When Township council gave final reading to a rezoning bylaw that made way for wholesale warehouse giant Costco to build a store in Willoughby, it insisted that a gas bar must be placed as far away as possible from adjacent houses.
The condition was attached in July, 2004, but the gas bar was never built.
Now, eight years later, Costco has been issued a development permit for the gas bar which will be built on the southwest corner of the 13-acre store site on 64 Avenue.
Originally, Costco had wanted the gas bar on the southeast corner, and later favoured it at the northeast corner. But that brought it closer to people who live in the Amberleigh and Willow Edge townhouses that face 65 Avenue.
They told council more than a year ago that they would be disturbed by the facility’s lights, and the extra traffic at the junction of 65 Avenue and the Willowbrook Connector.
On July 9, council approved a new development permit for Costco, allowing the Washington state-based company to build an eight-pump gas bar on the southwest corner.
“We think it’s a good plan,” said David Rogers of Costco.
The warehouse will act as a shield from residential neighbours to the north, he said.
Rogers said that the gas bar for Costco members will be for gasoline only; other fuels such as diesel and propane will not be available.
There will be no cash sales either, he said.
Hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.