Council wants more info on new shop in Oliver

Oliver town council wants more information before approving a proposed new manufacturing shop in the industrial area.

A cabinet manufacturing and storage building is being planned for 5966 Sawmill Road (across from the Town’s public works yard). But the applicant wants to reduce the required off-street parking requirement from nine to six spaces and increase the parcel coverage from 60 to 63 per cent.

Director of Development Services Randy Houle said ample on-street parking exists in the neighbourhood to accommodate any overflow parking from the business.

But councillors Aimee Grice and Dave Mattes raised a concern about the parking issue.

“Street parking in this area is quite busy with the recycling depot next door,” Mattes said, asking if the permit could be granted without the parking variance.

Houle said the proposal’s design is based on six parking spaces, adding the company would have to redesign the plan and come back to council.

But Mattes said that’s what a townhouse developer successfully did on Salamander Avenue.

Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger asked if staff parking could be allowed inside the building.

Houle said the building is to be used for storage and can’t be considered for parking.

Council members discussed using an existing back lane for parking purposes, which Houle said may accommodate some parallel parking.

Councillor Petra Veintimilla said the proposal would be a “huge improvement” on that street.

“I would hate to turn them away over three parking stalls.”

Mayor Martin Johansen suggested joining the two buildings and moving the refuse bins to the back to gain a couple of additional parking spaces.

But Houle said combining the buildings would require the services of an architect, which would be costly and time consuming.

Permit applicant Warren Brown said that employees might occasionally need to park on the street but noted there is space in the back alley for employee parking.

Grice said she would like to see one or two more spaces on the property to reduce the parking pressure on the street.

Schwartzenberger agreed, suggesting there be an effort to move some things around to create a couple of more parking spots.

Photo illustration of proposed new shop