Times-Chronicle Staff
The Dairy Queen proposal in Oliver is still on track as town council prepares to issue the development permit.
Town staff is recommending that council approve the permit that will give the green light for a drive-thru restaurant with additional retail space and four (two-bedroom) dwelling units at 6422 Main Street.
Director of Development Services Randy Houle reported the applicant is proposing to construct a 2,777 square foot, 60-seat eatery on the corner of Main Street and Veterans Avenue. The building will have 1,900 square feet of retail space and the four dwelling units on the second floor. Each residential unit will reportedly have a private deck.
As a bit of history, Houle said the property once hosted a gas station in the late 1950’s. It was later demolished in 1998. A single-family dwelling also sat on the property until it was torn down in 2009. The director noted that in 2002, the property owner received a letter from the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection which confirmed the site is not contaminated.
Houle said the proposal meets the design guidelines of the Town Centre Development Permit Area. He noted that development cost charges to the applicant will be approximately $37,000.
Houle said the guidelines speak to parking areas being located at the rear or side of the building.
“Any surface parking areas should be set back from the public sidewalk and be screened by landscaping,” he pointed out.
Houle noted that landscaping is proposed throughout the site, including at the end of each parking aisle.
The garbage and recycling containers will be screened, as will the outdoor patio.
The guidelines also speak to bicycle parking facilities, which in this case will be provided for residences in the form of an outdoor secured storage structure behind the building. Two bike racks are also proposed for the public to utilize.
Houle said the architect indicates the building will feature a white-coloured cool roof design, combined with trees and shading devices.
The director stated that several frontage upgrades are required including a new sidewalk along Veterans Avenue and Main Street.
Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Cowan commented that the development does address one of council’s strategic goals in filling up empty lots on Main Street.
Houle said the applicant has indicated they hope to commence construction as soon as possible, likely in June.
Council expects to grant the permit at its regular meeting this evening (Monday).
