A controversial development planned for the corner of Henry Road and the Trans-Canada Highway will be the subject of a public hearing on May 21.
The Municipality of North Cowichan will hold a hybrid meeting giving proponents and opponents an opportunity to provide input into the development that will include a Tim Hortons restaurant, an A & W outlet, a gas bar and other commercial components.
The project will require an amendment to North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan and a rezoning of the site from Industrial to Commercial use.
The developer is Jerry Doman, owner of Centurion Lumber. The Doman family has owned the parcel of land that includes three residences for several years and has been working on developing the property for more than a decade.
Speaking at a public meeting hosted by the Chemainus Residents Association in November, Doman said the project has been bogged down as changing municipal and provincial requirements have delayed approvals. He cited a $200,000 environmental study, which took 30 months to complete before North Cowichan could even consider the project for approval.
David Longpre, a consultant working for Doman, said the project will augment and benefit business in the area and provide services not only to motorists travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway but also to people employed in surrounding industries. Those are the target markets of the project, not residents of Chemainus, he said.
“Commercial development is driven by demand, and these people have said that they can do business and be successful on that site. I can’t think of anything but a positive outcome from that aspect.”
He predicted highway traffic stopping at Henry Road might be interested in visiting the downtown core of Chemainus and that there will be economic benefits from the project for the urban areas of Chemainus, including 30 to 35 jobs and tax revenues for North Cowichan.
Speakers at the meeting expressed concerns about traffic flow, competition for business, staff recruitment, health issues, and the implications of changing the Official Community Plan.
Chemainus Business Improvement Association President Nuria Sanchez disagreed with the suggestion that the Henry Road commercial centre could bring more traffic into the town centre.
“In and out and on your way – that’s the mentality of fast food, and I don’t think that people are going to be driving into Chemainus,” she said.
Other objections were raised around the challenges of access and the potential for adding traffic to an already-dangerous intersection.
The majority of attendees at the meeting were opposed to the development.
The Chemainus Residents Association will be speaking against the development at the formal public hearing, citing concerns about changing the Official Community Plan to accommodate the drive-throughs at the restaurants. The Association is also not in favour of zoning changes that will reduce the amount of industrial land available in the Municipality.
Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3976 proposes to redesignate 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road and 3041 Henry Road from Industrial and Employment to Commercial.
As a hybrid meeting, it will be conducted in person from Council Chambers and by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform. Anyone wishing to participate may do so in person by attending Council Chambers, or by joining the meeting using a computer, smartphone or tablet, or telephone (audio only).
If you wish to participate electronically, visit www.northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how you can join this hearing and find the link to join.
The meeting can be viewed live at www.northcowichan.ca/Agendas and click on the ‘View Live Stream’ link. A copy of the recording will be made available after the meeting on North Cowichan’s website for on-demand viewing.
North Cowichan council gave first and second reading to the bylaws related to the development at an Oct. 16, 2024 meeting. Only Coun. Chris Justice was opposed to the development plan, agreeing with a staff recommendation to deny the project.
That step moved the development to the public hearing stage.
Public Hearing into Tim Hortons, A&W Development to be Held This Month
A controversial development planned for the corner of Henry Road and the Trans-Canada Highway will be the subject of a public hearing on May 21.
The Municipality of North Cowichan will hold a hybrid meeting giving proponents and opponents an opportunity to provide input into the development that will include a Tim Hortons restaurant, an A & W outlet, a gas bar and other commercial components.
The project will require an amendment to North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan and a rezoning of the site from Industrial to Commercial use.
The developer is Jerry Doman, owner of Centurion Lumber. The Doman family has owned the parcel of land that includes three residences for several years and has been working on developing the property for more than a decade.
Speaking at a public meeting hosted by the Chemainus Residents Association in November, Doman said the project has been bogged down as changing municipal and provincial requirements have delayed approvals. He cited a $200,000 environmental study, which took 30 months to complete before North Cowichan could even consider the project for approval.
David Longpre, a consultant working for Doman, said the project will augment and benefit business in the area and provide services not only to motorists travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway but also to people employed in surrounding industries. Those are the target markets of the project, not residents of Chemainus, he said.
“Commercial development is driven by demand, and these people have said that they can do business and be successful on that site. I can’t think of anything but a positive outcome from that aspect.”
He predicted highway traffic stopping at Henry Road might be interested in visiting the downtown core of Chemainus and that there will be economic benefits from the project for the urban areas of Chemainus, including 30 to 35 jobs and tax revenues for North Cowichan.
Speakers at the meeting expressed concerns about traffic flow, competition for business, staff recruitment, health issues, and the implications of changing the Official Community Plan.
Chemainus Business Improvement Association President Nuria Sanchez disagreed with the suggestion that the Henry Road commercial centre could bring more traffic into the town centre.
“In and out and on your way – that’s the mentality of fast food, and I don’t think that people are going to be driving into Chemainus,” she said.
Other objections were raised around the challenges of access and the potential for adding traffic to an already-dangerous intersection.
The Chemainus Residents Association will be speaking against the development at the formal public hearing, citing concerns about changing the Official Community Plan to accommodate the drive-throughs at the restaurants. The Association is also not in favour of zoning changes that will reduce the amount of industrial land available in the Municipality.
Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 3976 proposes to redesignate 3036 Juniper Road, 3037 Henry Road and 3041 Henry Road from Industrial and Employment to Commercial.
As a hybrid meeting, it will be conducted in person from Council Chambers and by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform. Anyone wishing to participate may do so in person by attending Council Chambers, or by joining the meeting using a computer, smartphone or tablet, or telephone (audio only).
If you wish to participate electronically, visit www.northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how you can join this hearing and find the link to join.
The meeting can be viewed live at www.northcowichan.ca/Agendas and click on the ‘View Live Stream’ link. A copy of the recording will be made available after the meeting on North Cowichan’s website for on-demand viewing.
North Cowichan council gave first and second reading to the bylaws related to the development at an Oct. 16, 2024 meeting. Only Coun. Chris Justice was opposed to the development plan, agreeing with a staff recommendation to deny the project.
That step moved the development to the public hearing stage.
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