The rezoning bylaw for a Giscome Road property passed third reading at Prince George city council after a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
As previously reported by The Citizen, McWalter Consulting Ltd. is applying for 4330 Giscome Rd. to be rezoned from Z16 Blackburn Commercial to M2: General Industrial as well as change its designation under the Official Community Plan to allow for the development of a recreational vehicle dealership.
Last year, council approved a rezoning for part of the property that used to be home to Ruffs Greenhouse from AF: Agriculture and Forestry to Z16 to allow for the addition of self-storage and warehouse developments.
Now the company is looking for the further rezoning to allow for Sullivan Motor Projects to put an RV dealership on the site.
David McWalter of McWalter Consulting wrote in rationale letter that “existing Z16 zoning designation does not support all of the sales, rental and repair activities proposed by SMP Sales. Therefore a rezoning to M2 (General Industrial) is required.”
If SMP relocates to the site, a new road access to the property from Old Cariboo Highway will be built, which McWalter said has already been approved by city staff.
City staff noted in a report that no written correspondence regarding the OCP amendment that was part of the application was received between Aug. 6 to Aug. 19.
During the public hearing, director of planning and buildings Deanna Wasnik said administration was recommending approval for the project.
Though representatives from McWalter Consulting were present, no one including members of the public spoke during the hearing.
After the hearing, Coun. Brian Skakun praised the applicant for their investment in cleaning up the property.
Coun. Cori Ramsay said the applicants had done “an incredible job” of cleaning up the area and engaging with neighbouring properties.
Coun. Kyle Sampson said he visited the site early on when it was a mess and said the current state is a marked improvement.
Coun. Ron Polillo said he visited the property last summer and felt the applicant had spent an extraordinary amount of money cleaning the space up.
Third reading of the bylaw passed unanimously.
