is also seeking to demolish the existing motel and make modifications to the existing municipal drainage ditch to accommodate the larger building, additional parking spaces, a new storage shed, a larger garbage and recycling area, as well as a storm pond and dog-walk area. According to the Development and Planning committee, the site will maintain the two existing entrances to Highway 17 and provide for a total of 47 parking spaces, which meets the minimum number of 37 spaces.
According to Mr. Burton, Borutski has also shown interest in placing two additional gas pump islands, as well as a parking area which could accommodate 29 parking spaces. The development will meet the policies set out in the official plan and applicable zoning by-law.
A review of the architectural site development drawing was undertaken by Mr. Burton and at first glance, he says the proposed configuration of the site would appear to provide for safe pedestrian and vehicular movements. A more comprehensive review of the site configuration will occur following the submission of the engineering site development, stormwater management and site servicing plans. This will provide greater detail of all site features including walkways, turning radius, retaining walls, concrete curbs and islands.
The motion was carried and the next steps in the process include awaiting the receipt of the site development plan, stormwater management report and plan and site servicing plan. They will also be reviewing the engineering drawings against the Township’s standards and generally accepted engineering standards, as well as assisting in obtaining the MTO Permits. Borutski did not return Whitewater News’ request for an interview.
