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New Canadian Tire development approved

Council has approved the development of a new Canadian Tire store on the north side of Cranbrook.
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The location of the proposed new Canadian Tire

Council has approved the development of a new Canadian Tire store on the north side of Cranbrook.

On May 12, council gave the go-ahead for a Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit which will enable the construction of a retail building on McPhee Road.

The applicant proposes to build a 6,668 sq. metres commercial retail building, which will include a retail floor area, mezzanine areas for office and warehouse space, an auto service centre and a garden centre. The garden centre will be a 929 sq. metres outdoor compound.

Coun. Diana J. Scott was impressed the applicants have agreed to contribute to the installation of traffic lights for the intersection of McPhee Road and Theatre Road to help with traffic issues.

"I just really give kudos to the business for considering  that because it's going to change the traffic flow," Scott said. "It's good corporate responsibility when someone comes forward to do this. So that's much appreciated."

City staff indicated that since the proposal was for a development more than 4,500 sq. metres located within 800 metres of the highway, it was circulated to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which expressed no concerns.

City Staff further said that the building finishes, architectural details, an efficient parking layout and the site landscaping would create an esthetically pleasing commercial development that integrates into its surroundings.

Coun. Sharon Cross did have a concern about the parking lot.

“Now we have two very large commercial areas with paved surfaces and they’re not impervious,” Cross said. “I’m just wondering about impacts to storm water runoff.”

Curtis Penson, a municipal engineer, said he has had discussions with Canadian Tire’s consultants, who were looking at putting dry wells on the site to help with the storm surges.

Mayor Wayne Stetski noted that with the rise of the new building, the fate of the old one on Victoria Avenue is up in the air.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens to the old Canadian Tire site,” Stetski said.

Stetski also said the city is looking for a location for the Rotary Trail connector.

“There is potential for the bike trail to go there,” he said.

CAO Wayne Staudt said they are still trying to figure out where the property boundary is.

“I can’t say whether that’s city property or Canada Tire property,” Staudt said. “That hasn’t been determined at this time – whether their property carries right out to the roadway or whether there is enough room for (the bike route).”

Canadian Tire’s representatives will likely come forward with a development agreement in the near future for council consideration, city staff noted in the report.