City council unanimously approved a rezoning and variance to faciliate construction of the Prince George Global Logistics Park on Monday.
A 5.74 hectare of 1820 Gunn Rd. was rezoned from agriculture and forestry to general industrial. In addition, council waived the requirements for curbs, gutters, underground power and phone lines, storm sewers and concrete sidewalks on the Gunn Road frontage, as those services do not currently exist on Gunn Road.
"The land use change represents the first phase of the airport logistics park," L & M Engineering community planner Claire Negrin said. "The site represents 18 lots of industrial land."
Phase one of the plan would be accessed by Boundary Road, which is currently under construction, Negrin said. The first phase represent 68.7 hectares of the total 1,200 hectare site.
"This peice of property will not be accessing Gunn Road or adding any traffic to Gunn Road," Negrin said. "We'll be installing a 1.8 metre-high berm along Gunn Road. We'll also be doing improving the existing street lights and landscaping."
The plan will also see a gravel trail along Gunn Road and approximately 12 metre wide treed area screening the street from the industrial lots, Negrin said.
"This all comes into play because it backs onto a street that doesn't really coming into play," Coun. Don Bassermann said.
L & M Engineering represented Vancouver- based developer Henry Remple, who attended but did not speak at, the rezoning hearing.
Following the meeting, Remple said he is pleased by the rezoning and variance.
"I'm hoping to get the first phase going soon," Remple said. "We want to get the going on it as soon as possible. We've already started stripping topsoil for the berm and the berm has already started."
Development of the sites themself will rely on completion of Boundary Road, which is slated to be completed in October, 2012.
The goal of the development is to attract light manufacturing, warehousing, logitistics and shipping companies, he said.
"It should be a great benefit to the people of Prince George and the airport," Remple said.
Several members of council agreed with Remple's assessement.
"I think this is going to be one of the biggest economic opportunities in the city in a long time," Coun. Brian Skakun said. "Your presence and investment in the community is well taken."
