An application to build a new Shoppers Drug Mart on the north side of Fraser Highway in Murrayville raises a red flag for Township Councillor Kim Richter, who fears the big box store will create traffic congestion in the area.
“I don’t think this is the right location, I think we’re going to create all kinds of issues at that corner so I am not going support the application of the rezoning,” she told council Monday.
However, despite Richter’s protest, the motion for third reading carried.
The site is on the intersection of two major roads, Fraser Highway and 222 Street, making it a central location for retail services. The bylaw would entail rezoning 2.07 acres of land located on the south side of the 22000 block of 50 Avenue from Suburban Residential Zone (SR-1) and Civic Institutional Zone (P-1) to Community Commercial Zone (C-2) to facilitate the development of a Shoppers Drug Mart and a commercial building, according to staff.
Councillor Bob Long noted that it is indeed “a big development,” and inquired of Township staff where a footbridge across Fraser Highway would be located. The bridge has been in the Township’s plans, but there aren’t enough funds to build it.
“The footbridge is not part of the application that’s on council’s agenda but in terms of this location, it would be slightly to the west of the boundary of the application site,” said director of planning Ramin Seifi.
“It’s not definite in terms of where it’s going to land. It’s all dependant on having the land available and the negotiations with land owners and developers in the area.”