Editor’s note: the public hearing scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11 is not in regards to the potential zoning changes on Lougheed Highway. Any public hearing for this zoning change would be scheduled at a later date, depending on council’s decision during the regular council meeting.
The District of Kent will be considering zoning changes that could allow for a Tim Hortons and gas station in the community Monday night.
During Monday night’s meeting (Jan. 11), Kent council will be considering amendments to two bylaws, which could make it possible for a Tim Hortons, gas station, convenience store and retail space to be built on the corner of Lougheed Highway and Highway 9.
The three properties are located across from the Esso and Horn of Plenty cafe outside downtown Agassiz. Two of the properties are occupied by mobile homes, while the third property hosts the “Welcome to Agassiz” sign. Although the three properties are part of the Agricultural Land Reserve, their small size means that restrictions on agricultural land does not apply to them.
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At the Monday meeting, council will vote on whether to give first and second reading to amendments to both the Official Community Plan (OCP) and the zoning bylaw.
The main amendment to the zoning bylaw would see the three properties rezoned from Rural Residential 2 to Highway Commercial, which would allow for the area to potentially be used as a service-oriented place for the travelling public.
The OCP amendment would include the properties in the Development Permit Area for downtown revitalization, which means owners would require approval for the form and character of any potential buildings on the site.
Other changes in those two amendments are more clerical in nature: changing the OCP to reflect the rezoning, adding “fueling station use” to the zoning bylaw, and limiting commercial activities in the Highway Commercial zone so it doesn’t duplicate those allowed in the downtown core.
The decisions made by council would only begin to clear the way for the developer. If council gives first and second reading to the two amendments Monday, a public hearing will be held for the public to comment on the changes. After the public hearing, council will give final reading to the amendments.
The District of Kent council meeting will begin following a 7 p.m. public hearing on Monday, Jan. 11 via Microsoft Teams. Those interested in participating in the meeting can register for the live audio stream online through the District of Kent website.
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