After hearing no serious objections to a rezoning application for 801 Vancouver Street, town council unanimously approved it on April 14, giving the green light to proceed with plans for a multi-use commercial development.
Bylaws amendments to the Official Community Plan and previous zoning requirements will permit development of a craft distillery and brewery, restaurant, retail and other businesses.
The property, commonly known as the “bunker”, at Pine Street and Northwest Boulevard, was intended to become a seniors’ facility and motel more than a decade ago. When the owner was unable to secure funding for the project, the property was purchased by Chaplin West Ventures. When owner Michael Chaplin was unable to find investors for a similar development, he turned to a completely different business plan for the site, including construction of a craft distillery.
“I am tired of looking at it,” was one comment from the gallery at the April 14 public hearing prior to the regular council meeting.
“Pretty well anything would be an improvement,” was another.
The public hearing, which was delayed for two weeks so that council could get more information from the developer and town staff, drew a crowd that filled the gallery. But if there were opponents to the zoning and OCP change they did not speak up.
Chaplin, who participated via telephone, and his agent, Realtor Scott Veitch, responded to concerns previously raised by staff and members of the public. Those concerns included noise, traffic and odor. Town planner Jamai Schile said that Chaplin had already addressed the issue of lighting in his proposal.
While Schile had suggested council include a covenant or other restrictions that would ensure the developer hold to his commitments, particularly about noise and odour, none were included in the amendments.