Costco’s development permit application for a gas station at its Willoughby location was approved by Township council on Monday.
However, the warehouse giant will have to locate the eight-pump gas bar further away from the Amberleigh townhouses on 65 Avenue.
The gas bar can now be built on the southeast corner of 64 Avenue and the 204 Street/Willowbrook Connector, a location that the company had initially favoured.
A fresh application placed the gas bar on the northeast corner of the connector and 65 Avenue, but after hearing from neighbours, council approved the change.
Costco will also have to abide by several conditions. Customers will not be allowed to queue on a public road as they wait to fill up, Costco will have to improve fencing around a children’s play area fronting 65 Avenue, and create a better barrier of trees and shrubs for visual and noise abatement.
Amberleigh residents Sabina and Ernie Weber told council of their concerns. Sabina Weber urged council to deny the application or move the gas bar to the southeast corner — “as far as possible from residences.” She was concerned about pollution from idling cars, the safety aspect of tankers filling the underground gas tanks, and bright lights.
She added that the noise of the cars being pressure-washed “is extremely annoying.”
Her husband questioned why council would approve a gas bar at the northeast corner of the property when the southeast would suffice.
Their neighbour, Jennie Harker, also asked that the gas bar be located “as far away from us as possible.”
Traffic analyst Sonia Hennum said that the northeast corner of the 12.80 acre parcel is the least-used part of the parking lot and would have the least impact on traffic flow and parking.
“Do you really need a gas bar?” Councillor Kim Richter asked.
“It’s something we see as a benefit for our members,” the project’s architect replied.
She added that the noise of the cars being pressure-washed “is extremely annoying.”